How to Reset Instagram Explore Page: Fix Your Feed in 2024

SocialRails Team

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Instagram Tips

Is your Instagram Explore page filled with content you don't want to see? Maybe it's showing posts that don't match your interests, or the algorithm seems completely off track. You're not stuck with it.

Your Instagram Explore page is controlled by an algorithm that learns from your behavior. The good news is you can reset and retrain it to show content you actually care about.

This guide will show you exactly how to reset your Instagram Explore page and get it working properly again.

Why Your Instagram Explore Page Gets Messed Up

How the Instagram Algorithm Works

Instagram's Explore page algorithm considers:

• Posts you like and comment on
• Accounts you visit frequently
• Stories you watch completely
• Posts you save
• Content you share
• Time spent viewing posts
• Searches you make

Common Reasons Your Explore Page Goes Wrong

1. Accidental Interactions

• Liked posts by mistake
• Watched content you weren't interested in
• Clicked on irrelevant hashtags or profiles

2. Shared Device Usage

• Family members using your phone
• Friends browsing while logged into your account
• Different people's interests mixing together

3. Algorithm Changes

• Instagram updates affecting recommendations
• Seasonal content shifts
• New trending topics taking over

4. Past Behavior Building Up

• Old interests that no longer represent you
• Content you engaged with months ago still influencing feed
• Search history affecting recommendations

Method 1: Clear Your Search History (Fastest Fix)

This is often the quickest way to improve your Explore page.

Step-by-Step Instructions

On iPhone/Android:

1. Open Instagram app
2. Go to your profile (tap your photo bottom right)
3. Tap the three lines menu (☰) in top right
4. Select "Your Activity"
5. Tap "Recent Searches"
6. Tap "Clear All" at the top
7. Confirm by tapping "Clear All" again

On Desktop:

1. Go to instagram.com
2. Click your profile picture
3. Select "Settings"
4. Click "Privacy and Security"
5. Find "Clear Search History"
6. Click "Clear All"

Why This Works

Your search history heavily influences what Instagram shows you. Clearing it gives the algorithm a fresh start for understanding your current interests.

Method 2: Unlike and Unsave Old Posts

Go through your liked posts and remove ones that don't represent your current interests.

How to Unlike Posts

Method 1: Through Your Profile

1. Go to your profile
2. Tap the three lines menu
3. Select "Your Activity"
4. Tap "Interactions"
5. Select "Likes"
6. Unlike posts that don't match your interests

Method 2: Bulk Unlike (Third-Party Tools)

• Use browser extensions like "Instagram Unlike Tool"
• Be careful with third-party tools - only use reputable ones
• Instagram may limit how many you can unlike per hour

Remove Saved Posts

1. Go to your profile
2. Tap the bookmark icon (saved posts)
3. Remove collections or individual posts you're no longer interested in

Method 3: Stop Following Irrelevant Accounts

Clean up your following list to improve your Explore recommendations.

Identify Accounts to Unfollow

• Accounts whose content doesn't interest you anymore
• Inactive accounts
• Accounts that post content you don't want to see in Explore
• Business accounts unrelated to your interests

How to Unfollow Multiple Accounts Quickly

Using Instagram's Following List:

1. Go to your profile
2. Tap "Following"
3. Use the search bar to find specific types of accounts
4. Unfollow accounts that no longer match your interests

Third-Party Apps (Use Carefully):

• Cleaner for Instagram
• Followers Insight
• Unfollowgram

Note: Be cautious with third-party unfollowing apps as they can violate Instagram's terms of service.

Method 4: Reset Your Interest Categories

Instagram lets you see and modify the interest categories they think you like.

How to Access Interest Categories

On Mobile:

1. Go to your profile
2. Tap three lines menu
3. Select "Settings"
4. Tap "Ads"
5. Select "Ad Interests"
6. Review and remove categories that don't match your interests

Why This Helps: These interest categories directly influence your Explore page. Removing irrelevant ones helps Instagram understand what you don't want to see.

Method 5: Use "Not Interested" Feature

Train the algorithm by telling Instagram what you don't want to see.

How to Mark Posts as "Not Interested"

In Your Explore Feed:

1. Find a post you don't want to see
2. Tap the three dots (⋯) on the post
3. Select "Not Interested"
4. Instagram will show you less content like this

Be Consistent:

• Mark multiple posts from categories you don't like
• Do this regularly when browsing Explore
• The algorithm learns faster with consistent feedback

Method 6: Actively Train the Algorithm

The most effective way to reset your Explore page is to actively show Instagram what you DO want to see.

Strategic Engagement

Like and Comment on Content You Want More Of:

• Spend time on posts you genuinely enjoy
• Leave meaningful comments (not just emojis)
• Save posts you find valuable
• Share content to your stories

Follow New Accounts in Your Areas of Interest:

• Find accounts that post content you love
• Engage with their posts regularly
• Watch their stories completely

Use Strategic Hashtags:

• Search for hashtags related to your interests
• Engage with posts under those hashtags
• Follow hashtags you're genuinely interested in

Create a 7-Day Reset Plan

Day 1-2: Clean Up

• Clear search history
• Unlike old posts
• Unfollow irrelevant accounts

Day 3-4: Remove Categories

• Update ad interests
• Mark posts as "not interested"
• Remove saved content you don't want

Day 5-7: Active Training

• Engage heavily with content you love
• Follow new accounts in your interests
• Search for and engage with relevant hashtags

Advanced Reset Techniques

Create a New Instagram Account (Nuclear Option)

If nothing else works, starting fresh might be necessary.

