If you want to remove certain types of suggested videos from your TikTok feed, there are a few things you can try. The easiest option is to tap the “Not Interested” button on any video suggestion that you don’t want to see more of. This will signal to TikTok’s algorithm to stop suggesting similar content. You can also block specific hashtags or sounds associated with those types of videos. Limiting your Following list and Liked videos to topics you genuinely care about can also help refine your suggestions over time.
Use the “Not Interested” Button
The quickest way to remove a particular video from your suggestions is to tap the “Not Interested” button below the video. On the mobile app, this button looks like a small thumb pointing down. On the web version of TikTok, it appears as a crossed-out heart icon. Tapping this will immediately remove that video from your feed and train the algorithm to avoid showing you similar content going forward.
Be selective about which videos you mark “Not Interested” – only use it on content that is completely irrelevant or objectionable to you. Indiscriminate use of this feature may limit the diversity of suggestions you see. But targeted use on a few types of unwanted recommendations should refine your feed.
Block Keywords, Sounds, or Hashtags
If you notice certain hashtags, songs, or captions frequently triggering video suggestions you want to avoid, you can proactively block those elements. This causes TikTok to suppress recommendations associated with those keywords or audio tracks.
To block keywords or hashtags, tap the Share icon on any video containing the term you want to block. Select “Block” and confirm to add the hashtag to your blocked list. Repeat this for multiple undesirable hashtags. TikTok will then minimize videos using those hashtags.
Blocking a specific sound works much the same way. Tap the sound name on any video with that audio clip, then tap “Don’t Recommend This Sound.” Confirm to block it. Going forward, you’ll see fewer suggestions using that song or sound effect.
Follow Relevant Accounts
Who you follow greatly influences the content you see in your main feed. If your current Following list contains creators outside your interests, their posts may prompt tangential – and perhaps unwanted – recommendations.
Review the accounts you follow and consider unfollowing those unrelated to topics you care about. Follow more creators in your genuine areas of interest. This focuses the algorithm’s suggestions on what you actually want to see. You can also organize your Following list into topic-based “Friends” lists, which may further refine recommendations.
Unlike Irrelevant Videos
Along with who you follow, your Liked videos also guide TikTok’s recommendations. Videos you engage with through likes, comments, shares and more inform the app about your preferences.
Check your Liked videos and unlike those that led to unwanted suggestions. Be choosy about only liking content that genuinely interests you and is closely related to your feed’s focus. This gives the algorithm clearer signals about your true interests.
Temporarily Follow, Then Unfollow Topics
If you want to briefly explore videos around a new topic or hashtag, follow it temporarily, then unfollow it later. This causes TikTok to serve you lots of relevant suggestions up front, then dial them back after you unfollow.
To try this, search for a hashtag or keyword related to a topic you want to sample. Follow that hashtag or account. Interact with some of the top videos by liking, commenting, etc. After a day or so, unfollow that hashtag/account. TikTok will initially give you suggestions based on your temporary interest, then minimize them again after you unfollow.
Hide Videos From Specific Creators
Seeing too many videos from one creator in your suggestions? You can hide their content for 30 days. Tap the Share icon on any video by that user, choose “Hide videos from this user” and confirm. This mutes videos from that account for 30 days.
Use this when one creator dominates your suggestions, or their content inspires recommendations you want to avoid. Hiding them for a while can help diversify who and what appears in your feed.
Clear Your Watch History
TikTok relies heavily on your watch history to populate your suggestions. If you’ve watched lots of videos around a certain off-topic hashtag or category recently, clearing your history may help remove those unwanted recommendations.
To clear your watch history, go to your profile, tap the three-dot menu button, choose Settings & Privacy > Clear watch history. Confirm to wipe your history clean. This gives your suggestion feed a fresh start.
Restrict Your Account (Under 18)
If you’re under 18, you can enable Restricted Mode on your account. This limits videos shown to you to those rated appropriate for younger viewers. Navigating to your profile, open Settings & Privacy > Digital Wellbeing > Turn On Restricted Mode.
Enabling this restricts mature content as well as videos with more extreme suggestions. However, it also blocks some non-harmful content around topics like politics or social issues. Use your discretion in determining if this trade-off is worthwhile.
Spend Time Off The App
One of the most effective ways to reset your TikTok recommendations is simply to stop using the app for a while. Continued use further cements the algorithm’s suggestions based on your existing behavior. Taking a week or two off prevents any further reinforcement and gives the algorithm a chance to “forget” current patterns.
When you return to the app after time away, you may notice the suggestions have moved closer to the platform’s default content. This offers a window to shift your feed to your true interests, by being selective with likes, follows, etc.
Start Fresh With a New Account
If you’ve tried all other options extensively and are still not seeing the types of suggestions you want, starting fresh with a new account may be worthwhile. This gives you a completely blank slate for recommendations.
Create a new account with username, password, etc. Refollow just a select few accounts tied to your preferred interests. Be extremely selective about liking, commenting, sharing, etc. This focuses the nascent algorithm on the topics you want right from the start.
You can gradually follow more accounts and interact with more content. But keeping your early activity focused sets the tone for superior suggestions. If you ultimately still can’t train the algorithm sufficiently well, you may need to reassess the accounts you interact with.
