TikTok has introduced a new feature called “Manage Topics,” allowing users to take greater control over the content that appears on their For You feed. Launched on August 30, this feature is currently being rolled out to users in the United States.
The “Manage Topics” feature enables users to customize their For You feed by adjusting sliders for specific content categories, such as “Food & Drinks,” “Health & Fitness,” or “Dance.” These sliders are found under the Content Preferences section in the app’s Settings and Privacy menu. Initially set at a neutral position, users can move the sliders to see more or less content related to their chosen topics.
According to TikTok, these adjustments will influence the frequency of certain topics appearing in the For You feed, though it won’t impact content from accounts that users already follow. However, TikTok advises that changes to the feed may not be immediate, as it might take some time for the new preferences to be reflected.
Over the years, TikTok has introduced several features aimed at giving users more control over their algorithmic feed, such as the “Not Interested” button and the ability to block specific keywords or hashtags. Last year, the platform even tested a For You Page reset option. The introduction of the new sliders offers a more refined way to personalize the feed without needing to start over completely.
While TikTok’s algorithm is often praised for its ability to deliver highly tailored content, the effectiveness of the new slider feature remains to be seen. Previous attempts by other platforms, like YouTube’s “dislike” button, have shown that user feedback does not always lead to significant changes in the content recommendations.
