How to Reset Instagram Explore Page: A Step-by-Step Guide

The Instagram Explore page is a great tool for discovering new content tailored to your interests. From trending posts to curated videos, the Explore page uses Instagram's algorithm to display content based on what you engage with. However, over time, you might find that your Explore page isn't showing the kind of content you're actually interested in. Maybe you've liked a few too many random posts, or Instagram is showing you things that no longer match your preferences.

If this sounds familiar, don’t worry! You can reset or retrain your Explore page to better suit your current interests. In this guide, we'll walk you through how to reset your Instagram Explore page, tips to retrain it, and a few best practices to keep your feed relevant to your tastes.

Why Reset the Instagram Explore Page?

Before jumping into the steps to reset the Explore page, let’s understand why you might want to do it:

1. Irrelevant Content: If you’re seeing posts or videos that no longer match your interests, resetting the Explore page can help clean things up.
2. Old Interests: Maybe you’ve evolved, and what you liked a few months ago doesn’t excite you anymore. Resetting can help Instagram catch up with your current preferences.
3. Better Personalization: Sometimes, Instagram’s algorithm can become cluttered with mixed signals. A reset allows Instagram to recalibrate and show content that’s better aligned with what you now enjoy.
4. Less Clutter: Over time, the Explore page might feel overwhelming with random, irrelevant posts. Starting fresh can make it more enjoyable and less overwhelming.

Can You Completely Reset the Instagram Explore Page?

While Instagram doesn't provide a one-tap button to completely wipe your Explore page clean, you can definitely reset or refine it by manually clearing search data, unliking certain posts, and retraining the algorithm to show the kind of content you prefer.

Instagram uses your activity on the app — such as your likes, comments, and the accounts you follow — to suggest content on your Explore page. So, while there isn’t a total "reset" option, you can take steps to remove unwanted content and refresh your feed.

Let’s break it down into actionable steps.

Step 1: Clear Your Search History

Your Instagram search history plays a role in influencing what appears on your Explore page. The first step to resetting your Explore page is to clear this history. Here's how you do it:

1. Open Instagram: Launch the Instagram app on your mobile device.
2. Go to Your Profile: Tap on your profile icon in the bottom-right corner.
3. Access Settings: Tap on the three horizontal lines (menu icon) in the top-right corner of your profile page. Then, tap "Settings."
4. Clear Search History: In the Settings menu, scroll down to "Security" and tap it. Under "Data and History," you’ll see an option for "Search History" or "Clear Search History." Tap this and select "Clear All" to remove past searches.

This step alone can help stop Instagram from using previous search habits to display content you're no longer interested in.

Step 2: Manually "Reset" Explore Page Content

Instagram lets you manually remove posts that you find irrelevant or don’t want to see on your Explore page anymore. This is the next step toward resetting your feed.

1. Go to Explore: Tap the magnifying glass icon at the bottom of the screen to open the Explore page.
2. Select a Post You Don’t Like: If you see content that’s irrelevant or not aligned with your current interests, tap on it.
3. Dislike the Post: Tap on the three dots in the top-right corner of the post and select "Not Interested." Instagram will hide the post and show fewer similar ones in the future.

You can do this with as many posts as you want until your Explore page starts reflecting the type of content you want to see.

Step 3: Unfollow Accounts That No Longer Interest You

Another powerful way to reset your Explore page is by adjusting who you follow. Instagram’s algorithm takes into account the posts and stories of accounts you follow when suggesting content. If your current Explore page isn’t appealing, you might want to look at the accounts you follow.

1. Go to Your Profile: Tap your profile icon in the bottom-right corner to open your account.
2. See Who You Follow: Tap "Following" at the top of your profile to see a list of accounts you follow.
3. Unfollow Irrelevant Accounts: Scroll through your list of followed accounts and unfollow any profiles that no longer match your interests. This action will help Instagram adjust what content it suggests to you.

As you streamline your following list, you’ll notice changes in both your regular feed and your Explore page over time.

Step 4: Interact with Content You Enjoy

The Instagram algorithm is designed to show you more of what you engage with. The more you interact with content you like, the more similar posts Instagram will suggest on your Explore page.