How to change feed on Instagram: Following, Favorites & Reels Guide

How to change feed on Instagram with Following and Favorites feeds, snooze suggested posts for 30 days, mute accounts, and retrain the algorithm step by step.

Updated: October 4, 2026 · 11 min read

You can change your Instagram feed by switching to the Following or Favorites feeds, snoozing suggested posts for 30 days, using 'Not interested', and adjusting sensitive content controls. Instagram's algorithm learns from your interactions, so consistently engaging with content you want to see will gradually reshape your feed. FollowPeek is an analytics app that helps you track follower changes and engagement, but it does not control your feed or show who viewed your profile.

Instagram's home feed is not a fixed list of posts from people you follow. It's a dynamic, algorithm-driven stream that mixes content from accounts you follow with suggested posts, Reels, and ads. That means the feed you see today can look very different from the one you saw last week — and it can feel like you have little control over it. The good news is that you actually have more influence than you might think. You can switch to different feed views, train the algorithm with a few taps, and fine-tune what you see without unfollowing everyone.

Whether you want a chronological feed, a curated list of your favorite accounts, or you just want to see less random content, Instagram offers several built-in tools. This guide walks you through every practical option: the Following and Favorites feeds, snoozing suggested posts, using 'Not interested', managing sensitive content, resetting recommendations, controlling Reels and Explore, and muting accounts. We'll also explain how the algorithm learns from your behavior so you can make lasting changes.

Understanding Your Instagram Feed: Following vs. Favorites vs. For You

By default, Instagram shows you the 'For You' feed — a mix of posts from accounts you follow and suggested content from accounts you don't. The order is determined by an algorithm that predicts what you'll find most engaging, not by when posts were published. This is why you might see a post from three days ago at the top, while a brand-new post from a close friend is buried. The For You feed is designed to keep you scrolling, but it can be frustrating if you want to see specific accounts first.

To take back control, Instagram offers two alternative feeds: Following and Favorites. The Following feed shows posts only from accounts you follow, in reverse chronological order (newest first). It's the closest thing to the old chronological timeline. The Favorites feed is even more selective — it shows posts only from accounts you've added to your Favorites list, also in reverse chronological order. You can switch between these feeds at any time without losing your place.

Open Instagram and tap the Instagram logo at the top left of your home screen.
A dropdown menu appears with options: 'For You', 'Following', and 'Favorites' (if you have favorites set up).
Tap 'Following' for a chronological feed of accounts you follow, or 'Favorites' for your curated list.
To return to the default feed, tap the logo again and select 'For You'.

How to Add and Remove Favorites to Customize Your Feed

Favorites are a subset of the accounts you follow. When you add someone to your Favorites, their posts appear higher in your main For You feed and are included in the dedicated Favorites feed. You can add up to 50 accounts to this list. This is perfect for keeping up with close friends, family, or creators you don't want to miss — without having to scroll through everything else. Adding and removing favorites is straightforward, and you can manage the list from either the profile or your settings.

Remember that you can only add accounts you already follow to your Favorites. If you want to add someone new, follow them first. Also, adding someone to Favorites does not send them a notification, so they won't know they've been added. You can remove them at any time, and their posts will return to their normal position in your feed.

To add a favorite: Go to the profile of an account you follow. Tap the 'Following' button (or the 'Follow' button if you don't follow them yet — you must follow first).
Tap 'Add to Favorites'. The account will now appear in your Favorites feed.
To remove a favorite: Go to the same profile, tap 'Following', then tap 'Remove from Favorites'.
You can also manage your Favorites list in Settings: Go to your profile, tap the menu (three lines), then 'Settings and privacy' > 'Favorites'. From there, you can add or remove accounts.

Snoozing Suggested Posts and Using 'Not Interested'

Instagram frequently inserts suggested posts from accounts you don't follow into your feed. These are marked with a 'Suggested for you' label. If you're tired of seeing them, you can snooze all suggested posts for 30 days. This is a temporary fix — after 30 days, they'll start appearing again. For a more permanent effect, you need to train the algorithm by using the 'Not interested' option on individual posts. Both tools are easy to use and can significantly change what you see.

