While scrolling through Instagram, you might encounter a section titled “Suggested Posts” or “You Might Know” filled with accounts the platform recommends.
While these suggestions can occasionally lead to interesting discoveries, they can also feel intrusive or irrelevant. You may prefer having them turned off.
With this article, we’ll show you how to turn off Instagram account suggestions, giving you more control over your Instagram experience.
Understanding Instagram Suggestions: the Algorithm at Play
Instagram utilizes an algorithm to personalize your experience. This algorithm considers various factors, including your past interactions (likes, comments, follows), search history, and accounts you engage with. Based on this data, Instagram suggests profiles it thinks you might be interested in following or posts it believes you’d enjoy.
Why Turn off Suggestions? Regaining Control of Your Feed
There are several reasons you might want to turn off Instagram suggestions:
- Irrelevant Recommendations: The suggestions might not always align with your interests, leading to content fatigue or frustration. Some “You Might Know” suggestions may also be total strangers.
- Privacy Concerns: Some “You Might Know” suggestions might be based on phone contacts, raising privacy concerns for some users.
- Clutter and Distraction: A constant stream of suggestions can clutter your feed and distract you from the content you came to see from accounts you already follow.
How to Turn off Account Suggestions
Here’s how to turn off account suggestions directly within the Instagram app:
- Navigate to Your Profile: Open the Instagram app and tap on your profile picture icon in the bottom right corner.
- Access the Settings and Activity Menu: Tap on the hamburger menu icon at the top right corner of your profile page. This opens the Settings and Activity menu.
- Find Notifications: Scroll down the menu and locate the option labeled “Notifications.”
- Following and Followers: Within the “Notifications” menu, tap on “Following and Followers.”
- Disable Account Suggestions: Look for the option labeled “Account Suggestions” and toggle the switch to “Off.” This will prevent Instagram from notifying you of accounts that you may know.
How to Turn off Post Suggestions
While disabling account suggestions through notifications is a great method, you can also address post suggestions within your feed:
- Locate the Suggested Post: Scroll through your Instagram feed until you find a post labeled “Suggested Post.”
- Tap the Three Dots Menu: At the top right of the suggested post, tap on the three vertical dots (…) to access a menu.
- Tap on “Not Interested”: On the menu, tap on “Not Interested” to inform Instagram you’re not interested in seeing similar suggestions.
Curating Your Feed Without Instagram’s Suggestions
Now that you’ve turned off your suggestions, here are some ways to curate your Instagram feed proactively:
- Follow Accounts You Genuinely Enjoy: Seek out and follow accounts that align with your interests, hobbies, or preferred aesthetics.
- Interact with Content You Like: Like and comment on posts from accounts you enjoy. This signals to the algorithm your preferences and encourages similar content in your feed.
- Utilize the Search Functionality: Explore Instagram’s search function to discover relevant hashtags and accounts based on your interests.
A Tailored Instagram Experience
By understanding Instagram suggestions and exploring the methods to turn them off, you can reclaim control over your feed. Remember, a well-curated feed can enhance your overall Instagram experience, keeping you engaged with the content you find most valuable. Enjoy your new feed.
