Have you ever accidentally clicked “Not Interested” on a TikTok video you actually liked? It’s an easy mistake to make thanks to the similar iconography of the “Not Interested” and “Add to Favorites” buttons.
Unfortunately, telling TikTok you’re not interested in a video also tells the algorithm to show you less of that content. Before you know it, your For You page lacks the vibes you loved.
But don’t worry! You can undo the “Not Interested” button on TikTok and recover videos you mistakenly dismissed. This guide will show you how.
What Happens When You Click “Not Interested” on TikTok
TikTok’s algorithm curates your For You page based on how you engage with content. The goal is to show you more of what you like and less of what you don’t.
When you click “Not Interested” on a video, you’re sending TikTok a strong signal. You’re saying: “I don’t want to see this type of content.”
TikTok listens. The algorithm will start showing you fewer videos similar to the one you dismissed. Over time, your For You page changes to exclude that type of content.
This is great when you purposefully remove videos you dislike. But accidentally clicking “Not Interested” causes problems. Videos you actually enjoy can disappear from your feed.
Luckily, you can undo this effect and recover “Not Interested” videos. It just takes a few steps.
Ways to Undo “Not Interested” on TikTok
1. Check Your Liked Videos
Before trying other solutions, check your Liked Videos playlist on TikTok. If you liked the video before dismissing it, it may still be there.
To view your Liked Videos:
- Open TikTok and tap the Profile icon in the bottom right.
- Tap on the liked videos tab.
- Scroll through this list to see if the dismissed video is there.
If you find it, tap the TikTok bookmark button to add to your favorites. This will counter the “Not Interested” signal you previously sent.
Unfortunately, if you never liked the video, it won’t be on this list. You’ll need to dig a bit deeper to find and recover it.
2. Search Your Watch History
Your full watch history contains every video you’ve viewed in the past 7 days, regardless of engagement. This history persists even if you click “Not Interested” on a video.
Dig into your watch history to find videos you dismissed and re-engage with them:
- Tap the Search magnifying glass icon at the bottom of the TikTok screen.
- Tap inside the Search bar to pull up the keyboard.
- Type an asterisk (*) into the Search bar and hit Enter.
- Tap on the Watch History prompt at the top of the screen.
This will display your full watch history for the last 7 days. Scroll down to find dismissed videos.
When you find one you want to recover, tap the like or bookmark icon and add it to your liked videos or favorites.
If you don’t see the video in your 7-day history, keep reading for more recovery options.
3. Leverage Hashtags and Sounds
If a dismissed TikTok had relevant hashtags or popular sounds, you may be able to find it again through those avenues.
Hashtags categorize videos into niches and trends. If you remember any hashtags used in the lost TikTok, search for them directly to uncover similar content.
Popular sounds also group videos together. Millions of TikToks use the same tracks and audio clips. Searching by sound may surface the video you’re seeking.
To try finding dismissed videos this way:
- Tap the Discover magnifying glass icon on the bottom toolbar.
- Select the Search tab to search for specific keywords, hashtags, or sounds.
- Enter a hashtag or sound associated with the video you want to recover.
- Scroll through the results to find the lost video. If you discover it, add it to your Favorites right away.
This method is hit or miss, but worth attempting. Even if you don’t find the exact video, you may uncover similar ones to refill your feed.
4. Look for Reposts
Reposts and stitches keep viral TikTok videos circulating days or weeks after they first appear. Even if you lost the original video, duplicate versions could still exist.
Try finding a reposted or stitched version of the TikTok you dismissed:
- Search for hashtags or sounds associated with the lost video as explained above.
- Pay special attention to videos using features like Stitch and Duet. These often contain clips of trending videos.
- Check the usernames of videos that look familiar. See if the original creator reposted their viral content.
- When you find a duplicate TikTok, add it to Favorites immediately. This signals the algorithm and may help surface the original again too.
Reposts don’t always credit the OP or use the same audio. So this hit-or-miss technique works best for finding extremely viral videos.
5. Contact the Creator
If all else fails, try contacting the original creator directly and asking them to resend or repost the video you dismissed.
This isn’t possible in all cases. But if the TikToker has contact info in their bio or actively engages with comments, it’s worth a shot.
Don’t be afraid to explain the situation in your message. Many creators understand how easy it is to mis-tap on TikTok’s UX. They may sympathize and share the video again to help you out.
6. Reset Your Account as a Last Resort
If the video you dismissed is impossible to find through any method, resetting your account may be the only way to refresh your For You page.
This should be a last resort as it will reset your entire feed and wipe all of your Favorites. But it may be necessary if a single accidental tap drastically altered your recommended videos.
To completely reset your TikTok account:
- Go to your profile and tap the Settings icon.
- Select Manage Account.
- Tap Delete Account.
- Choose to Temporarily disable your account.
TikTok will save your data for 30 days. Disable your account for a full 30 days, then log back in. Your algorithm will reset and begin learning your preferences from scratch.
Prevent Accidental Taps in the Future
Recovering dismissed videos takes effort. The easiest solution? Avoid mis-taps in the first place.
Updating your gesture settings can help:
- Go to your profile and tap the Settings icon.
- Choose Gesture Control.
- Disable the Swipe Down to Dislike gesture.
With this gesture turned off, you must double-tap a video and select Not interested to dismiss it. This extra step makes accidental taps less likely.
Enabling Confirm before each share in your account settings provides another layer of protection from accidental taps.
You can also simply slow down when engaging with videos. Take a breath before tapping icons so you don’t mis-select. Consider captions and sounds before impulsively dismissing content.
Don’t Give Up Hope!
Accidentally clicking “Not Interested” on TikTok doesn’t permanently ruin your For You page. With concerted effort, you can find and recover dismissed videos in most cases.
Check your Liked Videos, dig through your Watch History, search by hashtags and sounds, and look for reposts. Contact the creator if all else fails. And disabling gestures can prevent this headache in the future.
Stay diligent and keep trying different strategies. With patience, you can regain control over the videos that do and don’t show in your feed.
