Last month, my Instagram Explore page got stuck showing me content I had zero interest in. One accidental pause on a random video was all it took. Over the next few days, my feed filled with similar content I never asked for.
Sound familiar? You’re not alone. Over 18,000 people search for “how to reset instagram algorithm” every month. The good news? Instagram gives you real tools to fix this, and once you understand how the algorithm learns, you can shape your feed into exactly what you want to see.
I’m a co-founder of Viraly, a social media platform that agencies, brands, and creators use to manage thousands of accounts. We’ve spent years building tools around exactly this problem. Understanding how Instagram’s algorithm works isn’t theoretical for us, it’s the core of what we do. When I share what I’ve learned, it comes from building an entire platform focused on helping people work with these systems daily.
What surprised me most was how responsive the Instagram algorithm is to your signals. It learns fast, which means you can retrain it fast too.
I spent three weeks testing Instagram’s reset feature and every alternative method I could find. Here’s what actually works to reset instagram algorithm, the shortcuts that save time, and exactly how the algorithm behaves after you reset it.
How Does the Instagram Algorithm Work?
Before I get into how to reset instagram algorithm, understanding this key insight will help everything else make sense.
There isn’t one Instagram algorithm. There are at least four separate systems, each designed to serve you the best content for that specific part of the app. Your Feed, Instagram Reels, Stories, and Explore each run on different recommendation engines. Adam Mosseri, head of Instagram, has been clear about this. In an official Instagram blog post, he explained:
“Instagram doesn’t have one algorithm that oversees what people do and don’t see on the app. We use a variety of algorithms, classifiers, and processes, each with its own purpose.”
This is actually great news for fixing your feed. When I reset my algorithm, my Instagram Reels cleaned up within 48 hours. My Explore page took closer to two weeks because it’s a separate system learning at its own pace.
This means if your main feed is fine but Reels needs work, you can focus your efforts there without starting completely over. More on that later.
How to Reset Instagram Algorithm (Step-by-Step)
Instagram added an official reset button in late 2024, and it’s a game-changer. It’s still rolling out gradually, so here’s how to check if you have it and how to reset instagram algorithm on your account.
If you have access to it, here’s the path: Profile → Menu (☰) → Settings and activity → scroll down to “What you see” → Content preferences → Reset suggested content.
If you don’t see that option yet, there’s a simple alternative: click on the top-right 3 dots of any post or reel, then tap “Not Interested”. This gradually trains the Instagram algorithm to show less of that content type. It’s effective and gives you ongoing control.
If you don’t see a “What you see” section, you don’t have the feature yet. Instead, go to: Settings and activity → Your activity → scroll to “Suggested content” → use “Not interested” and “Interested” to train your feed. This approach takes a bit longer but gives you fine-grained control.
If you do have the reset option, Instagram asks you to confirm three times. The warning says your feed will “feel less engaging at first.” For the first day or two, you’ll see a fresh mix of content: trending posts, popular creators, a variety of topics. Think of it as a blank canvas.
This fresh start is actually the opportunity. The Instagram algorithm is ready to learn your preferences from scratch, so what you engage with in those first couple of days shapes your entire new feed.
How to Reset Instagram Feed
Your main Instagram feed is separate from Explore and Reels, so if you want to reset instagram feed specifically, you have targeted options.
The full reset option (Settings → Content preferences → Reset suggested content) will clear your feed recommendations. But if you prefer a more gradual approach to reset instagram feed while keeping some of your preferences:
- Mute strategically: Long-press on posts you don’t want and select “Mute” → “Mute posts.” You stay connected with the account but curate what appears in your feed.
- Use “Not Interested”: Tap the three dots on suggested posts and hit “Not interested.” Each tap teaches the algorithm more about what you prefer.
- Try the “Following” view: The filter at the top of your feed shows only posts from people you follow: a clean, chronological experience whenever you want it.
- Refresh your following list: Unfollowing accounts that no longer match your interests makes room for content you’ll actually enjoy.
In my testing, the feed responds quickly to these changes, usually within 3-5 days of consistent feedback.
How to Reset Instagram Explore Page
The Explore page draws from a wider pool of content than your main feed, which means it has more variety and more room for improvement. If you’re looking to reset instagram explore page specifically, here’s what works best.
Explore takes the longest to fully refresh. Mine took about two weeks to dial in perfectly. That’s because it uses different signals and pulls from creators you don’t follow yet.
To reset instagram explore page effectively:
- Clear your search history: Go to Settings → Your activity → Recent searches → Clear all. This gives Explore a fresh starting point.
- Be selective about engagement: Every like, save, or extended view on Explore teaches the Instagram algorithm what to show you more of. Use this to your advantage.
- Use “Not Interested” on Explore: Long-press any post on Explore and tap “Not interested.” This feedback is especially effective here.
