On social media, we all have a habit of sharing bits and pieces of our lives. On vacation? Put it on Instagram. Out with friends? Put it on your Instagram Story. We can’t resist showing it to the world! However, what if there’s a certain follower that we don’t want interacting with us? Luckily, Instagram offers users the option to restrict someone. This way, you don’t have to deal with the awkwardness of them finding out!
Or would you prefer to block someone altogether? It’s time to explore Instagram restrict vs block! What are the differences? Will Instagram notify someone if you restrict them? Can you take it back? Do you want to know more? Let’s find out!
What Does Restrict Mean on Instagram?
You might already know about blocking someone on Instagram and what it means for your interactions together. However, have you ever heard of restricting someone? What does “restrict” mean on Instagram? Well, restricting someone is a more subtle way of blocking them and having more control over your interactions. It’s less obvious and creates a lot fewer awkward situations!
According to statistics on Gitnux, “Instagram was identified as having the most instances of cyberbullying, at 42%.” So limiting unwanted interactions or inappropriate comments is totally necessary and understandable.
If you decide to restrict someone, you’ll still have them as a follower. So, they might not even necessarily click that you’ve restricted them at all! Ideal! Keep in mind, though, that they can still see your posts! So, don’t go crazy and start posting as if they can’t see. They can still see, but there is a catch.
What Happens When You Restrict Someone on Instagram and Do They Know?
Social media is mostly a nice place to be. But this isn’t always the case. It can become quite a toxic and unhealthy place. Sometimes, we just want a break from interactions and a bit more control over our account.
So you’ve decided to restrict someone on Instagram, but what happens next? The good news is they won’t get a notification. So, you don’t have to worry about hiding if you bump into them in person! If someone’s bothering you or you’re tired of seeing their input, you can limit their ability.
What happens when you restrict someone on Instagram? Here’s what changes:
1. Comments Are Hidden
When you restrict someone’s account, they can still comment on your posts. However, these unwanted comments aren’t public, and only you and the restricted account can see them. You will see the comment on your profile, but Instagram won’t tell you. You’ll then have the option of either approving the comment or deleting it.
2. Your Activity Is Hidden
Sometimes, other users can see your active status if you turn it on in your settings. But restricted users aren’t able to see. Plus, if they send you a message, they won’t see if you’ve seen it. So you have a bit more privacy when using the app.
3. Their DMs Are Hidden
If you restrict someone, you have to go out of your way to see any DMs they send. Their message will be in the “Message requests” section rather than where the others are. So, if you want to avoid a person’s messages, you can just restrict them from getting through.
How To Restrict Someone on Instagram
There are lots of reasons why you might want to restrict someone on Instagram, and sometimes it’s a good move! Is someone bombarding your comment section with opinions? Or do you want to protect yourself from online trolling and bullying?
There are actually a few ways you can do this. One is through your comment section, one is through your messages, and the other is through the person’s profile.
To do it through the comment section:
- Go to a certain post on your account and open up the comments section.
- If you have an iPhone, you can swipe left on their comment, and you’ll see some options.
- Tap on the (!) in a box, and a list will open. You’ll see “Restrict” in red, which you can simply tap. Then, the comment will disappear, and the account will be restricted.
- On an Android, the options are the same; you just need to press and hold the comment rather than swipe.
To do it through your messages:
- Go to your DMs on your profile and find the person you want to restrict.
- At the top of the screen, you’ll see their profile name, so tap this.
- On an Android, you’ll need to scroll down to where it says “Restrict.”
- On an iPhone, you’ll see three dots to the right of the screen. Tap on them to open up the “Restrict” option.
To do it on their profile:
- Go to the profile of the person you want to restrict. Find the three dots in the top right corner.
- Tap on “Restrict” at the top to restrict this account, and there you go! It’s as easy as that.
Instagram Restrict vs Block: How It Affects the Instagram Experience
By now, you’ve probably heard of blocking someone. Normally, it’s quite a big deal as it’s a step up from removing someone from our Instagram accounts. But is there a difference between restricting and blocking someone? Actually, there is!
