In the realm of social media, Instagram reigns supreme with its billions of active users. The platform offers an array of tools for users to connect, share their lives, and engage with others. However, one aspect that has eluded many is the ability to track who follows who on Instagram. Unlike other platforms, Instagram does not provide a direct notification or way to view the follow list of another user. This has led to a desire among users to find out when someone followed someone else on the platform.
There are several ways to uncover when someone followed someone else on Instagram. One method involves using third-party apps that claim to offer this functionality. However, it’s important to note that such apps often require access to your Instagram account and may raise concerns regarding privacy and security. Another approach is to manually check the followers of the person you’re interested in. By comparing their follower list over time, you can identify new additions, which may indicate a new follow.
While these methods can provide some insight, they have their limitations. Third-party apps may be unreliable or pose risks, and manual checking can be time-consuming and impractical, especially if the person has a large number of followers. Therefore, if you’re particularly invested in knowing when someone followed someone else on Instagram, it’s best to communicate directly with the individuals involved. This open and direct approach will provide the most accurate and reliable information, eliminating any need for speculation or reliance on potentially dubious third-party apps.
Check the Activity Log
Instagram’s Activity Log provides a comprehensive record of user interactions, including recent follows. To access the Activity Log:
- Navigate to Your Profile: Tap on your profile icon in the bottom right corner.
- Access the Menu: Tap on the three horizontal lines in the top right corner.
- Select "Settings": Scroll down and select "Settings" from the menu.
- Find "Activity Log": Under the "Account" section, tap on "Activity Log."
Once in the Activity Log, you will see a list of recent interactions, including:
- Followed Accounts: A list of accounts you have recently followed.
- Liked Posts: A list of posts you have recently liked.
- Commented on Posts: A list of posts you have recently commented on.
| Activity Type | Information Provided |
|---|---|
| Followed Accounts | Displays the usernames and profile pictures of accounts you have followed. |
| Liked Posts | Shows the posts you have liked, including the post thumbnail and the username of the account that posted it. |
| Commented on Posts | Lists the posts you have commented on, along with the comment text, post thumbnail, and username of the account that posted it. |
The Activity Log is continuously updated with your most recent interactions. Keep in mind that the log only shows interactions performed after you enabled the "Activity Status" feature in your Instagram settings.
Monitor Account Changes
You can use a third-party app to monitor changes to an Instagram account, including when someone follows or unfollows them. These apps typically work by tracking the number of followers an account has and sending you notifications when that number changes. Some popular apps for monitoring Instagram account changes include:
– FollowMeter
– Followers Analyzer
– Social Blade
Here are the steps on how to use a third-party app to monitor account changes:
| Step | Instructions |
|---|---|
| 1 | Install the app on your device. |
| 2 | Create an account or log in to the app. |
| 3 | Connect the app to your Instagram account. |
| 4 | Select the account you want to monitor. |
| 5 | Set up notifications for when the account’s follower count changes. |
Examine the Following List
This is the most straightforward way to find out when someone followed someone on Instagram. Simply go to the person’s profile, then click on the “Following” tab. This will show you a list of all the people that they are following. You can then scroll through the list to see if the person you are interested in is included. If they are, then you can be sure that they followed that person on Instagram on or before the date that you checked.
Check the Person’s Activity Feed
Another way to find out when someone followed someone on Instagram is to check their activity feed. This feed shows you a list of all the recent activity that the person has taken on Instagram, including when they followed new people. To view the activity feed, simply go to the person’s profile, then click on the “Activity” tab.
Use a Third-Party App
There are a number of third-party apps that can help you track when someone follows someone on Instagram. These apps typically work by scanning the person’s profile for changes, and then notifying you when they follow new people. There are many different third-party apps available, so you may need to try a few to find one that you like.
Check the Person’s Following List Regularly
Finally, you can also check the person’s following list regularly to see if they have followed new people. This is not as convenient as using one of the other methods, but it is still a reliable way to find out when someone follows someone on Instagram. To do this, simply go to the person’s profile, then click on the “Following” tab. Then, compare the list of people that they are following to the previous list that you compiled. If there are any new people on the list, then you can be sure that they followed those people on Instagram after the date that you compiled the previous list.
Analyze Profile Updates
By keeping a close eye on the following activities in someone’s profile, you can detect when they follow someone new:
1. Following Count:
Visit the person’s profile and check their following count. If the number increases, it indicates they have followed someone new.
