TikTok has just announced a major update that could significantly change how content appears on your For You Page, and it’s all about giving users more control.
The short-form video app is rolling out a new wave of personalisation features, aimed at helping users fine-tune their algorithm and steer their feeds towards what they actually want to see.
At the centre of the update is a new tool called Manage Topics, which lets users choose how often they want to see videos from certain popular categories, including Travel, Nature, Sports and Creative Arts. While you won’t be able to completely switch off a topic, TikTok says this tool will “influence how often they’re recommended as your interests evolve over time”.
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The platform has long faced criticism over the way its algorithm can sometimes trap users in content loops — particularly around topics like body image, fitness or mental health. In response, TikTok has made efforts to offer more transparency and control to users of all ages.
TikTok said in its official announcement: “The For You feed empowers discovery by connecting people to great creators and content that are tailored just for them,”
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It added: “We offer controls to help people further personalise their experience, and now we’re expanding them.”
Another headline addition is Smart Keyword Filters, an AI-powered evolution of the platform’s existing keyword-blocking tool. Previously, users could manually add words or phrases they didn’t want to see in their feed. Now, the system can automatically identify and filter out similar or related terms — including synonyms — making it easier to avoid entire types of content.
The company revealed: “These have been used to filter over 200M words from feeds globally,”. In the coming months, users will also be able to bulk add keywords and double their filter limit to 200 entries.
Alongside these new features, TikTok is also releasing an educational guide to help users better understand how the For You algorithm works, including videos and insights into why certain content is being recommended. The app has partnered with creator and digital safety advocate @cathypedrayes to explain the tools in a more accessible way.
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The update comes shortly after TikTok banned the keyword #skinnytok from its search function, following pressure from European regulators over harmful body image content. It also follows broader efforts by the platform to safeguard younger users, including stricter controls around what types of content are eligible to appear in the For You feed.
TikTok says the update is designed to encourage positive engagement and discovery, while also making it easier to avoid content users find uncomfortable or repetitive.
The platform said: “All of these updates will be launching for both teen and adult accounts, building on the tools and safeguards that help people have a great For You feed experience on TikTok”.
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As for trends to watch, according to TikTok’s Summer 2025 report — BritTok, gardening content and retro TV clips are among the hottest genres on the rise.
Whether you're after more wildlife videos or want to block out dodgy diet trends altogether, this update could finally give users the steering wheel they've been asking for.