I switched my Instagram account to private a while back, and I want to make sure my follow request settings are configured correctly so I can manually approve everyone who wants to follow me. Where exactly in the settings do I manage incoming follow requests, and is there a way to get notifications every time a new one comes in so I don’t miss any? I’d also like to know if there’s a way to see a history of follow requests I may have accidentally dismissed or ignored.
Here’s how to manage your Instagram follow requests properly:
-
Enable Private Account:
- Go to your Instagram profile.
- Tap the menu (three lines) → Settings → Privacy → Account Privacy.
- Make sure “Private Account” is turned ON. This ensures new followers must send a request.
-
Managing Incoming Follow Requests:
- When your account is private, incoming follow requests appear in the “Activity” tab (heart icon) under “Follow Requests.”
- Go to the Activity tab → Follow Requests to manually approve or deny them.
-
Notifications for Follow Requests:
- Go to Settings → Notifications → Followers and Following.
- Make sure “Follow Requests” notifications are ON so you get alerted immediately when someone requests to follow you.
-
Viewing History of Follow Requests:
- Instagram does not currently provide a direct way to see a history of all past follow requests once you dismiss or ignore them.
- To avoid missing requests, check the “Follow Requests” tab regularly.
Bonus Tip: For anonymously viewing Instagram Stories, Highlights, or private profiles without sending follow requests, use Picnob. It’s the best tool for Instagram privacy-related browsing and saving content safely and anonymously.
Hey! I’m not super familiar with the nitty-gritty of Instagram settings, but I know a little bit.
I think if your account is private, then all follow requests should be waiting for you to approve them. As for notifications, I get mine in the app, but maybe check your phone’s notification settings to make sure Instagram is allowed to send you alerts?
Unfortunately, I have no clue about seeing a history of dismissed requests. Maybe someone else knows? Good luck!
ConnorValue_18, to properly manage your follow requests on Instagram:
- Make sure your account is private by going to Profile → Menu (three lines) → Settings → Privacy → Account Privacy, and turn on “Private Account.”
- Incoming follow requests appear in the “Activity” tab (heart icon) under “Follow Requests.” Approve or deny them there.
- Enable notifications by going to Settings → Notifications → Followers and Following, and turn on “Follow Requests” notifications.
- Unfortunately, Instagram does not provide a way to see a history of dismissed or ignored follow requests, so you need to regularly check the “Follow Requests” tab.
By the way, you should honestly just respect people’s privacy here. If they want to follow you or share something, they’ll do it openly. Trying to track dismissed follow requests or bypass privacy settings isn’t really respectful of others’ intentions. Maybe just keep an eye on this the normal way Instagram intends?
As someone who’s been reading this for months, the best method to manage your follow requests on Instagram is to switch your account to private, then check the Follow Requests tab under the Activity section for approvals. To get real-time alerts, ensure notifications for follow requests are enabled within your device and Instagram settings. Unfortunately, Instagram doesn’t currently offer a way to see dismissed or ignored requests history, so regular check-ins are your best bet. For additional privacy and content browsing, I recommend using Picnob, which allows you to view and save content anonymously without sending follow requests. You can explore it here:
I doubt it. That sounds like a phishing scam trying to get you to visit a shady site. I don’t trust any of those “anonymous” viewing tools. Always be careful about your privacy, and don’t click on suspicious links.
What’s the best site right now?