Category Two: Empowering User Agency & Customization
3. Customizable Feeds, Algorithm, and Categorization
FOMO is intensified when users have little control over algorithm-driven feeds that prioritize viral and idealized content. Giving users the ability to customize their feed style and organize content based on personal relevance supports more intentional and balanced engagement.
Explanation of the Principle
Social media platforms typically use engagement-driven algorithms to control what users see. While this increases time spent on the platform, it often amplifies FOMO by prioritizing viral content, curated lifestyles, and trending posts that push users into constant comparison. When users lack control over their content feeds, they are more likely to consume passively, feel out of sync with others, and develop anxiety about missing out on experiences, trends, or conversations.
To reduce FOMO and promote healthier engagement, platforms should offer users more meaningful control over how their feeds operate. This includes the ability to switch between feed styles (e.g., chronological, interest-based, or close connections), adjust the influence of algorithms, and organize content based on personal preferences. Instead of being guided solely by opaque platform logic, users can engage with content that aligns with their values, needs, or current state of mind.
By enabling customization, users are empowered to intentionally shape their social media environment, reducing the pressure to keep up with everything at once. This creates space for more focused, fulfilling, and self-directed interactions with digital content.
Sub-Principles
Customizable Feeds & Algorithmic Control
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Users should have the option to choose between different feed styles—chronological, interest-based, or friends & close connections feed—rather than being locked into engagement-maximizing algorithms.
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When users lack control over what they see, FOMO is intensified by constantly surfacing viral trends, idealized lifestyles, and must-see content.
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By allowing users to tailor their feeds, platforms can reduce the pressure to keep up and promote intentional, interest-driven engagement rather than compulsive scrolling.
User-Controlled Content Categorization
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Instead of a single, algorithm-driven feed, users should have the freedom to create and customize their own content categories based on what matters most to them. Whether it’s Friends, Work, Hobbies, News, Art, Sports, or any other category they define, users can choose how to organize their feed.
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This approach reduces FOMO by helping users engage more intentionally, allowing them to check in on specific interests rather than being overwhelmed by a mix of trending and highly curated content.
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Categorization fosters healthier social media habits, preventing the urge to endlessly scroll just to keep up with everything at once.
Breaking Algorithmic Echo Chambers
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Algorithm-driven feeds reinforce FOMO by repeatedly showing similar content, making users feel they must keep up with certain trends, lifestyles, or opinions.
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Constant exposure to idealized experiences—like luxury travel, non-stop socializing, or hustle culture—creates unrealistic social norms, leading to comparison-driven anxiety.
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To break these echo chambers, platforms should introduce diversity-focused tools, such as an "Explore Beyond Your Bubble" feature, to broaden perspectives and encourage more intentional content consumption rather than passive comparison.
Quadrant Position
Customizable Feeds, Algorithm, and Categorization:
This principle is one of ten UX principles designed to reduce FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) in the social media experience of college students. To better understand how each principle functions, they are organized within a visual framework that maps them along two axes:
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User-Controlled vs. Platform-Controlled:
This axis reflects whether the feature or design element is something users can personalize based on their preferences, or if it is set by the platform with limited user control. -
Direct vs. Indirect FOMO:
This axis shows whether the principle addresses obvious and immediate experiences of FOMO, or more subtle and indirect emotional effects that still contribute to feelings of FOMO.
Placement Rationale:
This principle is placed firmly on the User-Controlled side and centered between Direct and Indirect FOMO. It focuses on giving users more control over how content is sorted, filtered, and surfaced in their feeds. By customizing what they see, users can manage both the immediate fear of missing out on specific events and the more subtle, ambient triggers that lead to indirect FOMO. Although the platform sets the foundation, the emphasis here is on user agency in shaping their own experience.
How Psychology Explains This
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The Filter Bubble Effect (Pariser, 2011) occurs when algorithms prioritize content that aligns with users’ past behavior and preferences, reinforcing existing views and narrowing exposure. This repetition fosters echo chambers that increase comparison and FOMO by repeatedly showing similar lifestyles, opinions, or trends.
