How to Reset the Instagram Algorithm: A Complete Guide to Refresh Your Feed
If you’ve been using Instagram for a while, you’ve probably noticed that your feed starts to feel repetitive over time. Maybe you watched one fitness reel and now your Explore page is flooded with gym influencers. Or you liked one post about crypto, and suddenly your entire feed looks like a financial news site.
This happens because Instagram’s algorithm learns from your behavior — what you like, comment on, and watch — and uses that data to decide what to show you next.
But the good news is: you can reset or retrain the Instagram algorithm to make your feed feel fresh again.
Here’s how to do it step-by-step.
1. Clear Your Instagram Search History
Instagram’s recommendations are heavily influenced by your recent searches.
To wipe the slate clean:
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Go to Profile → Settings & Privacy → Search History → Clear All
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On iPhone: Open Instagram → Search bar → Tap “See All” → “Clear All”
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On Android: Tap your profile → Settings → Your activity → Recent searches → Clear all
Once you do this, Instagram will stop suggesting content based on your past search habits.
2. Mark Posts as “Not Interested”
If your feed feels stale, help the algorithm learn what you don’t want to see.
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Tap the three dots (⋮) on any post you dislike.
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Select “Not Interested.”
Doing this consistently trains the algorithm to reduce similar posts. After a few days, you’ll notice your feed gradually adapting to your preferences again.
3. Unfollow Accounts You No Longer Engage With
If you’ve been following hundreds of accounts over time, some of them might not reflect your current interests.
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Go to your profile → Following → Sort by “Least interacted with.”
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Unfollow accounts you rarely engage with.
This signals to Instagram that your interests have changed. You can also follow a few new creators or topics you want to see more often — that helps balance the reset.
4. Clear App Cache and Data
Sometimes, the algorithm takes longer to update because cached data keeps showing old recommendations.
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iPhone: Delete and reinstall Instagram.
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Android: Settings → Apps → Instagram → Storage → “Clear Cache.”
This won’t delete your account or data — just temporary files that affect the feed refresh.
5. Refresh Your Explore Page
The Explore tab is where Instagram experiments with your interests.
To “reset” it manually:
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Open the Explore page (magnifying glass icon).
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Tap Not Interested on irrelevant posts.
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Like, save, or follow posts you genuinely enjoy.
Within a few days, you’ll start seeing completely different recommendations.
Why Resetting the Instagram Algorithm Helps
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More Variety: You’ll stop seeing the same content loops and discover new creators.
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Better Relevance: The feed reflects what you actually enjoy now, not what you liked six months ago.
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Focus and Productivity: No more endless scrolling through irrelevant posts.
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Business Advantage: For creators or marketers, it helps refine your target audience and engagement focus.
Potential Downsides
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Short-term Instability: The algorithm needs time (a few days) to re-learn your new behavior.
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Loss of Familiar Posts: You might see fewer updates from accounts you used to engage with.
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Manual Effort: You’ll need to delete, unfollow, and reset things yourself — there’s no one-click solution.
Pro Tips for Smart Resetting
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Try a “Light Reset” First: If you’re not ready to wipe everything, start by marking posts as “Not Interested” and cleaning up your follows.
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Teach New Interests: Spend a few minutes liking and saving posts about topics you want to see more of — the algorithm learns fast.
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Schedule Maintenance: Every 3–6 months, review your follows, likes, and saved posts to keep your feed fresh.
Example Scenario
Let’s say you’ve been following travel bloggers for years, but lately you’re into home fitness.
Start liking a few fitness reels, save workout infographics, and unfollow inactive travel accounts.
Within a week, your Explore page will completely shift toward your new interest.
Instagram’s machine learning algorithm updates in real-time — your habits matter more than you think.
Final Thoughts
Resetting the Instagram algorithm isn’t about deleting your account or starting over.
It’s about retraining Instagram’s AI to understand what’s relevant to you now.
By clearing your search history, marking “Not Interested,” cleaning up your follows, and refreshing the Explore page, you can rebuild a feed that actually inspires you — not one that drains your time.
Whether you’re using Instagram for personal enjoyment, creative inspiration, or business growth, taking a few minutes to reset your algorithm can make the platform feel new again.
