Ever wished you could hit the reset button on your Instagram feed? If your Explore page, home feed, or Reels tab feels out of sync with your current interests, Instagram has a solution. The social media giant announced it is testing a new feature that lets users completely reset their content recommendations—a move that could transform how you interact with the platform.
With this upcoming feature, you’ll have the power to start fresh, allowing Instagram’s algorithm to relearn your preferences based on the posts and accounts you engage with moving forward. Whether your tastes have evolved, or the algorithm has simply gone astray, this feature offers a way to redefine your Instagram experience.
Why Resetting Recommendations Matters
Over time, Instagram’s algorithm tailors your feed based on your interactions, such as the posts you like, comment on, or share. While this system is designed to show you content you love, it doesn’t always keep pace with changing interests.
For example, you might have been obsessed with recipe videos last year, but now you’re more into fitness tips or travel inspiration. Yet, your Explore page might still be clogged with cake decorating tutorials you’ve long since lost interest in. This can make the platform feel stale and disconnected.
The reset option provides a clean slate, giving you control to recalibrate the app’s algorithm and redefine what “interesting content” looks like to you.
How It Works
When you reset your recommendations, Instagram will act as though it knows nothing about your preferences. The app will stop relying on your past activity and begin personalizing your feed anew based on the interactions you make going forward.
As part of the reset process, Instagram will give you the option to review your following list. This allows you to unfollow accounts that no longer align with your current interests, ensuring your reset is as thorough as possible.
While this feature can be a powerful tool for reclaiming your feed, Instagram Head Adam Mosseri advises using it sparingly.
“This is a big thing to do,” Mosseri said in a recent Instagram video. “It’s going to make your Instagram much less interesting at first, because we’re going to treat you as if we know nothing about your interests. It will take some time to relearn those again. So it’s not something I recommend doing all the time — but if you really don’t feel good about your experience, this gives you an out.”
Not the First of Its Kind
Instagram isn’t the first platform to offer such a feature. TikTok rolled out a similar option for its “For You” feed last year, allowing users to reset their recommendations to better match their evolving tastes. The success of that feature may have inspired Instagram’s move to give its users more control over their experience.
Enhancing Your Content Control
This reset option will complement Instagram’s existing recommendation tools, which are designed for more targeted curation.
- Interested/Not Interested Buttons: Users can signal whether they want to see more or less of specific types of content.
- Hidden Words Feature: Allows you to hide posts containing specific words or phrases, ensuring certain topics stay off your feed.
While these tools are great for day-to-day adjustments, the reset feature is ideal for users who want a full refresh.
The Pros and Cons of Starting Over
Resetting your recommendations can feel liberating, but it comes with trade-offs. At first, your feed might feel sparse or unrelated to your interests since the algorithm will need time to relearn your preferences. This means it could take days or weeks for your feed to feel personalized again.
On the flip side, if you’ve been overwhelmed with irrelevant content, this feature offers a powerful way to reclaim your Instagram experience and rediscover what truly excites you.
Coming Soon to Your Feed
Instagram says the feature will begin rolling out globally “soon.” While an exact launch date hasn’t been announced, the anticipation is already building.
Whether you’re looking to reinvent your feed or simply take control of your content consumption, Instagram’s reset option could be a game-changer. So, stay tuned and get ready to refresh your Instagram experience like never before!
Would you hit reset on your feed? Let us know what you think about this feature in the comments!
