How to Hide Followers on Instagram 2025: Simple Steps

We are living in a world where everyone can easily have access to what is happening in our lives. The information that we upload on social media allows our friends or other people around the world to have a look at our life. But it is very important to maintain your privacy because sometimes it can cause problems. Billions of Instagram users are scrolling their feeds daily.

 It is only natural to want to keep certain aspects of your profile under wraps. Instagram allows us to showcase our memories but this hyper-connectivity can be uncontrollable and devastating as well. About 70% of people have taken steps to protect their privacy in 2024. One major concern for many is figuring out how to hide the followers on Instagram.

If you have got beautiful aesthetics on your Instagram profile and want to avoid any unwanted attention.  Apart from privacy, there are several other reasons to keep your following count private. It can foster unhealthy competition among others which creates unwelcome social pressure.

There are some simple steps and methods you can use to take control of your privacy on this platform. The wide range of privacy settings on Instagram allows you to manage who can see what is on your profile. It is not just about How to hide the followers on Instagram but it is about creating some space. By familiarizing yourself with tools, you can shape your online presence that feels right to you.

Making Your Account Private

The easiest method for how to hide the followers on Instagram is to switch your account from public to private. With this method, you can hide your Instagram followers from strangers. When you switch your account to private then only the people you approve can access your feeds. To make your account private:

1. Open the Instagram app and navigate to your profile.
2. Tap on the three horizontal lines in the upper right corner to access the menu.
3. Select “Settings,” then go to “Privacy.”

Toggle the “Private Account” option on.

Once you switch your account from public to private then any new user would not be able to access your account or follower list. You can approve their request and this gives you much control over who can see your personal information.

Removing Specific Followers

1. Setting your account to private is not enough. Sometimes the people you do not want to see as your followers are already in your following list. In that case, you need to filter your following list. You can choose to remove specific users. This method helps you to hide your feeds from unwanted people without affecting your entire profile. Then your profile will be inaccessible to them.
2. Go to your followers list on your profile.
3. Find the users you want to remove and tap three dots on their profile.
4. Select “remove” and confirm it with Yes.

A very simple method to filter your following list. You will prevent that from seeing your followers list. It is a quick and easy way to filter your follower list without affecting your entire profile.

Blocking Users for Extra Privacy

If there are some specific people you wish to hide your account, then you should avail the “Block” option. When you block an account they would not be able to access your profile including your feeds and followers. They would not be able to find you or send you a direct message.

How to Block a User on Instagram

Search the profile of the person you want to block on the search bar.

 -Tap the three dots in the upper right corner.

-Select “Block” from the options

-Confirm the action by tapping “Yes”

Blocking is another safe option for extra measure. But it saves you from unwanted people and follower lists. But if you change your mind then you can unblock them. For that you need to search their profile on the search bar and click on three dots. You can unblock them by confirming your action.

Hide Followers Without Making Your Instagram Account Private

To maintain some level of privacy on Instagram even if you do not want to switch your account private. Many people want to share their profile publicly while still keeping certain aspects like their followers under wraps. There are some ways on How to hide your followers on Instagram.

How to Hide the Followers on Instagram Without a Private Account

Remove Specific Followers: If there are specific individuals you want to hide your followers from. Removing them is the most direct approach. Simply tap on your followers list and find the user and confirm your action by tapping Remove. They would not be notified and you will regain control over who access your profile.

Block Users: If there are users who frequently make you feel awkward or you want to keep them away from your content then blocking them is a suitable option. Blocking prevents them from viewing your profile and any of your followers.

Use a Restricted Account: If you are concerned about how specific users interact with your posts. You can restrict them. This will hide their comments from everyone except themselves and limit their ability to interact with you. You can do this even while keeping your profile public.

Adjust Your Content: Consider how you share your posts. You can create a close friends list for stories. It allows only filtered followers to scroll your feeds. This method does not hide your followers directly but it helps to control who can access your more personal information.

Why You Might Want to Hide Your Instagram Followers

There are many reasons you might want to hide your followers on Instagram. One of the main reasons is privacy concerns. You might not feel comfortable and it could be dangerous to share your information with certain people. It can reduce your social pressure as well.

Your follower count should be visible and can save you from comparisons and unwanted judgments. You can focus more on your content rather than working on opinions. And if you are sharing more sensitive content then it is important to hide the identity of those people who are following you.

Understanding Instagram Privacy Settings

Instagram features a range of privacy settings that can manage who can access your personal information. Making your account private is the most straightforward method to restrict visibility. It is not the only option.

Activity Status: You can choose to hide your activity status which helps to prevent others from checking on when you were last active. This does not hide your followers directly. It adds to a more private experience.

