You can reduce the Reels Instagram shows you, but you cannot fully clear the suggestion list
Instagram does not have a button that wipes your Reel suggestions clean. What you can do is tell Instagram which Reels you are not interested in, which trains the algorithm to show you different content over time. Each time you mark a Reel as "Not interested," Instagram records that signal and adjusts what appears in your feed and Reels tab.
The process works because Instagram's suggestion system learns from your actions. When you like, watch, comment on, or share Reels, Instagram treats those as signals that you want more of that type of content. When you mark something "Not interested" or hide it, you are sending the opposite signal. The more signals you send, the faster the suggestions change.
This is different from clearing your watch history or search history — those features exist on Instagram, but they do not reset your Reels suggestions. Clearing history removes the record that you viewed something, but Instagram still knows what you engaged with before you cleared it.
Key Takeaways
- Mark individual Reels as "Not interested" by tapping the three dots on the Reel and selecting that option; repeat this often to retrain what Instagram suggests.
- Mute accounts and hashtags from the same menu so you stop seeing content from specific creators or topics without unfollowing them.
- Clear your search history and watch history separately, though these do not reset your Reel suggestions — they only hide your past activity from your own profile.
- Instagram's suggestions improve faster when you actively engage with content you do want to see, not just when you reject content you do not.
- Your Reels suggestions are tied to your account, so logging out and back in does not change what Instagram shows you.
How to mark individual Reels as "Not interested"
Open the Reel you want to remove from your suggestions. Tap the three dots (⋯) in the bottom right corner of the Reel. A menu will appear with several options. Select "Not interested." Instagram will remove that Reel from your feed and adjust future suggestions.
Repeat this for every Reel you do not want to see. The more you mark as "Not interested," the faster Instagram learns your preferences. If you see five Reels in a row about a topic you dislike, mark all five. This sends a stronger signal than marking one.
You can also use the same three-dot menu to mute the creator, mute the audio, or hide the Reel without marking it "Not interested." Muting a creator means you will not see their Reels in your feed, but you can still visit their profile if you search for them. Muting audio means you will not see Reels with that specific song or sound.
Clearing your search history and watch history
Instagram keeps two separate records: your search history (what you have searched for) and your watch history (what Reels and videos you have viewed). Clearing either one removes that record from your profile, but it does not change what Instagram suggests to you going forward.
To clear your search history, open Instagram and go to your profile. Tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top right. Select "Settings and privacy," then "Settings." Scroll to "Your activity" and tap "Search history." Tap "Clear all" at the bottom. Instagram will delete the list of searches you have performed.
To clear your watch history, follow the same path: profile, menu, "Settings and privacy," "Settings," "Your activity." Instead of "Search history," select "Watch history." Tap "Clear all." This removes the record of Reels and videos you have watched, but Instagram still has the data about what you engaged with before you cleared it.
Why muting accounts and hashtags works better than hiding individual posts
If you keep seeing Reels about a specific creator or topic, muting is faster than marking each Reel individually. When you mute an account, Instagram stops showing you their Reels in your main feed and Reels tab. When you mute a hashtag, you will not see Reels tagged with that hashtag.
To mute an account, tap the three dots on any of their Reels and select "Mute [creator name]." To mute a hashtag, tap the three dots on a Reel that uses that hashtag and select "Mute hashtag [name]." You can unmute either one later from the same menu if you change your mind.
Muting is gentler than unfollowing because the creator does not know you muted them, and you can still visit their profile if you want to. Unfollowing removes them from your feed entirely, which is more drastic if you only want to reduce how often you see their content.
What happens when you log out and back in
Logging out of Instagram and logging back in does not reset your Reel suggestions. Your suggestions are stored on Instagram's servers and tied to your account, not to your device or browser. When you log back in, you will see the same suggestions you saw before you logged out, minus any Reels you marked "Not interested" in the meantime.
If you want to test whether your changes are working, log out, wait a few hours, and log back in. You should see fewer Reels about the topics you marked "Not interested." If the suggestions have not changed much, you may need to mark more Reels or engage more actively with content you do want to see.
How to actively shape your suggestions by engaging with content you like
Telling Instagram what you do not want to see is only half the work. The algorithm learns faster when you also show it what you do want. Like Reels you enjoy, comment on them, share them, and save them. Each of these actions tells Instagram to show you more similar content.
If you want to see more Reels about a specific topic, search for that hashtag or creator and engage with several Reels in that category. Watch them all the way through if you can — Instagram tracks how long you watch a Reel, and longer watch times signal stronger interest. Follow creators whose Reels you like. The more you engage with the content you want, the more of it will appear in your suggestions.
This is why clearing your watch history alone does not help much. Instagram still knows what you engaged with before you cleared the history. To actually change your suggestions, you need to send new signals by marking things "Not interested" and engaging with content you prefer.
Why Instagram's suggestions may not change as fast as you expect
Instagram's algorithm takes time to adjust. If you have spent months watching Reels about a certain topic, marking a few as "Not interested" will not when ready flood your feed with different content. The algorithm weighs your recent activity more heavily than your old activity, but it does not forget the old activity entirely.
If you want faster results, combine marking "Not interested" with active engagement. Mark the unwanted Reels, mute the creators or hashtags, and then spend time liking and watching Reels about topics you prefer. Within a few days to a week, you should see a noticeable shift in what Instagram suggests.
Keep in mind that Instagram also shows you some content based on what is popular or trending, not just on your past behavior. You may occasionally see a Reel that does not match your usual preferences because it is trending widely. Marking it "Not interested" helps, but you cannot eliminate all unexpected suggestions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I see a list of all the Reels I have marked "Not interested"?
No. Instagram does not show you a list of Reels you have marked "Not interested." Once you mark a Reel, it disappears from your feed and the action is recorded on Instagram's servers, but you cannot view a history of your "Not interested" marks. You can only see your search history and watch history in your settings.
Does muting someone on Instagram affect what Reels they see from me?
No. Muting an account only affects what you see, not what they see. When you mute someone, you will not see their Reels or posts in your feed, but they can still see your content if they visit your profile or if Instagram suggests your posts to them. Muting is one-way and private.
If I unlike a Reel I previously liked, will that change my suggestions?
Yes, but slowly. Unlike a Reel and Instagram will adjust your suggestions slightly, but the algorithm has already recorded that you liked it once. To change your suggestions faster, mark unwanted Reels as "Not interested" instead of just unliking them. "Not interested" sends a stronger signal to the algorithm than unliking.
Will clearing my watch history make Instagram forget what I watched?
Clearing your watch history removes the visible record from your profile, but Instagram's algorithm still has the data about what you watched and engaged with. Clearing the history is useful for privacy on your own device, but it does not reset your Reel suggestions. To change suggestions, mark Reels as "Not interested" instead.
Can I reset my Reels suggestions completely and start over?
Not officially. Instagram does not offer a "reset suggestions" button. Your best option is to mark many Reels as "Not interested" over several days, mute creators and hashtags you do not want to see, and actively engage with content you prefer. Over time, your suggestions will shift toward your new preferences, but the process takes at least a week or two.