Ever talked about a product and then suddenly seen an ad for it on Instagram? It can feel creepy almost like the app is secretly listening to you. But according to Adam Mosseri, the head of Instagram, that’s just a myth. The app is not listening to your conversations through your microphone. So why do the ads feel so personal? Let’s break it down. Why Instagram ads feel so accurate Instagram doesn’t need your microphone to understand you. It studies your behavior. Here’s what it tracks: 1. What you like, comment on, save, and search 2. What you click on 3. Your activity on other websites through Meta Pixel and cookies All this data helps Meta Platforms show highly personalised ads across its apps. Recently, Meta even started showing ads in WhatsApp Status updates and said it may personalise ads based on interactions with its Meta AI chatbot. If that makes you uncomfortable, don’t worry you can limit how much data is used. How to Reduce Personalised Ads on Instagram Method 1: Change Ad Preferences in Accounts Centre 1. Open the Instagram app 2. Go to your profile 3. Tap the three lines (top-right corner) 4. Select Accounts Centre 5. Tap Ad Preferences 6. Go to Manage Info 7. Tap Activity information from ad partners 8. Choose Review setting 9. Select: “No, don’t make my ads more relevant by using this information.” This stops Instagram from using partner data to personalise ads. Read also: Tired of cringe or repetitive Instagram reels? Method 2: Disconnect Off-Meta Activity 1. Go back to Accounts Centre 2. Tap Your information and permissions 3. Select Your activity off Meta technologies 4. Choose Disconnect specific activity 5. Enter your password to confirm 6. Tap Manage future activity 7. Select Disconnect future activity This prevents Meta from using your activity outside its apps for ad targeting. Read also: How to create viral handmade posters using Google Gemini
Important points to know You will still see ads. But they won’t be as personalised based on your browsing history or activity. Instagram isn’t spying on your conversations. It’s just very good at analysing your digital behavior. The good news? You’re not powerless you can take back some control in just a few taps.
