How to Approve Followers on Instagram: Your Definitive Guide

So, you’ve decided to make your Instagram account private, carefully curating your audience. Smart move! This means you now have the power to approve or deny follower requests. Let’s dive right into the how-to:

How to Approve Followers on Instagram?

The process is incredibly straightforward, whether you’re using the Instagram app on your phone or tablet:

1. Open the Instagram App: Launch the Instagram application on your iOS or Android device.
2. Tap the Activity Tab: Look for the heart icon located at the bottom of your screen. This is your Activity tab, your hub for notifications and interactions.
3. Locate Follower Requests: Within the Activity tab, you’ll see a section for “Follow Requests.” This section displays all pending requests from users who want to follow your private account.
4. Review Requests: Tap on the “Follow Requests” section to view the list of pending requests.
5. Approve or Deny:
   • Approve: Tap the “Confirm” button next to the username of the person you wish to approve as a follower. This grants them access to your posts, stories, and reels.
   • Deny: Tap the “Delete” button next to the username of the person you wish to reject. They will not be notified that you denied their request.

That’s it! You’ve successfully managed your follower requests. Now, let’s delve into some common questions and nuances surrounding this process.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 12 frequently asked questions to enhance your understanding and give you a deeper insight into managing your Instagram followers effectively.

Can I Approve All Follower Requests at Once?

Unfortunately, Instagram does not offer a bulk approval feature. You must manually approve or deny each request individually. While this might seem tedious, especially if you have a large number of pending requests, it ensures you have complete control over who has access to your content. Third-party apps claiming to offer bulk approval often violate Instagram’s terms of service and can compromise your account security.

What Happens When I Deny a Follower Request?

When you deny a follower request, the person is not notified. From their perspective, nothing changes. They won’t know that you specifically rejected them unless they actively check to see if they’re following you and discover that they aren’t.

Does Denying a Follower Request Block the Person?

No, denying a follower request does not automatically block the person. They can still view your profile (although they won’t see your posts or stories) and send you another follow request in the future. If you want to prevent someone from interacting with your profile altogether, you’ll need to block them separately.

How Do I Block Someone on Instagram?

To block someone, navigate to their profile, tap the three dots (menu icon) in the upper right corner, and select “Block.” This prevents them from viewing your profile, following you, sending you messages, or finding you in search.

How Can I Tell If Someone is Following Me After I Approve Their Request?

After you approve a follower request, their username will appear in your list of followers. You can access this list by tapping on your profile picture, then tapping on the “Followers” count. You’ll see their username listed there.

Can Someone Request to Follow Me Again After I Deny Their Request?

Yes, they can. As mentioned earlier, denying a request doesn’t block them. They can send another follow request at any time. If you consistently deny their requests and find their persistence unwelcome, consider blocking them.

Is There a Limit to the Number of Follower Requests I Can Receive?

No, there is no known limit to the number of follower requests you can receive. However, Instagram’s algorithm might flag accounts that send an unusually high number of follow requests in a short period, potentially leading to temporary restrictions.

Can I See a List of People I’ve Denied Follower Requests From?

No, Instagram does not provide a list of users whose follower requests you have denied. Once you deny a request, it disappears from the “Follow Requests” section, and there’s no way to retrieve that information.

How Do I Switch My Account Back to Public After Making it Private?

To switch your account back to public:

1. Go to your profile and tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top right corner.
2. Tap “Settings and privacy.”
3. Scroll down and tap “Account privacy.”
4. Toggle the “Private account” switch to the off position.

What Happens When I Switch Back to a Public Account?

When you switch back to a public account, all your current followers will remain following you. However, anyone can now follow you without needing your approval. Your posts and stories will be visible to everyone, not just your followers.

Can I Make My Stories Only Visible to “Close Friends” Even If My Account Is Public?

Yes, you can! Even with a public account, you can create a “Close Friends” list and share stories exclusively with those on the list. This offers a degree of privacy even with a public profile. To create your “Close Friends” list, go to your profile, tap the menu icon, select “Close Friends,” and add the desired accounts.

How Do I Know If Someone is Using a Fake Account to Send Me Follower Requests?

Identifying fake accounts can be tricky, but here are some telltale signs:

• Lack of Profile Picture or Generic Profile Picture: Empty profiles or those using generic images are often suspect.
• Few or No Posts: An account with zero or very few posts is a red flag.
• Low Follower Count and High Following Count: This often indicates an account used for “follow/unfollow” strategies.
• Suspicious Username: Gibberish usernames or usernames with excessive numbers can be indicators of fake accounts.
• Generic or Copied Bio: Look for copied content or bios that don’t make sense.
• Lack of Engagement: No comments, likes, or interactions on other people’s posts are suspicious.

Trust your gut instinct. If something feels off, it’s better to err on the side of caution and deny the request. You can always block the account if you suspect it’s malicious.

By carefully managing your follower requests and being aware of the potential risks, you can maintain a positive and secure Instagram experience. Remember, privacy is a choice, and Instagram provides the tools to help you control who has access to your content. Happy sharing!