How to Reset Instagram Explore Page in 2025: Official Reset Feature + Methods

SocialRails Team

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Instagram Tips

🆕 Update: Instagram's Official Reset Feature (November 2024)

Instagram released an official "Reset Suggested Content" feature in November 2024 that lets you reset your Explore page, Reels, and Home feed with one click. This is now the easiest and most effective way to fix your Instagram algorithm.

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.

Instagram now provides an official way to reset your recommendations, plus several manual methods to fine-tune your experience. This guide covers everything you need to get your Explore page working properly again.

⚡ Quick Answer: Reset Instagram Explore Page

Official Method (Recommended):

1. Go to your profile → Menu (☰)
2. Tap Settings → What you see → Content preferences
3. Select "Reset suggested content"
4. Review accounts (optional) and confirm reset

What Gets Reset:

• ✅ Explore page recommendations
• ✅ Reels suggestions
• ✅ Home feed algorithm

Time to See Results: Changes appear immediately, full effect in 3-7 days with active engagement.

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• Old interests that no longer represent you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

Official Method: Reset Suggested Content (November 2024)

Instagram's official reset feature is the most effective way to fix your Explore page. Launched in November 2024, this feature completely resets your content recommendations across Explore, Reels, and Home feed.

Why Instagram Added This Feature

Instagram released this feature to address:

• Mental health concerns - Unwanted or triggering content affecting users
• Algorithm mistakes - When recommendations go off track
• Life changes - Interests shifting over time (career changes, new hobbies, etc.)
• Shared devices - Family members using your account affecting recommendations

Step-by-Step: How to Use Reset Suggested Content

On iPhone/Android:

1. Open Instagram app and go to your profile
2. Tap the three-line menu (☰) in the top right corner
3. Select "Settings"
4. Tap "What you see" (new menu section added in Nov 2024)
5. Select "Content preferences"
6. Tap "Reset suggested content" at the bottom
7. Instagram will show you a preview of what happens - tap "Next"
8. Optional: Review and unfollow accounts that don't match your interests
9. Tap "Reset suggested content" to confirm

Note: If you don't see "What you see" in Settings, update your Instagram app to the latest version.

What the Official Reset Does

Content That Gets Reset:

• ✅ Explore page recommendations - Fresh content discovery
• ✅ Reels suggestions - New Reels based on reset algorithm
• ✅ Home feed algorithm - Recommended posts in your main feed
• ✅ Search suggestions - Updated search recommendations

What Stays the Same:

• ❌ Accounts you follow - Your following list remains unchanged (unless you manually unfollow during the optional review step)
• ❌ Your posts and stories - All your content stays intact
• ❌ Direct messages - Conversations remain unchanged
• ❌ Ads - Ad targeting continues based on broader data
• ❌ Followers - Your follower count stays the same

Timeline for Seeing Changes

Immediate (0-24 hours):

• Algorithm begins showing fresh, diverse content
• Explore page displays random trending content
• Reels show variety of topics

Short-term (3-7 days):

• Algorithm starts learning your new preferences
• Content becomes more relevant based on post-reset interactions
• Recommendations begin to stabilize

Long-term (2-4 weeks):

• Fully personalized Explore page reflecting your current interests
• Consistent, relevant content recommendations
• Algorithm fully trained on your new engagement patterns

After Resetting: Critical First Week

The first 7 days after resetting are CRUCIAL. Instagram's algorithm learns from your behavior, so be intentional:

Days 1-2: Active Discovery

• Browse Explore page for 15-20 minutes daily
• Tap "Interested" on 20+ posts you genuinely like
• Avoid clicking on content you don't want to see more of
• Clear your search history if you made irrelevant searches

Days 3-4: Strategic Engagement

• Like, comment, and save posts that match your interests
• Watch full Reels in topics you enjoy (watch time matters)
• Visit profiles of creators you want to see more of
• Follow 10-15 new accounts in your areas of interest

Days 5-7: Reinforcement

• Continue engaging with preferred content
• Use "Not Interested" on any unwanted posts that appear
• Share content to your stories (signals strong interest)
• Engage with Stories from accounts you love

Pro Tip: The algorithm weights recent behavior heavily. Your first 50-100 interactions after resetting have the biggest impact on future recommendations.

