75% of the normal Instagram feed (not the stories) is now account promotions and recommendations. It's impossible to browse it and look at what you followed anymore.
At least on Instagram for iOS, you have the option to tap the Instagram logo on the top left corner and choose "Following". It will only show posts from the accounts you follow and, at least for me, there are barely ads there.
I've been using the platform since 2014 and I've just discovered I can click on the Instagram logo to see that "following" feed. Kudos.
I just tried it, so different to the regular stream, wtf!