The Instagram Followers List Algorithm Explained

Ever experienced such boredom that you indulge in self-stalking on your Instagram profile, seeing how it appears to others? It may have reached a stage where you even browse your Instagram followers list. 

If so, you may have noticed that the order of followers on Instagram is inconsistent. Sometimes, it’s arranged alphabetically, sometimes chronologically. So, what are the criteria for Instagram following list arrangement? And exactly how is Instagram following sorted? 

This article will walk you through everything you need to know about Instagram following lists. That includes how the algorithm works and hiding your following or followers list. We also discuss how to get targeted followers using an Instagram followers app.

Instagram Following List Order & Algorithm Explained

How is Instagram following sorted? You might ask. Well, this depends on a few factors. For new accounts with 200 or fewer followers, the list is usually in alphabetical order. This is based on registered full names, not usernames or handles. 

Instagram collects data on relationships, follower relevance, and recent interactions. It then automatically sorts the followers’ list using its algorithm. The quicker a new Instagram account builds connections and engages with others, the faster Instagram can sort the followers. That’s why many active and old accounts have randomly-sorted lists, even with fewer than 200 followers.

What does sorted by default mean on Instagram? Well, if your list of followers isn’t alphabetical, you’ll notice that the top users interact with you frequently. Unlike the followers list, the order of the following list is more straightforward. It’s sorted based on mutual interactions with other Instagram users. It is typically the “default” method of organization, which aims to help you find your closest connections.

It’s important to note that your following list may appear differently when viewed from other accounts. The precise “default order” of your following list is visible only to you and anyone with your Instagram login credentials.

Your Instagram following list order sorts other accounts based on mutual connections. It assists Instagram users in finding relevant contacts with whom they frequently interact—those within the same circle.

Do Stalkers Show up First on the Following List? 

Many Instagram users are curious about whether the list of followers displayed on the app actually ranks their “stalkers.” Social media “stalkers” are individuals who frequently like your photos, view your stories, or visit your profile.

Unfortunately, Instagram provides no information regarding the identities of those who visit your profile or engage in stalking behavior. This absence of transparency makes it challenging to see who stalks your Instagram.

However, it’s important to note that the Instagram algorithm considers your relationships within the platform. This means that it considers the posts you engage with and the users who engage with your posts.

As a result, Instagram accounts that stalk your profile might rank higher on your list of followers. This is due to their frequent interactions with your content. Until Instagram discloses precise details about how the order of followers on Instagram works, we can only speculate. It remains a mystery as to whether the list truly reflects the activities of potential “stalkers”. There could be other factors influencing the order of Instagram following list on your account.

How Does the Instagram Followers List Algorithm Work?

Instagram hasn’t officially disclosed the specific details of Instagram following list algorithms. However, ample evidence and independent studies reveal the main factors. These elements influence the order of Instagram following lists. Want to know more about what determines who appears at the top? Let’s dive in!

When you check someone’s following or followers list on Instagram, mutual followers will appear near or at the top. You don’t need to follow them back, so they appear on the list. Instagram designed this helpful feature to help you find people you may know.

When you look at someone else’s list of followers on Instagram, the platform will show profiles you also follow. This is because mutual Instagram followings help identify shared connections and interests. For instance, you and another user follow similar food influencers. When you check the Instagram followers list of one of those influencers, you’ll likely find each other at the top.

On Instagram, there are several ways you can interact with others. You can like their posts, leave comments, save their content, or share it with others. The more you engage with another user’s account, the higher your position will be on each other’s lists. Even if you don’t follow someone, they can still appear at the top of your list. That is provided they engage with your account frequently. 

However, users you follow and who actively interact with your Instagram content will overtake them in position. Additionally, interactions indicating personal relationships, like Direct Messages (DMs) and tags, strongly influence Instagram following lists. These interactions signify a more profound connection beyond the Instagram app itself.