2. Following List:
Click on the “Following” list to see a chronological order of the accounts they follow. If you notice a new name that you didn’t see before, it suggests a recent follow.
3. Recent Activity:
If the person’s account is public, you can view their recent activity by clicking on the three dots in the top right corner of their profile and selecting “Activity Status.” Check for any recent follows or likes indicating a potential new follow.
4. Notifications:
If you have notifications turned on for the person’s account, you will receive a notification when they follow someone new. However, keep in mind that Instagram notifications are not always reliable.
5. Third-Party Apps:
There are various third-party apps that claim to track Instagram activity, including following updates. These apps often require access to your Instagram account, so use them with caution. Examples of such apps include:
| App Name | Features |
|---|---|
| Snoopreport | Tracks following changes and other Instagram activities |
| FollowMeter | Shows unfollowers, new followers, and detailed following data |
| Who Unfollowed Me | Monitors followers and provides notifications for unfollows and new follows |
Explore the User’s Profile
This is the simplest and most direct method. Visit the user’s Instagram profile and check their following list. Scroll down to the “Following” section and search for the name of the person you’re interested in. If you see their name appear, it means the user is following that person.
However, this method has its limitations. If the user has a private account, you won’t be able to see their following list unless you’re a follower yourself. Additionally, if the user has followed a large number of people, it can be difficult to quickly locate the specific person you’re looking for.
To overcome these limitations, there are a few additional steps you can take:
- Use the search function: Enter the name of the person you’re interested in into the search bar located at the top of the Instagram app. If the user has a public account, their name will appear in the search results. Click on their profile to see if the user is following the person you’re interested in.
- Use a third-party app: There are several third-party apps available that allow you to track a user’s following list. These apps typically require you to grant them access to your Instagram account. Once you do, you can use the app to see a list of all the people the user is following, regardless of whether or not you follow them.
- Check the user’s recent activity: If you’re lucky, the user may have recently liked or commented on a post made by the person you’re interested in. If you see such activity in the user’s recent activity feed, it’s a good indication that they’re following that person.
Utilize Instagram Graph API
Instagram Graph API offers a powerful way to retrieve information about users and their activities on the platform. To access this API, you’ll need to obtain an access token from Instagram. Once you have an access token, you can use it to make authorized API requests.
The Instagram Graph API provides several endpoints that you can use to access data about followers. The most relevant endpoint for your purpose is the user/followed_by endpoint.
This endpoint returns a list of users who are following a specified user. To use this endpoint, you can send a GET request to the following URL:
https://graph.instagram.com/me/followed_by?access_token={access_token}
Obtain Access Token From Instagram
To obtain an access token from Instagram, you can use the following steps:
1. Create an Instagram app on the Facebook Developers website.
2. Configure your app with the necessary permissions, including the user_relationships permission.
3. Use the Instagram Graph API Explorer to generate an access token for your app.
Parse the Response
The response from the user/followed_by endpoint is a JSON object that contains an array of users who are following the specified user.
Each user object in the array contains the following information:
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
id |
The unique ID of the user. |
username |
The username of the user. |
full_name |
The full name of the user. |
profile_picture_url |
The URL of the user’s profile picture. |
You can use this information to build a list of users who are following the specified user.
Track Interactions
A comprehensive way to detect when someone followed another user on Instagram is by closely tracking their interactions on the platform. Here are specific indicators to look out for:
Likes and Comments
Regular likes and comments on the target user’s posts can suggest a growing connection, potentially leading to a follow request. Pay attention to the frequency and timing of these interactions.
Mutual Friends
Shared connections often play a role in Instagram relationships. If the person in question has multiple mutual friends with the target user, it increases the likelihood of a follow. Monitor their shared friend circles.
Explore Page
The Explore page algorithm recommends posts based on user interests and connections. If the person is seeing the target user’s posts in their Explore feed, it’s a strong indication of potential following activity.
Follow Requests
Although Instagram doesn’t notify users when someone follows someone else, it does offer a way to track follow requests. If the person in question has pending follow requests, it’s possible they have recently sent one to the target user.
Profile Changes
Changes to a user’s profile or bio can sometimes hint at their recent activity. For instance, if the person adds the target user to their "Following" list or starts following similar accounts, it may indicate a recent follow.
Third-Party Apps
Certain third-party apps offer additional features for tracking Instagram activity, including notifications when someone follows another user. These apps often require access to your Instagram account, so use them cautiously.
