How to Reset Your Instagram Algorithm [+Alternatives]
Is Instagram not showing you the right suggestions for posts and accounts, and you’d rather start fresh? We’ve got a simple guide on how to reset your Instagram algorithm and remove unwanted suggestions.
You’ll also find tips on how to customize your feed for a healthier, more personalized experience. Stay tuned and take control of your Instagram experience.
What is the Instagram Algorithm?
The suggestions Instagram shows you are powered by algorithms (yes, there are more of them) that analyze your behavior to present relevant content. If the recommendations don’t match your interests, it might be time for an Instagram algorithm reset.
Like a loyal companion (or in your case, maybe more of a poor judge of character?), Instagram’s algorithms process your activity and suggest accounts and posts that might interest you.
For example, if you frequently search for “how to become a social media manager” and click on a related post, the algorithms will classify this topic as particularly relevant to you.
How to Reset Your Instagram Algorithm To Disable Suggestions
Unfortunately, Instagram’s algorithms sometimes really don’t quite hit the mark, showing you irrelevant recommendations. Whether it’s for privacy reasons or simply because the suggestions are distracting, you might want to reset your Instagram algorithm. But how exactly can you do that?
In November 2024, Instagram announced they were testing a new feature that lets users reset the algorithm and its suggestions in Explore, Reels, and the feed. Here’s what Instagram head Adam Mosseri had to say about it back then:
A few months have passed and this feature has already rolled out to some users, but don’t worry if it’s not available on your phone just yet—it’s still being gradually released.
Here’s how to find the algorithm reset button:
1️⃣ Go to Your Profile: Tap your profile picture in the bottom right to open your profile.
2️⃣ Open Settings: Tap the three-dot menu in the top right and select “Settings and activity.”
3️⃣ Find Content Suggestions: Scroll down to the “What you see” section and look for “Content preferences.”
4️⃣ Reset Suggested Posts: Toggle the option “Reset suggested content”.
When you click on it, it doesn’t allow you to reset the Instagram algorithm instantly. Instead, it guides you through a three-step confirmation process:
1️⃣Review the Reset Details: You’ll find a summary of what resetting your algorithm means. This is your chance to reconsider if you really want a fresh start.
2️⃣Review Followed Accounts & Ad Topics: You’ll be asked to check the type of content you frequently see in your feed and the ad topics you might be interested in.
3️⃣The Final Question: “Reset suggested content?”– If you’re sure (knowing this action cannot be undone), hit the red button.
Before You Reset the Instagram Algorithm: Consider Other Options to Delete Unwanted Suggestions
💡Think twice before you reset the instagram algorithm.
Here’s what you should keep in mind:
- Content suggestions may take time to adjust: After resetting, Instagram will start recommending content from scratch. This means the algorithm might take time to “learn” your preferences again.
- The reset is permanent: Once you reset the Instagram algorithm, the process is permanent. You can’t undo the reset immediately, so be sure you’re confident in your decision.
- Privacy concerns: While the reset might improve the content you see, it won’t necessarily remove your data from Instagram. If you’re resetting for privacy reasons, consider other ways to manage your data, such as deleting certain saved content or adjusting your privacy settings.
- A fresh start could be risky: It’s tempting to think of resetting the Instagram algorithm as a blank page. But remember, it’s not a perfect process. You might end up with suggestions that are not exactly aligned with your interests.
So, before you hit the reset button, carefully evaluate if this is really the best way to improve your Instagram experience. If not, there are other ways to adjust your feed and suggestions without a full algorithm reset. Let’s explore them:
Snooze Your Suggested Posts in the Feed
The first alternative to a full-scale algorithm reset is snoozing the suggestions. You can easily snooze the suggested posts in your feed. Here’s where you’ll find it in your settings:
1️⃣ Go to Your Profile: Tap your profile picture in the bottom right to open your profile.
2️⃣ Open Settings: Tap the three-dot menu in the top right and select “Settings and activity”.
3️⃣ Find Content Suggestions: Scroll down in the menu until you find the “Content suggestions” option under the “What you see” section.
