Instagram has become one of the most popular social media platforms, but for many users, its constant stream of recommended posts and suggested reels can become frustrating. These posts appear in your feed even when you haven’t followed the accounts that shared them.
If you’re tired of seeing random content that doesn’t align with your interests, this guide will walk you through how to turn off Instagram’s recommended posts, reduce unwanted content, and take back control of your feed.
Instagram’s “Recommended Posts”
Before diving into how to turn off or manage recommended posts, let’s first understand what they are and why they show up in your feed.
What Are “Recommended Posts” and “Suggested Reels”?
Instagram’s “Recommended Posts” are pieces of content that Instagram’s algorithm suggests based on your activity, such as your likes, comments, and even the time spent viewing certain types of posts. Similarly, “Suggested Reels” are short videos that Instagram thinks you might like, based on your interaction with other content.
These recommendations are part of Instagram’s efforts to expose users to a broader range of content they might enjoy, even if they don’t follow the creator. While this can be a great way to discover new accounts, it can also lead to unwanted posts clogging up your feed.
Why Instagram Shows You Random Content
The key to understanding why these random posts appear is the Instagram algorithm. Instagram’s algorithm constantly analyzes your behavior, including the accounts you interact with, the posts you like, and how long you spend on different content. Based on this data, Instagram then displays posts from accounts you don’t follow but are deemed similar to your interests.
However, if this system gets it wrong or if you have a strong preference for a more curated experience, these recommended posts can be frustrating.
The Difference Between “Following” and “Favorites” Feeds
Instagram offers a “Following” feed, which displays posts only from accounts you follow. It’s a more traditional approach, where you see content from your followers only. On the other hand, Instagram also has a “Favorites” feature that lets you prioritize certain accounts in your feed, ensuring you see more of their posts without the interference of random recommendations.
Step-by-Step: How to Disable Recommended Posts in Your Feed
Now that we understand why these posts appear, let’s look at how to disable them.
Method 1: The “Not Interested” Short-Term Tactic
One quick way to eliminate unwanted posts from your feed is to use Instagram’s “Not Interested” feature. This method allows you to mark specific posts or accounts as irrelevant to you. While this is not a permanent solution, it can help you temporarily remove specific types of posts.
Steps to use the “Not Interested” feature:
- Find a post you don’t like.
- Tap the three dots on the top-right corner of the post.
- Select “Not Interested.”
- Instagram will then show you fewer posts from that account or similar content.
Method 2: Muting “Suggested Posts” in Feed Preferences
For a more permanent solution, you can manage your Instagram feed preferences directly through the app’s settings. Although you can’t completely turn off recommended posts, muting specific types of suggested posts can drastically reduce unwanted content.
Steps to mute suggested posts:
- Go to your Instagram profile.
- Tap the three lines in the top-right corner to open your settings.
- Select “Settings” > “Account” > “Recommendations.”
- You’ll see a list of content types that Instagram can suggest. Toggle off categories you don’t want to see in your feed.
Method 3: Switching to a “Following-Only” Feed View
If you’re looking for a feed that is entirely based on the accounts you follow, Instagram has made it easier to switch to a “Following-only” feed. This option eliminates all recommended posts from users you don’t follow.
Steps to enable the “Following” feed:
- Open Instagram and go to your home feed.
- Swipe down slightly to reveal the “Following” option.
- Tap on it to view a feed with only posts from accounts you follow.
Switching to the “Following” feed gives you a more straightforward experience without any random posts from Instagram’s algorithm.
How to Reduce “Suggested Reels” and Explore Page Content
Instagram’s algorithm also recommends content via “Reels” and the “Explore” page. If you want to reduce or eliminate these recommendations, there are a few steps you can take.
Managing Your Reels “Recommendations” Settings
To reduce the number of suggested reels, you can adjust your recommendations based on your activity and preferences.
Steps to adjust Reels recommendations:
- Open the “Reels” section of Instagram.
- Find a reel you don’t like.