When you tap 'Not interested' on a post, Instagram's algorithm takes that as a signal to show you less content like it. This works for posts in your feed, Reels, and Explore. The more consistently you use it, the better the algorithm gets at understanding your preferences. You can also tap 'Not interested' on a suggested post to hide that specific post and similar ones.

To snooze suggested posts: Scroll to a suggested post in your feed. Tap the three dots (or the X) in the top right corner of the post. Select 'Snooze all suggested posts in feed for 30 days'.
To use 'Not interested': Tap the three dots on any post you don't want to see. Choose 'Not interested'. Instagram will show you fewer posts like that.
For Reels: Tap the three dots on a reel, then tap 'Not interested'. You can also tap 'Hide' to remove it from your feed.
For Explore: Tap the three dots on a post in Explore, then select 'Not interested' or 'Don't show posts from this account'.

Managing Sensitive Content Control and Resetting Suggested Content

Instagram's Sensitive Content Control setting lets you decide how much sensitive content you see in Explore, Search, Reels, and suggested accounts. You can set it to 'More', 'Standard', or 'Less'. 'Standard' is the default, which means you'll see some sensitive content but not the most extreme. 'Less' limits it, and 'More' allows more of it. This setting does not affect content from accounts you follow in your main feed, but it does influence what Instagram recommends to you elsewhere. Changing it can quickly alter the tone of your recommendations.

If your recommendations feel completely off — for example, you're seeing content that has nothing to do with your interests — you can reset your suggested content. This clears your recommendation history and gives you a fresh start. It's a nuclear option that can be useful if you've accidentally trained the algorithm in the wrong direction. After resetting, Instagram will begin learning your preferences from scratch.

To change Sensitive Content Control: Go to your profile, tap the menu, then 'Settings and privacy' > 'Content preferences' > 'Sensitive content control'. Choose 'More', 'Standard', or 'Less'.
To reset suggested content: Go to 'Settings and privacy' > 'Content preferences' > 'Reset suggested content'. Tap 'Reset' to confirm.
Note: Resetting suggested content does not affect your main feed from accounts you follow. It only resets recommendations in Explore, Reels, and suggested accounts.

Controlling Reels and Explore Recommendations

Reels and Explore are separate surfaces from your main feed, but they heavily influence the content Instagram thinks you like. If you spend a lot of time watching certain Reels, the app will show you more of that topic in your main feed too. You can control these recommendations using the same tools: 'Not interested', hiding, and muting. For Reels, you can also tap the three dots on a reel and choose 'Not interested' or 'Hide'. For Explore, you can tap the three dots on any post and select 'Not interested' or 'Don't show posts from this account'.

If you want to reset your Reels and Explore recommendations entirely, the 'Reset suggested content' option in Settings will do that. It clears your viewing history for these sections. Keep in mind that it may take a few days of using the app for the algorithm to relearn your preferences. Be patient and continue to engage with content you actually enjoy.

For Reels: While watching a reel, tap the three dots (bottom right or top right depending on your app version). Select 'Not interested' to see fewer reels like it.
For Explore: Tap the three dots on a post in the Explore tab. Choose 'Not interested' or 'Don't show posts from this account'.
To reset Reels and Explore: Go to 'Settings and privacy' > 'Content preferences' > 'Reset suggested content'. This affects both Reels and Explore.
Mute accounts that appear frequently in Reels or Explore: Go to their profile, tap 'Following', then 'Mute'.

Muting Accounts and How the Algorithm Learns From Your Behavior

Muting an account is a softer alternative to unfollowing. It hides their posts and stories from your feed without notifying them and without removing them as a follower. You can mute posts, stories, or both. To mute someone, go to their profile, tap 'Following', then 'Mute'. You can choose to mute posts, stories, or both. This is useful if you want to stay connected but don't want to see their content regularly. You can unmute them at any time by following the same steps.

The Instagram algorithm is constantly learning from your behavior. Every like, comment, share, save, and even the time you spend looking at a post sends a signal. If you consistently engage with posts about a certain topic, you'll see more of it. If you quickly scroll past or tap 'Not interested', you'll see less. The algorithm also considers who you interact with most, the accounts you follow, and the posts you save. To change your feed, you need to be intentional: engage with what you want to see, and use the negative feedback tools for what you don't.