Other Aspects That Determine Who Appears at the Top

• Geo-location: Geo-location is another significant factor in determining IG follower list order. Those closer to your city are more likely to be at the top. For instance, accounts from the US tend to appear at the forefront of your following list if you’re US-based. The same principle applies to individuals in your local area.
• A High Number Of Followers: The order of Instagram accounts in your following list on Instagram influences from followers a user has. Also the number of accounts they follow affects this. Accounts with many high quality followers appear near the top of your following list on Instagram. Conversely, accounts with fewer followers are usually positioned toward the bottom of the list.
• Plenty Of Posts: Your number of posts on your Instagram account helps determine your position on the following lists. When you have plenty of posts, your account is more likely to appear at the top of the list. This is because users with many posts have various content pieces and ideas. This encourages others to spend more time on their profiles.
• Popular Followers or Following: Popular accounts can quickly secure top positions in Instagram followers lists. While verified accounts often relegate to the bottom. However, with frequent interactions, these verified accounts propel your following and followers list upwards.

Now that you know how the algorithm works, let’s find out how Instagram orders likes and other reactions.rder algorithm works, let’s find out how does Instagram order likes and other reactions.

How Does Instagram Order Likes?

Instagram users often wonder about the likes of their posts. Clicking on the total number of likes reveals the list of users who liked the post. However, it’s important to note that the list is not in the order of when a user liked it. You can verify it by checking your notifications or paying close attention as the notifications come in. 

So, how does Instagram order likes? Similar to Instagram followers list sequencing, numerous factors affect Instagram order likes, such as:

Accounts on Your Instagram Followers List

Believe it or not, the accounts you follow influence the order in which likes appear on your Instagram posts. If someone you follow likes your post, their likes will appear before those from followers who don’t follow you back. 

When you follow someone, you tell Instagram you find the user’s content interesting. As a result, Instagram will prioritize likes from people you follow. It does this by placing them at the top of the likes list. This is because Instagram assumes you prefer seeing posts from people you know and follow first.

Interactions

Your interactions with accounts on Instagram have an impact on the order in which your post’s likes will appear. Instagram considers it interaction when you like multiple posts from a particular profile. 

Additionally, if other users have viewed, commented, or liked your Instagram posts, it shows they have engaged with your content. This shows that your interaction with another person’s account and their interactions with your account determines Instagram order likes.

Measure Number of Followers Using Instagram Following List 

The popularity of a profile also affects Instagram order likes. When users like your posts, Instagram considers their number of followers. Those with higher follower counts occupy the top spots in the likes list.

This ranking system encourages Instagram growth. It does this by highlighting users with a large following. That typically means anywhere from 5000 to millions of followers.

Tags on IG Followers List 

When someone tags you or vice versa on Instagram, it affects the IG follower list order of likes. Tagging suggests a close connection, prompting Instagram to display people you may know or be interested in.

Verified Profiles

Instagram prioritizes likes from verified accounts, giving them higher visibility. Having a verified account impacts other aspects, such as Instagram followers lists and comments on the platform.

How to Export Instagram Following List?

Believe it or not, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution to this. The perfect way to export Instagram following lists may differ based on your preference. Nevertheless, here are two ways to export your Instagram followers list:

Export IG Followers List Manually

Instagram doesn’t allow users to export their followers/following list with just one click. To manually export an Instagram followers list, follow these five steps to the T:

1. Log in to Instagram and tap the “Following” button.
2. A pop-up will appear, displaying the list of every user you follow.
3. Select all the results in the pop-up and copy them.
4. Paste the copied list into Excel.
5. In Excel, apply a filter to display only the usernames and remove any other information.

If you’re unfamiliar with Excel or prefer an automated approach, you can use a tool to streamline this process.

Use Web-Scraping Tools

There are various valuable websites, extensions, and scraping tools that allow users to export and download Instagram followers lists. One such tool is InstagRISE. It offers a simple solution for extracting Instagram followers/following lists. Using this third-party automation tool, you can obtain the desired list with just a click. This includes multiple users’ followers/following, and you can conveniently save it as a TXT file on your PC. 

To export your Instagram following list seamlessly on a PC, follow these steps: 

• Click the “followers” button on the left
• Enter the “username” and specify the quantity (how many followers you intend to extract)
• Click “Start” to crawl
• Click the “Export button,” name the file, and save the scraped following/followers list as a TXT file.

Can You Hide Your Following List on Instagram?

Instagram is one of the most popular social media platforms, with more than 1.4 B active users. To maintain privacy and security, many users prefer to hide the following lists on Instagram.

Privacy is a key concern on social media, especially when users share sensitive or personal content. Only approved individuals can see who you follow by concealing your Instagram followers list. This prevents unnecessary attention from stalkers, strangers, or spammers. 

