When Instagram starts showing posts that feel completely off, it’s easy to think the algorithm is broken. Most of the time, it isn’t broken — it’s just stuck with old signals.
Your interests evolve, your habits change, but Instagram keeps relying on interactions from weeks or even months ago. That’s why your feed, Reels, and Explore page can slowly drift away from what you actually care about.
Instagram now offers a built-in way to reset its recommendation system. Used correctly — and followed by intentional behaviour — this reset can noticeably improve what you see across your feed, Reels, Explore, and even search.
This guide breaks down what resetting the Instagram algorithm really does, how the official reset works, and what matters after you use it.
Resetting the Instagram algorithm doesn’t wipe your account or start you from scratch. It only clears suggested content signals — the data Instagram uses to recommend posts and videos beyond the accounts you already follow.
This affects:
It does not affect:
After the reset, Instagram temporarily shows broader, more neutral content. From there, it rebuilds recommendations entirely based on how you interact next.
This is similar to how Instagram evaluates content when testing new formats, features, or even rolling out changes tied to current platform behavior and what’s trending on Instagram right now.
Instagram quietly introduced a feature that allows users to clear past recommendation signals. It was initially designed with teen safety in mind, but it’s now useful for anyone whose feed no longer reflects their interests.
The feature works the same way on both Android and iPhone.
Resetting suggested content doesn’t delete your data. Instagram still processes information under its privacy policy — it simply stops relying on old recommendation patterns.
Once the reset is complete, Instagram treats recommendations as if they’re being built fresh.
At first, content may feel generic or loosely connected to your interests. That’s expected. Your previous likes, searches, and watch history are no longer guiding suggestions.
From that point on, every interaction matters more than usual. What you watch fully, save, share, comment on, or skip quickly shapes what appears next.
This early stage is where people either fix their feed or accidentally confuse it again.
Many users try to reset just one part of Instagram, but these systems overlap more than they seem.
Your feed leans heavily on relationships and past engagement.
Reels prioritize watch time and completion.
Explore reacts to repeated interests.
Search adapts to what you look up and interact with afterward.
When suggested content is reset, all of these areas rebuild from the same interaction pool. That’s why consistency after the reset matters far more than the reset itself.
This is also why creators who understand how Instagram measures engagement tend to see cleaner results after a reset.
The reset clears old signals — it doesn’t replace them.
Engage intentionally with posts you actually want more of. If a Reel fits your interests, watch it fully or save it. If something feels irrelevant, scroll past quickly or mark it as not relevant.
Avoid mindless scrolling. Even passive watch time counts as interest.
Searching for specific topics, creators, or audio helps refine recommendations faster — especially when combined with features like using trending sounds the right way.
Small actions compound quickly during this phase.
Resetting suggested content doesn’t change how your followers see your posts. What it affects is who Instagram tests your content with, beyond your existing audience.
After a reset, posting consistently within one clear niche helps Instagram understand where your content belongs again. Jumping between formats or themes too quickly slows that process.
This is also why reach improves gradually, not instantly — even when everything else is aligned within your broader Instagram marketing approach.
If your habits don’t change, the same problems usually return within weeks — regardless of how many resets you attempt.
A reset is helpful when your feed feels completely misaligned, your interests have changed significantly, or you’re seeing too much unwanted content.
If the issue is limited — like low engagement or reach — smaller adjustments often work better. Improving how people interact with your posts, understanding why some posts get more likes than others, or refining Stories can sometimes fix the issue without a reset.
In many cases, simple changes in how you use Stories — including smarter interaction and layout — can influence recommendations more than people realize.
Resetting the Instagram algorithm isn’t about gaming the system or forcing growth. It’s about clearing outdated signals so Instagram can adapt to who you are now.
The reset gives you a clean slate. What you do with it determines whether your feed improves — or slowly drifts back off track.
Clarity always beats activity.
Once your algorithm is reset, consistency becomes the hardest part to achieve. Posting on time, staying aligned with your niche, and avoiding random activity all help Instagram relearn faster.
Turrboo helps streamline that process with a focused Instagram scheduling and management setup — so your posting stays consistent without sending mixed signals to the algorithm.
When your behavior is clear, the algorithm usually follows.
1. Does resetting the Instagram algorithm unfollow people or remove content?
No. Resetting suggested content does not unfollow any accounts, delete posts, remove Stories, or affect messages. It only clears the signals Instagram uses to recommend new posts and videos.
2. Will resetting the algorithm improve reach immediately?
Not instantly. After a reset, Instagram shows more general content at first. Reach and relevance improve gradually as you interact consistently with posts that match your interests or niche.
3. Can I reset the Instagram algorithm more than once?
The reset itself is permanent for the data it clears, but Instagram continues rebuilding recommendations based on new behavior. Repeating poor interaction habits can recreate the same issues over time.
4. Does resetting suggested content affect ads or ad preferences?
No. Ads and ad topics remain unchanged. The reset only applies to organic content recommendations like Reels, Explore, and suggested posts.
5. Is resetting the algorithm better than manually marking posts as irrelevant?
A full reset works best when your feed feels completely misaligned. If the issue is limited, using “Not interested,” refining searches, and engaging more selectively can be enough without resetting everything.
Yes, you can schedule posts on TikTok—but only through desktop or approved third-party tools. This guide explains how TikTok scheduling works in 2026, when to use it, and how to stay consistent without hurting reach.
