You'll soon be able to cleanse your timeline with Instagram's new "fresh start" feature
You Can Now Control What You Want to See on Instagram—Here’s How
Published on Nov. 22, 2024
If you’re one of Instagram‘s estimated 2.4 million users, there’s likely been a time when you’ve questioned the content you’re swiping through. Perhaps your feed still remembers the month you tried going vegan and is still dishing up images of planet-based seafood (yes, it’s a thing). Or maybe you never pulled the trigger on that trip to Cancún, yet Instagram keeps feeding you images of Mexican resorts—and rubbing in the fact that your vacation plans fell through. Whatever the reason, you’re ready for a reset.
And now it’s possible. That’s right: Instagram’s parent company, Meta, announced it will soon let you reset your algorithm. Developed to help teens, in particular, avoid potentially harmful content, the new feature essentially gives users a clean slate. “We’re testing a way for people to reset the content recommendations they see in Explore, Reels and Feed when they want a fresh start,” the company said in a recent blog post, noting that it developed the tool with teens in mind.
Ready to hit the reset button? Read on to learn more about the new feature, including when it will be available and how to use it.
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How does your Instagram feed work now?
Instagram leverages several algorithms to suggest content to you across your feed, Reels and Explore page. On your feed, for example, Instagram delivers content to you based on your activity (posts you’ve liked, shared, saved or commented on), your connections (such as how often you’ve interacted with a user or how long you spend on their posts) and the contents of a post (what it’s about, where it was posted and when it went live).
It’s iterative, so it will adapt the more you use the app. But the algorithm isn’t perfect, evidenced by personally irrelevant content you might see and swipe away.
Similarly, when delivering content to Instagram Stories and the Explore page, the app looks at variables like viewing history (how often you view an account), engagement history (how often you engage with an account’s content, such as by liking or sharing it or by sending a DM) and closeness with the author (and how likely you are to be connected as friends or family).
What are our current options for personalizing our feed?
Despite what you may think, you can personalize your feed and Stories—to an extent. In a 2023 blog post, Instagram shared how to better influence what you see: add accounts to your Favorites list, snooze all suggested posts in your feed, identify your close friends (in Stories), mute or block people you’re not interested in and more. You can further control your recommendations by marking content “Interested” or “Not Interested” (more on how to do that below).
That’s all helpful, but the new feature goes above and beyond. So what’s it all about? A complete refresh.
What does this new Instagram feature do, exactly?
Instagram’s latest tool lets you hit the reset button, so to speak. With a few taps, you’ll clean your feed of content suggested by the algorithm. (So long, photos of plant-based salmon. You will not be missed.)
If the thought of resetting your device gives you palpitations, take heart: This feature does not delete your account. It does, however, give you a nice opportunity to clean up a bit—when resetting your recommendations, you’ll have the option to review the Instagram accounts you’re currently following and unfollow any with content you no longer want to see. Resetting won’t automatically change who you follow, though.
You’ll also have a chance to review and change your ad topics, which affects the type of ads you see. Want to stop seeing ads for enticing (but out-of-reach) resorts? Now’s the time to adjust your settings.
Are there any restrictions?
According to Meta, you can’t undo a reset, but your suggestions will become more personalized again as you like, share and interact with content and accounts.
There are no limits on how many times you’ll be able to wipe your recommendations clean.
Can you use this feature now?
Meta announced that it’s currently testing the feature but plans to roll it out globally soon. When available, it will allow everyone on Instagram to reset their recommendations.
How do you reset your Instagram feed?
Once the feature is available, you’ll be able to refresh your recommendations by heading to your Instagram profile and following the steps below.
- Open the Instagram app on an iPhone or Android phone.
- Tap the profile icon in the bottom-right corner.
- Tap the three-line menu icon in the top right.
- Tap “Content preferences.”
- Select “Reset suggested content.”
- Read what happens when you refresh your recommendations, then tap “Next.”
- Review who you follow, the accounts that appear most often in your feed and your ad topics.
- Tap “Reset suggested content.”
What prompted this change?
The move comes as the social media platform has been under fire for adverse effects on younger users and as the Kids Online Safety Act awaits its fate in Congress. The act, which passed in the Senate over the summer, has the support of dozens of attorneys general, who say social media negatively affects kids and teens.
Earlier this year, Meta added built-in protections from sensitive content for Instagram Teen Accounts. But many critics said the company didn’t go far enough. So while the latest Instagram update is available for all users, it was designed primarily for teenagers to ensure they see more appropriate content.
Is there anything I can do now to improve my Instagram feed?
Until the company officially releases this new feature, take advantage of other Instagram tools to shape the content you see. In your feed, for example, you can tap the three dots in the corner of the post and select “Not Interested” to tell Instagram what you don’t like. When you’re scrolling through Reels, you can tap the three dots at the bottom right to select “Interested” or “Not Interested.” And in Explore, you can press and hold an image, then select “Not Interested” to see fewer posts like it.
Once you’ve made your preference known, Instagram will show you more or less of this kind of content everywhere it makes recommendations. So you can expect more of the feed posts, Reels and Stories you love.
Can I reset my recommendations on any other social media apps?
Yes! Rival app TikTok also has a recommendation-reset feature—specifically for its For You feed. When you select the option to refresh your feed, TikTok will show you some popular content. Your interactions with this content, such as liking and commenting, will help reshape your feed recommendations by letting the social media app understand the type of posts you’re interested in.
To cleanse your TikTok feed, simply tap “Profile,” then select “Menu.” Tap “Settings and privacy,” then “Content preferences.” Finally, select “Refresh your For You feed.”
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Sources:
- Meta: “Reshape Your Instagram with a Recommendations Reset”
- Meta: “Instagram Ranking Explained”
- Instagram: “Recommendations on Instagram”
- SEO.ai: “How Many Users on Instagram? Statistics & Facts (2024)”
- BBC News: “Instagram testing tool that removes all recommended posts”
- CNN Business: “Meta adds new teen safety features following renewed criticism”
- The Hill: “32 state attorneys general call on Congress to pass Kids Online Safety Act”
