How to Reset Feed Algorithms on Tik Tok, Instagram, & YouTube

Resetting social media algorithms for teens can be a valuable step toward improving their online experience and supporting their mental well-being. Platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube use algorithms to suggest content based on past interactions, which can quickly become repetitive or even negatively impactful if the content is too narrow or unhelpful.

By resetting the algorithms, we help teens refresh their feeds, exposing them to a more balanced, diverse array of content that aligns with their evolving interests. This can encourage healthier, more positive interactions with social media and prevent them from being stuck in potentially harmful content loops.

Here’s how you can reset the algorithms to give your teen’s feed a fresh start:

TikTok

• Clear Cache:
  Go to your profile, tap the three lines in the top right corner, select Settings and Privacy, then go to Free Up Space and clear the cache. This removes some data that TikTok uses to tailor content.

• Reset Watch History and Engage with New Content:

  • Search and Interact with New Content: Look up hashtags or accounts related to content they now prefer, and like or share videos in that area.
  • Limit Interaction with Current Feed Content: If unwanted videos keep appearing, avoid watching them for long, and avoid liking or commenting. This signals TikTok that they're less interested in that content.

• Mark Videos as "Not Interested":
  For content you don't want to see, press and hold on the video and select Not Interested. This feedback helps TikTok refine recommendations.

• Unfollow and Follow:
  Unfollow accounts that no longer align with current interests and follow new ones that post the kind of content they'd like to see more of.

Instagram

• Clear Search History:
  Go to your profile, tap the three lines in the top right corner, choose Settings, then Security, and clear Search History to remove data used for content suggestions.

• Engage with New Content:
  Interact with posts, reels, and stories that align with new interests. Use the Explore tab to search for relevant hashtags or accounts, and like, comment, or save posts.

• Adjust Ad Preferences and Suggested Content:
  Go to Settings > Ads > Ad Preferences to adjust preferences. Also, tap the three dots on unwanted posts in your feed or Explore page and select Not Interested.

• Unfollow or Mute Accounts:
  Unfollow or mute accounts that no longer match their interests. Following new accounts related to current interests influences the content seen on their feed.

YouTube

• Clear Watch and Search History:

  • Go to YouTube, log into your teen’s account, click on the profile icon in the top right corner, select Settings, then History & Privacy.
  • Choose Clear Watch History to remove all past videos.
  • Select Clear Search History to delete all search terms.

• Pause Watch and Search History (Optional):
  In History & Privacy settings, toggle Pause Watch History and Pause Search History to temporarily stop tracking. This is useful to influence the feed by watching a certain type of content without affecting long-term recommendations.

• Update Subscriptions:

  • Review subscriptions. Unsubscribe from channels that no longer align with current interests.
  • Subscribe to new channels that match preferred content to influence recommendations.

• Engage with Preferred Content:
  Encourage them to like, comment, and watch videos fully, as YouTube tailors recommendations based on these actions. Use the Explore tab to find new categories.

• Mark Videos as "Not Interested":
  When unwanted videos appear, click the three dots next to the video and select Not Interested to refine recommendations by removing certain content types.

Taking these steps will help refresh the algorithms on each platform, allowing teens to explore new interests and interact with content that better aligns with their current needs and goals.