To unfollow someone on Instagram, open their profile, tap Following, then tap Unfollow to confirm. The button changes back to Follow, and Instagram doesn't notify them. If you only want their posts out of your feed, mute them instead, which keeps you connected without them knowing.
It takes two taps, and the other person gets no notification. What catches people out is everything around it: whether they'll notice anyway, what happens with private accounts, and when muting or removing a follower is the better move. That's what this guide is really about.
Two taps from their profile
- Tap Search and find the person, or tap their username on any post or story.
- On their profile, tap Following.
- Tap Unfollow to confirm.
On a computer it's the same idea: open the profile, click Following at the top, then click Unfollow. Instagram says the button will then read Follow again, which is your confirmation it's worked.
Working through your own list instead
If you're tidying up rather than unfollowing one person, it's quicker to work from your own list. Go to your profile and tap Following to see everyone you follow. Each account has a Following button you can tap to unfollow without opening their profile, and an Options menu (three dots) next to it.
That Options menu hides a useful tool: See shared activity. Instagram says it shows how long you've followed an account, plus the likes, comments and tags you've swapped. If you can't remember why you followed someone and you've never interacted, that's a pretty clear answer. It only works in the mobile app and on iPad, not on a computer.
Do they get a notification?
Instagram won't tell them. Its help page says plainly that people won't be notified when you unfollow them. But they can still work it out:
- Your name disappears from their followers list if they go looking.
- Their follower count drops by one, which people with small accounts tend to notice.
- If their account is private, you lose access to their posts and stories straight away.
That private account point is the one to think about before you tap. Instagram's rules are that only approved people can follow a private account and only followers see its photos and videos. So if you unfollow a private account by mistake, you can't just tap Follow again and carry on. You'll send a fresh request, and they'll have to approve you, which is rather more noticeable than the unfollow itself.
Muting, removing and blocking compared
| What you want | Use this | Do they find out? |
|---|---|---|
| Stop seeing their posts and stop following them | Unfollow | No notification, but you vanish from their followers list |
| Stop seeing their posts but stay connected | Mute posts and/or stories | No, Instagram won't let them know |
| Stop them following you (private account) | Remove follower | No notification |
| Stop all contact | Block | No notification |
Muting is the polite option for family, colleagues and clients. Go to their profile, tap Following, tap Mute, then switch on Posts, Stories or both. You stay in their followers list and nobody's feelings get hurt. One catch Instagram mentions: muting doesn't cover notes, so you'll still see their notes unless you mute those separately. My guide on muting and unmuting notes on Instagram covers that bit.
Unfollowing someone doesn't stop them following you. If you want both, and your account is private, go to your profile, tap Followers, then Remove next to their name. On a public account, blocking is the only built-in way to make someone stop following you.
If nothing happens when you tap
Occasionally the button seems to do nothing, or the person reappears in your list later. A few things worth checking:
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- Close and reopen the app, then check their profile says Follow.
- Update Instagram to the latest version.
- Slow down. Instagram does place temporary limits on accounts that repeat some actions too often (its help pages mention this for switching between public and private), so if you've been unfollowing at speed, take a break and try again later.
- Check you're logged into the right account, especially if you manage more than one.
And if you were trying to unfollow so you can follow someone new, check your total. Instagram caps following at 7,500 accounts and shows an error once you reach it, so unfollowing a few is the only way to make room.
Tidying the list as a business
For a business, the people you follow shape what you see, what Instagram suggests to you, and how your account looks to visitors who check your list. A Following list full of old giveaway accounts and spam doesn't do you any favours. A focused list of customers, partners and people in your field does. If you're building that list back up, my advice on getting followers without posting every day applies just as much to who you follow.
My verdict
Unfollowing is quick and silent, so don't overthink it. My rule: unfollow strangers and accounts you've outgrown, mute anyone you'd feel awkward about losing touch with, and be careful with private accounts, because getting back in means asking. A once-a-year tidy of your Following list makes your feed far more enjoyable, and Instagram's suggestions tend to get better once the dead weight's gone.
Frequently asked questions
How do I unfollow someone on Instagram?
Open their profile, tap Following, then tap Unfollow to confirm. The button changes back to Follow.
Does Instagram notify someone when you unfollow them?
No. Instagram's help says people won't be notified when you unfollow them, although they might notice you're missing from their followers list.
How do I unfollow people on Instagram without opening each profile?
Go to your profile, tap Following, and tap the Following button next to each account you want to drop. You can do it straight from the list.
What's the difference between muting and unfollowing?
Muting hides someone's posts or stories from your feed while you keep following them, and Instagram won't tell them. Unfollowing removes them from your Following list.
If I unfollow a private account, can I follow them again?
You can send a new follow request, but only people the account approves can follow it, so you'll have to wait for them to accept.
