How to Hide Instagram Posts From Certain Followers: Keep Some Things Private

Profile photo of Karen Lin, author

Karen Lin

Instagram 101 | Sep 12, 2024

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In recent years, Instagram has become an online mecca of sharing everything. And we mean everything – from fun vacation photos to funny pop culture memes. Everyday users and social media influencers alike seem to be sharing it all. But perhaps there are some people who you don’t want to share certain things with. Maybe you wish to hide your content from certain friends or family members. It could be that you don’t want them to know what you are up to or who you are with. Either way, you may be wondering how to hide Instagram posts from certain followers. Is this even possible? Luckily for you, the answer is yes.

And as it turns out, there are a few different ways to achieve this. From setting who can view your stories to blocking users, we’ve got the inside scoop. It may even surprise you to learn that you can remove people from following you. That’s right. Instagram can actually be a private place – if you know how to go about it. Keep reading as we dive into all the options below. Make sure to keep your smartphone handy to give these methods a try.

Person using smartphone that is opened to the Instagram app.

Can You Hide Instagram Posts From Certain Followers?

You may still be wondering if this topic is possible. When it comes to learning how to hide Instagram posts from certain followers, can it even be done? We’re pleased to let you know that the definite answer is yes. There are ways to block your content from certain followers. This can apply for both Instagram feed posts as well as stories. And you can pick and choose, as well. You don’t have to hide all your content from certain followers. It can just be one post or a group of stories. Believe it or not, Instagram offers many features and options to create a more private and secure social setting.

Now that you know this process is possible, you may still have questions. One could be why you would want to learn how to hide Instagram posts from certain followers. While the answers will vary from person to person, we can address a few top ones. Some people may not want certain followers to know where they are or who they are with. This can be helpful in keeping things a bit more private. Other times, you may not want strangers viewing certain content you share. This can ring true when you share personal things and only want your close friend list to view it. Whatever the reason, we’re here to help and teach you how to do it.

Of course, you know there are many different ways of sharing content on Instagram. Two of the most popular? Feed posts and Instagram stories, of course. The good news is, you can closely control who exactly is viewing both of these – or only one. Keep scrolling below as we address how to hide Instagram posts from certain followers when it comes to both feed pictures and stories.

Person using Instagram, learning how to hide Instagram posts from certain followers.

How to Hide a Post From a Specific Person on Instagram

Now that you’re all caught up on the why of learning how to hide Instagram posts from certain followers, let’s get right into the how. That’s right, it’s time to get into the main question at hand and walk you through the options that are available. As we mentioned below, there are a few different approaches you can take to this task. You may want to learn how to hide posts from a specific person on Instagram.

Unfortunately, at this time, there is not an in-app way to hide certain feed posts from certain followers. However, there are settings you can control to not allow users to see your content. This is something that will be applied to all your content, not just one specific post. These options include setting your profile to private, removing a user, or blocking them completely. You can take these steps to make your Instagram profile more secure and limit the number of users who view your content. If you primarily share your content through Instagram stories, you are in luck. Wondering why? Controlling who sees your stories is easier to manage than feed posts. Read on to learn more.

Women using her phone, learning how to hide Instagram posts from certain followers.

How to Hide Stories on Instagram From Certain Followers

Instagram stories are quickly gaining popularity as one of the biggest ways to share content on the social media app. The short videos and quick pictures are often posted in real time. You can even attach lots of stickers that feature date, place and time.

While this can be fun to share, it can also leave you feeling a little less secure. Perhaps there are certain followers that you do not want to have access to specific stories. Are you wondering how to hide stories on Instagram from certain followers? The good news is, this can be done. We’re here with the answers.

  1. Access the Instagram profile of the user(s) you wish to hide your stories from. You can do this by typing their Instagram handle into the search bar.
  2. Next, tap on the three dots icon at the top righthand corner of the screen.
  3. Select hide your story.

Now, this user will no longer be able to see your Instagram stories. You’ve officially learned how to hide Instagram posts from certain followers in regards to your stories. To undo this method, simply follow the above steps again. However, now you will tap on unhide your story to allow their viewing.

Want to hide your Instagram stories from multiple people in a more efficient way? To do this, simply follow the below steps.

  1. Access your Instagram profile and tap on the three bars icon at the top righthand corner of the screen.
  2. Select settings then tap privacy.
  3. From here, scroll down and select story.
  4. Now, you can search for each user you wish to hide your Instagram stories from. Simply tap on their name and that user is now on your hidden list.

Girl teaching her friends how to hide Instagram posts from certain followers.

