Instagram has recently unveiled its new feature aimed at giving users greater control over the content they see on the platform. Announced by Meta, the company's parent organization, this update introduces the option to reset content recommendations, enabling users to refresh their Instagram experience. This change is particularly aligned with user frustrations about repetitive or irrelevant content surfacing on their feeds.
The new feature effectively acts as a "reset button" for users who feel overwhelmed by the current content being curated for them based on their past interactions. Using algorithms, Instagram historically recommended posts, Reels, and other content by tracking what users liked and engaged with. While this method is aimed at boosting engagement, it can sometimes result in users encountering nonstop posts of similar themes they might have lost interest in.
Previously, users had limited recourse to adjust their recommendation settings manually. Now, with the reset capability, they will have the chance to clear their recommendation history entirely and start anew. According to reports, this feature affects content across multiple segments of Instagram, including the Explore page, Reels tab, and the main feed itself. Once reset, users can expect to see new content they may not have encountered previously, creating opportunities to discover fresh interests.
The announcement came with details on how users can access this feature once it rolls out. To utilize the reset option, they’ll need to dig through the settings by tapping on "Content preferences" under "What you see." Once here, users can select “Reset suggested content” which, according to Instagram, is irreversible once applied. This means users should carefully think through this decision before making the switch.
While the option to reset will be available to all users eventually, it has been highlighted as particularly beneficial for teenagers. Meta recognizes the fast pace at which teens’ interests evolve, making this feature ideal to help them continuously curate their Instagram feeds to align with their changing preferences.
Adam Mosseri, the head of Instagram, emphasized the thoughtful application of this feature. He stated, “I want to be clear, this is a big thing to do. It’s going to make your Instagram much less interesting at first because we’re going to treat you as if we know nothing about your interests, and it will take some time to learn those again.” He added, users should not resort to frequent resets, as doing so can lead to less personalized feeds until the algorithm has time to readjust.
This feature mirrors similar capabilities found on TikTok which previously introduced tools to reset users’ For You pages. The global rollout of Instagram’s recommendation reset feature is seen as Meta's answer to a growing demand for greater control over digital content consumption. Users also have the option to unfollow accounts they no longer wish to see, alongside the tools already available where they can mark posts as either ‘Interested’ or ‘Not Interested’ to refine their content suggestions.
According to Meta’s blog post, this initiative hints at broader changes underway within social media platforms, leaning more heavily on user agency when it relates to content visibility. By offering the chance to reset content recommendations, Instagram appears to be acknowledging the complexity of user preferences and the pressing need for more customizable social media experiences. This move could potentially change the dynamics of user engagement, as it keeps the conversation about personalization at the forefront.
A spokesperson from Meta noted, “If users are careful about their interactions moving forward, the algorithm can result in improved recommendations — making it more aligned with users’ current interests rather than their past interactions.”
Overall, this new resetting feature not only aims to provide immediate user satisfaction but also to create longer-term engagement as users rebuild their content preferences from scratch. It’s still being rolled out to specific users for testing, but Instagram plans to expand access to everyone soon. This update adds another layer of customization to the Instagram experience, catering to its millions of users worldwide who are seeking more refined and relevant content curations.
