Have you ever posted something on Instagram only to get tons of unwanted and bothersome comments and messages waiting to get your attention? Maybe a troll is trying to make your Instagram experience difficult, or someone’s comments feel too intense. Fear not, as we have a solution to this problem.
Though this social media era has revolutionized the way we interact with each other, sometimes these interactions can be annoying, and you only think about getting rid of them.
This is where the ‘Restrict on Instagram’ feature comes in handy. This is Instagram’s secret weapon that you can use to mute, limit, and avoid unwanted interactions the way you want.
In this blog post, we’ll break down what restraint on Instagram means and what happens when you restrict someone on Instagram. You will also learn how to restrict a user/account on Instagram.
So, get ready to learn how to take back control of your Instagram experience!
Key Takeaways
- Restricting someone on Instagram is a less severe alternative to blocking. Restricted users can still see your content and interact, but their comments are hidden, and their messages go to the requests folder.
- When you restrict someone, their comments on your posts are only visible to them and you. Similarly, their messages won’t appear in your main inbox, and they won’t see your activity status.
- Restricting allows you to control your Instagram experience without alerting the restricted user. It’s a subtle way to manage unwanted interactions and maintain a positive online environment.
- There are several ways to restrict someone on Instagram, including through direct messages, settings, comments, or their profile. You can also easily un-restrict them if needed.
What Does Restrict Mean on Instagram?
Instagram introduced its ‘Restrict Accounts’ feature in 2019 to reduce cyberbullying, let users control how they want to interact with others and foster a more positive community. The restriction on Instagram limits how specific accounts you have chosen can interact with you via comments or messages without completely cutting them off.
Think of “Restrict on Instagram” as a way to keep a follower or friend in your circle but on a mute mode where you control how much they can interact with you.
A restricted account can like your posts and view your Instagram stories, but they can’t see when you’re online. Moreover, their comments will be invisible to everyone (except you and that user), and their messages will land in your message requests section.
And the plus point is that the restricted user won’t be notified because it is different from blocking someone on Instagram.
What Happens When You Restrict Someone on Instagram?
You have restricted an account on Instagram and are now wondering what changes it’ll bring to your Instagram experience.
Here’s what happens when you restrict an account on Instagram:
1. Active Status will be Hidden
The Instagram users you have conversations with within your DMs can see when you’re currently active or last active status.
But when you restrict someone on Instagram, they won’t be able to see if you’re online or active on Instagram, even though your active state on Instagram is turned on. It gives you peace of mind and space from their potential prying eyes without disturbing you. ️
2. Messages Will Appear in the Requests Inbox
The Restrict on Instagram feature will prevent the restricted account’s messages from appearing in your inbox/main feed. Instead, these messages will land in the ‘Requests‘ inbox and be marked as ‘Restricted.’ You won’t get a message notification and choose whether you want to see them.
Moreover, the restricted user will not be able to see whether you’ve read their messages or not, even though you’ve read them. But you first have to un-restrict the restricted user if you want to reply to their messages.
3. Comments will Be Hidden by Default
Though the restricted accounts on Instagram will be able to comment under your posts, their comments will be invisible to everyone else—except both of you.
It’s like hidden messages, but you can only see/view them by tapping ‘See comment’ in the comment section. And the restricted user won’t know that their comments are hidden from everyone else. It’s up to you if you want to approve the message publicly, keep it hidden, or delete it permanently. Say goodbye to unwanted comments!
How to Restrict Someone on Instagram
After learning what happens when you restrict someone on Instagram, let’s learn how to restrict someone on Instagram.
You can restrict an account on Instagram in multiple ways, but each method leads to the same effect: Restrict on Instagram.
Let’s explore each method.
Method 1: Restrict Someone Through Direct Message
Here’s how to restrict on Instagram through direct messages an account sends you:
1. Open the Instagram app and go to Instagram direct DMs by clicking the messenger icon in the top right corner of your IG feed.