How to Hide Instagram Posts From Certain Followers Without Blocking Them

As you may know, blocking someone on Instagram is probably the most extreme method you can take to make sure that user has no access to you. Of course, this can also feel like a very drastic measure to take. Perhaps you only want to hide one or two posts from them. Or perhaps you don’t want to run the risk of a person figuring out that you’ve blocked them. Yes, you can typically tell when someone has blocked you. Either way, maybe you’re not quite ready to take that final step and are looking for a different option.

Are you wondering how to hide Instagram posts from certain followers without blocking them? If so, you have come to the right place. If you are looking for the more permanent solution of blocking certain users on the social media app, don’t worry. We will get to that a little further down below. We’ve got the answers and, as it turns out, there are a few options to choose from. Two most popular methods available on the Instagram app? Setting your profile as private and removing the user as a follower.

Read on, where we’ve outlined the easy steps you can follow to try out both of these less-permanent options. Make sure you have your phone handy as you scroll through our guide. This way, you can give these methods a try in real time – and to your real followers. Let’s get right into it. Up first? Learning how to hide Instagram posts from certain followers by using the private profile feature.

How to Hide Posts From Certain Followers Without Blocking Them: Set Your Profile as Private

One of Instagram’s most secure features when it comes to privacy options? The ability to choose whether your profile is private or public. If you set your account to private, people who do not follow you will not be able to see your content. This is a sure-fire way to learn how to hide Instagram posts from certain followers. When you set your profile to private, other users will also not be able to see who you are following. Nothing will appear on the “followers” list on your profile.

One key thing that you will want to keep in mind? This method is only effective on users who are not following you. Setting your profile to private will not have an effect on your current followers. Any Instagram user who was already following you will still be able to see all your content, including feed posts and stories. To change your settings and make your Instagram profile private, follow the simple steps we’ve outlined down below. You’ll be living in secrecy in no time.

  1. Open your Instagram app and tap on your profile icon at the bottom right hand corner of your home screen.
  2. Next, tap on the three horizontal lines icon at the top right corner then select settings.
  3. Tap and select privacy.
  4. Toggle on the private account option. You’ll need to reconfirm the switch to private.

Congratulations, your Instagram profile is now set to private. You’ll be able to confirm any new friend requests from other users as well as accept and read direct message requests without being seen. This way, you have complete control over who you interact with on the social media app.. Want to switch back to a public account? Easy. Simply follow the above outlined steps and move the toggle back to public account.

Man looking at phone, learning how to hide Instagram posts from certain followers.

How to Hide Posts From Certain Followers Without Blocking Them: Remove Them as a Follower

Another way to learn how to hide posts from certain followers without blocking them? Removing the user as one of your followers. This is perhaps a lesser-known method. When you remove someone as a follower, you are essentially taking them off your approved friend list. Your shared content will no longer show up in their feed.

To give this method a shot, follow our easy step-by-step tutorial below.

  1. Open the Instagram app.
  2. Access your profile by tapping on your profile picture icon at the bottom left of the screen.
  3. Tap on your followers count at the top of the page.
  4. Scroll through all your followers. To remove a user, tap on the remove button next to their name.

You can also remove a follower directly from their Instagram profile. Let us outline those steps.

  1. From your Instagram home screen, access the profile of the user you wish to unfollow.
  2. Now, tap on the three dots icon at the top right hand corner of the screen.
  3. Select remove follower.

Is this your preferred method of choice for learning how to hide Instagram posts from certain followers? There are a few things to keep in mind. First of all, Instagram will not notify a user that you have removed them as a follower. The only way they would be able to find out? If they went to your Instagram profile and noticed that the follow button was active, instead of the unfollow button. Once you remove a follower, your content will not show up in their feed. To add a further level of security, consider changing your profile to private as well. This way, they will not be able to see any of your content, even if they view your profile. You’ll also have to approve a new follow request for them.

Two friends learning how to hide Instagram posts from certain followers.

How to Hide Instagram Posts from Certain Followers by Blocking Them

Sometimes, you might want to hide your Instagram posts from specific users by blocking them entirely. This action will prevent those users from seeing your profile and any of your content, which can be a necessary step for maintaining your desired level of privacy. Here’s how you can block users on Instagram:

  1. Blocking Through a Profile:
    • Access the user’s profile by clicking their username from a post in your feed or stories, or by searching for their handle.
    • Tap the three dots in the upper right corner of their profile page.
    • Select “Block” from the options provided.
  2. Blocking Through Direct Messages:
    • Open your direct messages by tapping the message icon at the top right corner of your screen or by swiping left from your home screen.
    • Select the chat with the person you want to block.
    • Tap their name at the top of the chat screen.
    • Scroll down and select “Block.” Confirm your choice to complete the process.

If you change your mind later, you can unblock them by following the same steps but choosing “Unblock” instead.

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