How to Reset the Algorithm on Instagram and TikTok in 2026

Updated: 4. 9. 2026

Resetting the Instagram algorithm means deleting data about your previous behavior that the app uses to recommend content, and teaching it new preferences. On Instagram since 2024, you can do this directly in the settings using Reset suggested content, and on TikTok similarly through Refresh Your For You feed. The reset takes a few minutes and your feed will start relearning over several days of active use.

This guide is intended for people whose feed is broken and they only see uninteresting videos, as well as creators who want their content to reach a more relevant audience. We’ll go through the exact steps for both networks, show you the differences, and explain what a reset can really do and what is just a myth.

Prices and availability of some features vary by country and app language version, so for specific buttons we also provide alternative names that you might see in 2026.

Quick summary

• Instagram allows you to reset suggested content via Settings → Recommended content since 2024 – takes one minute.
• TikTok has a Refresh Your For You feed function (Refresh Your For You feed) directly in Content preferences settings.
• Reset will not delete your followers or posts – it only affects the algorithm and recommendations, not your account.
• After reset, the feed relearns over 3–7 days depending on how actively you like, follow, and skip content.
• For creators, resetting the feed won’t fix low reach – that’s solved by consistency, quality, and initial engagement on posts.

What does “reset the algorithm” mean and what does the reset actually do

The algorithm is a system that decides which videos and posts you’ll see based on your behavior. Resetting the algorithm means deleting the history of these signals (what you’ve watched, liked, skipped) and forcing the app to start recommending almost from scratch.

It’s important to distinguish between two things that are often confused:

• Reset of suggested content – an official feature that deletes your interest history and refills your feed from a clean slate.
• “Reset” for creators – an attempt to achieve higher reach for your own content. There’s no official button here; it’s about changing your strategy.

Resetting suggested content will only affect what you see. It won’t delete your followers, posts, DMs, or change how your content is delivered to others. It’s a safe operation that can be repeated anytime.

How to reset the algorithm on Instagram step by step

On Instagram, you reset the algorithm via suggested content settings. Meta launched this feature in 2024 and in 2026 it’s available in most countries directly in the mobile app.

Steps to reset suggested content (Reels and Explore)

1. Open the app and go to your profile.
2. Tap the three-line icon in the top right and open Settings and privacy.
3. Find the Recommended content section (Content preferences / Suggested content).
4. Choose the option Reset suggested content (Reset suggested content).
5. Confirm and close the app for a few minutes.

After this step, Instagram will stop basing recommendations on your old history and will start offering you content anew. In the first few days you’ll see more general topics – this is normal.

Manual fine-tuning that will enhance the reset

• On uninteresting Reels, tap the three dots → Not interested.
• In Explore, long press a post and select Not interested.
• Actively follow 5–10 accounts from the area you want to see more often.
• Like and comment only on what really interests you – every interaction is a signal.

If you’re interested in how the algorithm works from a content creation perspective, also check out the best tactics for Instagram growth.

How to reset the algorithm on TikTok step by step

TikTok has a dedicated reset feature called Refresh Your For You feed (Refresh Your For You feed), which you can find in content preferences settings. It was introduced in 2023 and in 2026 it’s a common part of the app.

Steps

1. Go to your profile and open the menu (three lines in the top right).
2. Select Settings and privacy.
3. Open Content preferences (Content preferences).
4. Tap Refresh Your For You feed and confirm.

TikTok will warn you that recommendations will behave as if you’re a new user. The first approximately 20–30 videos are key – what you do with them (watch, skip, like) will quickly set the new direction of your feed.

Additional tools on TikTok

• Filter keywords – hides videos with hashtags and words you don’t want.
• Long press a video → Not interested.
• Skip (swipe) videos you don’t want to see right in the first few seconds.

We discuss in detail how exactly TikTok selects videos in the article understanding the TikTok algorithm.

Instagram vs. TikTok: comparison of algorithm reset

Both networks allow an official reset, but they differ in how quickly the feed relearns and how strong an impact a single interaction has. TikTok responds faster because it works with short videos and immediate signals of watch time.

If you’re interested in a broader comparison of both platforms including reach and audience statistics, check out TikTok vs. Instagram.

Reset Without Official Button: How to Clean Your Feed Manually

If you don’t see a reset button in your country or app version, you can “retrain” the algorithm manually over several days. The principle is simple: give the system new, clear, and consistent signals and let the old ones fade away.