To mute an account: Go to their profile, tap 'Following', then 'Mute'. Select 'Posts', 'Stories', or both.
To unmute: Go to the profile, tap 'Following', then 'Unmute'.
Signals the algorithm uses: likes, comments, shares, saves, watch time, profile visits, and direct messages.
To train your feed: Like and comment on content you enjoy; use 'Not interested' on content you don't. Avoid engaging with content you don't want to see more of.

How FollowPeek Fits Into Your Instagram Analytics

FollowPeek is an independent Instagram analytics app that helps you track your follower growth, find unfollowers, and analyze engagement on public profiles. It does not change your Instagram feed, and it cannot show you who viewed your profile — no app can do that. What FollowPeek does is give you data-driven insights so you can understand how your content performs and how your audience changes over time. For example, you can see which posts get the most likes and comments, what times you post most effectively, and how your follower count trends.

If you're trying to reshape your feed and grow your account, FollowPeek can be a useful companion. It helps you identify what content resonates with your audience, so you can create more of it. You can also monitor unfollowers and new followers to see the impact of your feed changes. Remember, FollowPeek never asks for your Instagram password and only analyzes public profiles or your own account data. It's a tool for understanding your analytics, not for manipulating your feed.

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Frequently asked questions

Can I permanently remove suggested posts from my Instagram feed?

You can snooze suggested posts for 30 days at a time, but there is no permanent off switch. However, using 'Not interested' frequently and engaging with content you like can reduce their frequency over time. Instagram will still show suggested posts occasionally, but you can influence how many you see.

How do I get the chronological feed back on Instagram?

Tap the Instagram logo at the top of your feed and select 'Following'. This shows posts from accounts you follow in reverse chronological order. You can also create a Favorites feed for a smaller, more curated chronological feed. Note that the Following feed may still include some suggested posts.

What does 'Not interested' actually do on Instagram?

It tells Instagram's algorithm that you don't want to see similar content. The app will show you fewer posts like that in your feed, Reels, and Explore. It's a direct signal to adjust your recommendations. The more you use it, the better the algorithm understands your preferences.

Can I reset my Instagram algorithm completely?

Yes, you can reset suggested content in Settings > Content preferences > Reset suggested content. This clears your recommendation history for Explore, Reels, and suggested accounts. It doesn't affect your main feed from accounts you follow, but it can refresh what you see from non-followed accounts. The algorithm will then learn from scratch.

Does muting an account remove them from my followers?

No, muting only hides their posts and stories from your feed. They remain a follower and can still see your content. They won't know you muted them. To completely remove them, you need to unfollow or block. Muting is a good option if you want to stay connected without seeing their content.

How does Instagram decide what to show in my feed?

Instagram uses signals like your past interactions (likes, comments, shares, saves), the accounts you follow, the posts you engage with, and the time you spend on content. It also considers information about the post itself and the account that posted it. The algorithm constantly learns from your behavior to predict what you'll find most engaging.

Can I change my feed to only show certain people?

Yes, the Favorites feed shows only accounts you add to your Favorites list. You can add up to 50 accounts. Switch to the Favorites feed by tapping the Instagram logo and selecting 'Favorites'. You can also mute or unfollow accounts you don't want to see. This gives you a highly curated feed.

Does FollowPeek show who viewed my Instagram profile?

No. Instagram does not share who viewed your profile with any app or tool. FollowPeek is an analytics app that tracks follower changes, engagement rates, and growth trends for public profiles. It never asks for your password and cannot see private accounts or profile visitors. Be wary of any app that claims otherwise.

Changing your Instagram feed is a combination of using the right settings and training the algorithm through your behavior. Switch to the Following or Favorites feeds for a more chronological experience, snooze suggested posts when they become overwhelming, and use 'Not interested' consistently to fine-tune what you see. Manage sensitive content and reset recommendations if your feed drifts off course. Remember that the algorithm learns from every interaction, so be intentional about what you engage with. With these steps, you can create an Instagram feed that actually reflects your interests.