Your Instagram Explore page is like a mirror to your digital habits. Watch a few cooking Reels and suddenly it’s all recipes. Like one travel post, and you’re knee-deep in tropical beach shots.
But what if your Explore feed is completely off?
Good news:
while you can’t hit a magic “reset” button everywhere just yet, Instagram is rolling out a brand-new feature to refresh your recommendations from scratch and you can still use a few clever tricks to guide the algorithm right now.
In this guide, you’ll learn:
- Why your Explore feed looks the way it does
- Step-by-step actions to reshape it
- The latest Instagram reset update
- How brands and influencers can use this to boost reach
Why Your Explore Page Shows What It Shows
Instagram’s recommendation engine uses machine learning to decide what appears on your Explore tab. It weighs signals like:
- Your past activity – Likes, comments, saves, and shares
- Watch time – How long you linger on certain posts or Reels
- Search behavior – Hashtags, keywords, and profiles you look up
- Following patterns – The type of accounts you follow or mute
Every interaction is a data point. If you want to change your Explore feed, you need to change the signals you send.
New in 2025: Instagram’s Reset Recommendations Feature
In late 2024, Instagram started testing a “Reset Content Recommendations” tool. It lets you wipe your Explore, Reels, and Feed suggestions in a few taps, essentially starting fresh.
You’ll also get prompts to review and unfollow accounts that no longer align with your interests. After the reset, Instagram rebuilds your Explore based on new interactions. The feature is rolling out globally this year.
How to Change the Explore Page on Instagram
Even if you don’t have the reset feature yet, these steps will help you fine-tune your Explore feed:
1. Use “Not Interested” Regularly
On any unwanted post in Explore, tap the three dots → Not Interested. This removes the post and tells Instagram to show less of that topic.
2. Clear Your Search History
Old searches can keep feeding irrelevant content to your feed.
How to clear it:
- Go to Profile → Your Activity → Recent Searches
- Tap Clear All
This stops outdated search data from influencing recommendations.
3. Clear Cache or Reinstall the App
Sometimes your Explore content can get “stuck” due to cached data.
- On Android: Clear app cache/data in Settings
- On iPhone: Delete and reinstall the app
This forces Instagram to pull fresh recommendations.
4. Engage With Content You Actually Want
Positive interactions are stronger signals than negative ones. To get more travel, fitness, or design posts:
- Like, save, and comment on that type of content
- Watch Reels all the way through
- Share them to your Stories
The more consistent your engagement, the faster your Explore feed changes.
5. Follow or Mute Accounts Strategically
The accounts you follow have a big influence on Explore:
- Follow accounts in your niche
- Unfollow irrelevant ones
- Use Mute to stop seeing content without unfollowing
6. Explore Niche Hashtags
Searching and engaging with niche hashtags can steer your Explore.
Example:
- Fitness → #HomeWorkouts, #PlantBasedProtein
- Photography → #StreetPhotography, #FilmPhotography
How Long Does It Take to See Changes?
If you use Instagram daily and follow these steps, you can see noticeable changes in 2–3 weeks. Light users may take longer since the algorithm learns from consistent patterns.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Accidentally engaging with unwanted posts (even a few seconds of watch time counts)
- Mixing unrelated interests too often (confuses the algorithm)
- Ignoring the “Not Interested” tool
Why This Matters for Brands & Influencers (Qoruz Insight)
At Qoruz, we’ve seen how algorithm fluency can make or break organic reach.
Influencers who keep their activity consistent within a niche not only maintain a loyal audience—they also dominate the Explore pages of their target market. This is a powerful discovery channel for brands.
If you’re planning campaigns, pairing with influencers who “own” a topic on Explore can mean your content is served to thousands of highly relevant users without paid boosts.
For a deeper dive, check our guide: Selecting Instagram Influencers for Brand Campaigns in 2025
FAQ
Can I fully reset my Explore page?
Not yet, but the new reset tool is rolling out globally in 2025. Until then, use the steps above.
Will blocking accounts change my Explore feed?
Yes, but “Not Interested” is usually enough without severing connections.
Do hashtags affect Explore?
Yes, especially when you consistently engage with posts under certain hashtags.
Does this work for Reels recommendations too?
Yes. Explore and Reels algorithms are closely linked.
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