To promote harmony on the platform, Instagram allows its users to restrict or block other users. Learn more about this feature and how to tell when it happens.
If you’re an avid Instagram user, you may have noticed that some of your friends or acquaintances have mysteriously disappeared from your feed. In some cases, you may even see their profile picture still appearing in your feed, but with a message that says “User Not Found.”
If this has happened to you, it’s likely that the person in question has blocked or restricted you on Instagram.
In this comprehensive article, we’ll explain what it means to be restricted on Instagram, how you can tell if someone has restricted you, and what you can do about it.
What Is the “Restrict” Feature on Instagram?
Before we dive into the details of being restricted on Instagram, it’s important to understand the basics of how restricting works on the platform.
There are two ways to restrict someone on Instagram. The first is by blocking them, which we’ll discuss in more detail below. The second is by using Instagram’s “Restrict” feature.
Instagram’s Restrict feature was introduced in 2019 as a way to give users more control over their interactions with other users, deter bullying, and create a stronger sense of harmony on the platform. When you restrict someone, they can still see your profile and posts but are limited in what they can do.
For example, they may not be able to see when you’re online, they may not be able to see your Stories, and they may not be able to send you direct messages. If you’re worried about someone harassing or abusing you on Instagram, restricting them is a good way to limit their ability to interact with you while still allowing them to see your content.
It’s also important to note that if someone has been restricted by another user, comments and other interactions from the restricted user will not be visible to other, third-party users unless the user who restricted them approves the comment or interactions.
In addition, restricting someone on Instagram is not the same as blocking them. When you block someone, they are completely unable to see your profile or interact with you in any way. As mentioned, restricting someone still allows them to see your content, but limits their ability to interact with you. So, if you’re trying to avoid someone altogether, you’ll need to block them instead of restricting them.
Now that we’ve explained the basics of how restricting works on Instagram, let’s take a look at how you can tell if someone has restricted you.
How to Tell If Someone Has Restricted You on Instagram
Unfortunately, there is no surefire way to tell if someone has restricted you on Instagram. However, there are a few telltale signs that you can look for.
For starters, take a look at your list of followers. If you notice that someone who used to follow you is no longer on your list, it’s possible that they’ve restricted or blocked you altogether.
Another thing to look for is changes in the way you’re able to interact with someone’s account. If you used to be able to see someone’s Stories but can no longer see them, it’s possible that they’ve restricted you. Similarly, if you used to be able to send direct messages to someone but can no longer do so, it’s again possible that they’ve restricted you.
Of course, there are other reasons why you might not be able to see someone’s Stories or send them direct messages. They may have simply set their account to private, or they may have blocked you altogether.
So, while these are potential signs that someone has restricted you, they’re not definitive proof. If you’re still not sure whether or not someone has restricted you, your best bet is to reach out to them directly and ask.
What Can You Do If Someone Restricts You on Instagram?
If you think someone has restricted you on Instagram, there are a few things you can do about it.
First, try reaching out to the person directly through an alternative platform and asking if they’ve restricted you. If they have, you can ask them why and try to resolve the issue. If you’re unable to reach out to the person or if they don’t respond to your attempts to contact them, your best bet is to simply move on.
It’s possible that they restricted you because they don’t want to interact with you, and there’s not much you can do about it.
Another option is to simply block the person who has restricted you. This will prevent them from seeing your content and interacting with you in any way — and you can call your online relationship quits, at least for now. If you decide to go this route, it’s important to note that you can always unblock the person later if you decide you want to try and resolve things.
Ready To Discover More Instagram Ins and Outs or Tips and Tricks?
Now that you have a deeper understanding of Instagram’s Restrict feature and how it works, you may be wondering what else you can do and learn about the platform.
If so, we have good news for you: we have a full spread of additional articles that can help you make the most out of your time on Instagram — everything from how to use the platform’s powerful search feature to how to get more followers.
So, whether you’re new to Instagram or you’ve been using the platform for a while, be sure to check out our other articles. We’ll help you take your Instagram experience to the next level.
Click the link below to learn more from our experts:
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