Instagram’s Explore page is meant to show users content similar to the accounts they’ve been following. It’s another way to find new content and accounts to interact with, which is great if the Explore page is actually showing interesting content.
If you start seeing things you aren’t interested in, you’ll probably want to reset the Explore page. However, due to differing algorithms, resetting your Explore page isn’t the same as resetting your Instagram Reels algorithm or Stories algorithm.
Learn how to reset the Instagram Explore page in six different ways by reading our guide.
You should reset your Instagram algorithm for the Explore page whenever the page doesn’t show you what you want to see.
The Explore page’s algorithm uses your various interactions within the app to suggest new content and accounts. This makes it easy for the algorithm to start showing unappealing content just from a few mistaken interactions.
This page is meant to be fun and help you find new user-generated content that suits your interests. It can also be a great way to boost your engagement and build a community on Instagram. You can see what kind of content works well within your niche or find accounts with which to potentially collaborate.
If your Explore page is no longer fulfilling its role, it’s time to reset Instagram’s algorithm.
Here are some ways you can easily reset Instagram’s Explore page algorithm.
If you just want to refresh the page quickly, you can pull the page down until you see the spinning circle—or click your browser’s refresh button if you’re on a computer. This will show different content, and you can repeat the process until you have content you like.
Like most of us, you probably just scroll through Instagram without actively interacting with the content you’re seeing. That’s one of the reasons your Explore page might be showing you content you don’t want—you aren’t telling the Explore algorithm enough about you.
The algorithm isn’t all-knowing; it needs to be fed information to work well. Commenting, liking, sharing, and saving posts show the algorithm what kind of content you like. Interacting with posts you like will improve the content on your Explore page.
Discovering and following new accounts is another way to reset your Explore algorithm. By following new accounts, you show Instagram’s Explore algorithm you’re actively interested in the type of content those accounts post.
For example, if you want more cat pics on your Explore page (and who doesn’t), you should follow more accounts focused on cats. Once you do that, the algorithm will show you similar content.
Luckily, there are plenty of cat influencers to follow.
But in all seriousness, you need to teach the algorithm what you like through examples because, somewhere along the way, the algorithm got the wrong idea.
An easy way to find new accounts to follow is to use hashtags related to the content you want to see, such as #hiking, #cooking, or #cats.
While following accounts doesn’t take long, don’t expect instant changes on your Explore page. The algorithm may need time to recognize the new accounts you’re following.
Unfollow Accounts
An extension of the following new accounts is to review and cull the accounts you’re currently following. Whether you followed some of them by accident or just don’t have the same interests as you once did, keeping these accounts attached to your profile will affect the Explore algorithm—telling it you like that type of content even if you no longer do. So, it will continue to add similar content to your Explore page.
To unfollow accounts:
Go to your profile.
Click on “Following.”
Scroll down to look at the various accounts you follow.
Tap the “Following” button for any account you want to unfollow. It should change from gray to blue.
If you’re looking for a more direct approach to resetting Instagram’s algorithm, you can use the “Not Interested” function.
If you aren’t familiar with this function, it lets you tell the app you don’t want to see the content it’s showing you. This is one of the most direct ways to reset the Explore algorithm.
To use the “Not Interested” function:
Go to the Explore page.
Look through the images and find one that doesn’t match your interests.
Click the three little dots on the content.
Select “Not interested.”
You can then select the option not to suggest posts from that account or posts with certain words.
Clearing your search history is like a hard reset of the app. Instagram saves everything you’ve searched for to offer you better recommendations. By clearing your search history, you’re basically starting from scratch (though the accounts you follow and posts you’ve interacted with will still affect your algorithm).
If you want to clear your Instagram search history:
Go to your profile.
Tap the three lines (or hamburger) icon.
Tap “Your activity.”
Tap “Recent searches.”
Choose “Clear all.”
Click “Clear all” again.
Alternatively, you can follow these steps:
Go to your profile.
Tap the hamburger icon.
Tap “Settings and privacy.”
Tap “Accounts Center.”
Select “Your information and permissions.”
Tap “Search history.”
Click “Clear all searches.”
Select “All time.”
Click “Clear all searches” again.
Once you’ve done this, the algorithm should not show content similar to what was in your search history.
Erasing your cache is similar to clearing your search history. The cache holds various information about your Instagram usage, such as pictures, videos, and usage speeds.
To clear your Instagram cache on Android:
Go to your phone settings.
Select “Apps.”
Choose the Instagram app.
Tap “Storage.”
Tap “Clear cache.”
Clearing the cache in your iPhone is a little more complicated. You’ll need to delete the entire app and then reinstall it. Don’t panic—this doesn’t delete your Instagram account; it just removes the app from your phone.
To do this:
Touch and hold the Instagram app.
Tap “Remove App.”
Tap “Delete App.”
Tap “Delete.”
Go to the App Store.
Search for Instagram.
Select “Download.”
Once the app downloads, you can log back into your Instagram account.
If you’re an influencer, Instagram’s Explore page is a great way to research your competition and potential collaborators. When you aren’t seeing the right suggested content, it becomes harder to grow your account.
Luckily, resetting Instagram’s Explore page is relatively easy.
If you need help growing your Instagram account or getting on the Explore page for other users, we’re here for you! Superviral can help you increase your likes, followers, and engagement.
You may find the answers below if you still have questions about resetting the Instagram Explore algorithm.
Yes, it’s easy to reset the Instagram Explore algorithm. There are six different ways to do it, and they’re simple to do yourself.
The algorithm collects your various interactions on Instagram, such as likes, shares, and general engagement with other content. It also considers your search history and the accounts you follow. Using that information, it recommends similar content on the Explore page.
“Clear all” should help reset your Instagram Explore algorithm, though it may not take effect right away. It may take some time for the algorithm to recognize the clearing of your search history. Keep in mind that the Instagram algorithm also considers other factors besides your search history, so using a few different methods to reset the algorithm is likely to be most effective.
You can reset your Instagram suggestions by using the six methods discussed in this article.