How to Change Your Suggested Reels on Instagram: A Deep Dive

Tired of seeing the same old Reels clogging up your Instagram feed? Wish you could fine-tune your algorithm to show you more content you actually enjoy? You absolutely can! The process involves a combination of active engagement, strategic disengagement, and leveraging the platform’s built-in tools. Let’s cut through the noise and get down to the practical steps you can take to curate a Reels feed that resonates with your interests.

The Core Strategies: Shaping Your Instagram Reels Experience

Changing your suggested Reels isn’t a one-time fix; it’s an ongoing conversation you have with the Instagram algorithm. Here’s how you can steer that conversation in the right direction:

1. Engage Intelligently: The algorithm learns from your actions. Like Reels you enjoy. Watch them all the way through. Comment thoughtfully. Share them with friends. The more positive signals you send, the more of similar content Instagram will show you. Conversely, avoid engaging with Reels that don’t interest you.

2. The Power of ‘Not Interested’: This is your most direct line of communication with Instagram. When a Reel pops up that doesn’t appeal, tap the three dots (the ellipsis) in the bottom right corner and select “Not Interested.” You can then specify why you’re not interested, further refining the algorithm’s understanding of your preferences. Options might include “I don’t like the creator,” “I see this too often,” or “This topic is not relevant to me.”

3. Explore Page Auditing: The Explore Page is a goldmine of potential new content. Spend time browsing and selectively engaging with the Reels you find there. This actively introduces new signals into the algorithm, helping it understand your evolving interests.

4. Search Wisely: Use the Instagram Search function to find accounts and hashtags related to your interests. Following accounts and frequently viewing content tagged with relevant hashtags will significantly influence the Reels you see.

5. Mute and Unfollow Strategically: If certain accounts are constantly appearing in your Reels feed and you’re not interested, consider muting or unfollowing them. Muting is less drastic and allows you to maintain the connection without being bombarded with their content.

6. Review Your Activity: Regularly check your Instagram Activity (found in your settings) to see what you’ve liked, commented on, and saved. This provides a useful overview of your past engagement and can help you identify areas where you might be unintentionally signaling interest in unwanted content.

7. Create Your Own Content: While not a direct method, creating Reels related to your interests can indirectly influence the algorithm. It signals to Instagram the topics you’re passionate about and increases the likelihood of you seeing similar content from others.

8. Content Overlap Analysis: Identify any overlap in topics or trends between the reels you enjoy and those you dislike. Is there a specific subgenre or creator style you consistently reject? Pinpointing these patterns helps you provide more accurate feedback via the “Not Interested” feature.

9. Account Type Consideration: Consider the type of account you primarily use Instagram for (personal, business, hobby, etc.). The algorithm may prioritize content relevant to your perceived account purpose. If your current viewing habits deviate significantly from your intended use, it might be beneficial to create separate accounts tailored to each interest.

10. Clear Cache and Data (Use with Caution): In extreme cases, clearing the Instagram app’s cache and data can reset the algorithm’s learning to some extent. However, be aware that this will also log you out of your account and you may lose some settings. Use this as a last resort.

Understanding the Algorithm’s Nuances

The Instagram algorithm is constantly evolving, and its exact workings are a closely guarded secret. However, we know it considers factors like:

• Your past interactions: Who you follow, what you like, comment on, and share.
• The Reel’s popularity: How many likes, comments, and shares it’s received.
• The Reel’s topic: The hashtags and keywords used.
• The creator’s relationship to you: Whether you follow them, interact with their posts, or have mutual connections.
• Reel viewing duration: How long you watch each Reel before swiping away.
• Audience Interest Predictions: Instagram tries to predict if you will like certain reel topics.

Understanding these factors empowers you to make more informed decisions about how you engage with Reels.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify how to customize your Instagram Reel viewing experience:

1. How long does it take to change my suggested Reels?

It’s not an instant process. It can take several days or even weeks to see a noticeable shift in your suggested Reels. Consistency is key. Continuously providing feedback (liking, commenting, and using “Not Interested”) will gradually train the algorithm.

2. Will blocking an account stop their Reels from appearing?

Yes, blocking an account will prevent their Reels from showing up in your feed. This is a more drastic measure than muting or unfollowing.

3. Does reporting a Reel affect future suggestions?

Yes, reporting a Reel will likely decrease the chances of similar content appearing in your feed. Reporting a Reel flags it as potentially violating Instagram’s community guidelines, and Instagram will take that feedback into account when curating your feed.

4. Can I reset my Reels algorithm completely?

There’s no explicit “reset” button. Clearing your cache and data is the closest you can get, but it’s a drastic step. A new account will, by default, have a new algorithm slate.

5. Is there a difference between muting and unfollowing?

Yes. Muting an account means you’ll no longer see their posts or Reels in your feed, but you’ll still be following them. Unfollowing means you’re no longer connected to the account, and their content won’t appear in your feed unless you actively search for it.

6. How does Instagram decide what appears on my Explore Page?

The Explore Page is personalized based on your past activity, accounts you follow, and content that is popular among users with similar interests.

7. Can my friends’ actions influence my Reels suggestions?

Indirectly, yes. If your friends frequently interact with certain types of content, Instagram might suggest similar content to you, assuming you share similar interests.

8. Does the time of day I use Instagram affect my Reels suggestions?

Not directly. However, the type of content you engage with at different times of the day might influence the algorithm over time.

9. What if I accidentally click “Not Interested” on a Reel I liked?

Unfortunately, there’s no “undo” button. The best course of action is to search for the creator or content and engage positively with it to counteract the negative signal you accidentally sent.

10. Does using a VPN affect my Reels suggestions?

Potentially. Using a VPN can alter your perceived location, which might influence the content Instagram shows you.

11. Are Reels suggestions the same across all my devices?

Ideally, yes. Instagram aims to provide a consistent experience across all devices logged into your account. However, there might be slight variations due to caching or device-specific settings.

12. How can I provide more specific feedback than just “Not Interested”?

Unfortunately, “Not Interested” is the most direct feedback option provided by Instagram. Try to provide context via available feedback options offered after tapping on the three dots. Combine this with consistent engagement with content you do enjoy to further refine the algorithm’s understanding of your preferences.