I still remember the night I realized I was spending more time swiping through Instagram suggested reels than actually engaging with my friends’ posts.
I had opened the Instagram app just to check a DM, but 40 minutes later, I was knee-deep in cooking tutorials I’d never try and dance challenges I’d never do. I wasn’t just overwhelmed I felt hijacked.
Instagram’s algorithm had taken over my feed.
What started as casual scrolling had slowly turned into a cluttered mess of irrelevant content. I missed the days when my IG felt like my own. It was time to take back control and that’s when I decided to turn off suggested reels.
I Wanted Control, Not Clutter
Let’s be honest the Instagram feed used to be a personalized space. I followed who I wanted, liked what I liked, and saw content that reflected me. But when suggested reels started flooding in, it became noisy. Algorithmic suggestions based on trends or what someone else liked? Not helpful.
There’s something incredibly annoying about opening the app to relax during my leisure time, only to feel bogged down by junk content I never asked for. I didn’t want my scroll to be a gamble every time. I wanted relevant, interest-based content not a TikTok wannabe overload.
I Tried Every Step to Fix My Instagram Feed
If you’re anything like me someone who values tech but hates losing autonomy to it here’s what I actually did to disable Instagram suggested reels:
Step-by-Step: How I Took Back My IG Feed
- Opened the Instagram app (I use iOS but this works on Android too).
- Tapped on my profile icon at the bottom right.
- Clicked the three horizontal lines at the top right to access the menu.
- Went to Settings > Privacy.
- Selected Suggested Content.
- Found the Suggested Reels toggle and turned it off.
It felt like I’d just cleaned my room. Immediate calm.
But…
One Annoying Issue: It Still Shows Up Sometimes
Despite toggling it off, I noticed some suggested content creeping back in. That’s when I discovered bonus methods that actually help teach the algorithm what not to show me.
Here’s What Else I Did (So You Don’t Have To Guess)
- Marked reels as “Not Interested” whenever they appeared. Yes, it’s tedious, but it works over time.
- Used the three-dot menu on unwanted reels to flag what I didn’t like.
- Blocked accounts that frequently popped up with suggested reels. Extreme? Maybe. Effective? Definitely.
And for the more tech-inclined, I dove into the Account Activity section under Privacy settings to find another toggle switch for Reels Suggestions. Switched that off too.
I Still Love Instagram, But On My Terms
What surprised me most wasn’t just how much cleaner my feed looked, but how much more time I spent engaging with people I actually follow. It wasn’t about hating reels some of them are cool. But I wanted to choose when to see them, not be forced into it.
This tiny shift gave me back a part of Instagram I’d forgotten I missed: the personal, interest-driven journey. It made me enjoy the app again, instead of feeling manipulated by it.
Should You Turn Off Suggested Reels Too?
If your feed feels more like a random mess than your own curation, the answer is yes. You don’t have to delete the app. You just need to remind it who’s boss.
Pros of Disabling Suggested Reels:
- More focused, clutter-free experience
- Feeds filled with content you actually care about
- Less algorithmic manipulation
- Better use of leisure time
Cons:
- Takes a bit of manual work (but it’s worth it)
- You’ll miss out on trending content (if you care)
Final Thoughts: My Feed, My Rules
Turning off suggested reels might sound like a small move, but for me, it was part of reclaiming digital boundaries. If you’re tired of the scroll not feeling like yours anymore, I promise making your Instagram feed more personalized is not just possible, it’s liberating.
You might not regret it either.
