How to Add and Manage Topics on Instagram
Learn how to add, adjust, and manage Instagram Topics to personalize your feed, refine recommendations, and boost content discovery aligned to your interests.
How to Add and Manage Topics on Instagram
Instagram has expanded far beyond its origins as a simple photo-sharing app. One of its most useful personalisation tools today is Topics, which allow you to curate your feed and discover content matched to your interests. If you’ve been wondering how to add topics on Instagram and how to manage them effectively, this detailed guide covers everything — from enabling the feature to adjusting preferences for optimal results.
---
Understanding What “Topics” Mean on Instagram
Topics work like interest categories that shape the suggestions Instagram’s algorithm serves you. By selecting Topics, Instagram matches you to relevant posts, reels, and accounts, creating a feed tailored to your tastes.
- More relevant recommendations: Your Explore tab and feed show content in your chosen categories.
- Enhanced engagement: You interact with posts that fit your interests.
- Reduced clutter: Minimises irrelevant content in your feed.
---
Ensure Your Instagram App Is Updated
Before looking for the Topics feature, ensure you have the most recent version of Instagram installed:
- Open App Store (iOS) or Google Play Store (Android).
- Search for “Instagram.”
- If an update is available, tap Update.
- Restart the app after updating.
Many users miss seeing Topics simply because their version is outdated.
---
Navigate to the Home Feed Settings
Once your app is updated:
- Launch Instagram.
- Tap your profile icon in the bottom right.
- Tap the hamburger menu (☰) in the top right.
- Select Settings.
- Locate Feed Preferences or Content Preferences (menu names may vary per update).
---
Access the “Manage Topics” or “Suggested Topics” Section
Within feed or content preferences, look for Manage Topics or Suggested Topics — your portal to adjusting interests.
To enter:
- Scroll to the Topics heading.
- Tap to open available categories.
- In some cases, Suggested Topics appear directly in the Explore feed.
---
Browse Available Topics and Categories
Instagram typically groups topics into categories, for example:
| Category | Examples of Topics |
|---|---|
| Travel | Beach destinations, hiking trails, city guides |
| Food | Vegan recipes, street food, baking tips |
| Entertainment | Movies, TV series reviews, music festivals |
| Sports | Soccer news, marathon training, yoga practices |
| Technology | AI trends, gadget reviews, coding tutorials |
Scroll through these or use search to find niche interests.
---
Select Topics Relevant to Your Interests
To add a topic:
- Tap a topic name.
- Look for a highlight or check mark.
- Confirm with Save or Apply.
Tip: If you create content, pick topics that match your content’s themes to improve discovery.
---
Adjust Topic Preferences for Better Recommendations
You can change Topics at any time to refine the algorithm’s suggestions:
- Remove outdated interests.
- Add new hobbies or professional focus areas.
- Use any available sorting or prioritisation options.
---
How to Remove or Change Topics Later
Changing your topics is simple:
- Go back to Manage Topics.
- Unselect or remove unwanted topics.
- Add new ones and save.
Doing this periodically keeps your feed fresh and aligned with your evolving preferences.
---
Benefits of Adding Topics for Content Discovery
Adding Topics provides:
- Broader discovery: Uncover posts you might never search for.
- Efficiency: Less scrolling through irrelevant posts.
- Algorithm tuning: Helps Instagram learn your preferred themes.
- Inspiration: Great for creators seeking trending ideas in their niche.
---
Tips for Creators to Align Content With Topics
Creators should align selected Topics with their posting strategy:
- Integrate hashtags relevant to chosen topics.
- Interact with similar topic posts for visibility.
- Track engagement metrics per topic in Insights.
- Shape content ideas around popular themes within selected categories.
Example:
If “Travel” and “Beach destinations” are selected, share reels of coastal activities, guides, and high-quality beach imagery.
---
Troubleshooting If Topics Option Is Missing
If Topics do not appear:
- Update Instagram to the latest version.
- Switch to personal or creator accounts if using a business profile (in case of access limitations).
- Log out and back in.
- Clear the app cache (Android) or reinstall the app.
- Confirm availability in your country via Instagram’s Help Center.
---
Privacy and Personalisation Considerations
Instagram blends Topic selections with activity data (likes, follows, watch history) to personalise feeds:
- Data profile: Topics form part of your interests record.
- Ad relevance: Ads may align with your chosen topics.
- User control: You can alter Topics at will to change feed behaviour.
Understanding this ensures informed customisation.
---
Summary: Steps to Add Topics on Instagram
To quickly recap how to add topics on Instagram:
- Update Instagram to its latest version.
- Open profile → settings → feed preferences.
- Tap Manage Topics or Suggested Topics.
- Choose categories matching your interests.
- Save and enjoy a personalised feed.
- Edit selections regularly.
Personalising with Topics makes Instagram more engaging and relevant, whether you’re scrolling casually or looking to grow as a creator.
---
Take Action: Open Instagram now, explore the Topics section, and fine-tune your selections. With just a few taps, you can transform your feed into a curated stream of content that truly inspires.
