Instagram provides few privacy management choices in 2024, particularly if you keep your profile public. Is it possible to hide your following list without becoming private? is a frequently asked question. There are a few workarounds that can help you keep greater control over who can view your activity on Instagram, even if you can’t immediately conceal your following list from anyone with a public account.
KEYPOINT: Open the app and navigate to your profile if you want friends to not see your Instagram following list. In the upper right corner, tap the three-line menu icon, then choose “Settings” > “Privacy” > “Connections.” Turn on the option to “Hide Following List.”
The following are a few methods you can employ to safeguard your list of followers without turning your Instagram account private:
Eliminate Particular Followers
You can block certain users from viewing your list of followers even if your account is public by unfollowing them. They will have to follow you again in order to see your posts and lists after you’ve removed them.
Actions:
- Access your profile.
- Press “Followers” to get the list of individuals who have followed you.
- Press and hold the three dots (icon for options) next to the person’s name.
- Click “Remove.”
This technique will prevent certain people from seeing who you follow, but it won’t conceal your complete list from view by everybody.
Limit Specific Users
The “Restrict” function on Instagram is a great method to limit undesired interactions without completely blocking a user. This essentially minimises their ability to follow your interactions, even though it doesn’t hide your following list. It does, however, limit the visibility of certain activities, such who liked your photographs or commented on your posts.
Actions:
- Navigate to the individual’s profile that you wish to limit.
- Press the trio of dots located in the upper-right corner.
- Choose “Restrict.”
Although they won’t be informed, they won’t be able to see all you do.
Limit the visibility of stories
You can change the story settings to restrict who can see them if you’re worried about someone using Instagram Stories to monitor your conversations. This lessens the amount of people who can keep a close eye on your account, even while it won’t immediately impact your list of followers.
Actions:
- Access your Instagram profile by opening it.
- In the top-right corner, tap the three horizontal lines, then choose “Settings.”
- After selecting “Privacy,” select “Story.”
- Choose the users you wish to keep your tales hidden from viewing under “Hide Story From.”
In the event that users are employing stories to keep tabs on your activities, this technique can help preserve a private layer.
Block Particular Users
You can completely block specific people if you don’t want them to view your following list and other activity. If you block someone on Instagram, you can be sure they can’t see your posts, your profile, or anything on your list of people you follow.
Actions:
- Go to the user’s profile that you wish to block.
- In the upper-right corner, tap the three dots.
- Choose “Block.”
They won’t be able to locate your account or view any of your activity after it has been blocked, including the list of things you have followed.
Think About Telling Stories with Your Close Friends List
Using the “Close Friends” tool to share your stories with a chosen set of followers is another oblique method to keep some privacy. This restricts who may view your daily activity, which can lessen the exposure of who you follow or engage with, even though it doesn’t hide your following list.
Actions:
- Navigate to your profile and choose the “Story” options.
- Add the followers you believe in under the “Close Friends” option.
- Tell tales to people on your list of closest friends exclusively.
You can manage who sees your more intimate platform interactions with the help of this tool.
Observe Outside Apps
Third-party apps that promise to provide more comprehensive privacy settings, such the ability to hide your interactions or following list, should be avoided. Using these applications could compromise the security and privacy of your Instagram account, as they are usually not supported by the social media platform. Using Instagram’s official settings and tools is always the best option.
In summary
The techniques listed above can assist you in controlling who can view your activity and following list on Instagram, even if the social media platform does not offer a straightforward way to do so without turning your account private. You can keep your account public but still retain some privacy by limiting who may see your stories, removing, restricting, or blocking specific people.
Keep in mind that Instagram’s privacy settings are continually changing, so it’s always a good idea to stay updated on new tools that may offer additional control over your account in the future.
