Updated: 4. 9. 2026
Resetting the algorithm on Instagram means clearing the data about your past behavior that the app uses to recommend content, and teaching it your new preferences. On Instagram, you can do this directly in the settings since 2024 using the Reset Suggested Content feature, and on TikTok similarly through Refresh Your For You Feed. The reset takes a few minutes, and the feed will start relearning within a few days of active use.
This guide is intended both for people whose feed has broken and who are only seeing uninteresting videos, and for creators who want their content to reach a more relevant audience. We’ll go through the exact steps for both networks, show the differences, and explain what a reset can actually do and what is just a myth.
Prices and availability of certain features vary by country and app language version, so for specific buttons we also provide alternative names you may see in 2026.
Quick Summary
- Instagram has allowed you to reset suggested content via Settings → Suggested Content since 2024 – it takes one minute.
- TikTok has a Refresh Your For You Feed feature directly in the Content Preferences settings.
- A reset does not delete your followers or posts – it only affects the algorithm and recommendations, not your account.
- After a reset, the feed relearns over 3–7 days depending on how actively you like, follow, and skip content.
- For creators, resetting the feed will not fix low reach – that is addressed through consistency, quality, and initial engagement on posts.
What Does “Resetting the Algorithm” Mean and What Does a Reset Actually Do
The algorithm is a system that decides, based on your behavior, which videos and posts you will see. Resetting the algorithm means deleting the history of these signals (what you watched, liked, skipped) and forcing the app to start recommendations almost from scratch.
It is important to distinguish between two things that are often confused:
- Suggested content reset – an official feature that clears your interest history and repopulates your feed from a clean slate.
- “Reset” for creators – an effort to achieve greater reach for your own content. There is no official button for this; it is about changing your strategy.
A suggested content reset only affects what you see. It does not delete your followers, posts, or DMs, nor does it change how others receive your content. It is a safe operation that can be repeated at any time.
How to Reset the Instagram Algorithm Step by Step
On Instagram, you reset the algorithm through the suggested content settings. Meta launched this feature in 2024, and in 2026 it is available in most countries directly in the mobile app.
Steps to Reset Suggested Content (Reels and Explore)
- Open the app and go to your profile.
- Tap the three-line icon in the top right and open Settings and Privacy.
- Find the Suggested Content section (Content preferences / Suggested content).
- Select the Reset Suggested Content option.
- Confirm and close the app for a few minutes.
After this step, Instagram will stop relying on your old history and will start suggesting content to you again. In the first few days, you will see more general topics – this is normal.
Manual Fine-Tuning to Boost 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 in the area you want to see more of.
- Like and comment only on things that genuinely interest 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 TikTok Algorithm Step by Step
TikTok has a dedicated reset feature called Refresh Your For You Feed, which you can find in the content preferences settings. It was introduced in 2023 and in 2026 is a standard part of the app.
Steps
- Go to your profile and open the menu (three lines in the top right).
- Select Settings and Privacy.
- Open Content Preferences.
- Tap Refresh Your For You Feed and confirm.
TikTok will notify you that recommendations will behave as if you were a new user. The first roughly 20–30 videos are key – what you do with them (watch to the end, skip, like) will quickly set a new direction for your feed.
Additional Tools on TikTok
- Filter keywords – hides videos with hashtags and words you don’t want to see.
- Long-press a video → Not Interested.
- Swipe past videos you don’t want to see within the first few seconds.
We cover in detail exactly how TikTok selects videos in the article understanding the TikTok algorithm.
Instagram vs. TikTok: Algorithm Reset Comparison
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 watch-completion signals.
| Parameter | TikTok | |
|---|---|---|
| Feature name | Reset recommended content to default | Refresh recommended content feed |
| Where to find it | Settings → Recommended Content | Settings → Content Preferences |
| Relearning time | 3–7 days | 1–3 days |
| Strongest signal | Follow + save | Video completion rate |
| Will it affect your followers? | No | No |
If you’re interested in a broader comparison of both platforms including reach and audience statistics, check out TikTok vs. Instagram.
Reset without an official button: how to clean your feed manually
If you don’t see a reset button in your country or version of the app, you can “retrain” the algorithm manually over a few days. The principle is simple: give the system new, clear, and consistent signals and let the old ones fade out.
