Instagram lets you see what it thinks you like, and the results are bizarre

2025-04-27 22:01:39admin

Most of my Instagram ads make sense, even if it's a depressing kind of sense. (I am served a lot of ads for Tums.) But there are a few that, for the life of me, I cannot figure out. Why is Instagram so invested in me purchasing fishing lures? I have not been fishing in many years.

Turns out, Instagram assembles a list of all the things that it thinks you like -- based on the data it's pulled from you, of course. It's nothing new, but it is enjoying a brief moment in the spotlight after reporter Eric Ginsburg tweeted about it Saturday.

He also provided instructions on how to view your own "interests."

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Now people are sharing their own lists, which seem to be riddled with things they are not, in fact, interested in. The first item on my own list is "Christian music," of which I am not a big fan despite the mix CD my cousin made me in fifth grade. The second item is "Portraits," which I do love. Number three is "Techno," which is a no from me. It's a real mixed bag.

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Here are some of the more colorful lists I've seen.

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SEE ALSO: Why I hate the new Instagram Stories camera

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Where is Instagram getting all this data? From activity on both your IG and Facebook accounts, for one thing. It also pulls information from third-party apps and websites you've logged into through Facebook -- which, for many of us, means a lotof third parties have gained access to our data one way or another. (Big side eye to you, Facebook.)

If you want to see more ads that are relevant to your real interests it might be good to take a look at your Facebook privacy settings. As Lifehacker reported last month, you can prohibit "partners" (third parties) from using your data, which will mean you only see ads based on your activity "on Facebook, its partners (like WhatsApp), its products (like Instagram), and specific businesses you’ve interacted with." Will you see fewer ads? No. But with a smaller pool of data to metabolize, the app may give you ads that you're slightly more interested in.

Now, I'm off to enjoy my new life as a professional angler!

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