How to Reset Your Instagram Algorithm as a Real Estate Agent

Instagram just released an update that most people are going to waste. But you can use it to 10x your real estate business.

You can now officially control what shows up in your Reels algorithm. Instagram is letting you choose what topics you want to see. Most agents will use this to scroll memes all day. But there’s a secret strategy here that will transform your content game.

Step 1: Find Your Best-Performing Content Topic

Before you reset anything, you need data. Go to your professional dashboard on Instagram. Look at your content from the past 90 days. Filter it and see what topics performed best on your page.

Was it listing tours? Market updates? Buyer tips? Neighborhood walkthroughs? Find the ONE topic that got the most engagement — not just views, but saves, shares, and comments.

This matters because you’re about to reprogram your entire feed around this topic. The algorithm already told you what works for your audience. Now you’re going to double down on it.

Step 2: Reset Your Algorithm to Show Only Winning Content

Here’s the step most agents don’t know exists.

1. Go to Explore Reels

   Scroll to the side to access Explore Reels on Instagram.

2. Click “Your Algorithm”

   Click the top corner to access your algorithm preferences.

3. Remove ALL Existing Interests

   Clear everything out. Reset to zero. This wipes the slate clean so Instagram stops showing you random content.

4. Add Your Winning Topic

   Add only the interest that worked best on your page. You can also add interests your competitors have successful videos categorized in.

Now scroll on Instagram. What you’re going to see are proven ideas — Reels that are crushing it in that exact topic. Look for outlier videos with at least 2,000 likes.

Step 3: Study, Save, and Reproduce What Works

Save all the winning videos in a folder. Study the hooks. Study the format. Study how they open.

Here’s the key part: use the hooks and formats from those viral videos for your next 30 videos. You’re not copying them. You’re doubling down on what’s already working in the algorithm.

This is what the top producers do. They don’t reinvent the wheel. They study what works and they reproduce it with their own market knowledge.

When you do this, your page will grow 3–5x faster. Your engagement will skyrocket. And you’ll send way more quality leads to your business.

Bonus: Use Competitors’ Winning Topics Too

You’re not limited to your own data. When you reset your algorithm, you can also add interests that your competitors have been categorized in.

Find the top-performing real estate accounts in your market or niche. Look at what topics their best videos fall under. Add those interests to your algorithm reset.

Now you’re seeing the best content from your competitors’ niches — and you can use those formats, hooks, and structures to create even better content for your own audience.

This is competitive intelligence on autopilot. Instagram is literally showing you what your competition does best — for free.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I reset my Instagram algorithm?

Go to Explore Reels, click the top corner to access “Your Algorithm,” remove all existing interests, and add only the topics that performed best on your page. This reprograms your feed to show you proven viral content in your niche.

Will resetting my Instagram algorithm affect my followers?

No. Resetting your algorithm only changes what YOU see in your Explore and Reels feeds. It does not affect your followers, your posts, or how Instagram shows your content to others. It’s purely a research tool for your own content strategy.

How often should I reset my Instagram algorithm?

Review and adjust your algorithm settings every 30–60 days. As your content strategy evolves and you identify new winning topics, update your interests to keep your feed filled with fresh, relevant viral content to study.

What should I look for when studying viral Reels?

Focus on three things: the hook (first 3 seconds), the format (talking head, text overlay, B-roll), and the structure (how they deliver value). Look for outlier videos with at least 2,000 likes. Save them in a folder and recreate the format with your own local expertise.

Is it copying to use someone else’s video format?

No. Using a proven format is standard practice in content creation. You’re not copying their words or their content — you’re using the structural framework that the algorithm has proven to work and filling it with your own expertise, your own market, and your own personality.