Instagram block vs. restrict is a comparison that a lot of users face. Is it better to restrict someone or block them? To help you make the decision, here are some key differences and how the different options impact the user experience:
The Comment Section
The comment section is impacted differently by blocking or restricting a user. By restricting them, they can still technically comment on your post. However, only you and that person will see it. So, the person won’t actually know that they’re restricted. If you block someone, they can’t see your posts at all, let alone comment!
Your DMs
If you restrict someone, a private message from them will appear in your “Message requests” section. So, as far as they’re concerned, they still have the option to reach out. However, a blocked user is unable to message you entirely, and they don’t even have it as an option.
Their Experience
One of the main differences between blocking and restricting someone is their experience on the other end. If you restrict someone, there aren’t any obvious signs on their end. So, it creates a lot less of an awkward encounter the next time you see them. As far as they can see, their comments are still going through, and you’re still receiving their messages.
However, blocking someone removes them as a follower altogether. They can’t see your profile, your Stories, or any of your Posts. Blocking is good for getting rid of unwanted followers and is a good way to remove them completely.
Undoing the Action
If you want to undo restricting someone, you can do it at any time, and they won’t know anything different. They might just experience faster responses from you. However, if you decide to unblock someone, they’ll have to actively follow you again. So, you can’t really keep it hidden!
While there are some similarities between IG restrict vs. block, there are some fundamental differences. If you want to remove someone completely from seeing your account, block them. If you want to lessen your interactions with them, restrict them.
How To Block on Instagram
It’s important to note that people don’t get a notification when you block them, but they’ll probably figure it out. Do you want to know how to block on Instagram and stop someone from seeing your account altogether? Here’s how:
- Go to the account that you want to block and open up their profile.
- Tap on the three dots in the top right corner and choose “Block” in red writing.
- Instagram will ask you to confirm, so just tap “Block” again.
What Happens When Someone Blocks You on Instagram?
What happens when someone blocks you on Instagram, and how can you tell? Here are some ideas:
- You search their account, but nothing comes up. If they have a private account, their profile won’t come up. If it’s public, you’ll see the account but no information on it.
- You can see past DMs you’ve sent, but you can’t send any more.
- Instagram says, “User not found.”
- Someone else can see another person’s account, but you can’t.
- Your username is removed from their comments, even if it was there before.
- You can’t view their stories anymore.
Do you think someone has blocked you? All you can do now is wait for them to change their mind!
How To Unblock Instagram Accounts
Do you want to let a lucky user get a glimpse into your life again? Here’s how to unblock Instagram accounts:
- Open up your Instagram profile and click on the hamburger icon in the top right corner.
- Open up “Settings” or scroll down to where it says “Blocked.”
- Here, you’ll see a whole list of all the users you’ve ever blocked. Just tap on “Unblock,” and this will let them see your profile again.
- Instagram will ask you to confirm, and there you have it! They’re allowed back in!
Instagram Mass Unfollow: Decluttering Your Account
Every now and then, a bit of decluttering is needed to give your account the refresh it needs. For content creators or influencers, following too many users can look bad and impact their reputation. Or, sometimes, Instagram block vs. restrict outcomes just aren’t enough! An Instagram mass unfollow is a quick and straightforward way to remove yourself from accounts you’re getting nothing from.
If you decide that embarking on a mass unfollow session is for you, there are two ways to do it. You can either do it manually and go through and select the accounts you want to unfollow on Instagram. Or you can download a third-party app to do it for you! Has someone unfollowed you? Is their account inactive? It might be time to remove yourself from their following list!
Final Thoughts and snsflow.com’s Influence
Understanding Instagram restrict vs. block is really important when using the app. Both of these options aim to keep users as safe, comfortable, and as happy as possible. Whether you want to remove an account altogether or just limit their ability to interact with you, Instagram can help. Use these privacy features to your advantage and keep your online experience positive.
At snsflow.com, we understand the importance of a significant following and how it can propel your account toward success. That’s why we work quickly to boost your account and increase your followers, likes, and views in minutes. As soon as you make your first payment, we get straight to work and accelerate your Instagram presence. Enhance your Instagram experience and increase your number of followers today.
