How to Turn Off Discover People on Instagram

Instagram is one of the most popular social media platforms, offering various features to help users connect with new people. One such feature is Discover People, which suggests accounts based on your contacts, mutual friends, and interests. While this can be useful, many users find it intrusive and wish to turn it off.

If you’re looking for ways to disable Discover People on Instagram, this guide will walk you through all possible methods. We’ll cover mobile and desktop options, along with additional privacy settings to enhance your Instagram experience.

What is the Discover People Feature on Instagram?

The Discover People feature suggests new accounts you might want to follow based on:

• Your phone contacts (if synced with Instagram)
• Mutual connections with people you already follow
• Engagement history, including likes, follows, and interactions
• Facebook friends (if linked to Instagram)

While this can be useful for expanding your network, it can also feel intrusive if you prefer a more private social experience.

Why Turn Off Discover People on Instagram?

There are several reasons why you might want to disable this feature:

• Privacy concerns – Instagram suggests accounts based on personal data, including phone contacts and social interactions.
• Reducing unwanted recommendations – Many users find Instagram’s suggestions irrelevant or unnecessary.
• Avoiding people from your contacts – If you prefer to keep your Instagram separate from real-life contacts, disabling Discover People can help.
• Minimizing distractions – Too many recommendations can clutter your experience on Instagram.

How to Turn Off Discover People on Instagram

There is no direct option to completely turn off Discover People, but you can minimize its appearance using multiple methods. Below, we cover all the available techniques.

1. Disable Contact Syncing on Instagram

One of the main ways Instagram suggests people is by syncing your phone contacts. Disabling this can significantly reduce the recommendations.

On Mobile (Android & iPhone):

1. Open the Instagram app.
2. Tap on your Profile Picture at the bottom right.
3. Tap the Menu (☰) in the top right corner.
4. Select Settings and Privacy.
5. Scroll down and tap Accounts Center.
6. Under Your Information and Permissions, select Your Contacts.
7. Toggle off Sync Contacts.
8. Confirm your choice to stop Instagram from accessing your phone contacts.

On Desktop:

1. Go to Instagram’s website and log in.
2. Click on your Profile Picture in the top right.
3. Select Settings.
4. Navigate to Privacy and Security.
5. Look for the Contacts Syncing option and turn it off.

By disabling contact syncing, Instagram will no longer suggest accounts based on your phone contacts.

2. Remove Linked Facebook Account

If you have linked Facebook to Instagram, Instagram will use your Facebook friends to suggest people. You can disconnect Facebook to reduce these recommendations.

On Mobile:

1. Open Instagram and go to your Profile.
2. Tap Menu (☰) > Settings and Privacy.
3. Tap Accounts Center.
4. Select Your Connected Experiences > Connected Accounts.
5. Tap Facebook and choose Remove.

On Desktop:

1. Log in to Instagram on your browser.
2. Click on Profile Picture > Settings.
3. Navigate to Accounts Center > Connected Accounts.
4. Click Facebook and Remove.

This will prevent Instagram from suggesting your Facebook friends under Discover People.

3. Hide Suggested Users

If you still see Discover People suggestions, you can manually remove them.

On Mobile:

1. Open Instagram and go to your Profile.
2. Scroll down to the Discover People section.
3. Tap the X on each suggested user to hide them.

On Desktop:

1. Log in to Instagram.
2. On your profile page, locate the Discover People section.
3. Click the X next to each suggestion.

Although Instagram may suggest new accounts later, this method helps minimize unwanted recommendations.

4. Adjust Instagram’s Privacy Settings

To prevent Instagram from aggressively suggesting people, consider adjusting privacy settings.

Make Your Account Private:

1. Open Instagram and go to Profile.
2. Tap Menu (☰) > Settings and Privacy.
3. Tap Account Privacy.
4. Toggle on Private Account.

This will limit how Instagram suggests your profile to others.

Turn Off Similar Account Suggestions:

1. Open Instagram on your desktop.
2. Click on Profile Picture > Edit Profile.
3. Scroll down and uncheck Include your account when recommending similar accounts people might want to follow.
4. Click Submit.

This prevents Instagram from suggesting your profile in the Discover People section for others.

5. Use a Minimal Interaction Approach

Instagram suggests people based on engagement. Reducing interactions can help minimize suggestions.

• Avoid liking or commenting on random posts
• Limit following too many new accounts at once
• Turn off Activity Status (Settings > Privacy > Activity Status)

Over time, Instagram’s algorithm will adjust and suggest fewer people.

Conclusion

Although Instagram doesn’t offer a single button to completely turn off Discover People, following the methods above can significantly reduce or hide the feature. By disabling contact syncing, unlinking Facebook, adjusting privacy settings, and hiding suggestions, you can take control over who Instagram recommends.

If you want to keep your Instagram experience distraction-free and private, implementing these changes is the best approach. Let us know if this guide helped you, and feel free to share any additional tips you’ve discovered!

FAQs

1. Can I permanently turn off Discover People on Instagram? No, Instagram does not offer a direct setting to disable Discover People completely. However, following the methods above can significantly reduce or hide the feature.

2. Will disabling contact syncing delete my previous contacts from Instagram? Yes, once you disable contact syncing, Instagram will stop using your contacts for recommendations, and previously synced contacts will be removed.

3. Why do I keep seeing new suggestions even after turning off contact syncing? Instagram also suggests users based on mutual friends, engagement history, and linked accounts. Adjusting additional privacy settings can help further reduce suggestions.

4. Can I hide my account from being recommended to others? Yes, by making your account private and disabling Similar Account Suggestions, you can prevent Instagram from recommending your profile to others.

5. Does Discover People show people who have searched for me? No, Instagram’s recommendations are based on contacts, mutual connections, and engagement—not on who has searched for your profile.

By implementing these steps, you can tailor your Instagram experience to be more private and distraction-free!