how to make your following private on instagram
How to make your following private on Instagram
Answer:
While Instagram does not provide a direct way to make your following list private, there are several methods you can use to increase the privacy of your account. Here’s a detailed, step-by-step guide to help you:
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Switch to a Private Account
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Explanation: When you set your Instagram account to private, only people you approve can see your posts, stories, and follower/following lists. This is the most straightforward way to enhance your privacy on Instagram.
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Steps:
- Open the Instagram app and go to your profile.
- Tap the three lines (hamburger menu) in the top-right corner to open the menu.
- Select “Settings” at the bottom.
- Tap “Privacy”.
- Under “Account Privacy”, toggle the “Private Account” switch to turn it on.
Result: Only approved followers will be able to see your following list.
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Remove Unwanted Followers
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Explanation: If you notice any unwanted followers who can see your activity, you can remove them.
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Steps:
- Go to your profile and tap “Followers”.
- Find the follower you want to remove, then tap the “Remove” button next to their name.
Result: They will no longer be able to see your activity, including your following list.
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Block Specific Users
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Explanation: Blocking a user will prevent them from seeing your posts, followers, and following lists.
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Steps:
- Go to the profile of the user you want to block.
- Tap the three dots (more options) in the top-right corner.
- Select “Block”.
- Confirm by tapping “Block” again.
Result: The blocked user will not be able to see your following list or any of your posts.
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Use Close Friends for Stories
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Explanation: If you want to share stories only with certain people, you can use the Close Friends feature.
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Steps:
- Go to your profile and tap the three lines (hamburger menu) in the top-right corner.
- Select “Close Friends”.
- Add people to your Close Friends list.
Result: Only the people you add can see your stories, providing an additional layer of privacy.
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Review Your Activity and Settings Regularly
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Explanation: Regularly checking your privacy settings and reviewing your followers can help maintain your privacy.
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Steps:
- Go to “Settings” > “Privacy”.
- Review and adjust settings under “Connections”, “Interactions”, and “Account Privacy” as needed.
Result: Continued vigilance helps you maintain a higher level of privacy on the platform.
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Final Answer:
To enhance the privacy of your following list on Instagram, set your account to private, remove unwanted followers, block specific users, use the Close Friends list for stories, and regularly review your privacy settings. While there’s no specific feature to make the following list private alone, these methods will help you maintain a higher level of overall privacy on Instagram.