The Instagram algorithm – these are the rules and mechanisms that decide for you what you see in your displayed content (your feed). To do this, the app uses data such as:
- interactions,
- interests,
- watch time,
- used hashtags,
- user behaviour.
The above data are the most important factors that determine content visibility.
They are used to deliver content that is most likely to appeal to the user and keep them longer on a given social media platform. This creates a personalised browsing experience – algorithms analyse user behaviour and interactions to better tailor the content they display. In the article below, we’ll share our knowledge and experience with you.
How to turn off the Instagram algorithm?
Open the Instagram app on your phone. Find the search icon (the magnifying glass) at the bottom of the app (marked with a yellow circle) and tap it. Then find the three dots at the top right of the screen and select the “No personalization” option.
“These suggestions haven’t been personalised for you. This filter won’t be applied to search results.”
The “No personalization” option means that results will no longer be displayed based on algorithms. If you want to go back to the default settings (algorithm-based), choose the “For you” option.
Turning off algorithms on Instagram – what exactly does it mean?
Turning off the algorithm is the beginning of a change in how content is displayed on Instagram.
The algorithms of Instagram and Facebook are about to change. According to Meta’s latest announcement, European users can opt out of algorithms in the apps. This is due to the huge impact algorithms have on social media users. In many cases, they end up in “information bubbles”, which may lead to misinformation. Users are also more exposed to addiction-like scrolling, especially when it comes to Reels or other videos. Turning off algorithms on Instagram and Facebook may permanently change these apps.
Keep in mind that disabling algorithms can significantly affect your reach and how you access a large number of viewers, as well as change how content is consumed – which may result in lower traffic and engagement on Instagram.
Earlier changes related to the Instagram algorithm
The DSA requires large social media platforms to allow users in the European Union to opt out of receiving personalised recommendations. In some regions, as early as the beginning of 2023, Instagram enabled chronological browsing of posts only from accounts you follow. You could set this by choosing the “Following” option.
More user control over the Instagram feed
When talking about turning off algorithms on Instagram, it’s worth adding the perspective of giving users more control over their feed. Users can decide what type of content appears there, which increases the diversity of displayed materials. This change allows for more mindful use of the platform, giving people the chance to adjust what they see to their personal preferences instead of relying on the algorithm’s choices. It can lead to a more varied and richer Instagram experience, where users directly influence what they see and help promote diversity of content and viewpoints.
The new Instagram algorithm reset feature
Instagram has introduced an algorithm reset feature that allows users to start the content personalisation process from scratch. In November 2024, Instagram officially announced the global rollout of this reset function, which was first tested and then made available to users around the world. This new option lets users completely reset content recommendations in the Explore, Reels and Feed sections.
Users can reset the algorithm to start personalisation from scratch!
This means removing existing recommendations, clearing search history and even unfollowing some accounts, so that the app can once again analyse new behaviour and better tailor content.
This new feature is a response to users who felt overwhelmed by content that no longer matched their interests or became too one-dimensional. Resetting the algorithm is also a great solution for people who want to change the way they use the app and discover more diverse content.
Current instructions for using the reset feature
To use the algorithm reset feature, users need to:
- Go to their profile in the Instagram app.
- Select the settings option (three lines in the top-right corner).
- Scroll to the “What you see” section.
- Select “Content preferences”.
- Click “Reset suggested content”.
To use the feature, users can go to the app settings, where a dedicated option will appear. Resetting allows not only more conscious control over your feed, but also increases the diversity of posts you see, which can have a positive impact on your Instagram experience.
Important!
Keep in mind that the reset cannot be undone once it’s completed. Instagram also warns that after a reset, recommendations will initially be more general and popular, and only over time will they become personalised again.
Instagram algorithm change – what will the “turning off algorithms” feature look like?
We’re giving our European community the ability to browse and discover content in Reels, Stories and search, as well as in other parts of Instagram and Facebook, in a new way. For example, on Instagram and Facebook users will have the option to view stories and Reels only from people they follow, ordered chronologically from newest to oldest. They’ll also be able to see search results solely based on the words they enter, rather than on personalised content based on their past activity and personal interests.
At this point there is no detailed official instruction on how exactly this will be done. It’s very likely that in the coming days we’ll learn how to disable the algorithmic sorting of displayed content. This feature will be based on chronological sorting of Reels and Stories on Instagram, so we’ll be able to see the most up-to-date materials instead of content suggested by Meta. Algorithms that suggest content to users will be replaceable with chronological feed display. A chronological feed may be a very good option for Instagram Reels and Instagram Stories.
Instagram algorithm
Meta has confirmed that Instagram and Facebook are introducing new rules around transparency, accountability and empowering users. These changes aim to increase transparency in how Instagram and Facebook algorithms work. The changes are driven by the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA).
What exactly is the DSA?
The DSA, or Digital Services Act, is a regulation that governs the digital space. It’s often compared to GDPR, but in many areas it concerns completely different issues. The DSA tightens requirements for online service providers operating in the European Union.
What does the DSA introduce?
The DSA defines VLOPs (Very Large Online Platforms) and VLOSEs (Very Large Online Search Engines), which must comply with the new rules. In the EU, “very large” means that a service has more than 45 million users. Besides Instagram and Facebook, this includes platforms such as YouTube, Twitter, Snapchat, LinkedIn, Booking.com, Zalando, Pinterest and AliExpress. As for VLOSEs, the only ones are Google and Bing.
Managing Instagram algorithm changes – how did it look inside Meta?