- Tap the three dots on the reel.
- Select “Not Interested.”
- Instagram will adjust future Reels recommendations based on your choice.
Training the Explore Page with “Not Interested”
Instagram’s Explore page is designed to help you discover content from new creators and accounts. If you prefer a more curated experience, you can tell Instagram which content to show or avoid by tapping “Not Interested” on posts.
Steps to adjust your Explore page:
- Open the “Explore” page.
- Find a post that you’re not interested in.
- Tap the three dots on the post.
- Select “Not Interested.”
- Over time, Instagram will show you fewer posts similar to those you mark as unappealing.
Adjusting “Suggested Content” in Your Account Settings
You can also tweak your Instagram account settings to have more control over the content recommendations you receive.
Steps to adjust content recommendations:
- Open Instagram and go to your profile.
- Tap the three lines in the top-right corner.
- Select “Settings” > “Account” > “Recommendations.”
- Turn off content categories that don’t interest you.
Why You Might Not See the “Show Less Often” Option
Sometimes, you may not see the option to “Show Less Often” for recommended posts. Here are some reasons this might happen and how to address it.
App Version & Account Type Limitations
Certain features, including the ability to mute suggested posts, may not be available for all app versions or account types. Ensure your Instagram app is updated to the latest version to access the most recent settings.
Regional Rollouts and Feature Availability
Instagram often rolls out new features gradually, so it’s possible that some users in specific regions won’t have access to the “Show Less Often” feature just yet. Keep an eye out for app updates that may bring this feature to your account.
What to Do If the Toggle is Missing
If you’re still not seeing the “Show Less Often” toggle or other relevant settings, consider reaching out to Instagram’s support team for assistance. It could be an issue specific to your account or app version.
Pro Tips for Curating Your Perfect Instagram Feed
If you want to take further control of your Instagram experience, here are some advanced strategies to curate your feed.
Curating Your “Favorites” List for a Pure Feed
Instagram allows you to create a “Favorites” list, which ensures you see more content from your favorite accounts while limiting exposure to random posts. You can add up to 50 accounts to your Favorites list.
Steps to add accounts to your Favorites list:
- Go to the profile of the account you want to add.
- Tap the “Following” button.
- Select “Add to Favorites.”
The Power of Consistently Using “Not Interested”
The more consistently you use the “Not Interested” option, the better Instagram becomes at personalizing your feed. Over time, the algorithm will learn your preferences and show you more of the content you enjoy.
Limiting Ad Topics and Data Used for Recommendations
Instagram also bases many of its recommendations on the data it collects from you, including your activity on the platform and even off-platform activities (through Facebook’s ad network). You can limit the types of ads and data Instagram uses for recommendations through the app’s privacy settings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I permanently turn off all recommended posts on Instagram?
No, you cannot completely turn off all recommended posts. However, you can reduce them significantly by using the methods outlined in this guide.
Why do I still see random reels after turning off recommended posts?
Even after reducing suggested posts, Instagram’s algorithm may continue recommending Reels based on your interaction with other content. Using the “Not Interested” option for Reels will help reduce these recommendations.
Is there a way to get a chronological feed on Instagram again?
Instagram removed the chronological feed in favor of an algorithm-based feed. However, by switching to the “Following” feed view, you can experience a feed more aligned with the accounts you follow.
Does selecting “Not Interested” actually help reduce random posts?
Yes, selecting “Not Interested” helps Instagram adjust its recommendations and reduces similar posts in the future.
Will muting suggested posts affect my following feed or messages?
No, muting suggested posts only affects the content shown in your feed. It won’t impact messages or the posts from the accounts you follow.
Why don’t I have the “Show less often” option for suggested posts?
This option might not be available for all users due to app version limitations, regional rollouts, or account-specific settings. Make sure your app is updated, and check for feature availability.
Can I turn off recommended posts on Instagram Web/Desktop?
Unfortunately, the option to turn off recommended posts is currently only available on the mobile app.