Instagram Insights (for Business Accounts)
If the target user has a business account, you can access their Instagram Insights to view their audience demographics. A sudden increase in followers from a specific location or interest group could be a clue that they recently followed another user with a similar audience.
Utilize Third-Party Tools
There are numerous third-party tools available that can provide you with detailed information about someone’s Instagram activity, including when they follow someone. These tools typically offer a range of features, such as:
1. Follower Analysis
Track which users someone follows and unfollows, providing insights into their interests and connections.
2. Engagement Tracking
Monitor when someone likes, comments, or shares posts, offering a glimpse into their interactions with other accounts.
3. Follow/Unfollow Tracking
Receive notifications whenever someone follows or unfollows someone, allowing you to keep up-to-date with their activity.
4. Profile Analytics
Gain insights into someone’s posting frequency, reach, and other key profile metrics.
5. Story Tracking
Track when someone views or interacts with your stories, providing insights into their interests and engagement levels.
6. Post Monitoring
Receive notifications whenever someone posts new content, allowing you to stay informed about their latest updates.
7. Account Comparison
Compare two Instagram accounts to identify similarities and differences, such as shared followers or content.
8. Hashtag Tracking
Track which hashtags someone interacts with, offering insights into their topics of interest.
9. Spy Tools
Some third-party tools offer more advanced features, such as the ability to track private accounts or view deleted posts. These tools may require subscription fees or special permissions to access the data.
| Pros: |
| – Comprehensive insights into Instagram activity |
| – Real-time notifications and alerts |
| – Customizable tracking options |
| Cons: |
| – May require paid subscriptions or permissions |
| – Some tools may not be fully accurate or reliable |
Subtle Observations
When someone follows another person on Instagram, their profile picture and name will appear in the list of followers on that person’s profile. Additionally, the following information may be visible:
### Notifications
If the account you’re monitoring has notifications enabled, you may receive a notification when they follow someone new. However, this method is not always reliable, as some users may disable notifications or have them set to private.
###Recent Followers
Instagram displays a list of the most recent followers on a user’s profile. If you visit the profile of the person you’re monitoring, you can scroll down to the “Followers” section to see if the person you’re interested in has recently followed someone.
###Post and Story Interactions
If the person you’re interested in interacts with the posts or stories of the person they follow, this may indicate that they are following them. For example, if they like, comment, or share posts, or view their stories, this could be a sign of following.
###Mutual Connections
If the person you’re following has mutual connections with the person you’re interested in, it’s possible that they’ve followed them. You can check the “Following” list of the person you’re monitoring to see if they follow any of the same people as the person of interest.
###Search Bar
You can use the search bar to look up the username of the person you’re interested in. If they have a public profile, you’ll be able to view their list of followers, which may include the person you’re monitoring.
### Third-Party Apps
There are various third-party apps available that claim to track when someone follows someone on Instagram. However, it’s important to note that these apps may not be reliable and may require you to provide your account credentials.
How To Find Out When Someone Followed Someone On Instagram
Instagram does not provide a way to see when someone followed someone else. However, there are a few ways to get around this limitation.
- Use a third-party app. There are a number of third-party apps that allow you to track someone’s Instagram activity, including who they follow and when they followed them. Some popular apps include FollowMeter, InstaFollow, and Social Blade.
- Check their profile regularly. If you know someone’s Instagram username, you can check their profile regularly to see if they have followed anyone new. However, this method is only effective if the person you’re tracking is not private.
- Ask the person directly. If you’re close to the person you’re tracking, you can simply ask them when they followed someone. However, this method is not always reliable, as people may not remember or may not want to share this information.
People Also Ask About How To Find Out When Someone Followed Someone On Instagram
Can I see when someone unfollowed me on Instagram?
No, Instagram does not provide a way to see when someone unfollowed you. However, there are a few ways to find out if someone has unfollowed you.
- Check your followers list. If you know someone’s username, you can check your followers list to see if they are still following you. If they are not, then they have unfollowed you.
- Use a third-party app. There are a number of third-party apps that allow you to track your followers and see who has unfollowed you. Some popular apps include FollowMeter, InstaFollow, and Social Blade.
How can I see someone’s Instagram activity?
There are a few ways to see someone’s Instagram activity.
- Check their profile. If you know someone’s Instagram username, you can check their profile to see their recent posts, stories, and followers.
- Use a third-party app. There are a number of third-party apps that allow you to track someone’s Instagram activity, including who they follow, who they like, and what they comment on. Some popular apps include FollowMeter, InstaFollow, and Social Blade.