Meta openly says they’ve been working since November 2022 on how to respond to the DSA. They’ve been adjusting existing systems and processes that safeguard safety and integrity to comply with this act. The team working on this had over 1,000 people. Taking the time to adapt their systems was crucial to staying compliant with the DSA. The goal was to give users more options to customise their experience on Instagram and Facebook. They also state that since February 2023 teenagers aged 13–17 no longer see ads based on their activity in these apps. Now they’ve gone one step further.
As part of our ongoing commitment to meeting our obligations, we’ve introduced additional transparency measures and new options for users.
Instagram Stories and Reels – how will changes affect these formats?
The changes to the Instagram algorithm can significantly affect how your Instagram Stories and Reels reach your audience. In the new reality, where personalised recommendations can be turned off, using the right hashtags and actively engaging with your audience becomes even more important. When publishing Stories and Reels, it’s worth focusing on consistency and creativity so you can grab users’ attention even without the algorithm’s support.
Adjusting your posting strategy to the new rules of the Instagram algorithm is key to maintaining strong reach. Test different types of content, use polls, question stickers or quizzes in Stories, and encourage people to comment and share your content. The right hashtags will help you reach new audience groups, while activity in Stories and Reels will increase your chances of getting more visibility for your profile. Turning off algorithms on Instagram makes it even more important to create engaging, high-quality content.
Remember that Instagram Stories and Reels are currently some of the most effective tools for building engagement and audience loyalty.
Many people ask us whether hashtags work at all and if it still makes sense to use them. We’ve written an in-depth article on this topic that might interest you too. Want to see it? Read: Do hashtags still work?
Account management and analytics in Instagram’s new reality
In light of changes to the Instagram algorithm, account management and performance analysis require a more flexible approach. It’s crucial to regularly use analytics tools such as Instagram Insights, which let you track how effective your content is and how your audience reacts. By analysing stats, you can quickly identify which content types generate the most interest and adjust your posting strategy to current trends and the preferences of your target audience.
Monitoring changes to the Instagram algorithm and quickly responding to new features and options is the foundation of an effective strategy. It’s worth testing different post formats, Stories and Reels, as well as experimenting with posting times to find what works best for your profile. This way, your Instagram activity will be more effective and your audience engagement – higher.
Account security and user support
Account security on Instagram is now one of the most important aspects of using the platform, especially in the context of new changes and features. You should enable safety features such as two-factor authentication to effectively protect your account from unauthorised access. Regularly updating your passwords and monitoring activity on your account will help you avoid unpleasant surprises.
Instagram also offers user support in the form of an extensive Help Center. If you run into issues with your account, features or security, it’s worth using the available contact options to reach Instagram’s support team. This helps users quickly solve problems and enjoy a safer app experience.
Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and other social media platforms and their personalised recommendations
Recently, TikTok made a similar decision regarding algorithms. The platform introduced changes that let users switch off the algorithms that push specific TikToks to their profiles. After holding a single video for longer, a special option appears which lets you turn off TikTok’s algorithms.
The regulation introduced by the EU is meant to affect all major social media platforms and prevent recommendations based solely on app algorithms. Unfortunately, only users from the European Union will be able to use this option. These changes may affect various sections of Instagram, such as the feed, Stories and Explore. Turning off algorithms on Instagram gives users more control over what they see.
We were the first platform to implement ad transparency tools (…). We’re also expanding the Ad Library so it shows and archives all ads served to people in the EU. (…) These ads will be stored in our public Ad Library for one year.
This means that users will be able to better understand why a specific ad (shown within the European Union) was displayed to them.
Details of the changes on Instagram
We’re providing an unprecedented level of insight into how our AI systems rank content by releasing 22 system cards for Facebook and Instagram. (…) These build on our long-standing “Why am I seeing this?” feature, which lets users see detailed information directly in our apps about why our systems predicted that certain content would be relevant to them.
According to information from Nick Clegg, President of Global Affairs at Meta, the changes introduced in Stories, Reels and search are only part of what they’re doing this month to comply with the DSA. In addition to the actions described above, he says the company has provided more details about recommendation algorithms and introduced new restrictions on how ads can be targeted at teenagers. They’re also working on making it easier to report illegal content on Meta platforms and will give EU users more information about moderation decisions related to algorithms. Users may also receive messages about changes and new moderation options so they can stay up to date with platform updates.
Check out the new Instagram features related to algorithm transparency and see how they can affect the visibility of your content.
TikTok has also introduced similar changes
TikTok has also adapted to the DSA requirements by allowing European users to turn off personalised algorithms. Users can now disable personalisation in the “For You” and “Live” feeds, which results in popular global content being shown instead of personalised recommendations.
All other information in this article is up to date and reflects the current situation, including details on the DSA, VLOP requirements, Meta’s actions and the impact of these changes on users and creators.
Read also: TikTok algorithm | How it works and how to optimise it?
What’s new on Instagram – adjust your strategy to your industry
For Instagram users, this is definitely an interesting time.
Post new content regularly (not just when you have a free moment), share videos and original content on your profile to increase interactions and likes. Explore the Explore page! What does that mean? It means your profile should “live” and stay active – only then will it become part of your audience’s everyday online habits.
The hashtags you use should be related to your content and intended audience, which gives you a better chance of reaching new people.
Personalise the content on your account, your channel and your profile to build relationships with your audience. Active interaction and engaging posts increase both your visibility and engagement.
Not long ago we wrote about Instagram Channels and the Instagram AI Chatbot. Many new features released in recent months can draw users back into engaging with the app. It’s not 100% certain that this will have a positive impact on society.
