How To Reset Your Instagram Feed Algorithm And See Less Irrelevant Content

Scrolling through Instagram should feel engaging, not frustrating. Yet many users find themselves buried under a flood of unrelated posts—ads for products they’ll never buy, viral memes from accounts they don’t follow, or outdated influencers who no longer align with their interests. This isn’t random; it’s the work of Instagram’s algorithm, which learns from your behavior to curate what you see. The good news? You’re not powerless. With deliberate actions, you can reset your Instagram feed algorithm and regain control over what appears in your timeline.

The algorithm prioritizes engagement: likes, saves, shares, comments, and time spent on posts. Over time, if your interactions are inconsistent or driven by impulse, the system misreads your preferences. But by recalibrating your habits and using built-in tools, you can train Instagram to show you more meaningful content and less noise.

Understanding How the Instagram Algorithm Works

Instagram’s feed algorithm is powered by machine learning models that analyze thousands of data points to predict what content you're most likely to engage with. It doesn’t just look at who you follow—it considers:

• Your past interactions (likes, comments, shares)
• Time spent viewing specific posts or reels
• Frequent searches and hashtags you click
• Accounts you’ve muted, hidden, or reported
• How recently a post was published

In 2024, Instagram shifted further toward recommendation-based content, meaning even non-followed accounts appear prominently. According to Adam Mosseri, Head of Instagram, “Only about 25% of what people see on Instagram is from accounts they actually follow.” That leaves 75% open to suggested content—which explains why so many users feel overwhelmed by irrelevance.

“We want to help people discover new interests and creators they might love.” — Adam Mosseri, Head of Instagram

While discovery has value, unchecked recommendations can dilute your experience. The key is guiding the algorithm back to your true preferences—not letting it guess.

Step-by-Step Guide to Resetting Your Instagram Feed

Resetting your feed doesn’t require deleting your account or logging out for days. Instead, it involves intentional retraining of the algorithm through consistent user behavior. Follow this seven-day plan to begin reshaping your feed:

1. Day 1: Audit Your Following List
   Unfollow at least 30–50 accounts that no longer reflect your current interests. Focus on those whose content you consistently scroll past or mute.
2. Day 2: Clear Recent Interactions
   Go to Settings > Security > Clear Search History. Also, unfavorite recent hashtags and locations under “Recent” in search.
3. Day 3: Engage Intentionally
   Spend 10–15 minutes interacting only with high-value accounts: like, comment thoughtfully, and save posts from creators you genuinely enjoy.
4. Day 4: Use the “Not Interested” Tool
   Long-press on three to five recommended posts and tap “Not Interested.” Add context when prompted (e.g., “I don’t like this topic” or “I don’t know this account”).
5. Day 5: Mute & Re-Engage
   Mute suggested accounts posting irrelevant content. Then, revisit accounts you used to love but haven’t seen in weeks—double-tap a few posts to signal renewed interest.
6. Day 6: Explore Purposefully
   Visit the Explore page and interact only with content aligned with your goals (e.g., photography, wellness). Tap heart icons on relevant images.
7. Day 7: Review & Refine
   Check your main feed. Notice changes? Repeat steps 3–6 daily for two more weeks to solidify new patterns.

Tip: Avoid mindless scrolling during reset week. Each interaction trains the algorithm—make them count.

Tools and Features That Help Regain Control

Instagram offers several underrated tools designed to give users more say over their feeds. Most people overlook them, but they’re essential for algorithmic resets.

1. “See Fewer Posts Like This”

When you encounter an unwanted post, long-press and select “Not Interested,” then choose “See fewer posts like this.” This tells Instagram to deprioritize similar content types—especially helpful for avoiding political rants, fitness spam, or baby photos from distant acquaintances.

2. Mute Specific Accounts or Stories

Muting stops an account’s content from appearing without unfollowing. Ideal for friends who post excessively or brands pushing constant sales. To mute: visit profile → three dots → “Mute Posts and Stories.”

3. Reset Explore Suggestions

If your Explore page feels off, reset it by clearing search history and avoiding clicks on irrelevant thumbnails. After 3–5 days of selective browsing, suggestions improve significantly.

