How to Follow Someone on Instagram: A Complete Guide

In today’s digital world, Instagram is a vital platform for connecting with friends, family, influencers, and even your favorite brands. As the platform grows, understanding how to follow someone on Instagram and managing your follow list is crucial to enhancing your experience. This comprehensive guide will help you navigate Instagram’s features, whether you’re using an iPhone, trying to follow someone who blocked you, or even learning how to unfollow someone quickly.

To get started on Instagram, the primary action is following accounts you find interesting. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to follow someone:

1. Search for the Username: Tap the magnifying glass icon (Explore page) on the bottom of your Instagram app, type in the username, and hit search.
2. Click the ‘Follow’ Button: Once you locate their profile, click the blue ‘Follow’ button at the top of their page. You’ll start seeing their posts, stories, and updates in your feed.
3. Enable Notifications: After following, click the ‘Following’ button and select ‘Notifications’ to stay updated on their latest posts, stories, or live sessions.

Some Instagram accounts are set to private, meaning their posts and stories aren’t visible to everyone. Here’s how you can follow someone with a private account:

1. Send a Follow Request: Tap the ‘Follow’ button on their profile. Instead of following immediately, a follow request will be sent.
2. Wait for Approval: The account owner will receive a notification to approve or deny your request. Once approved, you’ll be able to see their content.
3. Engage with Their Content: After they approve your follow request, you can interact with their posts and stories as you would with any public account.

Whether you’re using an iPhone or another device, the process of following someone is essentially the same. However, iPhone users can leverage unique features like QR codes to speed things up:

1. Open the Instagram App: Ensure that you’re using the latest version of the app.
2. Use the Search Function: Tap the search bar, type in the username, and click on the relevant profile.
3. Follow the User: Tap ‘Follow,’ and that’s it! You can now view their posts and stories.
4. For a quicker method, some accounts have QR codes that you can scan using your iPhone camera. This will take you directly to their profile, where you can follow them.

Getting blocked on Instagram can be frustrating, but if you’re wondering how to follow someone on Instagram who blocked you, it’s important to note that it’s not possible unless they unblock you.
Search for Their Profile: If their profile doesn’t appear in your search results, they may have blocked you.
Check with a Friend’s Account: Ask a friend to search for their profile. If it shows up for them but not for you, you’ve likely been blocked.
Respect Their Boundaries: Avoid creating alternative accounts to follow them—it’s essential to respect their decision to block you.

While following someone anonymously on Instagram isn’t directly supported by the platform, there are ways to minimize your visibility:
Create a Separate Account: If you want to remain anonymous, create a separate Instagram account with no identifying details. You can use this account to follow others without revealing your identity.
Browse Without Following: You can still view content from public accounts without following them. Use Instagram’s Explore page to search for their posts or stories.
Turn Off Activity Status: If you don’t want others to know when you’re online, go to your settings, select ‘Privacy,’ and turn off ‘Activity Status.’

If you’re following someone whose content no longer interests you, here’s how to unfollow someone on Instagram:
Visit Their Profile: Use the search function to find their account.
Tap the ‘Following’ Button: On their profile, tap ‘Following,’ and a menu will pop up. Select ‘Unfollow.’
Unfollow Multiple Accounts: To unfollow many people at once, go to your profile, click ‘Following,’ and scroll through your list, unfollowing as you go.

If you need to unfollow someone on Instagram fast or unfollow several accounts quickly:
Go to Your Following List: On your profile page, tap ‘Following.’
Unfollow in Bulk: Scroll down the list, tapping ‘Following’ next to each account you no longer want to follow. This method allows you to remove multiple people from your feed quickly.
Use Third-Party Apps: There are apps available that help manage your followers and allow you to unfollow users in bulk. However, always be cautious when giving third-party apps access to your Instagram account.

Facebook, like Instagram, allows you to follow accounts, but the terminology differs slightly. Here’s how to follow someone on Facebook:
Search for Their Profile: Use the Facebook search bar to find the person or page.
Click ‘Follow’: On their profile or page, tap ‘Follow.’ This will allow you to see their public posts in your feed without sending a friend request (for personal profiles).

Following someone on Snapchat works differently from Instagram. Instead of ‘following,’ you ‘Add Friends.’ Here’s how:
Search for Their Username: Open Snapchat and type the username in the search bar.
Add as a Friend: Tap ‘Add Friend’ next to their name, and you’ll be able to see their snaps and stories.

Now that you know how to follow someone on Instagram, it’s essential to manage your following list effectively. Instagram is a powerful platform for curating content that reflects your interests. By following accounts that inspire, inform, or entertain you, you’ll create a feed that keeps you engaged.
However, as your following list grows, it’s crucial to periodically review the accounts you follow. You can unfollow users who no longer align with your interests or who post content you don’t enjoy.
Pro Tip: Keep your notifications manageable by only turning on alerts for accounts you care about the most. You can do this by selecting ‘Following’ on their profile and customizing the notification settings.
Remember, Instagram should be a space that enhances your social experience, so follow accounts that inspire creativity, bring joy, or provide value to your life.

Understanding how to follow someone on Instagram is fundamental to building a dynamic and engaging network. Whether you’re learning how to navigate private accounts, following someone who blocked you, or unfollowing someone who no longer fits your interests, these step-by-step guides are designed to help you master the platform.
Take charge of your Instagram experience by following accounts that align with your passions and keeping your following list clean and purposeful. With these tips, you’ll enjoy a well-curated Instagram feed that keeps you connected and inspired!