Instagram Tests Interests Display on User Profiles

Instagram is testing a new feature that allows users to add up to five topics of interest directly to their profiles. The option, first spotted by app researcher Radu Oncescu, enables users to highlight their hobbies, preferences, and passions more visibly to profile visitors. These interests will also influence the content shown in users’ feeds, similar to Instagram’s existing “Your Algorithm” controls.

The feature is designed to help users connect with like-minded individuals by making shared interests more apparent. It resembles a previously tested “Picks” function in Instagram’s inbox Notes and mirrors an interests display already available on Threads. By showcasing common topics, Instagram appears to be aiming to foster more organic social connections within the app.

The test reflects Instagram’s ongoing efforts to balance entertainment-focused content, particularly Reels, with features that support community and personal expression. As the platform competes with TikTok for user attention, maintaining its role as a space for genuine interaction remains important. Visible interests could help users discover others with aligned hobbies and encourage more original content creation.

Instagram has not yet provided official confirmation or a full rollout timeline for the feature. If implemented widely, it could influence how users present themselves and how the algorithm surfaces content.