How to Change Suggested Reels on Instagram 2026 – 7 Methods

Tired of seeing Reels you don’t care about? 

This guide shows you how to change suggested Reels on Instagram, change your Reels content, and – when possible – turn off or drastically reduce suggested Reels on Instagram. 

You’ll get quick fixes (Not Interested), the official Reset suggested content tool, and the newest “Your Algorithm” controls so you can tune what Reels Instagram recommends to you.

TL;DR — Quick ways to change your suggested Reels

• Hide a bad Reel: Tap the three dots → Not interested in training the algorithm. (Use often.)
  
• Adjust sensitivity: Profile → Settings → Content Preferences → Sensitive Content Control to reduce unwanted material.
  
• Reset recommendations: Use Reset suggested content to clear current signals and start fresh.
  
• Edit topics: Use the new Your Algorithm dashboard (where available) to remove or add interesting topics so Instagram suggests better Reels.
  
• For creators/businesses: Engage with niche hashtags, encourage saves/shares, and follow competitors to change what Reels Instagram shows you.

Why this matters: Instagram suggested Reels are driven by signals like what you watch, like, save, and search for. 

You can’t fully rewrite the Instagram Reels algorithm overnight, but you can steer it – and in 2025–2026, Instagram added tools (Reset + topic tuning) that make controlling suggested Reels easier than before.

7 Practical Methods to Change Suggested Reels on Instagram (Step-by-Step Guide)

These are the most effective, actionable, and algorithm-friendly methods to change your Instagram Reels content, fix your Reels feed, stop unwanted Reels, and control what Instagram recommends to you.

Method 1 — Use “Not Interested” (Fastest Way to Stop Bad Suggested Reels)

This is the simplest and most direct signal you can send to the algorithm.

How to use Not Interested

1. Open the Reels tab or your Feed
2. Tap the three dots (…) on the Reel
3. Select Not interested
4. Optional: choose why (e.g., “I see too many like this”)

What this does:

• Immediately hides the Reel
• Reduce similar content from your feed
• Helps Instagram learn what you don’t want
• Works extremely well if you repeat it consistently

Tip: Use “Not interested” 10–20 times over a few days for a noticeable change.

Method 2 — Engage With the Content You Do Want (Teach the Algorithm)

Positive interactions are just as important as negative ones.

Do these consistently:

• Like the Reels, you want more of
• Comment on niche content
• Save the Reels you enjoy
• Rewatch Reels you love
• Follow creators in the categories you prefer
• Search for topics you want in your feed

Why this works:

Your actions tell Instagram which Reels matter to you. This reshapes your feed faster than passive scrolling.

Tip: If you want Instagram to shift your entire feed, binge-engage with 5–10 Reels in your preferred niche.

Method 3 — Adjust “Sensitive Content Control” (Filter Out Entire Categories)

Instagram’s Sensitive Content Control lets you filter out content that feels inappropriate or unwanted.

How to change Instagram sensitive content settings

1. Go to your Profile
2. Tap the menu (≡)
3. Select Settings & Privacy
4. Tap Content Preferences
5. Choose Sensitive Content Control
6. Pick: Less, Standard, or More

Why this matters:

If your suggested Reels feel uncomfortable, strange, or too mature, lowering sensitivity often removes entire categories.

Tip: Choose Less for the cleanest, safest feed.

Method 4 — Reset Suggested Content (Start Your Reels Feed From Zero)

This is one of Instagram’s newest tools – and a powerful one. If your feed feels “stuck,” “weird,” or “not changing,” then use this.

How to reset suggested Reels on Instagram

1. Profile → Menu
2. Settings & Privacy
3. Content Preferences
4. Reset Suggested Content
5. Confirm reset

What happens next:

• Instagram clears your recommendation history
• Your Reels feed resets temporarily
• You get a “fresh slate” to retrain your algorithm

Tip: After resetting, immediately engage with the topics you do want (see Method 2).