4️⃣ Hide Suggested Posts: Look for the option “Snooze suggested posts in feed” and toggle it to “Hide suggested posts in feed for 30 days”.
This will temporarily hide Instagram’s suggestions from your feed.
Turn Off Notifications for Account Suggestions
If you even receive notifications for account suggestions and it’s (rightfully) bothering you, follow these simple steps to turn them off.
1️⃣ Go to Your Profile: Tap your profile picture in the bottom right to open your profile.
2️⃣ Open Settings: Tap the three-dot menu in the top right and select “Settings and activity”.
3️⃣ Find Notifications: Scroll down in the menu until you see the “Notifications” option with the bell icon.
4️⃣ Navigate to “Following and followers”: Under “Notifications”, choose the “Following and followers” section.
5️⃣ Turn Off Account Suggestions: Look for the “Account suggestions” option and toggle it to “Off”.
Turn Off Individual Post Suggestions
If you’re considering an Instagram algorithm reset because the post suggestions are getting on your nerves, here’s how to turn off individual post suggestions:
1️⃣ Find the Suggested Post: Scroll through your Instagram feed until you spot a post marked as “Suggested Post”.
2️⃣ Open the Three-Dot Menu: Tap the three vertical dots (…) at the top right of the suggested post.
3️⃣ Select “Not Interested”: In the menu, click on “Not Interested” to let Instagram know you’re not into similar suggestions.
Hide Suggested Ads
Just like with post suggestions, you can hide certain ads that you don’t want to see. However, to completely turn them off, you’ll need an Instagram subscription. Here’s how to do it:
1️⃣ Find the Suggested Ad: Look for the post marked as “Ad”.
2️⃣ Open the Three-Dot Menu: Tap the three vertical dots (…) at the top right of the ad.
3️⃣ Select “Not Interested”: In the menu, click on “Not Interested” to let Instagram know you’re not interested in this ad.
Further Tips to Refresh Your Feed
Now that you know how to disable Instagram suggestions instead of a full-scale Instagram algorithm reset, let’s go through some further tips on how to make your feed healthier, more personalized, and better suited to your taste.
Clear Your Cache
Instagram stores your search history and activity, and over time, this data can take up a lot of space. All this data is stored in what’s called the cache.
Regularly clearing your cache has many benefits, not just for your phone’s speed but also for your Instagram suggestions. When you clear the cache, all the stored data about your activities is reset. And yes, this also means you can clear your Instagram suggestions as well.
Mute Instagram
Your Instagram suggestions are now cleared, and you’ve already freed your account from unnecessary data by clearing the cache. Now, it’s time to continue your feed detox.
Why mute Instagram?
If you no longer enjoy certain profiles or find their posts distracting, you can mute them from your feed without unfollowing or blocking them. You can mute posts, stories, notes, and even DM notifications from specific users. This way, you stay in control of what you see and can focus entirely on the content you truly enjoy.
We explain in detail below how it works:
Follow Accounts That Interest You
The foundation of a healthy feed is, of course, following the right accounts. Look for accounts that match your interests, reflect your lifestyle, or inspire you.
This not only helps tidy up your feed but also ensures you see more content that truly appeals to you. It also gives the algorithms a chance to understand your preferences, so you won’t need to reset your Instagram algorithm.
Search for Relevant Content
With the search function, you can actively look for content that interests you. You don’t have to rely solely on suggestions. Search for hashtags, topics, or even geographical locations that interest you. This way, you get fresh inspiration, and your feed becomes more diverse and tailored to your preferences.
Like, Comment, or Share Content You Enjoy
Instagram’s algorithm will better understand what you actually want to see based on your interactions. By regularly liking, commenting on, or sharing content, Instagram will get a clearer picture of what you enjoy. Not only will this improve your feed, but it will also give you more control over what is shown to you.
New Year, New Instagram Experience!
We hope these tips bring a fresh breeze to your feed, helping you discover exciting new content without the risk of completely resetting your Instagram algorithm.
