How to Reset Instagram Algorithm in 2025

Last Updated on June 26, 2025 by Himanshu Rawat

Are your interests no longer reflected in your Instagram feed? Instagram’s algorithm adjusts to your usage over time, which can occasionally lead to a cluttered or irrelevant feed. The good news is that you can take back control of your Instagram experience by resetting the algorithm. 

This is a thorough guide on how to do it, why it’s important, and how to maximize your new beginning.

What is the Instagram Algorithm?

Instagram’s algorithm decides what shows up in your Feed, Stories, Reels, Explore, and Search. Its goal? Keep you engaged by showing content tailored to your interests and behavior.

How the Instagram Algorithm Works in Different Sections

1. Home Feed

The Home feed algorithm selects posts from accounts you follow and suggested content. It uses several key signals:

• Your Activity: Likes, comments, shares, saves, and how often you interact with specific accounts or topics.
• Information About the Post: Posts with high engagement or going viral are more likely to be shown.
• Information About the Poster: If you often interact with similar accounts, you’ll see more from them.
• Interaction History: Frequent engagement with a specific user increases their visibility in your feed.

2. Instagram Stories

Stories are ranked based on:

• Viewing History: Stories from accounts you’ve watched before are prioritized.
• Engagement History: Accounts you’ve messaged or reacted to will appear higher up.
• Closeness: Stories from friends and family (based on your interactions) are ranked higher.

3. Explore Page 

The Explore page shows users new content based on:

• User Interactions: Likes, comments, shares on similar posts.
• Hashtags: Trending and relevant hashtags help boost visibility.
• Timing: Newer posts (within 12–24 hours) are prioritized.
• Location: Nearby content may be shown more often.
• Content Quality: High-quality, original, and engaging posts perform best.

4. Reels

• Watch Time: Longer and repeat views boost reach.
• Engagement: Likes, comments, shares, and saves matter.
• Audio Interaction: Clicking on the sound helps signal interest.
• Recency: Newer Reels are prioritized, but viral older ones can resurface.
• User Behavior: The more you engage with a type of content, the more of it you’ll see.

5. Search Results

• Search Text: Matches your query with usernames, bios, captions, hashtags, and locations.
• User Activity: Accounts you engage with or visit often rank higher.
• Popularity Signals: Trending or widely engaged content ranks better.

Why Reset Your Instagram Algorithm?

If you’re seeing too much irrelevant content, missing posts from friends or favorite creators, stuck in a single niche like just memes or fashion, or noticing a drop in reach and engagement on your posts, it’s a clear sign you might need to reset your Instagram algorithm. 

Resetting helps Instagram understand your new preferences and clean out old patterns.

• Reclaim Your Feed: Over months or years, you may have engaged with content that no longer interests you. Resetting helps clear out old signals and start fresh.
• Improve Discoverability: A reset can help you discover new creators, trends, and communities more aligned with your current interests.
• Maximize Engagement: For creators and brands, a fresh algorithm state can lead to better reach and higher engagement if you immediately interact with relevant content.

How to Reset Your Instagram Algorithm: Step-by-Step

Step 1. Use the “Reset Suggested Content” Feature

Instagram now offers a built-in option to reset your content recommendations:

• Go to your profile and tap the three-line menu (top right).

• Scroll down to Content Preferences.

• Tap Reset Suggested Content.
• Review your followed profiles and ad topics as prompted.
• Confirm the reset.

Step 2. Curate Your Following List

• Unfollow accounts you’re no longer interested in.
• Mute or restrict accounts that clutter your feed but you don’t want to unfollow.

Step 3. Manage Your Interactions

• Use the “Not Interested” option on posts you don’t want to see.
• Actively engage (like, comment, save, share) with content you want more of.
• Avoid doomscrolling or lingering on unwanted content; every second counts as a signal to the algorithm.

4. Clear Your Search and Explore History

• Go to Settings > Security > Clear Search History.
• For Explore, select “Not Interested.”

5. Engage With New Content

• After a reset, Instagram enters a “cold start” mode, showing you a variety of random content to gauge your new interests. 
• The first 3-5 posts you engage with after a reset are especially influential in shaping your refreshed feed.

What Happens When You Reset Your Instagram Algorithm?

Once you reset your Instagram recommendations, the algorithm starts fresh, but your feeds won’t go blank. Instead, Instagram will fill them with a variety of suggested content across Explore, Reels, and other sections to help you discover what you might like.

1. Random Content at First

• Your feed, Reels, and Explore page show trending or unrelated posts since your engagement history is wiped.

2. Algorithm Starts Relearning

• As you like, comment, save, and share, Instagram gradually tailors your feed to match your new preferences.

Example: A Reddit user reset and lost “thirst trap” content in a day, even though they’d only viewed a few seconds of it.

3. Initial Frustration Is Normal

• You may see low-quality, irrelevant, or even disturbing content while the algorithm “guesses” what you like.

4. What Doesn’t Change

• Your follow list stays intact.
• Old data isn’t deleted, just removed from influencing recommendations.
• Ads still target you based on other info.

5. Bigger Picture

• The reset gives you some control, but Instagram still prioritizes engagement over quality or user well-being.

Tips for a Healthier Instagram Feed

Here are Effective ways to reset your algorithm, improve your Explore page, and take back control of what you see, one intentional scroll at a time.

• Be Intentional: Only engage with content that genuinely interests you. Avoid random likes or scrolling.
• Use “Not Interested” Often: Actively mark irrelevant posts, Reels, or Stories to refine your feed.
• Mix Content Types: Interact with Reels, Stories, Carousels, and posts to diversify your feed.
• Stay Updated: Follow Instagram’s blog or creator updates to stay ahead of changes.
• Leverage New Features: Use tools like “Close Friends,” shopping, or creator features to signal your interests.
• Balance Organic & Paid: For brands or creators, combine organic posts with occasional promotions to optimize reach

Final Thoughts

Resetting your Instagram algorithm is a powerful way to refresh your digital experience. While it won’t solve every issue, algorithmic opacity and engagement-driven content will always play a role; it gives you more agency over what you see. Remember: the key is to be proactive and intentional with your interactions, especially in the days following a reset.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I reset my Instagram algorithm?

You can reset your Instagram algorithm by using the “Reset Suggested Content” feature in your settings, clearing your search history, and engaging only with content that matches your current interests.

2. Will resetting my algorithm delete my followers?

No, resetting your algorithm does not delete your followers or the accounts you follow. It only affects your content recommendations.

3. How long does it take for the algorithm to adjust after a reset?

The algorithm typically starts to adjust within a few days, but it may take up to a few weeks for your feed to feel fully personalized again, depending on your engagement.

4. Can I undo an Instagram algorithm reset?

No, once you reset your algorithm, the process cannot be undone. However, you can quickly retrain the algorithm by engaging with your preferred content.

5. Does resetting affect the ads I see on Instagram?

Resetting your algorithm does not directly affect the ads you see. Ads are targeted based on a variety of data, not just your content recommendations.