- Search for topics you love: Searching for specific hashtags or topics actively pulls those into your Explore recommendations.
Pro tip: If you’ve done a full reset, focus on training your main feed and Instagram Reels first during the initial 48 hours. Explore will naturally improve as the algorithm learns your preferences across the app.
What I Learned Testing the Reset (The 48-Hour Window)
I reset my algorithm and documented everything. Here’s the most valuable insight I discovered.
The first 48 hours after you reset instagram algorithm are your golden opportunity. I call this the “48-Hour Window” because the engagement signals you send during this period have an outsized impact on your new feed. I tested this by being intentional: I only engaged with content I genuinely wanted more of. Within two days, my Instagram Reels tab reflected those interests.
Here’s something useful to know: during my testing, I accidentally let a random video play for about 8 seconds while setting my phone down. That single video started bringing similar content back into my feed. This taught me how responsive the algorithm is, which is actually empowering once you know how to use it. Watch time is the strongest signal, so spend your time on content you genuinely enjoy.
I also found that mindless scrolling during this window sends mixed signals. Instead, I made my sessions intentional: 15 minutes of actively engaging with content I wanted more of, then I’d put the phone down. This focused approach shaped my feed much faster than passive browsing would have.
The best shortcut I found was sharing via DM. In a January 2025 interview, Mosseri called sends via DM “the single most valuable engagement signal.” My testing confirmed this. When I shared posts with friends, those content categories showed up significantly more in my feed within hours. It’s the fastest way to tell Instagram what you love.
Taking Control of Your Feed
Here’s what made the biggest difference for me: once I understood how the Instagram algorithm learns, I stopped feeling like it was happening to me and started actively shaping it.
The algorithm is incredibly responsive to your behavior. That means every scroll, every pause, every share is an opportunity to guide it toward content you’ll enjoy. Instead of wondering why you’re seeing certain posts, you can treat each session as a chance to refine your feed.
A few habits that helped me:
- Scroll past content quickly if it’s not for you (the first second matters most)
- Watch content you enjoy all the way through
- Save posts you want to see more of
- Share your favorites via DM
These active signals carry more weight than passive scrolling. Once you build these small habits, maintaining a great feed becomes almost automatic.
When a Full Reset Isn’t Necessary
A full reset is powerful, but it’s not always the best first step. Here’s how to know if lighter approaches will work for you.
One thing I learned: the reset only affects what Instagram shows YOU. It doesn’t change how your content is distributed to others. If you’re a creator or business focused on reaching new audiences, your distribution is determined by how others engage with your posts, not by your personal feed preferences.
Consider skipping the full reset if:
- Your feed is mostly good with just a few categories you’d like to adjust
- You’re in the middle of a campaign and want consistent analytics
- You’ve reset recently (the impact is strongest when you haven’t reset in a while)
For fine-tuning, the “Not Interested” button and muting specific accounts often does the trick. Save the full reset for when you want a completely fresh start.
The Three Signals That Shape Your Feed
After the reset, I paid close attention to what had the biggest impact. While there’s lots of advice online about hashtags, posting times, and engagement strategies, three signals matter more than everything else combined, and they’re all within your control.
Watch time is king. Not views, not impressions, but how long you actually watch. If you watch a 7-second video completely, Instagram interprets that as genuine interest. This works in your favor: spend time on content you love, and you’ll see more of it. The algorithm responds quickly to these signals.
Engagement rate matters more than volume. The Instagram algorithm measures what percentage of viewers engaged, not just total numbers. A post with 100 likes from 500 viewers signals stronger interest than 200 likes from 10,000 viewers. Quality engagement wins.
Sharing via DM is the strongest signal. Mosseri has called this the most valuable engagement type. When you share something in a direct message, you’re telling Instagram “this content is worth personally recommending.” It’s more powerful than likes or comments, and it shapes your feed faster than any other action.
The December 2025 Update: Your Algorithm Feature
In December 2025, Instagram launched a helpful new feature called “Your Algorithm” that gives you direct control over your recommendations. It’s still rolling out, so here’s how to check if you have it.
To find it: open the Instagram Reels tab, start watching any Reel, and look for a small icon in the upper right corner that looks like two lines with hearts. Tap that to open Your Algorithm.
It shows you the topics Instagram thinks you’re interested in, generated by AI based on your activity. I removed the topics I didn’t want and added ones I actually care about. Problem solved.
Currently this feature only affects Instagram Reels, but Meta has announced plans to expand it across the app. If your main concern is Reels content, this targeted approach might be all you need, no full reset required.
Common Myths I’ve Tested
After years of building tools around social media, I’ve had the chance to test many popular beliefs about the Instagram algorithm. Here’s what the data actually shows.