Seven-day manual reset
- Day 1–2: Unfollow accounts that no longer interest you. Stop opening content you don’t want to see.
- Day 2–4: Click “Not interested” on unwanted videos. Actively search for new topics through search and hashtags.
- Day 4–7: Like, save, and comment exclusively on content you want to see more often. Avoid mindless scrolling.
An additional step is clearing your search history in settings and possibly temporarily disabling personalized ads. The extreme method — creating a new account — also works, but you’ll lose your followers, history, and saved posts, so we only recommend it in exceptional cases.
Algorithm reset for creators: why it won’t boost your reach on its own
Resetting recommended content won’t fix low reach on your posts. A reset only changes what you see as a viewer, not how the platform distributes your content to others. Reach is determined by entirely different factors.
When your post is getting few views, the algorithm primarily evaluates:
- Initial engagement – how many people react in the first 30–60 minutes.
- Completion rate for Reels and TikTok videos.
- Saves and shares – a stronger signal than a like.
- Consistency of posting and publishing time.
A concrete example: a beginner creator with 800 followers will get only 40–60 views at the start of a new Reel. If 15 of those people watch the video to the end and 3 save it, the algorithm will push it further. A feed reset won’t do anything about this — what helps is a better hook in the first 3 seconds and posting at the right time.
Initial engagement is exactly what can also be supported artificially. Delivering the first likes and views helps overcome the initial threshold 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
Resetting the algorithm is worth it when your feed has stopped reflecting your actual interests — for example after a longer break, after sharing an account, or when you briefly “clicked through” 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 frequently — after every reset you lose a fine-tuned feed and have to wait days for it to be set up again.
- As a cure for low reach of your own content — it won’t help here (see the previous section).
- Through unofficial third-party “reset” apps — you risk password leaks and violation of terms of service. KupFollowers (kupfollowers.cz) and reputable services always work only with public profiles and never ask for your password.
If you’re focused on overall account growth, rather than a reset, what will help you more is systematic work with your followers — you can find inspiration in the overview of 11 ways to increase your Instagram followers.
Frequently asked questions
How do I reset the algorithm on Instagram?
On Instagram, open your profile, tap the three lines in the top right corner, and go to Settings and privacy. Find the Recommended Content section and select Reset recommended content to default. Instagram will erase your interest history and start recommending content again. The feed will retrain within 3 to 7 days depending on how actively you like and follow new topics.
Will resetting the algorithm delete my followers or posts?
No. Resetting recommended content only affects what videos and posts you see as a viewer. It will not delete your followers, your posts, saved content, or messages, and it will not change how other users receive your content. It is a safe operation that can be repeated at any time.
How long does it take for the algorithm to retrain after a reset?
On TikTok, the feed starts adapting within the first 20 to 30 videos, usually within 1 to 3 days. On Instagram, retraining takes approximately 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. The 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 few minutes, watch completion rate, saves, shares, and posting consistency. If you want higher reach, focus on content quality, a strong hook in the first few seconds, and posting at the right time.
How do I reset the algorithm on TikTok?
On TikTok, open your profile, go to Settings and Privacy, and open Content Preferences. Select the option to Refresh your For You feed and confirm. TikTok will then treat you as a new user. The first 20 to 30 videos are crucial – what you do with them will quickly set a 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 version of the app, you can retrain the algorithm manually over about 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 both Instagram and TikTok in 2026 is a matter of one minute – just find the right feature in the recommended content settings and confirm it. Your feed will then retrain itself within a few days based on the new signals you give it through your interactions.
Keep in mind the key difference: a 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 with the latter – delivery usually within an hour, with just a public profile and no password required. Try resetting your feed today and watch how your content starts changing for the better.
If you want results right away, you can get an Instagram followers and likes package right now.
Michal Záruba is a digital marketing specialist and a consultant in social media and SEO. For more than 8 years, Michal has been helping brands grow online through strategic content, search engine optimisation and effective communication on platforms such as LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube.
On the blog, Michal shares practical tips on how to combine SEO, social media and brand building into one working strategy, focusing on how companies can use modern tools and algorithms so that their brand gains not only reach but also trust.
Alongside creating content, Michal lectures on digital marketing, trains teams and follows new trends in AI and search.