Method 5 — Use “Your Algorithm” to Edit Topics Manually (2025 Feature)

This is the strongest personalization tool ever added to Instagram.

How to access Your Algorithm

1. Open Reels tab
2. Tap the two-heart icon
3. View your interest topics
4. Remove topics you don’t like
5. Add topics you want more of

Why this matters:

Instead of waiting weeks for the algorithm to adjust, you can manually choose what Instagram thinks you like.

This affects:

• How Reels are suggested
• What categories appear
• What Instagram recommends next
• How fast does your feed change

Tip: Remove 3–5 irrelevant topics immediately (e.g., “Fashion,” “Makeup,” “Cars,” etc.). This alone can dramatically fix your feed.

Method 6 — Report, Block, or Restrict Unwanted Sources

If certain accounts repeatedly show up in suggested Reels, stop them directly.

When to use this

• Inappropriate content
• Repeated spam
• “Why are my suggested reels all girls?”
• Offensive or low-quality content
• Clickbait Reels

How to report or block

1. Tap three dots
2. Tap Report → choose reason
3. Or select Block / Restrict

Tip: Reporting inappropriate Reels improves your recommendations almost immediately.

Method 7 — Business & Creator Optimization (For Niche Accuracy)

If you use a professional account, these strategies help Instagram understand your industry.

Do this weekly:

• Follow creators in your niche
• Interact with industry hashtags
• Engage with Reels similar to what you create
• Use Creator Insights to analyze what’s shown to you
• Save & share Reels related to your business category

Tip: If you run a niche brand, your engagement behavior should match your niche – Instagram reads this as a strong ranking signal.

Read More – Does Instagram Notify When You View A Profile

Quick Definitions: What Suggested Reels Are & Where They Come From

What Are Suggested Reels on Instagram?

Suggested Reels are short videos that Instagram shows you even if you don’t follow the creator. 

They appear in your Reels tab, Explore page, and sometimes right inside your Home feed. 

Instagram suggests these Reels based on what it thinks you want to see — which is why your Reels feed can feel great… or completely off.

What Are Suggested Reels on Instagram Based On?

Instagram uses several signals to decide how your suggested Reels are chosen:

• Your watch behavior: how long you watch a Reel, whether you replay it, or swipe away instantly.
  
• What you like, save, or share: these actions tell Instagram, “Show me more like this.”
  
• Accounts you follow or interact with: creators, topics, or communities you spend time on influence future suggestions.
  
• Search history: hashtags, topics, and creators you search for help shape Instagram Reels recommendations.
  
• Content you hide: using “Not interested” tells Instagram which types of Reels to stop showing.

All of these signals form the basis of how Instagram comes up with suggested Reels, how Reels are suggested, and what suggested Reels on Instagram are based on.

Where Do Suggested Reels Come From on Instagram?

Suggested Reels can show up in multiple places:

• The Reels tab (main source of Instagram Reel suggestions)
• The Explore page (similar to TikTok’s “For You” recommendations)
• Your Home feed as “Suggested for you” content
• The Search page, often based on topics you engage with

Whenever you see Reels from accounts you don’t follow, that’s your IG suggested Reels at work.

Why You’re Seeing This Section First

Before you can change suggested Reels, stop suggested Reels, remove suggested Reels, or completely reset suggested Reels, you need to understand how Instagram decides what to show you. 

This section lays the groundwork for everything that comes next — from tuning your Reels algorithm to editing your suggested Reels on IG using Instagram’s newest tools.

How Instagram Chooses Suggested Reels — The Algorithm Explained (2026 Update)

If you want to change the suggested Reels on Instagram, understand why Instagram suggests the Reels you currently see. 

The Reels algorithm isn’t random — it’s a ranking system that predicts what you’re most likely to watch, like, save, or share. 

In late 2025 and 2026, Instagram also introduced new tools that reveal exactly how your interests are being interpreted.

