With over a billion monthly active users, Instagram has become a global powerhouse, connecting people through photos and videos. Its intuitive interface and engaging features make it a go-to platform for sharing life moments, talents, and hobbies. Many also use it for business purposes.
A common question among Instagram users is whether blocking someone removes them from your followers list. If you’re wondering the same, keep reading! This article explores Instagram’s blocking and follower dynamics to clarify how these actions affect user connections.
Let’s dive in!
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What happens when you block someone on Instagram?
Blocking on Instagram functions similarly to other social platforms by creating a barrier between two accounts to limit communication and access. When someone is blocked on Instagram, several important changes occur:
Communication Blocked
The blocked user can no longer send direct messages (DMs) to the person who blocked them. Any comments left by the blocked user on the blocker’s posts will no longer appear.
Profile Invisibility
The blocked person cannot view the blocker’s profile, posts, stories, or highlights. Attempting to access the profile will show a “User not found” message.
Follower Removal
If the blocked user was a follower, they are automatically removed from the blocker’s follower list. Blocking is a tool used to protect privacy, manage interactions, or stop unwanted attention.
Does Blocking Someone on Instagram Remove Them from Your Followers?
Blocking someone on Instagram is often used to remove unwanted followers. When you block a user, they are immediately removed from your followers list. This means their posts and stories will no longer appear in your feed, and vice versa. Additionally, you won’t be able to tag them in posts or stories, nor can they tag you.
However, blocking does not erase past interactions. Likes, comments, and follows exchanged with the blocked user will remain visible. You will also no longer be able to view their profile or send messages.
If you unblock someone later, they won’t automatically be re-added to your followers. You’ll need to follow them again manually.
Let’s delve into some key details to consider when blocking a user on Instagram.
Unblocking Doesn’t Restore Follower Status
If a blocked user tries to visit the blocker’s profile after being blocked and is later unblocked, they will not automatically be re-added as a follower. The blocked user must send a new follow request, and the blocker can choose to approve or deny it.
Public vs. Private Accounts
Follower removal dynamics can differ based on whether the blocker’s account is public or private. For users with a public account, blocking a follower removes them instantly, restricting their access to the blocker’s profile and posts.
When a blocked user tries to visit a public profile, they’ll see a “User not found” message. For private accounts, the process is slightly different. When a private account holder blocks a follower, the follower is removed, and their access to private content is restricted.
If the blocked user attempts to visit the private profile, they will see a “This Account is Private” message, indicating that their follow request has not been approved.
Why blocking someone removes them from your followers?
Blocking someone on Instagram removes them from your followers for several key reasons:
- Content Privacy: Blocking prevents the blocked user from seeing your posts and stories, even if they follow you.
- Protection from Unwanted Interactions: Blocking helps prevent harassment or unwanted contact from individuals, offering a safeguard against online stalking.
- Privacy Control: Blocking allows you to maintain a private account by restricting access to those you don’t want to see your content.
Blocking offers users the ability to manage their followers list, ensuring that only approved individuals can view their posts. Keep in mind that unblocking doesn’t automatically restore follower status, so users must manually reinitiate the follow request if they wish to reconnect.
How to block someone on Instagram?
To block someone on Instagram, follow these simple steps:
- Open the Instagram app.
- Go to the profile of the person you want to block.
- Tap the three dots in the top-right corner of their profile.
- Select Block.
- Confirm by tapping Block again.
That’s it! You’ve successfully blocked someone on Instagram.
What are some alternatives to blocking on Instagram?
While blocking removes someone from your followers list and restricts access to your profile, there are alternative options users can consider:
Restricting Accounts
Instagram’s Restrict feature allows users to manage interactions without fully blocking someone. When restricted, comments from that account are visible only to the commenter, and their direct messages move to the Message Requests folder. This provides more control without severing the connection entirely.
Unfollowing
If the goal is simply to manage followers without cutting all ties, users can choose to unfollow specific accounts. Unfollowing removes them from the followers list but still allows them to follow and interact with the user’s content.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does blocking someone on Instagram remove them from your followers list?
Yes, when you block someone on Instagram, they are automatically removed from your followers list. They will no longer have access to your posts, stories, or profile.
What happens to the blocked user’s comments and likes on my posts?
Blocking someone does not delete past interactions. Likes, comments, and follows exchanged with the blocked user remain visible on your posts. However, they won’t be able to comment or like your posts after being blocked.
Can a blocked user still see my profile if they try to visit it?
No, once you block someone, they won’t be able to view your profile, posts, or stories. Attempting to access your profile will show a “User not found” message for public accounts or “This Account is Private” for private accounts.
If I unblock someone, will they be automatically added back to my followers?
No, unblocking someone does not automatically add them back to your followers list. They will need to send a follow request, which you can choose to approve or deny.
Can the blocked user still send me direct messages?
No, once blocked, the user will no longer be able to send you direct messages. Any past messages will also be hidden.
Can I block someone without unfollowing them?
Yes, blocking someone removes them from your followers list, but it does not require you to unfollow them. They won’t be able to follow you again unless you unblock them.
What happens if I block someone on a public account vs. a private account?
The process is similar, but for public accounts, the blocked user will see a “User not found” message. For private accounts, they’ll see a “This Account is Private” message, indicating that they cannot access the content without your approval.
Conclusion
Blocking someone on Instagram effectively removes them from your followers list and restricts their access to your profile, posts, and stories. It provides users with a clear way to manage privacy and prevent unwanted interactions. However, it’s important to remember that blocking does not erase past interactions or automatically restore follower status if you choose to unblock someone.
For users seeking less extreme measures, Instagram offers alternatives like the Restrict feature and Unfollowing, which provide control over interactions without completely severing connections. Understanding these options helps ensure you can tailor your Instagram experience to best suit your needs.