How to Approve Followers on Instagram: A Definitive Guide

Want to control who sees your content on Instagram? You need to understand how to approve followers. Here’s the straightforward answer: You only approve followers if your Instagram account is set to private. If your account is public, anyone can follow you without your explicit permission. To approve followers on a private account, navigate to your follower requests (typically indicated by a notification in your activity feed). Then, either confirm or deny each request individually. It’s as simple as tapping the “Confirm” or “Delete” button next to each request. This ensures that only the people you want have access to your posts, stories, and reels.

Understanding the Privacy Settings on Instagram

Public vs. Private Accounts: Choosing the Right Option

Instagram offers two primary account settings: public and private. The choice between these two significantly impacts how people interact with your content and whether you need to approve followers.

• Public Account: Anyone on Instagram can see your posts, stories, and reels, even if they don’t follow you. Your profile is searchable, and your content can appear in explore pages and hashtags. Crucially, with a public account, anyone can follow you without your approval. It’s all about visibility and reaching a wide audience.

• Private Account: This is where the follower approval process becomes relevant. With a private account, only approved followers can see your content. When someone wants to follow you, they send a follow request. You then have the power to either approve or deny that request. This provides maximum control over your audience and ensures that only trusted individuals can view your posts.

To switch between public and private accounts, go to your profile, tap the three lines in the top right corner (menu), select “Settings and privacy”, then tap “Account privacy”. Toggle the “Private account” switch to turn it on or off.

Why Choose a Private Account?

Several reasons might lead you to opt for a private Instagram account:

• Personal Privacy: If you share personal moments and want to restrict who sees them, a private account is the way to go.
• Targeted Audience: Businesses or creators focusing on a specific niche might use a private account to curate a dedicated community.
• Security: Limiting access to your content can minimize the risk of unwanted attention or potential misuse of your images and information.

Step-by-Step Guide: Approving or Denying Follower Requests

Now, let’s dive into the practical steps of managing follower requests on a private Instagram account:

1. Check for Notifications: When someone requests to follow you, you’ll receive a notification in your activity feed (the heart icon at the bottom of the screen).

2. Navigate to Follower Requests: Tap the notification or go directly to your profile. You should see a button labeled “Followers” (if you have no requests) or a notification about pending requests.

3. Review Each Request: You’ll see a list of users who have requested to follow you. Carefully examine each profile. Consider factors like:

   • Profile Picture: Does it look legitimate or suspicious?
   • Bio: Does their bio align with your interests or seem generic/spammy?
   • Following/Follower Ratio: A high following count and low follower count can sometimes indicate a bot account.
   • Mutual Connections: Do you have any friends in common?

4. Approve or Deny:

   • To approve a request, tap the “Confirm” button next to the user’s name. They will now be able to see your posts and stories.
   • To deny a request, tap the “Delete” button next to the user’s name. They will not be notified that you declined their request.

5. Batch Actions (Sometimes): Depending on updates to the Instagram app, you might occasionally see options to “Confirm All” or “Delete All” requests. Exercise caution if using these options, as they can lead to unintended approvals or denials.

Managing Your Existing Followers

Removing a Follower from Your Private Account

Even after approving someone, you might later decide you no longer want them to see your content. Here’s how to remove a follower:

1. Go to your profile and tap the number of followers you have.
2. Scroll through the list of followers or use the search bar to find the specific person you want to remove.
3. Tap the “Remove” button (it might look like three dots or say “Remove” directly).
4. Confirm that you want to remove the follower. They will no longer see your posts.
5. Important: They won’t be notified that you removed them.

Blocking an Account

Blocking an account is a more drastic measure. When you block someone:

• They can no longer see your profile or content.
• They can’t message you.
• They can’t find you in search (although they might be able to find you if they know your exact username and are logged out).
• They are automatically unfollowed if they were already following you.

To block an account:

1. Go to their profile.
2. Tap the three dots in the top right corner.
3. Select “Block”.
4. Confirm that you want to block the account.

FAQs: All Your Questions Answered

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions regarding follower approval on Instagram:

1. Can I approve followers from a computer? Yes, you can manage follower requests and remove followers from the Instagram website. The process is nearly identical to the mobile app.

2. Will someone know if I deny their follow request? No, Instagram does not notify users when their follow request is denied. They will simply not see your content unless they request again (and you approve it).

3. What happens if I accidentally approve someone I didn’t mean to? You can immediately remove them as a follower (see instructions above). They won’t be notified of either the approval or the removal.

4. Can I see a list of people who have requested to follow me? Yes, your list of pending follower requests is always visible in your profile settings (as described earlier).

5. How do I stop getting follow requests? The only way to completely stop receiving follow requests is to either block all users (impractical!) or make your account public. With a public account, anyone can follow you without needing to request.

6. Can I approve followers in bulk? Instagram sometimes offers the option to “Confirm All” or “Delete All” pending requests. However, this option is not always available and should be used with caution.

7. Is there a limit to how many people can follow me on a private account? No, there’s no limit to the number of followers you can have, even on a private account.

8. Can I approve followers on Instagram Lite? The Instagram Lite app has limited features. Check if the follower request management feature is available in your version. If not, you’ll need to use the main Instagram app or the website.

9. How do I report a suspicious follower request? If you suspect a follower request is from a fake or malicious account, you can report it to Instagram. Tap the three dots on the profile of the requester and select “Report”.

10. If I switch my account to public and then back to private, will the same people still be following me? Yes, all your existing followers will remain following you when you switch back to private. You’ll only need to approve new requests from that point onward.

11. Can I tell if someone has requested to follow me more than once? Instagram doesn’t explicitly show this. If you delete a request, and the same person requests again, it will appear as a new request.

12. What’s the difference between “Remove” and “Block” on Instagram? Remove simply unfollows the person from your private account, so they can’t see your content unless they send a request again. Block prevents them from seeing your profile, messaging you, or finding you easily in search. Blocking is a more permanent and restrictive action.

By understanding these settings and procedures, you can effectively manage your follower base on Instagram and ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.