How Does Instagram Choose Suggested Reels? (Simple Breakdown)

Instagram analyzes your behavior and assigns “interest signals” that directly influence your Instagram Reels suggestions. Here’s what matters most:

1. Watch Time — The #1 Ranking Signal

If you watch a Reel all the way through, replay it, or pause on it, Instagram assumes you enjoyed it. This single behavior can change your Reels feed faster than anything else.

2. Likes, Saves & Shares

These actions tell Instagram your strong preferences. They heavily influence how the Instagram Reels algorithm works and help Instagram predict what Reels you want to see next.

3. Which Accounts You Follow & Interact With

Following fitness influencers?
Commenting under cooking videos?
Regular DM’ing memes?

Instagram uses every interaction to shape your Instagram reel suggestions.

4. Hashtags, Topics & Search Behavior

When you search or explore certain topics — for example:

• “funny reels”
• “travel reels”
• “DIY crafts”

Instagram uses that to adjust your suggested Reels on the Instagram feed.

5. Your “Negative Signals.”

These tell Instagram what not to show you:

• “Not interested”
• Hide Post
• Report Reel
• Block or Restrict account

These are crucial if you want to stop suggested Reels, remove suggested Reels, or change your suggested Reels on IG.

2025 Update: Instagram’s “Your Algorithm” (Major Feature)

In December 2025, Instagram introduced Your Algorithm, a feature that finally lets users see and edit the interest topics Instagram thinks they like.

How to access it:

• Open the Reels tab
• Tap the two-heart icon (Your Algorithm)
• You’ll see a list of topics Instagram is associated with your behavior
• You can remove topics you don’t want or add topics you prefer

This feature directly influences:

• How Instagram recommends Reels
• What types of Reels appear in your feed
• How quickly can you fix bad or inappropriate suggestions
• How to change your Reels feed without waiting weeks

2024 Update: Reset Suggested Content

Instagram also released a Reset Suggested Content feature that wipes your recommendation history and gives you a fresh start.

Resetting helps if your feed is full of:

• Irrelevant Reels
• Inappropriate suggested Reels
• Repetitive “girls only” Reels
• Topics you no longer care about
• Content from trends you stopped engaging with

Why Your Suggested Reels Might Be “Stuck”

You may wonder:

“Why are my suggested Reels on Instagram not changing?”

This happens because:

• You keep scrolling past content without interacting (Instagram assumes you’re unsure).
  
• You haven’t used “Not interested” often enough.
  
• You continue watching Reels you don’t actually want.
  
• Instagram hasn’t updated your interest signals yet (it can take 24–48 hours).
  
• You haven’t reset your Reels or edited topics using Your Algorithm.

Don’t worry — the new features make fixing this much easier.

Read More – How To See Who Saved Your Instagram Posts

What’s New (2024–2025): Reset Suggested Reels + Your Algorithm — The Two Most Powerful Tools to Fix Your Feed

Instagram made its biggest updates to Reels recommendations in late 2024 and throughout 2025. If you’ve been frustrated with irrelevant, repetitive, annoying, or inappropriate suggested Reels, these two features are game-changers.

A. Reset Suggested Content (2024 Update)

This feature finally gives users a way to wipe Instagram’s recommendation memory and start fresh.

Think of it as a “factory reset” for your suggested Reels, Explore page, and For You–style content.

What Reset Suggested Content Does

When you use this tool, Instagram clears signals from:

• Reels you previously watched
• Posts you engaged with
• Suggested content you lingered on
• Topics Instagram assumed you liked
• Search-driven recommendations

What It Doesn’t Do

Reset does not:

• Unfollow accounts
• Delete your likes, comments, or saves
• Change ads or sponsored content
• Remove Reels from accounts you follow

It only clears Instagram’s recommendation logic, not your entire activity history.

