If you don't like the content you're seeing on someone's Instagram page, you have always had the option to unfollow them. Once you did that, the problem was solved — except that, due to often complex social situations, unfollowing someone isn't always an option. Unfollowing someone on social media is basically like flipping off a person, and no matter how pure your reasoning, that is the way they'll take it. While you might not care about sending that message to some people, there are probably at least a few people you don't want to do that to. And that's exactly why you need to learn how to mute someone on Instagram with its genius new feature — trust me, it's going to make your feed a much happier place for you.
This new mute feature has to be one of the best features Instagram has introduced in a while, and it will be rolling out over the next few weeks. The new feature allows you to mute posts from accounts you follow without actually unfollowing them. It's essentially the same thing as unfollowing someone on Facebook: you will no longer see what they're posting on your feed, although you can still see their posts if you actually go to their profile. You'll also still get notifications if they tag you in a post or comment on any of your posts, and you can always unmute them if you end up changing your mind. And the best part is that they'll never know. This means you can be free of their posts without insulting them by unfollowing them completely.
So how can you get this feature in your life? Well, first you'll have to wait for the update to roll out to you, which begins on May 22 (take note of any notifications for the app to be updated). Be patient, because sometimes these things take a little time — Instagram has a lot of users, after all! Once you update the app and see the mute feature, you can start muting anyone you want.
Muting someone is simple:
1. See A Post From Someone You Want To Mute
Easy enough, right? Go ahead and tap the three dots that are next to the account handle.
2. Select "Mute"
The option will be third on the list, right under "Unfollow."
3. Confirm
You can confirm that you do, indeed, want to mute their posts by tapping "Mute Posts," or even "Mute Posts and Story" if you also don't want to see their Instagram Stories.
After you mute a user, you will no longer see their posts on your feed. So, that friend who insists on posting 10 pictures in a row from one night? Gone from your feed — but not your following list. This is the best way to clean up your feed and see more of the content you care about without hurting anyone's feelings.
You might, however, eventually decide to unmute this person. If you want to do that, it's just as simple: Go to the account profile and tap "Unmute posts." You can also find the three dots at the top right corner of their profile page, and select "Unmute posts" from the menu.
I predict this is going to save some friendships and a whole lot of annoyance on social media. Sometimes it's just easier to pretend you enjoy following someone, but it's frustrating when it comes at the price of your own happiness. Now you don't need to make that choice, which is great. Just, you know, glance at their profile page before you hang out with them so that you're up to date on everything they've been posting. Easy peasy!
Are you thinking of “Can I follow someone on Instagram without them getting a notification”? Or perhaps you accidentally tapped on the follow button and were anxious if they received a notification of that action. If you do, read it!
It is normal to have such concern, especially since everyone has that one person that they don’t wish to follow on Instagram.
Towards the end of this article, you will have your answer. Besides, you will also know a way to follow someone without them knowing.
Without further ado, let’s get started.
- If You Follow Someone on Instagram Will They Get A Notification?
- How To Follow Someone On Instagram Without Them Getting A Notification
- How To Follow Someone On Instagram?
- How To UnFollow Someone On Instagram?
- If I Follow And Unfollow Them Immediately, Will They Know?
- Final Thoughts
If You Follow Someone on Instagram Will They Get A Notification?
Unfortunately, or fortunately, a person will receive a push-notification from Instagram almost right away once you click on the “Follow” button.
If you click the “Follow” button on someone that has their account set to public, they will get a notification of “X started following you” in their notification drop-down menu. Whereas, if it is a private account, they will receive a notification that you requested to follow them.
Depending if your account is set as a public or private, the type of information that they can see when checking out your profile will be different too.
If your Instagram account is public, they can see all your information, from username, profile picture, Instagram posts (including tagged posts), stories etc. However, if you set it to private, only your username and profile picture are visible to them.
Either way, any Instagram account that you are trying to follow will surely receive a notification from the platform.
Of course, they might overlook the notification and wouldn’t know if you have started following them.
Situations like this usually happen to someone that has a large following. Most of the time, these people do not have the time to check every notification they receive.
Since you know that a person will receive a notification immediately, is there any way to do it without them getting a notification? Let’s move on to know more.
Is there a way to follow someone without them getting a notification? Sadly, there isn’t.
As we assert, a person will get a push-notification from Instagram once you tap on the “Follow” button. Hence, it is not possible to follow someone without them getting the notification.
Still, there is a way to follow a person without letting them know it is you. All you need to do is create a secondary account, hide or modify your personal information, then follow that person.
Avoid following your main account as Instagram might show it as a mutual connection, which will reveal your identity.
You also need to avoid using your personal number on your secondary account as the platform might show your main profile as a suggestion to that person.
How To Follow Someone On Instagram?
Find the user you want to follow, on their profile you will see a “Follow” button in blue, tap on it and done! Now you are following someone on Instagram.
The process is really easy and quick, unless the account you want to follow is private, then you will have wait for them to accept your follow requests.
Following someone on Instagram is one of those things you will do plenty of times while you continue using the app so make sure you nail down the process.
How To UnFollow Someone On Instagram?
To unfollow someone on Instagram is easy. You just have to go to the users profile, tap on the “Following” button, then on the options tap on “Unfollow” and that’s it. You are not following the user anymore.
If you unfollowed them by mistake don’t worry, you can just follow the user right again but keep in mind that they will get a notification.
But, when you unfollow them they will not get a notification, you have nothing to worry about. They can find out by checking their followers list, but hardly anyone checks on the list frequently.
If I Follow And Unfollow Them Immediately, Will They Know?
When you follow someone on Instagram, they will be notified by the platform. However, if you click on the “Unfollow” button immediately, Instagram will remove the notification.
This only works if it happens when that person is inactive. Basically, the person will still know you have followed and unfollowed them when they are active on Instagram at that exact moment.
But, if you unfollow someone on Instagram when they are not active, and they only login into their account after you unfollow them, they won’t see the notification.
Final Thoughts
Unfortunately, there is no way for you to secretly follow a person without them receiving a notification, at least not through your main account.
The only way to secretly follow someone is by creating a secondary account, if hiding your identity is that important.
Avoid using your personal number in the secondary account to avoid the main account being suggested. Also, don’t follow your main account as it will show mutual connections that are going to reveal your identity.