Brick by brick, I’ve built my Instagram feed to match my tastes. At least, that's what I thought until I started seeing the most bizarre Reels content. Fortunately, Instagram’s new reset feature promises a chance to start over in just a few taps, and I can’t wait to wipe away all those unwanted recommendations in Explore, Reels, and my Feed.
The new tool, currently rolling out globally, helps you fine-tune recommendations over time and even lets you review and unfollow accounts that don’t spark interest anymore. It’s permanent once done, but it’s a handy way to reclaim control over what you see. If you want a clean experience, here's how you can get it.
What are Instagram recommendations, and should you reset them?
Instagram recommendations are how the platform helps you discover new content and accounts that you don’t already follow. These recommendations show up in Explore, Reels, Feed, Search, or Suggested Accounts. For example, if you frequently watch and like reels of cooking tutorials, the algorithm picks up on this interest.
When next you scroll through the Reels tab, you’ll notice more food-related videos, even from creators you don’t follow. If your account is public and follows Instagram’s guidelines, IG might also recommend your posts to people who don’t follow you yet.
You can check your account status to see if your content is eligible. Go to Settings > Account privacy. If something on your page doesn’t meet the guidelines, Instagram might stop recommending your account until it’s fixed. Even if your account isn’t eligible, your followers will still see your content. It’s just that Instagram won’t promote it to new audiences. A fresh start with Instagram recommendations can refine your feed and help attract the audience you need to boost your Instagram followers effortlessly.
Normally, you're stuck with whatever Instagram thinks you like, based on your past interactions. That means you'll build a feed full of content that doesn’t really match your current interests. With Instagram's new reset feature, you can clear your recommendations and start fresh.
Related: Instagram Adds New Features To Enhance Your DM Experience
How to clear Instagram recommendations and start over
Instagram is rolling out updates to its recommendation system, so if you don’t see the new reset settings on your phone yet, be patient. They should become available soon. In the meantime, unfollow people to see less of the content you dislike.
Follow the steps below to give your recommendations a hard refresh. They work similarly across the mobile app for Android and iOS devices.
1. Open the Instagram app and go to your profile.
2. Tap the menu or hamburger icon in the top right corner to enter the settings menu.
3. Scroll down and tap Suggested content under What you see.
4. Select Reset suggested content. Then tap Next.
5. Instagram will prompt you to unfollow any accounts you don't want to see content from. Take your time to review them.
6. When you're done, tap Reset suggested content.
Discover more on Instagram
Though the reset recommendations feature is new, Instagram has numerous hidden gems that you probably didn't know about. For instance, have you tried the chat games in DMs? They’re a fun way to connect with friends while competing in casual games directly within your conversations.
You can also discreetly hide people's posts without blocking or u following them and temporarily pause notifications to let others know you're taking a break. Take some time to explore these lesser-known features.