“Scheduling tools hurt your reach.” This is completely false. Instagram doesn’t penalize posts from Buffer, Later, Viraly, or any other tool using the official API. I’ve tested this extensively: same content, same accounts, scheduled vs. manual, and there’s zero difference in performance. Use whatever workflow works best for you.
“Business accounts get suppressed.” Also not true. The confusion comes from content type, not account type. Business accounts often post more promotional content, which naturally gets less engagement than personal content. When I’ve tested the same content across account types, reach stays consistent.
“You need to post every day.” Quality beats quantity every time. The Instagram algorithm prioritizes engagement rate, not posting frequency. Three excellent posts per week will outperform seven mediocre ones. Focus on creating content worth engaging with.
“Engagement pods boost your reach.” Instagram’s systems can detect coordinated engagement, and even when they don’t, pod engagement doesn’t build real community. Authentic engagement from people genuinely interested in your content is what drives sustainable growth.
Quick Wins: Improve Your Feed Without Resetting
Before doing a full reset, try these targeted approaches. They often solve the problem faster:
Use “Not Interested” liberally. Every time you see content that’s not for you, tap those three dots and hit “Not interested.” Be consistent with this for a week and you’ll notice real changes.
Mute instead of unfollowing. If you follow people out of social connection but don’t want their content in your feed, mute them. You stay connected while curating your experience.
Try the “Following” filter. At the top of your home feed, you can switch to see only posts from accounts you follow, no algorithmic suggestions. It’s a clean experience whenever you want it.
Clear your search history monthly. Go to Settings → Search history and clear it out. Searches influence your recommendations more than you might expect.
Be intentional about watch time. Scroll past content quickly if it’s not for you. Spend time on content you enjoy. Save and share your favorites. These signals shape your feed more than anything else.
How to Know It’s Working
After you reset or make changes, give it about two weeks to fully take effect. The Instagram algorithm needs time to learn your new preferences.
For personal accounts, the measure is simple: does your feed feel better? Are you enjoying what you see? If yes, you’re on the right track.
For business or creator accounts, check Instagram Insights weekly. Look for your engagement rate to stabilize or improve. Industry average is around 0.6% according to Social Insider’s 2025 benchmark data, so anything above 2% is excellent.
After my reset, I tracked everything in Viraly’s analytics dashboard. Being able to see Instagram alongside TikTok and LinkedIn in one place helped me understand the full picture: the reset didn’t hurt my reach, it just refined who was seeing my content.
If your non-follower reach is increasing, that’s a great sign: your content is being recommended more broadly. If it’s flat, the algorithm might still be learning your patterns, or your content strategy might benefit from some experimentation.
The Bottom Line
The Instagram algorithm is designed to show you content you’ll enjoy, and once you understand how it learns, you can actively shape it to work for you. It responds quickly to your signals, which means you have real control over your experience.
A full reset gives you a clean slate when you want one. For most situations, targeted approaches like “Not Interested,” muting, and intentional engagement will get you where you want to be.
If you do reset, remember: Settings → Content preferences → Reset suggested content. Then use the 48-hour window to actively engage with content you love. Your new feed will reflect exactly what you tell it.
My feed now shows me exactly what I want to see. It took a reset and two weeks of intentional engagement, and the result was worth it. Once you see how responsive the algorithm is to your input, you’ll realize you’ve had the control all along.
FAQ
How do I reset my Instagram algorithm?
To reset instagram algorithm, go to Settings → Content preferences → Reset suggested content. You’ll confirm three times, then you’re set. It clears your recommendation history while keeping your followers and posted content intact.
Does the reset actually work?
Yes, and it works best when you’re intentional afterward. The reset gives you a fresh start, and the Instagram algorithm immediately begins learning from your new engagement patterns. The 48 hours post-reset are your opportunity to shape exactly what you want to see.
How long until my feed feels dialed in?
Instagram Reels typically refreshes within 48 hours. Your main feed takes about a week. Explore takes the longest at around two weeks. Each responds to your engagement, so the more intentional you are, the faster you’ll see results.
Can I reset just Reels without resetting everything?
Yes! Use the “Your Algorithm” feature in Settings to adjust your Instagram Reels topics directly. It’s a targeted approach that lets you fine-tune Reels without affecting your other feeds.
Why is my algorithm showing me unexpected content?
Usually because of watch time. The algorithm noticed you spent time on certain content and interpreted that as interest. The good news: now that you know this, you can use watch time intentionally. Spend time on what you enjoy, scroll quickly past what you don’t, and your feed will adjust accordingly.
How do I clear instagram algorithm without a full reset?
Use “Not Interested” on content you don’t want, mute accounts, clear your search history (Settings → Your activity → Recent searches), and be intentional about what you engage with. This gradually retrains the Instagram algorithm while preserving the preferences you do like.
If you’re working on improving your presence on other platforms too, I’ve also written about the best times to post on Instagram and how to schedule posts effectively.