Moreover, hiding followers helps maintain a formal image, particularly for business users. Keeping your Instagram followers list private helps safeguard your reputation and prevents unwanted associations with specific followers.

But how can you hide your following list on Instagram? Listed below are five easy yet effective ways:

1. How To Hide Instagram Following List Using Private Accounts

Looking for an effortless way to hide Instagram followers? Switch to a private Instagram account. By doing so, only individuals you authorize as followers will have access to your stories, followers list, and posts.

Here’s how to hide Instagram following list using private accounts:

1. Open your profile and tap the “three horizontal lines” in the top-right corner.
2. Choose “settings”.
3. Tap “Privacy”.
4. Toggle the privacy account slider to your right.
5. Confirm by tapping “switch to private.”

2. Block Followers Using IG Followers List 

If you’re promoting an Instagram account, making it private to conceal the followers list won’t help. The only option left is to block users. Blocked accounts will lose visibility of your profile, stories, and posts. 

Here’s how to do it:

1. Open the user’s profile you intend to block and tap the “three dots” in the top-right corner.
2. Select “block”.
3. Instagram will provide two options: block all accounts created by the user or just this page. Choose any of the two.
4. Tap “block”.

3. Remove Followers From Your Followers List

Another easy way to hide your Instagram followers lists is by removing followers. This way, the users you remove will lose the ability to view your stories and posts. However,  they will be able to access your profile.

Follow these four steps to hide your followers’ list:

1. Open the app and tap the followers list.
2. Go to the user you want to remove and tap the “three dots” in the top-right corner.
3. Choose the “remove button.”
4. Tap “remove” to confirm the action.

4. Edit IG Followers List

To maintain privacy for your followers list, you can “edit” who can view your Instagram. Here’s how to do it:

1. Open your profile and tap the “three lines” in the top-right corner.
2. Choose “settings”.
3. Tap “Privacy” and then “Followers.”
4. From there, select who can view your Instagram followers list by choosing from “only you,” “people you follow,” or “everyone.”

5. Employ Third-Party Tools & Apps for Instagram Followers List

Many users opt for third-party tools and apps to better handle their privacy on Instagram. These apps provide helpful features, including hiding your Instagram following list, monitoring follower activity, and managing content visibility. 

Some apps go the extra mile by letting you create separate follower lists for various content pieces and types. This level of customization grants you more precise control over your privacy settings.

However, be cautious when choosing third-party Instagram apps and tools. Some may violate the platform’s T&S (term of service) and place your Instagram account at serious risk. 

How To Obtain Targeted Instagram Followers

There are various tried and tested tricks and tips to get more Instagram followers fast. Here are a few ways you can get targeted Instagram followers without even paying for more followers:

• Create Regular, Valuable Content: Consistently posting on Instagram is a fantastic method to boost your account’s visibility, It also maintains an engaged audience. Add multiple photos to your Instagram story to grab people’s attention, and use memes and short videos. When more users follow you, they’re more likely to stay updated and repost your posts. 
• Contests And Promotions: Instagram giveaways and contests help attract customers and establish brand trust. This approach is particularly beneficial for smaller companies seeking a quick and effortless method to gain attention and foster goodwill.
• Engage With Followers: Building an Instagram audience goes beyond posting engaging photos and writing clever captions. Genuine responses to comments, active engagement with other Instagram accounts, and delivering high-quality content are essential. This fosters trust, nurturing relationships and delighting your followers.

Followers List Summarized

Instagram’s algorithm for determining the order of Instagram following lists is constantly changing. For example, this year’s algorithm is different from last year’s. 

Although it might seem complex and pointless, Instagram aims to maximize user engagement. In other words, they want you to spend as much time as possible on the app. This benefits their advertisers and overall statistics. 

That said, the order of followers and Instagram followers lists is based on Instagram’s prediction. Essentially, it prioritizes who you’ll likely browse or interact with often. Ultimately, their goal is to keep you engaged with the app for an extended period.

Looking to elevate your Instagram presence? Choose Path Social! Offering a range of carefully crafted tools and personalized strategies, helping you unleash the true power of your account. 

Experience unprecedented growth and expand your following like never before with their expert guidance. Don’t wait further to increase your Instagram presence—let Path Social help you get there! Start growing and gaining Instagram followers today!

FAQs

Perhaps you have a few further questions surrounding Instagram followers list? Check out our frequently asked questions to find out more.