Restricting Accounts: If you want to limit interactions without blocking someone. You can use the restrict feature. This allows you to limit what specific users can interact with on your profile.

Removing Followers: You can always remove specific followers to ensure they cannot see your follower list. You can maintain a public profile while managing who can see to your personal information.

Why Should Privacy on Instagram Concern Users

As users on Instagram and other social media platforms share personal moments, thoughts, and experiences, they unintentionally expose themselves to various risks. With increasing concerns over data breaches and the misuse of personal information, understanding privacy measures is essential. Here is why should be concerned over privacy.

Meta Privacy Track Record

Meta’s privacy track record has been a hot topic for years. Multiple incidents over the years have raised serious concerns about how the company handles user data. One of the most significant incidents that comes to mind is the Cambridge Analytica scandal.

In 2018, a shocking revelation came to the public that personal data of millions of Facebook users had been harvested without consent and used for political purposes. Although this scandal involved only Facebook, it brought attention to Meta’s overall handling of user data.

The incident highlighted the potential risks of oversharing personal information and how such data could be exploited beyond user control. Given this history, Instagram users must be vigilant about what they share on the platform.

You may know how to hide your following list on Instagram or make your account private, but privacy risks can still arise from how your data is processed behind the scenes.

Previous Terms of Service Controversy

Meta has faced backlash multiple times for controversial changes in its terms of service. Users often feel these changes prioritize the company’s business interests over user privacy. For example, updates to Instagram’s terms have raised concerns over the platform’s right to use your personal data for targeted advertisement.

While these terms affect Instagram users’ ability to control their privacy, it also makes many users think about whether your data is always accessible at some level.

Shortly after Facebook acquired Instagram in 2012, the platform faced backlash due to changes in its terms of service. They released an update according to which Instagram was allowed to use users’ photos without any compensation or reward or permission. This decision has made Instagram face an uproar and forced them to take this decision back.

Even though Instagram provides some privacy settings, such as showing you how to hide followers on Instagram, you should be aware of what you are agreeing to when you use the platform. Reading the fine print can be tedious but it is worth knowing exactly what happens with your data.

Teen Data Mishandling Fine

Meta was recently fined £405 in 2022 over mishandling teen data on Instagram. It certainly highlights a significant privacy issue for you and your teenage children because young users are often unaware of the platform’s privacy risks.

The case involved teens who were allowed to set up business accounts that exposed their contact information publicly. This kind of situation underscores the need for users to take extra steps in protecting their privacy especially when learning how to hide followers from Instagram.

Uncontrolled Instagram Scams

Another reason why you should be aware of your privacy on Instagram is the rise of Instagram scams. The scams often involved fake accounts, phishing attempts, or malicious links sent via direct messages. Scammers can gain access to your personal information, including who you follow and who follows you. It can make you an easy target for more elaborate schemes.

Even if you know how to hide the followers on Instagram, it will not stop scammers from trying to find other ways to access your data. That is why it is crucial to stay vigilant and report any suspicious activity.

Cybersecurity Best Practices

Besides hiding your followers or your following list there are many other steps you can take to strengthen your account’s security. Make sure you keep a check on the following measures.

–          Always enable two-factor authentication

–          Regularly update passwords

–          Avoid using third-party apps

Third-party apps that require access to your Instagram account. These apps can sometimes be a gateway for hackers. By taking control of your accounts’ security you not only protect your personal information but also limit who can see details like your followers.

These steps go hand in hand with learning how to hide the followers on Instagram and ensure your overall safety on the platform.

Using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) for Extra Protection

If you want to take your privacy protection a step further, you can consider using a virtual private network (VPN) when accessing your Instagram account. It hides your IP address and encrypts your internet connection which makes it even harder for third parties to track your activity. This is strongly recommended if you are concerned about hackers or browsing on public Wi-Fi.

Quick Recap

Maintaining privacy on Instagram is crucial in today’s hyper-connected world where personal information can easily be accessed and misused. While there are no direct buttons with which you can hide selected followers from your account. But there are some ways you can limit access to people’s accounts.

 Switch your account to private

–          Remove specific followers

–          Block users

–          Create a close friends list

Beyond these steps, it is still important to stay aware of broader privacy issues. Meta’s track record with incidents such as Cambridge Analytica scandals and fines over teen data mishandling highlights the need for users to be cautious about privacy issues.

Cybersecurity practices including enabling two-factor authentication and using a VPN can protect your online presence and privacy. 

Ultimately taking control of your Instagram privacy setting allows you to keep a check on who can access your information and makes it sure you enjoy the platform safely. Whether you are learning how do you hide Instagram followers or exploring more advanced privacy tools, being vigilant is important.

Frequently Asked Questions