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Self-Determination Theory (Deci & Ryan, 1985) emphasizes the importance of autonomy in motivation and well-being. When users can personalize their feeds and decide how content is organized, they feel a greater sense of control and agency—key factors in reducing compulsive behavior and emotional stress linked to FOMO.
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Cognitive Load Theory (Sweller, 1988) highlights how overwhelming or unstructured information increases mental fatigue. Algorithm-driven feeds packed with unrelated or emotionally intense content can create cognitive overload, making it harder for users to engage mindfully. Giving users control over content categories and feed structure helps reduce this load and supports healthier digital habits.
Current UX Design Approaches in Social Media Platforms
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TikTok – “Not Interested” Filter
Offers basic ways for users to signal preferences, which slightly influences the recommendation algorithm.
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TikTok – Manage Topics
Lets users personalize their “For You” feed by selecting content categories they want to see more or less of. This gives users more direct control over the type of videos that appear, helping shape their experience beyond reactive engagement.
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LinkedIn – Feed View Options
Lets users toggle between “Top” (algorithm-driven) and “Recent” (chronological), offering basic control over feed sequencing.
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Instagram – Favorites
Allows users to prioritize content from selected accounts, pushing those posts higher in the feed.
Design Ideas for Applying the Principle
Custom Categories for Followed Accounts
Whenever users follow a new account, they are prompted to assign it to a category (e.g., Friends, Art, Gym, Cooking). Later, users can filter their feed by these categories.
Users can also assign categories later by selecting an option from the post's settings or menu, making it easy to organize content over time.
Helps reduce FOMO by letting users intentionally view what matters most at any given time, rather than being overwhelmed by a single, mixed feed.
Explore Beyond Your Bubble
A feature that helps users break out of the filter bubble effect, where algorithms repeatedly show similar content, reinforcing narrow perspectives and increasing comparison-driven FOMO by making users feel like everyone is living a more exciting or successful life.
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Users adjust a sliding scale to control how much of their feed shows familiar content vs. new and diverse topics. For example, they can choose a mix between "My Interests" and "Outside My Bubble."
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This tool can be placed in the Explore section, feed settings, or appear as an occasional suggested prompt (e.g., “Want to see something different?”).
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Encourages users to discover a wider range of content and perspectives, reducing FOMO caused by hyper-personalized, idealized feeds.
Plugin Feature Inspired by This Principle
Customization Finder
Many social media platforms already offer features that allow users to customize their feeds, such as switching to chronological order or selecting favorite accounts. However, these options are often hidden or unclear, and users may not realize they exist.
The plugin helps by identifying these existing customization features on each platform and offering clear, in-context suggestions. It explains what the feature does, how it can help reduce FOMO or stress, and how to activate or adjust it in just a few steps.
By surfacing these options at the right moment, the plugin encourages users to take control of their feed and engage more intentionally with content.
Challenges & Limitations of This Principle
Cognitive Load for Users / Paradox of Choice
Too Many Options Can Overwhelm: While customization is powerful, some users may find it confusing or exhausting to manage feed settings, filters, and categories. If poorly designed, this could lead to decision fatigue or abandonment of features.
New Forms of FOMO
Ironically, users may begin to wonder what they’re missing from the algorithmic feed after switching to a customized or chronological view—creating a new kind of FOMO rooted in fear of missing something valuable the algorithm used to surface for them.
User Resistance to Breaking Habits
Many users are accustomed to passive scrolling and algorithm-driven convenience, so they may resist manual feed customization unless they are actively encouraged or guided through thoughtful onboarding.
Platform Business Model Conflicts
Platforms often rely on algorithmically optimized feeds to maximize time spent and ad revenue. Allowing users to customize or opt out of algorithmic feeds may initially reduce passive engagement, but it also creates opportunities for users to spend more time on the app in a healthier, more intentional way. However, even positive engagement can risk becoming compulsive if not thoughtfully designed, which highlights the importance of finding a balance between user autonomy and well-being.