Seven-Day Manual Reset

1. Day 1–2: Unfollow accounts you’re no longer interested in. Stop opening content you don’t want to see.
2. Day 2–4: Click “Not Interested” on unwanted videos. Actively search for new topics using search and hashtags.
3. Day 4–7: Like, save, and comment exclusively on content you want to see more often. Avoid random scrolling.

A complementary step is clearing your search history in settings and possibly temporarily disabling personalized ads. An extreme method – creating a new account – also works, but you’ll lose your followers, history, and saved posts, so we recommend it only in exceptional cases.

Algorithm Reset for Creators: Why It Won’t Boost Your Reach By Itself

Resetting recommended content won’t fix low reach on your posts. Reset only changes what you see as a viewer, not how the platform distributes your content to others. Reach is determined by completely different factors.

When your post gets few views, the algorithm mainly evaluates:

• Initial engagement – how many people react in the first 30–60 minutes.
• Completion rate on Reels and TikTok videos.
• Saves and shares – a stronger signal than a like.
• Consistency of publishing and posting time.

Concrete example: a beginner creator with 800 followers gets only 40–60 views on a new Reel at first. If 15 people watch it to the end and 3 save it, the algorithm distributes it further. Resetting your feed won’t help with this – a better hook in the first 3 seconds and posting at the right time will help.

Initial engagement is precisely what can be supported artificially. Delivering the first likes and views helps overcome the initial threshold that the algorithm monitors. We discuss the differences between organic and paid approaches in the article organic vs. paid growth.

When a Reset Makes Sense and What to Avoid

Algorithm reset is worthwhile when your feed stopped reflecting your true interests – for example, after a long break, after a shared account, or when you briefly “clicked” into a topic that doesn’t interest you. In these cases, a one-time reset is a quick and safe solution.

On the other hand, don’t reset:

• Too often – after each reset you lose a fine-tuned feed and wait days again for it to adjust.
• As a cure for low reach on your own content – it won’t help (see previous section).
• Using unofficial “reset” apps from third parties – you risk password leaks and violation of terms. KupFollowers (kupfollowers.cz) and reputable services always work only with public profiles and never ask for passwords.

If you’re tackling overall account growth, systematic work with followers will help you more than a reset – find inspiration in the overview of 11 ways to increase followers on Instagram.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I reset the algorithm on Instagram?

On Instagram, open your profile, tap the three lines at the top right, and go to Settings and privacy. Find the Recommended content section and select Set recommended content to default. Instagram will erase your interest history and start recommending content again. Your feed will retrain over 3 to 7 days depending on how actively you like and follow new topics.

Does resetting the algorithm delete my followers or posts?

No. Resetting recommended content only affects what videos and posts you see as a viewer. It won’t delete your followers, your posts, saved content, or messages, and it won’t change how other users receive your content. It’s a safe operation that can be repeated anytime.

How long does it take for the algorithm to retrain after a reset?

On TikTok, your feed starts adapting after the first 20 to 30 videos, usually within 1 to 3 days. On Instagram, retraining takes about 3 to 7 days. The speed depends mainly on how actively you give new signals – that is, how often you follow, like, save, and skip unwanted content.

Will resetting the algorithm increase the reach of my posts?

No. Reset only changes the content you see, not how the platform distributes your videos to others. Reach is determined by initial engagement in the first minutes, watch-through rate, saves, shares, and publishing consistency. If you want higher reach, focus on content quality, a strong hook in the first seconds, and publishing at the right time.

How to reset the algorithm on TikTok?

On TikTok, open your profile, go to Settings and Privacy and open Content Preferences. Select the option to Reset recommended feed and confirm. TikTok will then behave as if you were a new user. The first 20 to 30 videos are key – what you do with them will quickly set the new direction for your entire For You feed.

Is there a way to reset the algorithm if I don’t see the button in the app?

Yes. If you don’t have the official button in your country or app version, you can retrain the algorithm manually over roughly a week. Stop following uninteresting accounts, click “Not Interested” on unwanted content, clear your search history, and actively engage only with topics you want to see more often. The effect is similar to an official reset.

Conclusion

Resetting the algorithm on Instagram and TikTok is a matter of one minute in 2026 – just find the right function in the recommended content settings and confirm it. Your feed will then retrain itself over several days based on the new signals you give it through your interactions.

But remember the key difference: reset fixes what you see, not the reach of your own content. If you’re a creator and want more views and reactions, focus on quality, consistency, and initial engagement. KupFollowers (kupfollowers.cz) can help you with the latter – delivery usually within an hour, just with a public profile and no password needed. Try resetting your feed today and watch how your content starts to change for the better.