2. Open the conversation with the person you want to restrict.
3. Tap the username at the top of the chat page.
4. Click on ‘Options’ or three dots (•••) in the top right corner and choose ”Restrict’.
So what happens when you restrict someone on Instagram messages? Their messages will land in the requests tab; they won’t be able to see your active status or whether you’ve read their message.
Method 2: Restrict Someone Through Your Settings Page
1. Open the Instagram app and tap your profile picture in the bottom right corner.
2. Tap the three horizontal lines (☰) in the top right corner. This opens your profile menu.
3. Go to ‘Settings & Privacy’ and scroll down.
4. Under ‘How others can interact with you,’ choose ‘Restricted.’
5. If this is your first time restricting someone on Instagram, click ‘Continue’ after reading the restriction on Instagram features.
5. In the search bar, search for the username of the person you want to restrict
5. Tap the “Restrict” button next to the user name.
Method 3: Restrict Someone Through the Comments Section
1: Open your Instagram profile and go to your post with unwanted and irrelevant comments.
2: Slightly tap on the user’s comment you want to restrict and hold it for a second.
3: Select ‘Restrict account’ to restrict the user.
And it’s done! Now, you can approve individual comments from that user to make them visible to everyone.
Method 4: Restrict Someone Through Their User’s Profile
Here’s how to restrict someone on Instagram via their IG profiles:
1. Open the Instagram app and go to the profile of the person you want to restrict.
2. Tap the three dots (•••) in the top right corner of the user profile. A menu of options will appear.
3. Choose the ‘Restrict’ option; that specific user account will be restricted.
Easy-peasy!
Remember, you can always un-restrict someone on Instagram by following the same steps and choosing “Un-restrict” instead.
Wrap-Up
With that, you’ve learned what restriction on Instagram means, what happens when you restrict some, and how to restrict an Instagram account. So, restrict those unwanted Instagram accounts that have been disturbing you and exploiting your Instagram experience.
Remember, restricting and blocking on Instagram are two different things and aren’t the same. The restricted accounts can still search for you and see your public profile.
But it’s a great way to create a more peaceful and controlled Instagram experience, like putting someone on silent mode without blocking. So, the next time someone keeps sending you promotional or unwanted messages or comments that disturb you, remember to restrict them on Instagram. It’s a mature and mysterious way to handle online annoyances.
Enjoy a positive Instagram experience!
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FAQs
What is the Difference Between Block and Restrict on Instagram?
On Instagram, you have two options to limit unwanted users’ interactions: Restrict and Block. When you restrict an account, you restrict your interactions with it in IG. A restricted account can see your posts and stories and can comment, but it’ll be only visible to both of you and hidden from everyone else. On the contrary, blocking is like switching them off completely. A blocked account can’t see your profile, posts, or contact you on Instagram.
Can a Restricted Person See My Story on Instagram?
Yes, a restricted person can see your Instagram stories and posts like anyone else. Restrictions on Instagram only limit their interactions and direct messages and hide the comments and overall activities from other Instagram users. If you want to hide your stories and posts from someone completely, you can block them instead.
How Do You Know If Someone Restricted You on Instagram?
Feeling like you’re getting ghosted on Instagram? Here’s how to know if someone has restricted you:
- Leave a comment on their post. You’re restricted if only you can see it, but not your friends.
- Send them a DM; if you never see “Seen,” they have restricted you.
- You can’t see if they’re online even though they have activity status. Then they’ve restricted you on Instagram.
What Happens When You Restrict Someone on Instagram?
Restricting someone on Instagram is like putting them on silent. They can still see your posts, but their comments are hidden from everyone (except them). They also can’t see your active status and send you messages directly. It’s a way to create some distance without completely cutting them off.
Can Someone Know If You Restrict Them on Instagram?
No. Instagram doesn’t notify the restricted account, so they won’t know if you’ve restricted them. They’ll see your posts like usual, but their comments will be hidden from everyone, and they won’t know when you’re online or read their messages.
