As of my last knowledge update in September 2021, Instagram did not provide an option to remove or disable the "Reels" feature completely. Reels are a prominent part of Instagram's content, and they cannot be individually turned off. However, you can minimize your exposure to Reels in the following ways:
1. Hide Reels in Explore: You can hide the Reels tab on the Explore page by tapping the magnifying glass icon and then tapping on "Hide Reels." This will reduce the visibility of Reels in your Explore feed.
2. Use the Mute Option: You can mute or hide accounts that frequently post Reels content. This way, you'll see fewer Reels from those accounts in your feed.
3. Engage with Other Content: Liking, commenting, and sharing non-Reels content can influence the content that appears in your feed. By engaging with posts that are not Reels, you might see fewer Reels in your feed.
4. Explore Other Instagram Features: You can focus on using other features of Instagram, such as Stories, regular posts, and IGTV, to see less Reels content.
Keep in mind that Instagram's features and settings may have changed since my last update. If you're looking for the most current information on managing Reels in your Instagram feed, I recommend checking Instagram's official help center or contacting their support for guidance.