Ever feel like TikTok knows you a little too well? Or worse, it thinks it knows you, but it’s totally wrong. You spend ten minutes watching a few "Clean With Me" videos because you were bored, and suddenly, your entire "For You" page (FYP) is an endless stream of carpet cleaning and fridge restocks. It’s annoying. You want your old feed back. If you’re trying to figure out how to clear you may like on TikTok, you aren’t alone. The algorithm is a beast.
TikTok doesn't actually have a single "Clear All" button for your preferences. That would be too easy. Instead, the app builds a complex profile of your interests based on every second you spend on a video. If you linger on a clip of a Golden Retriever for three seconds longer than a clip of a recipe, the algorithm takes note. It’s a literal feedback loop. To fix it, you have to break the loop.
Why TikTok Keeps Showing You Stuff You Hate
The "You May Like" suggestions aren't just random. They are the result of TikTok’s recommendation system, which uses a weighted ranking. According to TikTok’s own newsroom updates regarding their transparency efforts, the system looks at user interactions, video information (captions, sounds, hashtags), and device settings.
It’s about "signals."
When you search for something specific, you’re sending a massive signal. If you search for "mechanical keyboards" and click on three videos, TikTok assumes you’ve started a new hobby. It starts peppering those videos into your feed. Then, it adds those "You May Like" banners in the search bar or the comment sections. It’s trying to keep you on the app longer. That’s the goal.
Sometimes the algorithm gets "stuck." This happens when your watch history is heavily skewed toward one topic, even if you’ve moved on. Think of it like a digital echo chamber. You’re hearing the same thing over and over because the app thinks it’s what you want. To stop this, you have to clear the data that the app is using to make those assumptions.
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How to Clear You May Like on TikTok by Nuking Your Search History
The most direct way to influence those "You May Like" prompts is to wipe your search history. TikTok uses your past searches to predict what you’ll want to see next. If your search bar is full of stuff you aren't interested in anymore, the suggestions will stay stuck in the past.
Go to your profile. Hit the three lines in the top right. This is your "Settings and Privacy" hub. You’ll want to find "Activity Center." Inside there, you’ll see "Search history."
Don't just delete one or two. Delete everything.
There is usually a "Select all" or "Clear all" option in the top right corner. Hit that. Confirm it. Boom. The app now has a slightly harder time guessing what you’re looking for. But wait—that’s only half the battle. Your search history is just the tip of the iceberg. Your watch history is the real culprit.
Resetting the "For You" Feed Completely
If your feed is truly unsalvageable, TikTok recently introduced a "nuclear option." It’s called "Refresh your For You feed." This is the most effective way to handle how to clear you may like on TikTok when the algorithm has gone completely off the rails.
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- Navigate back to "Settings and Privacy."
- Tap on "Content preferences."
- Select "Refresh your For You feed."
- Read the warning—it tells you this can’t be undone—and hit "Continue."
- Tap "Refresh."
This basically gives you a fresh start. You’ll start seeing the "generic" viral hits again—the big dances, the massive creators—until you start interacting with niche content again. It’s like moving into a new house. It’s empty, but you get to decide where the furniture goes this time.
The Secret Power of the "Not Interested" Button
Most people forget the most powerful tool they have: the long press.
When a video pops up that you don't like, don't just swipe away quickly. Swiping away is a signal, sure, but it’s a weak one. Instead, hold your thumb down on the middle of the screen. A menu will pop up. Tap "Not Interested."
TikTok actually gives you more granular control here if you look closely. Sometimes it will ask why you aren't interested. You can even choose to hide videos that use a specific sound or come from a specific creator. This is surgical. If you hate a specific viral song that’s being overused, tell TikTok to stop showing you videos with that audio. It works wonders for cleaning up those "You May Like" suggestions because it tells the algorithm what to avoid entirely.
Dealing with the Cache Clutter
Apps are hoarders. They save tiny bits of data called "cache" to help things load faster. Sometimes, this old data can keep old preferences lingering longer than they should. If you’ve cleared your history and refreshed your feed but still see weirdly specific suggestions, it’s time to empty the trash.
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In your "Settings and Privacy," scroll down to "Free up space." You’ll see "Cache" and "Downloads." Clear them both.
It won't delete your drafts or your posted videos. It just clears the temporary files. You might notice the app takes a split second longer to load a video the first time after doing this, but it’s a small price to pay for a cleaner experience. Honestly, doing this once a month is just good digital hygiene anyway.
Influencing the Algorithm Moving Forward
Once you’ve cleared the old data, you have to be intentional. The algorithm is learning from you every second. If you want to see more cooking videos and fewer political debates, you have to engage differently.
- Stop "Hate-Watching": If you see a video that makes you angry and you watch the whole thing just to read the comments, TikTok thinks you love it. It sees "High Watch Time" and "Comment Engagement." It doesn't know you’re mad; it just knows you’re engaged. Swipe away immediately.
- Use the Search Bar for Good: Search for topics you actually like. Spend five minutes watching videos about "woodworking" or "indie music." This feeds the algorithm fresh, positive data.
- Like and Favorite Sparingly: Don't just like everything. Reserve your likes for the content you want to see more of. Favorites (the bookmark icon) are an even stronger signal.
Common Misconceptions About TikTok Suggestions
A lot of people think that deleting the app and reinstalling it will reset their feed. It won't. Your profile is tied to your account on TikTok’s servers, not just the files on your phone. If you log back in, the algorithm will recognize you immediately.
Another myth is that "shadowbanning" your own interests works. People think if they search for "boring" things, it will dilute the feed. It doesn't really work that way. The algorithm is built to find your "passions." It’s better to be direct using the "Refresh" and "Not Interested" tools rather than trying to trick the AI. It's smarter than that.
Practical Steps to Take Right Now
If you want to fix your feed in the next five minutes, do this in order:
- Step 1: Go to Settings > Activity Center > Search History and clear everything.
- Step 2: Go to Settings > Content Preferences > Refresh your For You feed. This is the big reset.
- Step 3: Go to Settings > Free up space and clear your cache.
- Step 4: Restart the app.
- Step 5: For the first 10 minutes of browsing, strictly use the "Not Interested" button on anything you don't want to see in the future.
The TikTok algorithm is incredibly responsive. Within an hour of following these steps, you should see a massive shift in what the app suggests. You aren't a victim of the "You May Like" suggestions; you're the one providing the data. Change the data, and you change the feed. Clear the clutter, stay intentional with your scrolls, and enjoy a feed that actually reflects what you care about in 2026.