How to Remove Suggested Reels on Instagram (2025 Guide)

If you’ve ever found yourself endlessly scrolling through Instagram Reels you didn’t ask for, you’re not alone. Suggested Reels can be entertaining — sure — but often they’re repetitive, irrelevant, or just plain annoying. Whether you’re trying to focus, declutter your feed, or simply regain control over your Instagram experience, you might be wondering how to remove suggested Reels on Instagram.

Here’s the short answer: you can’t completely remove all suggested Reels — at least not yet — but you can limit them, hide specific types of content, and train the algorithm to show you less of what you don’t want to see.

In this guide, we’ll break down exactly how to do that — step by step. From hiding individual Reels, to adjusting your activity settings, to using third-party tools (when appropriate), we’ll show you how to clean up your Instagram feed so you can scroll on your terms.

What Are Suggested Reels on Instagram?

How to Remove Suggested Reels on Instagram

Let’s get one thing straight: Instagram doesn’t give you a magic “off” switch for Suggested Reels. But there are several methods you can use to reduce, hide, or control what gets recommended to you. Think of it like training the algorithm — or at least pushing it in the right direction.

Here’s how to start reclaiming your feed:

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1. Tap “Not Interested” on Reels You Don’t Like

This is your first line of defense.

How to do it:

• Tap the three-dot menu (⋮) on the bottom right of a Reel

• Select “Not Interested”

• Instagram will hide the Reel and note your preference

While this doesn’t remove all similar content instantly, consistently using this option helps Instagram learn what you don’t want to see.

✅ Pro tip: The more often you do this, the better the algorithm adapts — so don’t just scroll past Reels you hate. Tell Instagram.

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2. Clear or Reset Your Instagram Activity

Instagram uses your activity — like posts you engage with, videos you linger on, even search history — to decide what to recommend. If the algorithm has gone off the rails, clearing your data can help reset its assumptions.

How to do it:

• Go to Settings > Your Activity

• Tap Recent Searches and clear all

• Also review Interactions (likes, comments, etc.) to remove any misleading signals

This won’t wipe your account, but it can help clean up what Instagram thinks you’re into.

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3. Mute or Unfollow Accounts That Trigger Irrelevant Reels

Sometimes, the issue isn’t the Reels themselves — it’s the people you’re following.

If certain creators, influencers, or meme pages are clogging your feed with Reels you don’t care for, consider:

• Muting them (you’ll stay connected, but stop seeing their posts/Reels)

• Unfollowing them if they no longer add value to your feed

Instagram often boosts content from the people you follow — even in the form of Suggested Reels. Trimming your follow list can help reduce the noise.

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4. Turn Off Reels in the Instagram Lite App (Partial Fix)

If you’re serious about avoiding Reels entirely, there’s a workaround: use the Instagram Lite app.

While not 100% Reel-free, Instagram Lite offers a more stripped-down experience and shows significantly fewer suggested videos.

Available for Android only (as of 2025), it’s not perfect — but it’s cleaner.

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5. Use Third-Party Tools or Browser Extensions (With Caution)

Some users rely on browser-based Instagram tools or extensions that hide certain types of content — including Reels. While these can work, they come with caveats:

• Use only trusted tools with good reviews

• Avoid giving full account access unless necessary

• Keep in mind: this usually works only for desktop usage

These tools are helpful if you’re using Instagram mostly for business or productivity and want fewer distractions.

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6. Limit Suggested Posts in Your Main Feed

Suggested Reels often show up between posts from people you follow. You can hide these suggestions temporarily.

How to do it:

• Tap the three-dot menu above a suggested post or Reel

• Choose “Not Interested”

• Then select “Don’t suggest posts with certain words” if available

Instagram will ask you to enter keywords you don’t want to see (e.g., “celebrity gossip,” “fitness,” “pranks”). This helps fine-tune your feed over time.

5 Bonus Methods to Reduce Suggested Reels on Instagram:

If you’ve already tried hitting “Not Interested” a dozen times and you’re still getting the same random Reels — Here are some alternatives that might help you regain a bit more control over your feed:

1. Change How You Interact With Reels

This one might sound strange, but the less you engage with Reels, the fewer you’ll see — or at least, that’s the idea. If you stop watching them all the way through, avoid liking or saving them, and skip past them quickly, the algorithm will (eventually) take the hint that you’re just not that into it.

It’s not instant, but it does nudge Instagram in the right direction.

2. Spend More Time in the “Following” Tab

Instagram’s algorithm is aggressive — especially on the main feed and Explore tab. But if you switch over to the “Following” view (if it’s available in your version of the app), you’ll mostly see content from people you’ve chosen to follow. It’s cleaner, more personal, and best of all — way fewer suggested Reels.

3. Use Instagram Lite (Android only)

If you’re really serious about simplifying your Instagram experience, Instagram Lite is worth looking into. It’s a stripped-down version of the app that uses less data and skips a lot of the fluff — including many of the aggressive content suggestions. It’s not perfect, and it’s only available on Android, but it’s a pretty solid workaround.

4. Take Advantage of Screen Time Limits

This isn’t just about Reels — it’s about making Instagram less addictive in general. Both iOS and Android let you set daily app limits. If you find yourself sucked into a Reel spiral every time you open the app, setting a timer (even just 30 minutes a day) can help break the cycle — and reduce your exposure to unwanted content.

5. Try Third-Party Browsers or Viewers

Some people use desktop browser extensions or third-party apps to view Instagram without distractions. These tools often strip away extra features like Reels and Stories. Just make sure you use trusted tools, and never give your Instagram login info to sketchy sites.

None of these are silver bullets, but they can help you build a more intentional Instagram experience — one where you’re in control of what you see, not the other way around.