Alternative Method 1: Clear Your Search History

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.

When to Use This: As a supplement to the official reset, or if you don't have access to the Reset Suggested Content feature yet.

Alternative 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

When to Use This: Best combined with the official reset feature for maximum effectiveness.

Alternative 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.

When to Use This: The official reset includes an optional account review step - use that instead, or use this method for ongoing maintenance.

Alternative 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.

When to Use This: Use this alongside the official reset for fine-tuning, or as a standalone method if you want to adjust without a full reset.

Alternative 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

When to Use This: Essential after using the official reset feature - this is how you train the new algorithm. Also useful for ongoing maintenance.

How to Train the Algorithm (Works With Any Reset Method)

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 or repost Reels properly

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

Complete Reset Strategy (Recommended)

Day 1: Full Reset

• Use Instagram's official "Reset Suggested Content" feature
• During the optional review step, unfollow accounts you're no longer interested in
• Clear your search history
• Update your ad interests

Day 1-2: Active Discovery

• Browse Explore for 15-20 minutes daily
• Tap "Interested" on content you genuinely like
• Use "Not Interested" on unwanted posts
• Watch full Reels in topics you enjoy

Day 3-4: Strategic Engagement

• Like, comment, and save posts that match your interests
• Follow 10-15 new accounts in your preferred topics
• Visit profiles of creators you want to see more of
• Share content to your stories

Day 5-7: Reinforcement & Refinement

• Continue engaging with content you love
• Mark any remaining unwanted posts as "Not Interested"
• Search for and engage with relevant hashtags
• Review your Explore page improvement

Advanced Reset Techniques

Create a New Instagram Account (Rarely Needed Now)

With Instagram's official Reset Suggested Content feature, creating a new account is rarely necessary. However, it remains an option for extreme cases.

When to Consider This:

• You've used the official reset feature multiple times without success
• Your account has severe algorithm issues that persist after 4+ weeks
• You want a complete fresh start with zero connection to your old account
• You've tried all alternative methods for 2+ months

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

"I Can't Find the Reset Suggested Content Option"

Possible Solutions:

• Update Instagram app to the latest version (this feature requires a recent update)
• The feature is being rolled out gradually - you may need to wait a few days/weeks
• Check under Settings → What you see → Content preferences
• If unavailable after updating, use the alternative methods in this guide

"My Explore Page Isn't Changing After Reset"

Possible Solutions:

• Be patient - full reset takes 3-7 days with active engagement
• Ensure you're actively training the algorithm (like, save, comment on preferred content)
• Use "Interested" button on 20+ posts you love in the first 2 days
• Avoid clicking on unwanted content (this trains the algorithm in the wrong direction)
• Clear search history in addition to the reset

"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
• Ensure you're not shadowbanned which can affect content quality

"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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Instagram's Reset Suggested Content feature?

Reset Suggested Content is an official Instagram feature launched in November 2024 that allows you to completely reset your Explore page, Reels, and Home feed recommendations. Find it under Settings → What you see → Content preferences → Reset suggested content. It clears all algorithm training and gives you a fresh start.

Does Reset Suggested Content delete my posts or followers?

No, resetting suggested content only affects your content recommendations (Explore, Reels, Home feed). Your posts, stories, followers, following list, direct messages, and all other account data remain completely unchanged. You can optionally review and unfollow accounts during the reset process, but this is optional.

How quickly will I see changes after using Reset Suggested Content?

You'll see immediate changes within 24 hours as Instagram starts showing fresh, diverse content. Significant personalization based on your new preferences typically takes 3-7 days. Full reset with consistent, relevant recommendations takes 2-4 weeks of active engagement with your preferred content.

Can I use Reset Suggested Content multiple times?

Yes, you can use the Reset Suggested Content feature as many times as needed. There's no limit. However, each time you reset, you'll need to retrain the algorithm by actively engaging with content you want to see, which takes 3-7 days for best results.

How quickly will I see changes after clearing my search history?

You should see some improvements within 24-48 hours after clearing your search history, but significant changes typically take 3-7 days. For best results, combine clearing search history with Instagram's official Reset Suggested Content feature. Full reset can take 1-2 weeks of consistent new engagement patterns.

Does using the "Not Interested" button actually work?

Yes, consistently marking posts as "Not Interested" is effective at training Instagram's algorithm. However, you need to be consistent and mark multiple posts from categories you don't want to see for the best results.

Will creating a new Instagram account reset my Explore page?

Yes, a new account gives you a completely fresh Explore page algorithm. However, this should only be considered if other reset methods don't work after 6+ weeks, since you'll lose your existing followers and content.

Can I reset my Explore page without losing my liked posts?

You can partially reset by clearing search history and adjusting ad interests without unliking old posts. However, unliking irrelevant content is more effective for a complete reset. Consider keeping truly valuable liked posts while removing others.

Why is my Explore page still showing weird content after a week?

This could happen if you're still following accounts that post unwanted content, haven't been consistent with new engagement patterns, or the algorithm needs more time to learn. Try increasing active engagement with preferred content and ensure you've removed all sources of unwanted content.

Do my friends' Instagram activities affect my Explore page?

Yes, Instagram considers content that your close connections engage with when making recommendations. If friends consistently like certain types of content, it may appear in your Explore page. Focus on your own engagement patterns to override this influence.

Is there a way to prevent my Explore page from getting messed up again?

Yes, practice intentional engagement: only like posts you genuinely enjoy, avoid mindless scrolling, clear search history monthly, review ad interests quarterly, and be careful about accidental interactions while browsing.

Can I hide specific accounts from appearing in my Explore page?

Instagram doesn't have a direct "hide account" feature for Explore, but you can mark their posts as "Not Interested" consistently, avoid engaging with their content, and unfollow them if you currently follow them to reduce their appearance.

Conclusion

Resetting your Instagram Explore page is now easier than ever with Instagram's official Reset Suggested Content feature. This November 2024 update gives you complete control over your content recommendations with just a few taps.

Recommended Reset Strategy:

1. Use the official reset feature (Settings → What you see → Content preferences → Reset suggested content)
2. Optional during reset: Review and unfollow irrelevant accounts
3. Day 1-2: Actively browse Explore and mark content as "Interested" or "Not Interested"
4. Day 3-7: Engage heavily with content you love (like, comment, save, share)
5. Ongoing: Clear search history monthly and use "Not Interested" on unwanted posts

If Official Feature Unavailable:

• Update your Instagram app to the latest version
• Use the alternative methods: clear search history, unlike old posts, unfollow irrelevant accounts
• These manual methods work but require more effort and time

Timeline Expectations:

• Immediate changes: 0-24 hours with official reset
• Significant improvement: 3-7 days with active training
• Full personalization: 2-4 weeks of consistent engagement

Your Instagram Explore page should be a source of inspiration and discovery, not frustration. With the official Reset Suggested Content feature and strategic engagement, you can reclaim control over your Instagram experience and ensure you see content that actually matters to you.

Start with the official reset today—it's the fastest and most effective way to fix your Explore page. Then dedicate 15-20 minutes daily for the first week to train the algorithm with your genuine interests.

Related Instagram Guides:

• Get Verified on Instagram - Build credibility
• Hide Hashtags on Instagram - Professional appearance
• Instagram Shadowban Recovery - Fix reach issues
• Instagram Networking Guide - Grow professionally
• Instagram Story Collages - Create engaging stories
• Instagram Caption Generator - Create great captions
• Instagram Grid Planner - Plan your content

Looking for more Instagram help? Use our free Instagram tools to optimize your content strategy.