How to Remove Followers on Instagram

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Control who sees your posts on their Instagram feed
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If you've got a pushy relative or a cat-happy friend pestering you on Instagram, you'll be happy to know that you can quietly pluck them from your followers, making it so that they don’t see your posts on their feed. Or, you can block them, or make your profile private to make sure they can’t see your posts at all. We’ll show you how!

Removing Instagram Followers

  1. Open Instagram.
  2. Tap on your profile page button
    Android IG Profile
    .
  3. Tap on “Followers.”
  4. Tap Remove next to the user’s name.
Method 1
Method 1 of 4:

Removing Followers

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  1. Navigate to the Instagram app on your phone, and tap on its icon to open it. Then, if you aren’t already logged in, sign in to Instagram using your username and password.
  2. The profile button is usually located at the bottom right of your screen, and features your profile photo. Tap this button to navigate to your profile page.
    • On a computer, this is on the navigation bar on the left of your screen.
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  3. The “Followers” button is located near the top of your profile page, next to your profile icon, and features a number that displays how many followers you currently have. [1]
  4. Scroll through your followers list, or search their name in the navigation bar on the screen, until you find the follower you’d like to remove. Then, tap the “Remove” button next to their name to stop them from following you, and tap “Remove” again to confirm. [2]
    • Users aren’t notified when you remove them, but they may notice after a while that they’re no longer following you.
    • Removing a follower still allows them to follow you again. Block other users to prevent them from following you.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 4:

Blocking Followers

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  1. If you're using a computer, navigate to Instagram's website .
    • You'll have to log in with your Instagram account credentials if you aren't already logged in.
  2. To do this, tap or click the person icon; for mobile users, this is in the bottom right corner of the screen. It usually displays your profile photo.
    • On a computer, this is on the navigation bar on the left of your screen.
  3. This is often to the right of your profile image, and displays your number of followers.
  4. Browse your list of followers, or search for a specific follower in the search bar. Then, tap on their username. This will take you to their profile, from which you can block them.
  5. This is in the top right corner of your screen (or to the right of their name on a computer).
    • On Android, this menu is vertical rather than horizontal.
  6. On Instagram's site, this option says "Block this user". After selecting this option, Instagram will prompt you for confirmation.
  7. When prompted, confirm your choice. This will block your selected user; they will no longer be able to view your posts!
    • Your blocked user will still be able to see your comments on other users' photos, and they will still be able to search for your account; however, they won't be able to access your account.
    • View a list of your blocked users at any time by going into your settings menu and selecting the "Blocked Users" tab.
    • Make your account private to avoid having to block other users in the future.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 4:

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  1. Switching your account from its standard status to "Private" means that anyone wishing to follow you will have to request to do so; you are the only person who can approve said request. This gives you greater control over who can access your Instagram.
    • Changing your account to "Private" also restricts user access to your comments and likes, with the sole exception being for public posts (wherein your name will appear next to other "likes", but your account will still be protected).
  2. On mobile, this is on the bottom of your screen. On a computer, this is on the left navigation bar. On either platform, this button may display your profile photo.
  3. Do this by tapping the gear icon (iOS) or the three dots (Android) in the top right corner of your screen.
  4. This button has a lock icon next to it, and contains a series of tabs dedicated to account options; you'll find the "Private Account" option at the bottom of this group.
  5. Tapping or clicking the switch will make it move to the right, indicating that your account has been made private, and you’ll be able to approve or deny new follow requests.
    • If you want to disable this setting, simply swipe the switch back and tap "OK" on the pop-up window.
    • Note that your current followers will not be affected by this switch. If you want to block some or all of them, you'll need to do so manually.
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Method 4
Method 4 of 4:

Mass-Deleting Spam Followers

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  1. Find the Instagram app on your phone, and tap on its icon to open it. Then, sign in to Instagram using your username and password.
  2. The profile button is located at the bottom right of your screen on mobile, and usually shows your profile photo. Tap on this button to see your profile page.
    • On a computer, this is on the navigation bar on the left of your screen.
  3. The “Followers” button is near the top of your profile page, next to your profile icon, and shows a number that tells you how many followers you currently have. [3]
  4. If you have any followers that have been flagged as spam accounts, they’ll display in this special group near the top of your followers list. Tap on this group to view any spam accounts that follow you.
  5. This button mass-deletes all spam accounts who follow you.
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    How do I unfollow someone?
    Community Answer
    On your following list, there is a bunch of people you follow, and the buttons are all green. Look for the person you want to unfollow, and press the button next to their username. After you do this, it will say follow. You have unfollowed them.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
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    Yes No
    Not Helpful 6 Helpful 13
  • Question
    I've gotten many strange followers of late, and it takes a long time to block them all individually--is it possible to block several followers at once?
    Community Answer
    Technically, yes--there are apps and sites you can use to mass-delete followers, but these services often trigger a spam warning due to Instagram's unfollow-per-hour policy. You're better off setting your account to private and then blocking followers manually.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 1 Helpful 9
  • Question
    How can you block someone on Instagram?
    Community Answer
    Go to their profile, look in the top right hand corner with the three dots. Click on it, and press block, then add the reason.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 9 Helpful 16
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.facebook.com/help/instagram/413012278753813/?helpref=search&query=remove%20followers&search_session_id=72ce9220bf94a83642613f1c3452eab9&sr=0
      2. ↑ https://www.facebook.com/help/instagram/413012278753813/?helpref=search&query=remove%20followers&search_session_id=72ce9220bf94a83642613f1c3452eab9&sr=0
      3. ↑ https://www.facebook.com/help/instagram/413012278753813/?helpref=search&query=remove%20followers&search_session_id=72ce9220bf94a83642613f1c3452eab9&sr=0

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To delete followers on Instagram, start by opening your account, accessing your profile page, and clicking on the “Followers” option, which should be to the right of your profile picture. Next, click on a follower that you want to block from viewing or following your account. Once you’re in their account, tap the 3 dot menu, click on “Block User,” and confirm the action. At this point, your blocked follower will no longer be able to see your posts, but keep in mind that they can still view your comments on other users’ photos. For more tips, like how to make your Instagram account private, read on!

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      • Karen Moldt

        Mar 8, 2016

        "Extremely helpful instructions for deleting unwanted followers!"
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