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How To Tell If Someone Is Private On Instagram If You Already Follow Them?

This article explains how to check if an Instagram profile/account is private on Instagram and also public after you’ve followed it or if you’re already following it.

In the world of social media, deciding who gets to see your posts is a big deal. You can make your account private on Instagram, meaning only people you approve can see your stuff. But, oops, sometimes we follow an account without realizing if it’s private or not.

So, let’s talk about figuring out if an Instagram profile/account is private or public after you’ve hit that follow button. It’s all about making sure your online stuff goes to the right audience!

Differences Between Instagram Public Accounts And Instagram Private Accounts

Here is a detailed explanation of the difference between Instagram public accounts and Instagram private accounts:

Instagram Public Accounts

Instagram public accounts is the default setting for all new accounts. This means that anyone on Instagram can see your posts, stories, and profile information. They can also like and comment on your posts, and share them with others.

This can be a great way to reach a large audience and connect with new people.

However, Instagram public accounts also means that your content is visible to everyone, including people you don’t know. This can be a privacy concern, and it can also make you more susceptible to spam and abuse.

Instagram Private Accounts

Instagram private accounts have controlled setting. When you make your account private, only people who follow you can see your posts, stories, and profile information. They can also still like and comment on your posts, but they cannot share them with others.

This can give you more control over who sees your content, and it can help to protect your privacy. However, it also means that you may have a smaller audience, and you may miss out on potential followers and engagement.

Choosing The Right Instagram Account Type For You

The best type of Instagram account for you depends on your individual needs and goals. If you want to share your life with the world and connect with as many people as possible, then a public account is the way to go.

However, if you are concerned about privacy or if you want to create a more intimate and personal experience for your followers, then Instagram private accounts should be a better option.

How Can You Tell If An Instagram Profile Was Private Or Public After Following It?

When you’re not following someone on Instagram, it’s easy to figure out if their account is public or private. If it’s private, you won’t see any posts when you visit their profile.

However, for Instagram public accounts, you can freely view posts, stories, highlights, comments, and likes even without following them.

After you start following an Instagram account, figuring out if it’s public or private becomes tricky. Instagram doesn’t provide a direct way to know, but there’s a faster method to check if its a private or public Instagram account.

To Determine If An Instagram Profile Is Private Or Public After Following It, Follow These Steps:

Step 1: Select A Post

Choose any post from the account you’re interested in.

Step 2: Access Options

Click on the three dots located on the top right corner of the post, then select “Link” to copy the post link or select “Share” and choose “Copy URL”.

Step 3: Open An Incognito Window

Launch a browser with an incognito window feature, such as Chrome. On an Android phone, open Chrome, click the three dots in the top right, and select “New Incognito Tab.”

Step 4: Paste The Link

Long tap on the address bar of the incognito window and paste the copied link.

Step 5: Check Visibility

After opening the link, if the posts are not visible, it indicates that the account is not public. If the message “This account is Private” is displayed, then the account is private.

Additionally, You Can Follow An Alternative Method:

Step 1: Visit Instagram Web Version In Any Browser

Open the Instagram web version and go to the user’s profile by entering their username after “instagram.com/”.

Step 2: Check Post Visibility

If you can view the posts on the user’s profile, the account is public. If you cannot see the posts, the account is private.

In Conclusion

Figuring out social media privacy settings can sometimes be challenging.

However, understanding the methods for identifying the privacy status of an Instagram account, even after following it, empowers you to make informed decisions about your online interactions.

By employing the techniques outlined in this article, you can effectively determine whether an Instagram profile was private or public, enabling you to manage your online presence with greater confidence and control.

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Posted by
Precious Ekhorose

Precious Ekhorose is a proficient social media blogger, editor and technology content writer. He has a keen interest in resolving technology-related issues for individuals. His main focus is on social media news related to popular platforms like Twitter, Facebook, WhatsApp, TikTok, Telegram, Snapchat, LinkedIn, and operating systems such as Android, Windows, and iOS. He has studied technology and social media for three years, honing his skills in crafting professional guides and how-to articles for his blog.

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