How to Stop Someone from Seeing Your Activity on Instagram?

Want to operate with a little more privacy on Instagram? Good for you. We live in a world where online visibility is a constant negotiation, and sometimes, you just need to manage who sees what. The short answer to stopping someone from seeing your activity on Instagram boils down to three primary strategies: blocking the user, using Instagram’s “Close Friends” feature strategically, or adjusting your account privacy settings. Let’s break down each of these options in detail.

Understanding Instagram Activity and Privacy

Before diving into the “how,” let’s briefly discuss what constitutes “activity” on Instagram. This includes your posts, stories, Reels, IGTV videos, follows, likes, comments, and even your online status. Instagram, by default, is designed to be a social platform that encourages interaction, and that interaction is often visible. However, you have a surprising amount of control over what others can see.

Method 1: Blocking a User on Instagram

Blocking a user is the most definitive way to prevent them from seeing anything you do on Instagram. It’s the digital equivalent of slamming the door shut.

How to Block Someone: Step-by-Step

1. Navigate to their profile: Find the profile of the person you want to block.
2. Tap the three dots: Located in the upper right-hand corner of their profile, you’ll see three vertical dots (the options menu).
3. Select “Block”: From the menu that appears, choose the “Block” option.
4. Confirm your decision: Instagram will ask you to confirm that you want to block the user. It may also give you the option to block the user and any new accounts they might create. This is a powerful option if you’re dealing with harassment.

What Happens When You Block Someone?

When you block someone on Instagram, several things happen:

• They can no longer see your posts, stories, Reels, or IGTV videos.
• They can’t message you.
• They can’t find your profile in search. (Though your profile might still exist in search results for them if they are not logged in to Instagram.)
• They can’t see who you follow or who follows you.
• They will be removed from your followers list (if they were following you) and you will be removed from their followers list (if you were following them).
• Instagram doesn’t notify the blocked user that they’ve been blocked, though they’ll likely figure it out eventually.

Blocking is a powerful tool, but it’s also a bit nuclear. It’s best reserved for situations where you genuinely want to cut off all contact.

Method 2: Utilizing the “Close Friends” Feature for Stories

Instagram’s “Close Friends” feature is a more nuanced approach. It allows you to share stories with a select group of people, keeping them hidden from everyone else.

Setting Up Your “Close Friends” List

1. Go to your profile: Tap your profile picture in the bottom right corner.
2. Tap the menu icon: Tap the three horizontal lines in the upper right corner.
3. Select “Close Friends”: From the menu that appears, choose “Close Friends.”
4. Add people to your list: Search for and add the people you want to include in your “Close Friends” list.

Sharing Stories with Your “Close Friends”

1. Create your story: As usual, take a photo or video for your story.
2. Tap “Close Friends”: Instead of tapping the regular “Share” button, look for the green star icon labeled “Close Friends.”
3. Share: Only the people on your “Close Friends” list will be able to see this story.

This method is excellent for sharing more personal or private content that you don’t want everyone to see. It’s a great way to control who gets a glimpse into your daily life.

Method 3: Adjusting Your Account Privacy Settings

The most comprehensive approach involves changing your account’s privacy settings from public to private.

Making Your Account Private

1. Go to your profile: Tap your profile picture in the bottom right corner.
2. Tap the menu icon: Tap the three horizontal lines in the upper right corner.
3. Select “Settings”: Scroll down and choose “Settings.”
4. Select “Privacy”: Tap on the “Privacy” option.
5. Toggle “Private Account”: Turn the “Private Account” switch on.

What Happens When Your Account is Private?

When your account is private:

• Only people you approve as followers can see your posts, stories, Reels, and IGTV videos.
• People who aren’t following you will see a “This Account is Private” message when they visit your profile.
• They need to send a follow request, which you must approve, to see your content.
• Your posts won’t appear in hashtag searches for people who aren’t following you.

Going private is a significant step, but it gives you maximum control over who sees your content. It’s ideal for those who want to curate their audience carefully.

FAQs: Your Instagram Privacy Questions Answered

Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify how to manage your visibility on Instagram:

1. Can someone see if I view their Instagram profile?

No, Instagram does not notify users when someone views their profile. This applies to both public and private accounts.

2. Can someone see if I screenshot their story?

Instagram used to notify users when someone screenshotted their story, but this feature was removed. Now, no one is notified if you screenshot their story (unless the story is part of a disappearing message in a direct message).

3. Can someone see if I like their old posts?

Yes, if someone scrolls through your profile and sees that you’ve liked their old post, they will know. There’s no way to hide this. However, they are less likely to stumble upon these old likes organically compared to seeing likes on recent posts.

4. If I block someone and then unblock them, can they see my posts again?

Yes, if you unblock someone, they can see your public posts again. If your account is private, they will need to send you a follow request, which you will need to approve.

5. Can I hide my “following” list from certain people?

No, Instagram doesn’t offer a feature to hide your “following” list from specific users without blocking them. Your “following” list is visible to your followers. If your account is public, anyone can see it.

6. Can I hide my “followers” list from certain people?

No, similar to the “following” list, you cannot selectively hide your “followers” list. The same rules apply: it’s visible to your followers, or publicly visible if your account is public.

7. Does blocking someone prevent them from seeing my tagged photos?

Yes, if you block someone, they will no longer be able to see photos you’re tagged in that appear on your profile, nor can they tag you. However, if the photo is on a mutual friend’s profile who isn’t blocked, the blocked individual might still see the photo there.

8. If I make my account private, will people who followed me before still see my posts?

Yes, if you make your account private, people who were already following you before the switch will continue to see your posts. Only new followers need to be approved.

9. How can I tell if someone has blocked me?

If someone has blocked you, you won’t be able to find their profile in search. If you can find their profile while logged out but not while logged in, that’s a strong indication you’ve been blocked.

10. Can I prevent someone from messaging me without blocking them?

Yes, you can limit their ability to message you. Go to Settings > Privacy > Messages. Here you can control who can send you message requests. You can choose options like “Only people you follow” or “No one” for specific categories.

11. If I use a third-party app to view someone’s profile anonymously, will they know?

While third-party apps might claim anonymity, use them with caution. Instagram’s terms of service often prohibit the use of such apps, and they might compromise your own account’s security. There’s also no guarantee that they truly remain anonymous. Instagram is constantly updating its algorithms, and these apps might become detectable.

12. Will making my account private affect my business account’s analytics?

Yes, switching to a private account will impact your business account’s analytics. You won’t be able to track engagement from non-followers, which can affect your reach and insights. If using Instagram for business, carefully weigh the pros and cons of going private.

Mastering these privacy settings allows you to curate your Instagram experience and control who sees your content, leading to a more enjoyable and personalized social media presence. Remember to regularly review your settings to ensure they align with your desired level of privacy.