You say something out loud, and an hour later an ad for it shows up on your feed. Or you tap through a few posts, and suddenly every ad is for the same product. That is not a coincidence. Instagram uses your activity to pick the ads you see, and many people find that creepy. The good news is that you can turn off some of this tracking right inside the app.
These steps work in the Instagram app on your phone. Instagram and Facebook are both owned by Meta. So some of these settings live in a shared area called Accounts Center, not just inside Instagram.
Why this happens
By default, Instagram tracks what you search for and what you do. It watches you inside the app and, reportedly, on other apps and websites too. Then it uses all of that to personalize your ads. Turning off these settings will not delete data Meta already has. Instead, it just stops new activity from being added going forward. These habits matter in other ways too. For a wider view, this guide on online privacy covers more simple changes worth making.
Stop Instagram tracking your off-app activity
- Open the Instagram app and go to your profile.
- Tap the three-line menu in the top-right corner.
- Tap Settings and Privacy.
- Tap Accounts Center.
- Select Your information and permissions.
- Open Your activity off Meta technologies.
- Tap Manage future activity.
- Then turn off the toggle for future activity and confirm.
As a result, Instagram stops using your outside activity to personalize your ads going forward.
Turn off ads based on partner data
- Go back to Accounts Center.
- Tap Ad preferences.
- Select Manage info, then Activity information from ad partners.
- This may open in a web browser, where you can review the setting.
- Choose the option to not make ads more relevant using this information, then confirm.
Trim your ad topics
- Open Accounts Center.
- Tap Ad preferences.
- Look for a section called Customize ads or Ad topics.
- Deselect any categories you do not want used for your ads.
Menus can look different depending on your app version. For example, you may see a general Ads or Ad preferences section instead. If so, look for switches tied to partner data, your Instagram activity, and your activity on other Meta products. Then turn off whichever ones you do not want.
Things some users report trying, but not confirmed fixes
Some people say their ads still feel oddly targeted even after these changes, because Meta may still use some information. So these are steps others have tried, not guaranteed solutions.
- Hide the ad. Some users tap the three dots next to an ad and choose to hide or report it.
- Reject cookies in your browser. Blocking third-party cookies is something users say may cut down on repeat product ads, though not always.
- Use a VPN, a tool that hides your real location and internet address. Some say this makes it harder to link your browsing to your account. However, one user warned against running it on the same device as the app, since the app may still see the connection. This is not a sure fix.
- Check who is sharing your data. Inside Your activity off Meta technologies, you can see which companies send information to Meta.
- Switch your account type. Some users mention moving from a Business account to a Creator account, though there is no proof this changes tracking.
- Delete the app. Some users say this is the only sure way to stop the data collection. That is a big step, so try the settings above first.
Turning off these settings does not mean the ads disappear. Instead, they should be less built around what you have been tracked doing. These concerns are not limited to ads either. Reports have surfaced about WhatsApp using the microphone on some phones even when it is not in use. Also, lawsuits from US states accuse Meta of harming children’s health through its platforms.
A tip to keep it turned off
Menus and options change over time. Some users report settings quietly resetting or new options appearing without warning. So it helps to check back into Accounts Center every so often. That way, your activity and ad preferences stay the way you left them. It also helps to look at how you show up online. For example, if your username feels too personal, this piece on WhatsApp usernames is worth a read. And if your feed feels cluttered, here is how to stop suggested posts too.