How to Use Reset Suggested Content

(You’ll add your own screenshots here)

1. Open Instagram → Go to your Profile
2. Tap the three lines (menu)
3. Select Settings & Privacy
4. Tap Content Preferences
5. Choose Reset suggested content
6. Confirm the reset

After this, your Reels feed will feel “empty” for a short while as Instagram relearns your preferences.

When to Use Reset

Use it if:

• Your suggested reels on Instagram are inappropriate
• Your Reels show only one type of content (e.g., “Why are my suggested reels all girls?”)
• You’re getting too many repetitive suggestions
• You want to start over and retrain your Reels feed
• You want to control or change Instagram’s suggested content quickly

Your Algorithm (2025 Update)

This is Instagram’s most powerful personalization tool so far. Launched in 2025, Your Algorithm lets you see and edit the exact topics Instagram thinks you’re interested in.

What You Can Do with Your Algorithm

Inside this dashboard, you can:

• View all the interesting topics Instagram assigned to you
  Remove topics you don’t want
• Add new topics you prefer
• Refresh topics when your interests change
• Influence which Reels appear in your feed

This is the most direct way to change what Reels you see on Instagram without waiting weeks for the algorithm to adjust.

How to Access Your Algorithm

(You’ll add screenshots for clarity)

1. Open the Reels tab
2. Tap the two-heart icon (Your Algorithm)
3. Browse the list of interesting topics
4. Remove anything irrelevant
5. Add topics you want to see more of
6. Refresh the list anytime your preferences change

Why This Tool Matters

Instead of relying solely on likes, watch time, or Not Interested actions, Your Algorithm lets you shape your feed manually.

This is perfect for:

• Getting rid of unwanted niches
• Removing outdated or embarrassing interest categories
• Stopping inappropriate suggested Reels
• Fixing a feed that feels “stuck.”
• Curating a business-focused Reels feed
• changing the Reels feed on Instagram instantly

Reset vs. Your Algorithm — When to Use Which

How These Features Fit Into Your Full Strategy

Using only one tool may not be enough. For best results, combine:

• Reset Suggested Content → clears the old feed
• Your Algorithm → shapes the new feed
• Not Interested → continues refining recommendations
• Engaging with the content you DO want → trains Reels quickly
• Sensitive Content Control → filters sensitive categories

With these tools, you can change nearly everything about your Reels feed – from what you see… to what you no longer see… to what you want Instagram to show next.

Read More – How To See Sent Follow Requests On Instagram

Troubleshooting: Why Your Suggested Reels Aren’t Changing & How to Fix Them

Even after using “Not Interested,” changing your Reels preferences, or adjusting sensitive content settings, your Instagram suggested Reels may still feel stuck, repetitive, inappropriate, or totally off. This troubleshooting guide fixes the most common issues users face.

Issue 1 — “My suggested Reels on Instagram aren’t changing.”

Why this happens

• You’re scrolling but not interacting
• You haven’t used interested enough
• You’re still watching the Reels you dislike (a big signal)
• You follow accounts unrelated to what you want to see
• You haven’t refreshed Instagram’s interest topics
• Instagram needs more time to adjust
  

How to fix it

• Use Not Interested 10–20 times across 2–3 days
• Remove unwanted topics in Your Algorithm
• Engage with 5–10 Reels from the niche you do want
• Avoid watching Reels you dislike — swipe fast
• Reset suggested content if the feed is truly stuck

Issue 2 — “Why are my suggested Reels all girls / all fitness / all cars?”

This happens when Instagram thinks you have a strong interest in a single category due to:

• Long watch time on similar Reels
• Prior searches for those topics
• Old engagement patterns
• A friend is using your account
• A one-time binge that trapped your feed in a niche
• Suggestive content is getting stronger signals than you realize

How to fix it

• Open Your Algorithm → Remove unwanted categories
• Reset suggested content to clear old patterns
• Use “Not Interested” for repetitive topics
• Search and engage with different topics to rebalance your feed

Tip: Removing a topic in Your Algorithm works faster than anything else.