When to Consider This:

• Your account is very old with lots of bad algorithm data
• You've tried everything else
• Your interests have completely changed

How to Do It Right:

1. Create new account with different email
2. Don't import contacts initially
3. Carefully curate who you follow from the start
4. Only engage with content you truly like

Use Instagram's Data Download

See exactly what Instagram knows about you.

How to Download Your Data:

1. Go to Instagram Settings
2. Select "Security"
3. Tap "Download Data"
4. Review what Instagram has collected about you
5. Use this insight to understand why your Explore page shows certain content

What NOT to Do When Resetting

Avoid These Common Mistakes

Don't Go Too Fast:

• Unliking hundreds of posts in one day can trigger Instagram's spam detection
• Limit yourself to 50-100 actions per hour

Don't Use Unreliable Third-Party Apps:

• Some apps can get your account banned
• Stick to reputable tools or manual methods

Don't Expect Instant Results:

• Algorithm changes take 24-48 hours minimum
• Full reset can take 1-2 weeks
• Be patient and consistent

Don't Completely Stop Using Explore:

• You need to actively use it to train the algorithm
• Avoiding it won't reset it
• Engage with good content to replace bad recommendations

How Long Does It Take to Reset?

Timeline for Seeing Changes

24-48 Hours:

• Initial changes after clearing search history
• Some immediate improvement in recommendations

3-7 Days:

• Significant changes in content types shown
• Algorithm starts adapting to new engagement patterns

2-4 Weeks:

• Explore page fully reflects your current interests
• Consistent, relevant content recommendations

Factors That Affect Speed:

• How actively you engage with new content
• How much old data needed to be "unlearned"
• Consistency of your new engagement patterns

Maintaining a Good Explore Page

Best Practices Going Forward

Be Intentional with Interactions:

• Only like posts you genuinely enjoy
• Avoid mindless scrolling and accidental likes
• Watch stories completely only if you're actually interested

Regular Maintenance:

• Clear search history monthly
• Review and unlike old posts quarterly
• Update ad interests when your interests change

Strategic Following:

• Follow accounts that align with your interests
• Unfollow accounts that no longer serve you
• Use the "mute" feature instead of unfollowing friends whose content you don't want in Explore

Monitor Your Progress

Weekly Check:

• Spend 10 minutes browsing Explore
• Note if content is improving
• Mark "not interested" on irrelevant posts

Monthly Review:

• Check your ad interests
• Clear search history
• Evaluate if your engagement patterns align with what you want to see

Troubleshooting Common Issues

"My Explore Page Isn't Changing"

Possible Solutions:

• Be more patient - algorithm changes take time
• Increase active engagement with preferred content
• Clear search history again
• Check if you're still following accounts that post unwanted content

"I'm Seeing Too Much of One Type of Content"

How to Fix:

• Diversify your engagement
• Follow accounts in different (but related) niches
• Use "Not Interested" on repetitive content
• Engage with variety of hashtags

"Explore Page is Showing Inappropriate Content"

Immediate Actions:

• Mark all inappropriate content as "Not Interested"
• Check and update your ad interests
• Report content that violates Instagram's guidelines
• Review accounts you follow for inappropriate content

"Changes Reverted to Old Content"

Why This Happens:

• Inconsistent engagement patterns
• Old habits creeping back in
• Algorithm picking up on subtle signals

Solutions:

• Be more consistent with new engagement patterns
• Do another thorough cleanup
• Consider if you're inadvertently engaging with unwanted content

Understanding Instagram's Explore Algorithm

How Instagram Decides What to Show You

Primary Factors (Highest Impact):

• Your direct interactions (likes, comments, shares)
• Time spent viewing different types of content
• Accounts you visit frequently

Secondary Factors (Medium Impact):

• Content your close friends engage with
• Trending content in your area
• Hashtags you follow

Minor Factors (Low Impact):

• Time of day you're most active
• Device you're using
• Location-based content

Why Some Content Keeps Appearing

Common Reasons:

• You have mutual friends who engage with similar content
• Content is trending in your demographic
• You've engaged with similar content in the past
• Accounts you follow share or save similar content

Conclusion

Resetting your Instagram Explore page is definitely possible, but it requires patience and strategic action. The key is understanding that Instagram's algorithm is constantly learning from your behavior.

Quick Summary of Steps:

1. Clear your search history immediately
2. Unlike old posts that don't represent your interests
3. Unfollow irrelevant accounts
4. Update your ad interest categories
5. Actively engage with content you want to see more of
6. Be consistent with your new engagement patterns

Remember:

• Changes take time (1-2 weeks for full effect)
• Be patient and consistent
• Keep training the algorithm with positive signals
• Regular maintenance prevents future issues

Your Instagram Explore page should be a source of inspiration and discovery, not frustration. With these methods, you can reclaim control over your Instagram experience and ensure you see content that actually matters to you.

Start with clearing your search history today, it's the fastest way to begin improving your Explore page. Then work through the other methods systematically, and you'll have a much better Instagram experience within a couple of weeks.

Looking for more Instagram help? Learn how to post to Instagram from Mac or check out our funny Instagram comments list for better engagement.