4. Customize Feed Preferences

Instagram now allows limited feed customization. In the Home tab, tap the menu icon (three lines) → “Following” to view chronological posts only. Alternatively, use “Favorites” to prioritize close connections.

Feature	What It Does	Best For
“Not Interested”	Signals dislike for a post or account	Blocking one-off irrelevant content
Mute Account	Hides all posts/stories temporarily	Overposting friends or seasonal brands
Clear Search History	Resets Explore and search suggestions	Starting fresh after topic shifts
Favorites List	Prioritizes selected accounts in feed	Ensuring loved creators aren’t missed

Real Example: How Sarah Reclaimed Her Feed

Sarah, a freelance graphic designer, noticed her Instagram feed had become cluttered with gym influencers, cryptocurrency ads, and parenting memes—none of which matched her lifestyle. She realized she’d accidentally engaged with a single fitness reel while bored one evening, and within days, her Explore page transformed.

Determined to fix it, she followed the reset process: unfollowed 60+ inactive or mismatched accounts, cleared her search history, and spent five minutes each morning liking design portfolios and art tutorials. She also reported three suggested posts as “Not Interested,” specifying “I’m not interested in fitness.”

Within ten days, her feed returned to its original balance—filled with creative inspiration, industry news, and updates from real friends. “It felt like getting my account back,” she said. “Now I only see things I actually care about.”

Common Mistakes That Reinforce Irrelevant Content

Even with good intentions, certain behaviors sabotage your efforts to clean up your feed. Avoid these pitfalls:

• Double-tapping everything: Liking every post from friends—even ones you don’t care about—confuses the algorithm.
• Clicking sensational thumbnails: Opening a bizarre meme just to roll your eyes still counts as engagement.
• Leaving comments like “Nice!”: Generic replies signal interest. Save deep engagement for content you truly value.
• Ignoring the Explore page entirely: Not interacting there leaves the algorithm guessing. Guide it with intentional clicks.

Tip: If you must scroll mindlessly, do it in airplane mode or use the “Following” feed to avoid training the algorithm.

Checklist: Reset Your Instagram Feed in 7 Days

Use this checklist to stay on track during your reset week:

1. ☐ Unfollow 30+ irrelevant or inactive accounts
2. ☐ Clear search history and recent hashtags
3. ☐ Create a Favorites list of 10 priority accounts
4. ☐ Use “Not Interested” on 5+ suggested posts
5. ☐ Mute 3–5 distracting accounts
6. ☐ Spend 10 minutes/day engaging with quality content
7. ☐ Visit Explore and tap hearts on 5 relevant posts
8. ☐ Switch to “Following” feed for 24 hours to assess progress

Repeat core actions (engagement, muting, reporting) weekly for sustained results.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I completely reset Instagram’s algorithm?

No official “reset button” exists, but consistent behavioral changes effectively retrain the algorithm within 1–3 weeks. The system adapts continuously, so ongoing mindful usage is key.

Will deleting app data reset my feed?

Clearing app cache may temporarily disrupt personalized content, but once you log back in, Instagram restores your history from the cloud. True change comes from updated interaction patterns, not technical resets.

Why do I keep seeing old posts from people I don’t follow?

Instagram promotes “evergreen” content—popular posts that continue performing well. These appear in “Suggested Posts” below your main feed. Tap “Not Interested” to reduce frequency.

Take Back Control of Your Digital Experience

Your Instagram feed should reflect who you are and what you care about—not what the algorithm assumes based on a few accidental taps. By understanding how recommendations are generated and taking deliberate action, you can reshape your feed into a source of inspiration, connection, and joy.

The process requires patience and consistency. There’s no instant fix, but the payoff is worth it: a cleaner, more relevant feed that enhances rather than drains your attention. Start today. Clean up your follows, refine your interactions, and use Instagram’s tools to speak clearly to the algorithm. In just a few weeks, you’ll notice the difference every time you open the app.

💬 Ready to transform your Instagram experience? Begin the 7-day reset today and share your progress in the comments—help others break free from irrelevant content too!