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How to Control Sites Displayed on the SharePoint Start Page

Natalie Taylor Sep 29, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user wants to control or hide specific member sites displayed on the SharePoint start page while preserving their access to these sites through Microsoft Teams.

How to Control Sites Displayed on the SharePoint Start Page

Product: Microsoft SharePoint
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Managing user workspace visibility by customizing the sites that automatically appear on the SharePoint start page.
Observed behavior: SharePoint automatically displays sites on the start page based on user activity, followed sites, and site membership. There is no direct setting available to simply hide member sites without affecting Teams access.

Before you start

Understand that modifying site permissions directly will impact a user's ability to collaborate in Microsoft Teams. It is highly recommended to manage followed sites and user activity instead of altering permissions.

Solution 1Recommended

Manage Followed Sites and User Workflow

Guide users to manage their followed sites and shift their primary workflow to Microsoft Teams to naturally influence the SharePoint start page algorithm.

SharePoint's algorithm populates the start page based on your frequent activity and the sites you actively follow. Since there is no native toggle to hide specific member sites without breaking Microsoft Teams access, curating your activity is the most effective approach.

Unfollow unwanted sites

Navigate to the SharePoint start page, locate the site you no longer want to see prominently under the 'Following' section, and click the filled star icon to unfollow it.

Clear browser cache and recent activity

Minimize direct browser interaction with the specific SharePoint site to reduce its activity ranking. Clearing your browser cache can also help reset local frequent site data.

Adopt a Teams-first workflow

Access your files, conversations, and collaborative tools directly through the Microsoft Teams interface instead of navigating through the SharePoint start page.

Avoid Permission Changes: Do not remove user permissions solely to hide a site from the start page. Doing so will immediately revoke their access to the connected Microsoft Teams channels and shared files.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I permanently hide a specific site from the SharePoint start page?

There is no direct setting to hide a specific site if you are an active member. The page automatically populates based on your site membership, followed sites, and recent viewing activity.

Will removing my site permissions hide it from the start page?

Yes, but this is highly discouraged. Removing your permissions will also eliminate your access to the site's connected Microsoft Teams channels and shared documents, disrupting your ability to collaborate.

How do I unfollow a site in SharePoint?

Go to the SharePoint start page, find the site under the 'Following' or 'Recent' section, and click the star icon so it becomes un-filled. This removes it from your followed list.

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