Snapchat’s Discover is a feature that constantly updates your timeline with all the current and trending topics and events.

But while it’s good to be aware of what’s happening, sometimes the information being displayed tends to be irrelevant to your needs. It can get to a point where you can’t even see the content you want, like posts from your friends.

The good news is that there’s a way to disable Discover on your Snapchat account. This article is a step-by-step guide on how to turn off the feature. I’ll also look at some of the reasons why you need it to be off.

Read this to the end to find out more.

Also Read: How To Re-Add Someone On Snapchat If You Lost Their Username?

How To Disable the Discover Feature on Snapchat?

You can turn off the Discover feature in three main ways, as detailed below.

Method #1: Change Ad Settings

This is the most effective way of disabling the Discover feature. It won’t stop some ads and content from showing up, but it works better than the rest. Here’s how you can make the changes.

1. Open your Snapchat profile page and tap on the gear icon near the top right corner of your screen to open Settings.

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2. You will see detailed information about your account. Scroll down and tap on Ads.

3. Tap on Lifestyle & Interests.

4. You’ll see a long list of interests you may have subscribed to. Uncheck all of them, including ad topics near the bottom. With that, your Discover section will have less unwanted content.

Method #2: Hiding Channels

This process is manual, but it helps the Snapchat algorithm to figure out what you don’t like and eventually stops showing you the content. Here’s how you do it.

1. Open the Discover section on your Snapchat account by tapping the group icon near the bottom left.

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  1. Tap and keep your finger holding the video you want to hide. A menu with several options will pop up. Select Hide This Content.

2. Another popup will show on your screen, asking you to confirm your selection. Tap on Yes, then Done to wrap up the process.

Method #3: Unsubscribing from Channels

Discover also shows you content from channels you’ve subscribed to. If you no longer want to see that, you can unsubscribe in the following way.

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1. Open the Discover page.

2. Long-press the video from the channel you want to unsubscribe from with your finger until a pop-up appears on the screen. Toggle the Ad button off to unsubscribe. Tap on Done to complete the process.

Alternatively, you can find and install older versions of Snapchat that give you more control over how the Discover feature works.

However, be aware that using outdated apps has many bugs that may negatively impact your overall experience. So only revert to this if you genuinely want to remove the Discover feature.

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Understanding Snapchat’s Discover Feature

Ideally, the Discover feature is supposed to expand a user’s range regarding content. But since Snapchat also allows ads to appear alongside content you may not have signed up for, it becomes a problem for some users.

Some content you’ll likely run into on your Discover page includes the following.

  • News & Current Affairs: You can receive updates from reputable news organizations on the newest news, politics, global events, and trending stories. Users can stay informed on different subjects within the app, from local news to international politics.
  • Pop Culture & Entertainment: Here, users can discover unique entertainment material, such as celebrity interviews, behind-the-scenes looks, and trailers for forthcoming films or TV episodes. Users can explore pop culture and keep up with their favorite celebrities.
  • Tech & Science: With exciting articles from tech blogs and scientific journals, Discover also caters to tech lovers. Users can research recent developments, gadget reviews, and scientific discoveries.
  • Lifestyle & Fashion: The Discover feature also offers articles from popular lifestyle publications and celebrity influencers for those interested in the latest trends in fashion, beauty, and lifestyle. Users can look up beauty tricks, fashion advice, and daily life inspiration.

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Why Do You Need To Turn off the Discover Feature?

Being bombarded with content you don’t want to see on Discover isn’t the only reason you should consider turning this feature off. Here are some other important reasons.

1. Prioritizing Personal Connections

I joined Snapchat to see what my friends are up to, so personal ties and genuine contact with friends are at the heart of this social media app.

But considering the extensive Discover feature, it may occasionally take center stage, pushing away what you want to see. You can emphasize interacting with loved ones by turning off Discover so that you aren’t consumed by endless information consumption.

Also Read: How To Find Deleted Friends On Snapchat?

2. Privacy and Data Collection Concerns

When interacting with it, Snapchat’s Discover feature exposes you to data mining by different publishers and advertisers. Your interactions, interests, and browsing patterns may be monitored without your knowledge, resulting in tailored content recommendations and adverts.

This is why you’re likely to see things related to what you just talked about in private suddenly appear on your Discover feed.

3. Better for Battery Performance

Snapchat can be a resource-hungry app, and the constant loading of material in Discover might slow down and degrade your battery life. Disabling the Discover feature can significantly improve your battery life, as you would be mostly scrolling through content from people you follow.

4. Content Filtering

As much as Snapchat tries to curate the content in Discover, some might not suit your tastes or values. You can prevent potentially sensitive or triggering information from showing up in your feed by turning off Discover.

This is crucial for younger users using their devices to access social media sites like Snapchat. The last thing you want is for anyone to run into inappropriate content on your phone.

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5. Reducing Distractions

The Discover option can be a huge time waster when using Snapchat. It’s very easy for users to be lured away by content they never signed up for. I’ve been in that situation many times before, finding myself down a rabbit hole.

By turning off Discover, you can regain control of your time and eliminate distractions, resulting in a more focused and effective use of Snapchat.

Also Read: What Does GTS, GTG, LOL Mean On Snapchat?

Wrapping Up

So this is how you improve your Snapchat experience by turning off the Discover feature. By customizing your settings, you’ll limit the unnecessary information that pops up on your timeline.

Try the first method to begin with, as it’s the most effective. You can also try them all and see how your timeline is improved significantly.

Tom Clayton

Tom loves to write on technology, e-commerce & internet marketing. I started my first e-commerce company in college, designing and selling t-shirts for my campus bar crawl using print-on-demand. Having successfully established multiple 6 & 7-figure e-commerce businesses (in women’s fashion and hiking gear), I think I can share a tip or 2 to help you succeed.

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