We all know how frustrating it can be when your Instagram feed feels like it’s been hijacked by irrelevant posts or content you’re no longer interested in. Whether it’s seeing too many ads, outdated posts from people you barely interact with, or being bombarded by content you don’t care about, the Instagram algorithm can feel like a mysterious force that dictates what you see.
But what if you could reset your Instagram algorithm and take back control of your feed? Good news—you can! In this post, we’ll show you how to reset or re-train your Instagram algorithm to give you the content you actually want to see, improve your browsing experience, and even help you discover new accounts and creators.
1. Why Does the Instagram Algorithm Matter?
Before diving into the reset process, it’s important to understand why the Instagram algorithm affects what you see in your feed.
Instagram’s algorithm is designed to prioritize posts that it believes will engage you most based on your activity, interactions, and preferences. It factors in:
- What you like, comment, and share: Posts from accounts you interact with most appear more often.
- What type of content you engage with: If you’re constantly liking photos of pets, for example, your feed will show you more pet-related content.
- How often you engage: The more frequently you like, comment, and engage with a certain type of post, the more Instagram thinks you want to see that content.
- How long you spend on Instagram: The longer you browse, the more personalized your feed becomes.
Over time, this means your feed can get stuck in a content loop where you’re constantly shown similar posts, even if your interests have changed. A reset can help break this cycle and bring variety back to your feed.
2. How to Reset Your Instagram Algorithm (Step-by-Step)
2.1. Unfollow Accounts That No Longer Interest You
One of the first and most effective ways to reset your Instagram algorithm is to clean up the accounts you follow. If your feed is cluttered with irrelevant posts, it’s likely due to the accounts you follow.
Steps to unfollow accounts:
- Go to the profile of the account you want to unfollow.
- Tap the following button.
- Select Unfollow.
Alternatively, you can unfollow multiple accounts by visiting your Following list and tapping the Unfollow button next to each account you no longer want to follow.
2.2. Engage with Content You Actually Enjoy
Once you’ve cleared out irrelevant accounts, it’s time to retrain the algorithm. Instagram’s algorithm learns from your interactions, so by engaging more with content that interests you, you can guide it to show you more of the things you like.
Tips for retraining the algorithm:
- Like and comment on posts that match your current interests.
- Spend more time engaging with posts from new accounts and creators that align with your current tastes.
- Save posts that inspire you or interest you (Instagram takes note of saved content).
- Follow new accounts that align with your new interests.
The more you interact with content you genuinely care about, the more Instagram will start to show you similar posts.
2.3. Use the “Explore” Page to Discover New Content
Instagram’s Explore page is an excellent tool for discovering new content based on your recent activity. By interacting with content on the Explore page, you can send strong signals to the algorithm about the types of posts and accounts you want to see more of.
Steps to use Explore effectively:
- Tap the magnifying glass icon in the Instagram app to access the Explore page.
- Engage with posts that appeal to your current interests (like, comment, save).
- Explore hashtags and location tags that reflect your new preferences.
- Over time, Instagram will adapt and show you more content based on your evolving interests.
2.4. Clear Your Search History
Instagram’s algorithm also uses your search history to personalize your feed. If your recent searches are influencing what you see, you might want to clear your search history to reset the algorithm.
How to clear your search history:
- Go to your profile and tap the three horizontal lines in the top-right corner.
- Tap Settings > Security.
- Select Clear Search History and confirm.
This action removes all past searches and ensures that your feed won’t be based on your old habits or interests.
2.5. Mute Accounts Without Unfollowing Them
Sometimes you don’t want to completely unfollow an account, but you also don’t want their posts showing up in your feed. Instagram gives you the ability to mute posts and stories without unfollowing the account entirely. This can help you reset the content you’re seeing while keeping your follows intact.
How to mute an account:
- Go to the account’s profile.
- Tap the Following button.
- Select Mute and choose whether to mute posts, stories, or both.
3. What If You Want a Complete Reset?
If you want to completely reset your Instagram algorithm and start fresh, you can take more drastic measures:
3.1. Deactivate Your Instagram Account Temporarily
By temporarily deactivating your Instagram account, you can stop the algorithm from collecting data while you’re away. When you reactivate your account, it will treat you as a “new” user and reset much of the feed personalization.
How to deactivate your account:
- Log into Instagram from a web browser (this can’t be done in the app).
- Go to your profile and select Edit Profile.
- Scroll down and click Temporarily disable my account.
- Choose a reason for deactivating and confirm.
Keep in mind that your followers will still be able to see your profile and interact with your content when you return, but your feed will be significantly less personalized while deactivated.
3.2. Create a New Instagram Account
If you want a completely fresh start, creating a new account is the most effective way to reset the algorithm. With a new account, Instagram will have no prior data on your interactions, so you can completely customize your feed based on your current preferences.
4. Best Practices for Maintaining a Healthy Instagram Feed
Now that you know how to reset your Instagram algorithm, here are a few tips for maintaining a healthy, relevant feed:
- Engage regularly: Regular engagement with content that matches your interests helps keep your feed fresh and aligned with your preferences.
- Monitor your activity: Be mindful of the types of posts you interact with and adjust accordingly.
- Use Instagram’s “See Fewer Posts Like This”: If a post doesn’t interest you, use this option to signal Instagram to show you fewer similar posts.
- Follow diverse accounts: Keep your feed interesting by following a variety of accounts that provide a balance of content.
Resetting your Instagram algorithm is a great way to refresh your feed, break out of content loops, and get back to enjoying the platform. Whether you’re cleaning up who you follow, retraining the algorithm through engagement, or even temporarily deactivating your account, there are several strategies to ensure Instagram delivers the content you actually care about.
With a few simple steps, you can take control of your Instagram experience and enjoy a feed that truly reflects your current interests.
