How to Reset Your Instagram Algorithm: A Complete Guide. Instagram is testing reset recommendations.
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How to Reset Your Instagram Algorithm
Instagram’s algorithm is a mysterious force that controls what you see on your feed. Over time, it learns your preferences and shows you more of what you like. But sometimes, you may notice that the content you’re seeing is no longer what you enjoy. Or perhaps you want to see fresh content and stop the app from showing you the same things over and over.
If you feel like your Instagram feed has gotten repetitive, or it no longer matches your interests, resetting the algorithm might be the solution. Here’s how to do it, step by step, so you can take back control of what appears on your feed.
Why Does Instagram’s Algorithm Matter?
Instagram’s algorithm decides what posts appear in your feed, your Explore page, and even in your Reels. It’s based on your interactions—what you like, comment on, and share. Over time, Instagram learns your preferences and shows you content it thinks you’ll enjoy.
However, there are times when you may want to reset the algorithm. This could happen if you’ve been engaging with certain types of posts that no longer interest you. Or if you’ve followed accounts that now clutter your feed. In these situations, resetting the algorithm can give you a fresh start.
Steps to Reset Your Instagram Algorithm
1. Clear Your Search History
Instagram keeps track of your searches to suggest accounts, hashtags, and places you may be interested in. Clearing your search history can help reset the algorithm and stop Instagram from suggesting content you no longer want.
To clear your search history:
- Open Instagram and go to your profile.
- Tap the three lines in the top-right corner to open the menu.
- Select “Settings.”
- Scroll down and tap “Security.”
- Under the “Data and History” section, tap “Clear Search History.”
This will remove all your previous searches and prevent Instagram from basing future suggestions on them.
2. Unfollow Accounts and Leave Groups
The accounts you follow and the groups you engage with play a significant role in shaping your feed. If your feed is showing content you no longer care about, try unfollowing those accounts or leaving group chats.
To unfollow an account:
- Visit the profile of the account you want to unfollow.
- Tap “Following.”
- Select “Unfollow.”
Similarly, you can leave group chats by tapping on the group’s name and selecting “Leave Chat.”
By unfollowing accounts and leaving groups that no longer interest you, the algorithm will gradually adjust and start showing you different content.
3. Engage with New Accounts and Content
One of the best ways to reset the algorithm is by engaging with new content. Instagram’s algorithm shows you more of what you like and interact with. So, if you want to change what you see, start liking, commenting, and sharing posts from different types of accounts.
For example, if you want to see more travel content, start following travel influencers, liking their posts, and commenting on their photos. If you prefer art, follow artists and engage with their posts. The more you interact with new content, the more Instagram will show you posts related to your new interests.
4. Mute Accounts Instead of Unfollowing
If you don’t want to completely unfollow certain accounts, you can mute them instead. Muting allows you to stop seeing posts and stories from specific accounts without unfollowing them.
To mute an account:
- Go to their profile.
- Tap the three dots in the top-right corner.
- Select “Mute.”
- Choose whether to mute posts, stories, or both.
By muting accounts, you won’t see their posts in your feed, but you’ll still be following them. This is a good option if you want to keep the follow but reset what shows up in your feed.
5. Limit Interactions with Certain Types of Content
Instagram pays attention to your interactions and uses them to recommend similar content. If you’ve been engaging with certain types of posts that you no longer want to see, you can limit your interactions with that content.
For example, if you’ve been liking a lot of fitness posts and want to stop seeing them, simply stop liking, commenting, and saving those posts. Instagram will notice the shift and start suggesting other content that aligns with your current interests.
6. Use the “Not Interested” Feature
If you see content that you no longer like, you can mark it as “Not Interested.” This helps teach the algorithm what you don’t want to see.
To use the “Not Interested” feature:
- Tap the three dots on a post you’re not interested in.
- Select “Not Interested.”
Instagram will stop showing you similar posts in the future. This is a quick and easy way to remove unwanted content from your feed.
7. Take Breaks from Instagram
Sometimes, the best way to reset the algorithm is to take a break from Instagram. If you stop engaging with posts for a while, the algorithm won’t have as much data to base suggestions on. When you return, it will start showing you new content based on your latest interactions.
You can take a break by simply logging out of your account for a few days. Or, if you want to go a step further, you can temporarily deactivate your account. To deactivate your account:
- Go to your profile and tap the three lines.
- Tap “Settings.”
- Select “Account.”
- Tap “Deactivate Your Account.”
Once you reactivate your account, Instagram will start fresh, offering you new content recommendations based on your recent behavior.
8. Rearrange Your Following List
Sometimes, the issue with your feed is simply that you follow too many accounts. If you follow hundreds of accounts, it can be hard for Instagram’s algorithm to know what content is most relevant to you. Consider unfollowing accounts that don’t add value to your feed.
You can also mute certain accounts, as mentioned before, to avoid clutter without losing the follow.