Issue 3 — “My suggested Reels are inappropriate or uncomfortable.”

This is extremely common and usually tied to:

• High engagement on borderline content (even accidental pausing)
• Instagram misreads your viewing patterns
• A glitch in Reels recommendations
• Device-level watch behavior confusion

How to fix the inappropriate suggested Reels

• Use Sensitive Content Control → Less
• Remove inappropriate topics in Your Algorithm
• Report any Reel that crosses boundaries
• Reset suggestions if the behavior continues
• Avoid pausing on questionable content

Issue 4 — “Reset didn’t work.”

Sometimes the Reset Suggested Content feature doesn’t fully clear older signals.

Why Reset may fail

• You immediately went back to watching random Reels
• Instagram quickly rebuilt interests from your follow list
• You didn’t tune your topics in Your Algorithm
• Your old behaviors reactivated the same patterns

How to fix it

✔ After resetting, avoid watching random Reels for 24 hours
✔ Open Your Algorithm → Remove irrelevant topics
✔ Engage with 3–5 new niches intentionally
✔ If still stuck → Reset again after 48–72 hours

Issue 5 — “I keep seeing Reels from people I don’t follow.”

This is normal — Instagram automatically mixes suggested Reels into your feed.

How to reduce this

✔ Use Not Interested frequently
✔ Limit watch time on unfamiliar creators
✔ Turn Sensitive Content Control to Less
✔ Use the Snooze suggested posts option if available

Issue 6 — “I don’t want to see suggested Reels at all.”

You cannot permanently disable suggested Reels, but you can nearly eliminate them.

How to get as close as possible

✔ Hide every unwanted Reel with Not Interested
✔ Turn Sensitive Content Control → Less
✔ Reset suggestions
✔ Limit Explore + Reels tab time
✔ Follow more accounts you actually care about
✔ Use Your Algorithm to remove irrelevant topics

Result: Your feed becomes 80–90% personalized rather than algorithmic.

Issue 7 — “Why are suggested Reels coming back even after I hide them?”

Because Instagram needs repeated signals to reinforce your preferences.

Fix:

✔ Hide the same category multiple times
✔ Remove it from Your Algorithm
✔ Refresh Reels by interacting with new types of content
✔ Avoid lingering on Reels that contradict your preferences

Issue 8 — Technical Glitches

If the app itself is glitching:

Try this:

• Update Instagram
• Log out & back in
• Clear the app cache
• Restart your phone
• Check for region limitations (Your Algorithm may not be available everywhere yet)

Pro Tip: Combine Methods for Maximum Impact

The fastest way to completely fix your suggested Reels feed is:

1. Reset Suggested Content
2. Remove bad topics from Your Algorithm
3. Add good topics
4. Engage with the content you want
5. Avoid watching what you don’t want
6. Use Not Interested consistently

This combination reshapes your entire Reels experience in 24–72 hours.

Read More – How To Turn Off Vanish Mode On Instagram

Frequently Asked Questions About Suggested Reels on Instagram

This FAQ section is designed to target as many keyword variations as possible naturally. Each answer is short, direct, and optimized for Featured Snippets and “People Also Ask” results.

How do I change my suggested Reels on Instagram?

You can change your suggested Reels by using Not Interested, editing topics inside Your Algorithm, resetting suggested content, and engaging more with Reels you actually enjoy.

These steps teach Instagram’s algorithm what you want and what you don’t want.

How to change the Instagram Reels algorithm?

You can’t rewrite the algorithm, but you can steer it by:

• Resetting suggested content
• Removing or adding topics in Your Algorithm
• Interacting with good Reels, hiding unwanted ones
• Adjusting Sensitive Content Control

This reshapes the algorithm around your preferences.

How do I stop suggested Reels on Instagram?

