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How to Banish Suggested Posts on Instagram: A Definitive Guide

So, you’re tired of Instagram’s algorithm bombarding you with content you never asked for? You scroll expecting to see posts from friends, family, and the accounts you actually follow, only to be met with a deluge of “Suggested Posts.” It’s a common frustration. Let’s cut to the chase and tell you exactly how to remove suggested posts on Instagram:

The bad news first: you can’t completely eliminate suggested posts from your Instagram feed. Instagram wants you to discover new content. However, you can significantly reduce their frequency and, more importantly, tailor them to your liking (or rather, disliking). Here’s a breakdown of the most effective methods:

“Not Interested” Option: This is your primary weapon. Every time you see a suggested post, tap the three dots in the upper right corner (or lower right, depending on the interface). Select “Not Interested.” Instagram will ask why. Be specific! Choose options like “I don’t like this type of post,” “I don’t want to see posts from this account,” or “I see too many posts like this.” The more consistent you are with this, the more refined Instagram’s algorithm will become, learning what not to show you.
Snooze Suggested Posts: For a temporary reprieve, Instagram offers a “Snooze all suggested posts in feed for 30 days” option. Access this by repeatedly selecting “Not Interested” on multiple suggested posts in a row. The option should eventually appear. This is a great tactic when your feed is particularly overwhelmed with unwanted suggestions.
Mute Accounts: If a suggested post is from an account you repeatedly see, but don’t want to engage with, consider muting that account. This doesn’t unfollow them, but it prevents their posts from appearing in your main feed, including as suggested content. Tap the three dots on any of their posts (suggested or otherwise) and choose “Mute.”
Fine-Tune Your Interests: Instagram infers your interests based on your activity. Review the accounts you follow, the posts you’ve liked, the stories you’ve watched, and the searches you’ve made. Unfollow accounts that no longer align with your interests. Unlike posts that mistakenly landed a “like.” This helps Instagram recalibrate your profile and serve you more relevant content (and fewer irrelevant suggestions).
Use the “Following” Feed (If Available): Instagram has been testing different feed options. If you have access to a “Following” feed, select it. This feed should display posts only from the accounts you follow, theoretically eliminating suggested posts. However, this feature isn’t universally available.
Third-Party Apps (Use with Caution): While some third-party apps claim to completely remove suggested posts, proceed with extreme caution. Many of these apps violate Instagram’s terms of service and could compromise your account security. They may also be ineffective or even inject malware. Research thoroughly and read reviews before trusting any such app.
The Waiting Game: Ultimately, the algorithm learns over time. Be patient, consistent, and persistent with the methods above. The more feedback you provide, the better Instagram will become at understanding your preferences.

Understanding Instagram’s Algorithm and Suggested Posts

Instagram’s algorithm is a complex beast, constantly evolving. Suggested posts are a key part of its strategy to keep users engaged and discover new content. These suggestions are based on a variety of factors, including:

Accounts you follow: Instagram analyzes the content posted by accounts you follow and suggests similar accounts.
Posts you like: The algorithm tracks the types of posts you interact with and suggests content with similar themes, aesthetics, or subjects.
Accounts that follow you: Instagram assumes you might be interested in accounts followed by your followers.
Topics you explore: Searches, hashtags you follow, and topics you interact with all influence suggested posts.
Popular trends: The algorithm promotes trending topics and accounts to increase user awareness.

By understanding these factors, you can better tailor your activity to influence the algorithm and minimize unwanted suggestions.

Why is it so difficult to get rid of them completely?

Instagram, like other social media platforms, relies on algorithms to drive engagement and revenue. Suggested posts are a crucial part of this strategy because they expose users to content and accounts they might not otherwise discover. This can lead to increased ad revenue, more followers for other users, and ultimately, more time spent on the platform. Completely removing suggested posts would undermine this fundamental objective, which is why Instagram makes it challenging (but not impossible) to minimize their appearance.

FAQs About Removing Suggested Posts on Instagram

Here are 12 frequently asked questions to address your concerns and provide more detailed information:

1. Will “Not Interested” actually work?

Yes, but it requires consistency and specificity. Simply clicking “Not Interested” isn’t enough. Choose the most relevant reason from the options provided. The more detailed your feedback, the better the algorithm can understand your preferences. The effect is cumulative, so keep doing it!

2. How often should I be using the “Not Interested” option?

As often as necessary. Every time you see a suggested post you dislike, take action. Don’t let unwanted content clutter your feed without providing feedback.

3. Does muting an account prevent its suggested posts from appearing?

Yes, muting an account reduces the likelihood of seeing its content, including as a suggested post. It’s a more effective solution than simply clicking “Not Interested” on individual posts from that account.

4. I keep seeing suggested posts about a topic I’m not interested in. What should I do?

Review your recent activity. Have you inadvertently liked a post or followed a hashtag related to that topic? If so, unlike the post and unfollow the hashtag. Also, search for and interact with content related to topics you do enjoy to shift the algorithm’s focus.

5. Does Instagram track my data even when I’m not actively using the app?

Potentially, yes. Instagram can track your activity through other Meta (Facebook) products and potentially through third-party apps and websites that share data with Meta. This information can influence suggested posts.

6. Can I turn off suggested posts in my Instagram settings?

No, there is no dedicated toggle to completely disable suggested posts. The methods outlined above are the only ways to influence their frequency and relevance.

7. Is there a difference between “Not Interested” and “Report”?

Yes. “Not Interested” signals that you don’t want to see similar content. “Report” is used to flag content that violates Instagram’s community guidelines (e.g., hate speech, harassment, spam).

8. Will blocking an account prevent its suggested posts from appearing?

Yes, blocking an account completely prevents you from seeing its content, including as suggested posts. This is a more drastic measure than muting, as it also prevents the account from seeing your content.

9. Does using Instagram on a web browser offer different options for managing suggested posts?

No, the options are generally the same on the web browser version of Instagram as on the mobile app. You can still use “Not Interested” and mute accounts.

10. Can creating a “Close Friends” list affect the algorithm?

Indirectly, yes. By focusing your engagement on your Close Friends list, you signal to the algorithm that you prioritize content from those accounts. This might indirectly reduce the frequency of suggested posts from unrelated accounts.

11. Why are suggested posts sometimes appearing even before posts from accounts I follow?

Instagram prioritizes engagement. If the algorithm believes a suggested post is highly relevant to you (based on its data), it might place it higher in your feed to capture your attention. This is frustrating, but consistent use of the “Not Interested” option can help to rectify this.

12. Will Instagram ever allow users to completely disable suggested posts?

It’s unlikely. Suggested posts are a core part of Instagram’s business model. However, user feedback can influence future changes to the algorithm, so continue to voice your concerns.

By understanding these strategies and consistently applying them, you can regain control of your Instagram feed and create a more enjoyable and personalized experience. Remember, it’s a battle against the algorithm, and persistence is key. Good luck!