How to Disable Instagram’s Algorithm and Take Back Control of Your Feed

Take Back Your Timeline—How to Reduce Algorithm Influence and Make Instagram a Little More Social Again

Social media was meant to be a tool to connect with friends and like-minded people, but over the years, it has evolved into something else entirely. Today, I don’t necessarily dislike the concept of social media, but I do have an issue with most of the big-tech companies controlling what I see. Instead of showing me what I signed up for—updates from friends, family, and chosen interests—Instagram and other platforms rely on algorithms to dictate what we see.¹

But it doesn’t end there. Algorithms also push “suggested” content from accounts and topics I never even opted into following. So wait a minute - the time wasted on mindless scrolling just got even worse than it used to be?

If you, like me, are tired of the algorithm deciding what deserves your attention, there’s good news: Instagram has a feature that allows you to temporarily disable suggested posts for 30 days. While it’s not a permanent fix, it’s a step in the right direction, reclaiming at least some of your time wasted on social media.

Why You Should Disable Instagram’s Suggested Posts

1. The Algorithm Controls Too Much Already

Instagram’s algorithm already decides which posts from your actual friends and followed accounts you see, and in what order. Now, with suggested posts, it goes a step further—filling your feed with content you never asked for. While this may occasionally lead to an interesting discovery, more often than not, it’s just a waste of time.

2. It Reinforces Echo Chambers

I’ve written before about how social media is polarizing our viewpoints. These platforms don’t suggest content to help us grow or expand our perspectives; they suggest content that aligns with what we’ve already seen. Instead of exposing us to new information, the algorithm feeds us more of the same, reinforcing our existing biases. Instagram’s suggested posts only make this worse by introducing even more algorithmically selected content into our feeds.

3. It’s a Distraction from True Social Connection

Social media isn’t truly social anymore—not when a system is deciding what we see from our friends. If we wanted to explore new creators or topics, we would seek them out ourselves. The constant stream of suggested posts only makes it harder to engage meaningfully with the people and communities we actually care about.

4. It Helps You Avoid Mindless Scrolling

Suggested posts are designed to keep you hooked, scrolling endlessly through content you didn’t ask for. By disabling them, you reduce unnecessary distractions and regain control over how you spend your time on the app.

How to Disable Instagram’s Suggested Posts for 30 Days

If you want to stop Instagram from flooding your feed with suggested content, follow these steps: