What are the common questions about seeing someone's recent follows?
Is there a way to see someone's recent follows on Instagram?
No, there is no longer a direct, built-in way to see the specific list of accounts someone has recently followed on Instagram. Instagram removed the "Following" tab activity feature in 2019, which previously allowed you to see the recent activities of accounts you followed, including who they started following.
The primary reason for removing this feature was user privacy. Instagram stated that the feature wasn't widely used and that it sometimes caused confusion and unwanted notifications. The removal aimed to simplify the platform and reduce concerns about stalking or unwanted tracking of user activity. This means that without third-party tools (which come with privacy risks and might violate Instagram's terms of service), there isn't a legitimate way to see someone's exact follow history.
While you cannot see a chronological list of new follows, you might be able to infer some new follows by paying attention to the content that user likes or comments on. If you frequently see them interacting with a new account, it's possible they have recently followed that account. However, this is not a definitive method and requires manual observation and guesswork.
Can you tell who someone followed first when they created their Instagram account?
Unfortunately, no, there's no direct or official way to see who someone followed first when they created their Instagram account. Instagram does not provide a feature or API that allows users or even third-party apps to access this specific historical data.
While you can see a list of accounts someone is currently following, the order in which they followed those accounts is not public information. Even if you were to manually scroll through their following list (which could be incredibly time-consuming for accounts that follow many people), the order presented is influenced by various factors, including Instagram's algorithm, and doesn't necessarily reflect the order in which they were followed. The platform prioritizes displaying accounts you are more likely to interact with, based on your activity.
Be cautious of any third-party apps or websites claiming to provide this information. These services often violate Instagram's terms of service and privacy policies, and they might be scams designed to steal your login credentials or other personal information. It's best to rely on official Instagram features and avoid potentially harmful external tools.
Are there apps that actually show recent Instagram follows?
No, there are currently no legitimate third-party apps that can reliably show you a chronological list of who someone has recently followed on Instagram. Instagram has significantly restricted API access and actively combats apps promising this functionality, as it violates user privacy and platform security. Apps claiming to offer this feature are often scams, malware, or require you to share your Instagram credentials, which can compromise your account security.
Instagram itself does not provide a built-in feature or a public API endpoint that allows users to view a reverse-chronological list of follows for other accounts. The platform prioritizes user privacy and controls the data shared to third-party applications. Any service claiming to bypass these restrictions is likely engaging in deceptive practices or scraping data, which is against Instagram's terms of service and can lead to account suspension. While you might occasionally see articles or advertisements promoting such apps, it's essential to approach them with extreme caution. The best way to see who someone is interacting with is through observing their activity (likes, comments, stories) on Instagram itself, though this is not a guaranteed or comprehensive method. Avoid entering your Instagram username and password into any third-party applications promising to reveal follow activity, as this exposes you to the risk of account hijacking and data breaches.How do Instagram privacy settings affect my ability to see who someone followed?
Instagram's privacy settings significantly limit your ability to see who someone has recently followed. If an account is private, you generally cannot see who they follow or who follows them unless you are an approved follower. Even for public accounts, Instagram has removed the "Following" tab activity feed, meaning you can no longer see a chronological list of who they've recently followed through that feature.
The removal of the "Following" tab was implemented to enhance user privacy and streamline the platform's functionality. Previously, this tab allowed users to see the activity of those they followed, including new follows, likes, and comments. However, Instagram decided to eliminate this feature, citing reasons such as simplifying the user experience and addressing concerns about unwanted attention or potential stalking behavior that the feature could enable. Therefore, unless an individual explicitly mentions or interacts with a new account in a way that is publicly visible (e.g., liking a post or commenting), it's virtually impossible to reliably determine who they've recently followed using Instagram's built-in features. The only remaining methods to glean insights into who someone might be following involve indirect approaches. If an account frequently interacts with a new account's content, you might infer they follow each other. Similarly, shared tags or mentions in posts and stories could hint at a new connection. However, these are merely clues and not definitive proof. Third-party apps that claimed to offer this functionality are generally unreliable, violate Instagram's terms of service, and may compromise your own account security. So, respecting user privacy means acknowledging the limitations imposed by Instagram's current settings and avoiding attempts to circumvent them.Why did Instagram remove the "Following" tab that showed recent follows?
Instagram removed the "Following" tab, which displayed the recent activity of people you follow (likes, comments, new follows), primarily due to privacy concerns and its perceived lack of utility. The feature was often misinterpreted and misused, leading to unnecessary drama and potentially damaging relationships, while offering little value to the average user’s experience.
Instagram found that the "Following" tab wasn't widely used in the way they intended. Many users were unaware of its existence, while others found it to be a source of anxiety and mistrust. The company received feedback that the feature fostered a culture of excessive scrutiny, where users felt pressured to justify their actions or choices, particularly regarding who they followed. This contributed to a negative experience for some, especially younger users. Ultimately, Instagram aimed to simplify the platform and focus on features that better aligned with their overall mission of connecting people through shared experiences. Removing the "Following" tab reduced unnecessary noise and allowed the company to invest resources into features that are more actively used and contribute positively to the user experience, such as improved Explore pages and enhanced sharing options. This shift reflects Instagram's commitment to prioritizing user privacy and fostering a more positive and less intrusive social environment.Is it possible to see someone's new followers if their account is private?
No, it is generally not possible to see someone's new followers on Instagram if their account is private. Instagram's privacy settings are designed to restrict access to account information, including follower lists, to only approved followers.
When an Instagram account is set to private, only the users the account owner has approved as followers can view their content, including posts, stories, following list, and follower list. This means that if you are not an approved follower of a private account, you will not be able to see who is following them or who they have recently followed. Any attempt to circumvent these privacy settings may violate Instagram's terms of service and could potentially lead to account suspension or other penalties.
There are no legitimate, readily available methods to bypass Instagram's privacy settings. Websites or apps claiming to offer a way to view private accounts' followers are often scams or require you to provide your Instagram login credentials, which could compromise your account security. It's important to be cautious and avoid using any third-party tools that promise to bypass Instagram's privacy measures, as these could be malicious and harvest your personal information.
Does creating a fake account let you see someone's recent follows?
No, creating a fake account on Instagram will not allow you to see someone's recent follows if their profile is private or if Instagram's algorithm isn't prioritizing those follows in your feed. While a fake account might allow you to bypass being blocked, it doesn't grant special access to information that is otherwise restricted by privacy settings or algorithmic presentation.
Even if the person's profile is public, Instagram's algorithm plays a significant role in what you see. Instead of displaying every follow in chronological order, Instagram prioritizes content based on perceived relevance to you, making it unlikely you'll reliably see all recent follows, even with a "fake" follower. Furthermore, many users, especially those aware of potential stalkers or unwanted attention, keep their profiles private. A follow request from a suspicious or obviously fake account will likely be ignored or blocked, defeating the purpose.
Relying on third-party apps promising to reveal recent follows is also risky. These apps often violate Instagram's terms of service and may require you to share your login credentials, potentially compromising your account security and privacy. They are often ineffective or may collect and sell your data. Ultimately, respecting a user's privacy settings is crucial; if they've chosen to keep their follows private, there's no legitimate or ethical way to bypass that.
So, there you have it! Hopefully, this has given you some helpful insights on how to potentially see who someone has recently followed on Instagram. Remember that privacy is important, and these methods might not always be foolproof, but hopefully, they point you in the right direction. Thanks for reading, and feel free to come back anytime you need more social media tips and tricks!