There’s no permanent “off” switch, but you can drastically reduce them by:

• Tapping Not Interested often
• Turning Sensitive Content Control → Less
• Blocking or reporting unwanted sources
• Resetting suggested Reels
• Avoiding long pauses on suggested content

This reduces unwanted recommendations by 70–90%.

How do I turn off suggested Reels on Instagram completely?

Instagram does not allow users to fully disable suggested Reels. However, using Not Interested, Sensitive Content Control, and Reset Suggested Content can almost eliminate them from your feed.

How do I clear suggested Reels on Instagram?

Use Instagram’s Reset Suggested Content feature:

Profile → Menu → Settings → Content Preferences → Reset Suggested Content

This clears your recommendation history and gives you a fresh start.

Why are my suggested Reels on Instagram not changing?

Because Instagram hasn’t received enough consistent signals from you.
Fix it by:

• Using Not Interested repeatedly
• Removing topics in Your Algorithm
• Stopping engagement with unwanted Reels
• Resetting suggestions
• Watching new types of Reels intentionally

Why are my suggested Reels all girls / all cars / all fitness?

Instagram thinks you’re strongly interested in that category due to past:

• Watch time
• Likes
• Searches
• Saves
• Accidental lingering

Remove the topic in Your Algorithm or reset suggested content to fix this.

How do I remove inappropriate suggested Reels?

• Use Sensitive Content Control → Less
• Report offensive Reels
• Remove related topics in Your Algorithm
• Reset suggestions if the problem continues

How do I get rid of suggested Reels on Instagram?

Use a combination of:

✔ Not Interested
✔ Sensitive Content Control
✔ Reset Suggested Content
✔ Blocking or reporting
✔ Avoiding watch time

You cannot fully delete suggested Reels, but you can dramatically reduce them.

How do I reset suggested Reels on Instagram?

Go to:

Profile → Menu → Settings → Content Preferences → Reset Suggested Content

This clears algorithmic signals instantly.

How does Instagram decide what Reels to suggest?

Instagram uses:

• Your watch time
• Likes & saves
• Comments
• Search behavior
• Accounts you interact with
• Topics in Your Algorithm
• Negative signals (Not Interested, reports, hides)

These signals determine your Instagram Reels recommendations.

What is “Your Algorithm” on Instagram?

It’s a 2025 feature that shows the interesting topics Instagram assigned to you. You can remove topics you don’t like, add new ones, and instantly change your Reels feed.

How do I change the type of Reels I see on Instagram?

Use these 3 steps:

1. Remove unwanted topics in Your Algorithm
2. Engage with content in the niche you want
3. Use Not Interested to hide irrelevant Reels

How do I change my Instagram Reels feed completely?

The fastest way:

1. Reset Suggested Content
2. Tune topics in Your Algorithm
3. Re-engage with your preferred content
4. Hide anything unrelated

This can reset your feed in 24–48 hours.

Can I hide or delete suggested Reels on Instagram?

You can’t delete them entirely, but you can hide them using:

• Not Interested
• Sensitive Content Control
• Reset
• Blocking/Reporting
• Topic removal via Your Algorithm

How do I change my preferences in Instagram Reels?

Visit:

Settings → Content Preferences → Reels & Suggested Content Options

Then adjust:

• Sensitive Content
• Reset Suggestions
• Preferences linked to Your Algorithm

How do I fix my suggested Reels on Instagram?

Try this 3-step fix:

1. Reset Suggested Content
2. Remove unwanted topics in Your Algorithm
3. Use Not Interested consistently for 2 days

How do I edit suggested Reels on Instagram?

Open Your Algorithm and remove categories you no longer want. This instantly changes your recommendations.

How do suggested Reels work on Instagram?

They are algorithmically recommended Reels based on what Instagram thinks you enjoy, using your interactions and interest topics.

Why does Instagram keep suggesting content I don’t like?

Because Instagram still has strong signals from your past engagement. Reset + Topic Removal + Not Interested fixes this quickly.