Instagram just rolled out a small-looking pop-up that signals a much bigger shift: Meta is letting users train the algorithm — and if you run ads, this changes everything.

In this solo episode, I break down what this update means for your targeting, your ad creative, and your conversion rates moving forward.

What You’ll Learn:

• What Instagram’s new “interest selection” prompt actually means
• How Meta is combining AI + user signals to replace third-party data
• Why this shift will punish generic ad creative
• What message-market match really looks like in 2026
• How small businesses can win by being specific and strategic

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction to Personalized Ads

01:17 Instagram's New Pop-Up: A Game Changer

02:10 Meta's Strategic Shift Towards AI

04:20 Implications for Advertisers

06:09 Actionable Steps for Your Ad Strategy

06:53 Conclusion: Embrace the Change

Running ads that aren’t converting like they used to? Don’t panic. Pivot. Let’s talk about how to align your messaging, creative, and audience targeting so Meta works for you — not against you.

Instagram ads 2026, Meta ad targeting, Facebook ad changes, AI-powered ads, user-selected interests, message-market match, paid strategy 2026, Katie Brinkley, Next Step Social, Marketing Trends Now

Learn more about Katie and Next Step Social & Podcasting:

Speaking: https://katiebrinkley.com/

Website: https://www.nextstepsocial.com/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiebrinkley

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MarketingTrendsNow

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamkatiebrinkley/

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