Instagram is among the biggest social media platforms available, and the sheer quantity of people who use the app is enough to raise certain concerns about profile security. The question “Can people on Instagram see who you follow” is widely asked by many, as the dynamics of the app work differently according to the way the user manages their profile.
Despite being one of the safest and most secure platforms online, it is understandable for people to be cautious about their privacy on such a populous platform.
So, can people on Instagram see who you follow, and what are the options for you to make your profile more discreet and private?
Two Scenarios for Two Different Profiles
Instagram offers two distinct ways to manage your profile: public and private. A public profile is exposed to anyone who wants to see your pictures and stories.
Moreover, other users can follow you without Instagram asking you whether you want to let these people into your profile.
On the contrary, a private profile allows you to share your Instagram experience only with users you allow into your profile and keeps most of your delicate information under your control.
So, how does the situation change for these profile options, regarding who you follow?
The Case for a Public Profile
A public profile on Instagram is a more open and flexible way to use the platform, as anyone who uses the app can have access to the pictures and stories of the account and can send a direct message to the user. So, can people on Instagram see who you follow if you have a public profile? The answer is yes. Having a public profile allows other users to access most of your profile information with very minor restrictions.
Moreover, people can also see who follows the account, if the user is using a public profile. In short, it’s clear that people will have easy access to a public profile, and it may be a good idea to use a private profile if doubts about security and privacy are abundant.
The Case for a Private Profile
In complete contrast to having a public profile, a private profile keeps most of the delicate information of an Instagram profile private and secure. The user will be asked whether they want to allow another Instagram user to follow them, and their pictures and stories will be visible only to the followers of the account.
So, the answer to the question “Can people on Instagram see who you follow if you have a private profile” is “no”. Users can enjoy a sense of security as only the people they let into their profiles will have access to the accounts they follow.
Moreover, a private profile also restricts other users from sending a direct message to the owner of the account without an initial request, further expanding the privacy benefits of the profile.
According to the above-mentioned information, it is possible to assume that a private profile stands out as a more reliable option for safeguarding the followers list from unwanted eyes.
How Can You Make Your Instagram Account Private?
A private Instagram account is safer and more private in every way, as it gives the user complete control over the profile regarding who they want to have access to the profile. This also allows the user to control who has access to the list of people they follow, as a private profile restricts this to only the followers of the account. So, to make your Instagram account private, the following steps can be taken:
1 – Navigate to “Settings” on your Instagram profile.
2 – Click on “Account Privacy” and then select “Private Account”.
Once these steps are completed, the user will have complete control over the profile and will have blocked out any unwanted inspection into the profile.
Having highlighted how to make an Instagram account private, whether there is another way to stop people from seeing who you follow may come to mind. Unfortunately, the answer is no as Instagram offers no other solution to this dilemma. However, there is always the possibility of blocking another user if you want to make sure they have absolutely no access to any information on your profile.
In short, if you want the answer to the question “Can people on Instagram see who you follow” to be a solid “no”, using a private account seems like the only viable solution. Instagram does not offer further solutions to this question and directs its users with privacy concerns to this path.
F.A.Q.
If I Unfollow Someone and Follow Them Back, Will They Get a Notification?
Yes. Instagram follows a strict policy about notifying its users about follows, comments, and direct messages. So, if you unfollow someone and follow them back after some time, they will get notified about it.
Can I Follow Someone Anonymously?
No. Instagram complies with certain security measures, whether using a public or private profile. That means anyone you follow will be notified about your follow even if they use a public profile. In case you want to achieve full anonymity on the platform, having an anonymous profile can be an option, but keep in mind that any abusive or unwanted behavior is still subject to Instagram’s ethical guidelines, and your account can be suspended and worse if you undertake these actions.
