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Learn 8 Causes: Can’t Follow People on Instagram [with Actionable Fixes]

Wandering why you can’t follow people on Instagram? Learn possible causes and actionable fixes in this article.


Updated 2022-12-29 14:51:27 | by Albert

On Instagram, you can find and follow celebrities, influencers, friends, and users with shared hobbies. However, there are cases where you cannot follow them. In this article, we’ve summarized the possible causes when you can't follow people on Instagram. And it also includes tricks to follow Instagram accounts smartly. Let’s dive right in.

Can't Follow People on Instagram

Can't Follow People on Instagram - 8 Possible Causes

1. They Deleted (Canceled) Your Follow

Instagram allows users to remove certain accounts from the followers list. Therefore, if you have followed someone in the past but are unfollowed, that doesn’t mean you can’t follow people on Instagram. You may have been removed from his/her followers instead.

Remove Follower on Instagram

However, it is possible to follow (request for following) again. There may be cases where you are out of following due to accidentally removing your follow, so it can a good idea to follow again.

During the follow-up request, the other user may have rejected (deleted) the request ( if it’s a private account). However, you may not have approved the follow-up yet, so just hold your horses.

Also Read: Why Does It Say “Unable to Fetch Followers on IG” & 7 Fixes >>

2. You Switched between Public and Private Account Many Times

If you switch between public and private accounts many times in a short period of time, existing follow requests may end up being unexpected. You applied for following someone.

Switch to Private Account - Instagram

Also, if you switch your account frequently, it can be confusing when someone else shares your post. That said: they’re not sure if it's a public or private account. Even worse, it may be judged as "illegal activity" by Instagram. As a result, follow request deletion occurs, but it was withdrawn. So you can’t follow someone on Instagram but not blocked.

3. You Have Reached the Maximum Follow Limit [Total/Per Day]

What’s the maximum number of people I can follow on Instagram?

It’s 7,500. This is to avoid spammy mass following on Instagram. If you try to follow more than 7,500 people, Instagram will restrict certain activity.

So, when will Instagram let you follow again?

If you have reached the limit of what you want to follow newly, it is a good idea to organize/delete the accounts you are following once and increase the number of new followable accounts.

How many people can I follow on Instagram per day?

Like when you reach the Instagram like limit. The option can be various. Although Instagram doesn’t claim how many people you can follow per day, many reports reveal that you can follow up to 200-500 people a day. While if you’re using a new account that is less than a month old, you might be limited to following 20 people a day.

4. Instagram App or Phone’s OS Version Is Outdated

Are your Instagram app and iPhone/Android smartphone OS versions up to date?

The reason that you can’t follow someone on Instagram can be very simple: you are using the old version of app or OS that has not been updated for a long time. There a variety of bugs and issues in the old version, and new features aren’t available either.

The app literally can’t be comfortable to use. Naturally, the follow option may be affected. That’s why your Instagram follow button keeps turning blue.

So, make sure your Instagram app version is up to date. Try updating your iOS and Android to the latest version as well.

Instagram App Version & iOS Version - Update

5. Blocked by Other Users

If you can't find the Follow button, or if you’re not able to see someone’s feeds when you search Instagram profile by name, the first thing that comes to your mind is Block.

When you’re blocked, the Follow button disappears from the other person's profile and "User not found" is displayed.

If you've followed someone in the past and your profile screen looks like the one above, it's possible that you're blocked.

Blocked by Someone on Instagram

6. They Deleted the Account

Instagram won’t let you follow a user when someone has completely deleted the account. In this case, searching for the other user's account will have no result.

Instagram Account Deleted - User Not Found

Also, in the DM, the target username will be plain "Instagram user". And even if you try to transition to someone's page from there, information such as posts and followers or Follow and Message option should be gone because the account has been deleted.

You May Like: How to Tell If Someone Follows You on Instagram >>

7. Someone Has Suspended the Account

Instagram has a feature called "Temporarily disable my account" that allows you to suspend your account for a period of time. During that time, the account disappears externally. Users can reactivate accounts in their original state by canceling the suspension.

Temporarily Disable Instagram Account

The same goes for people deleting their Instagram accounts. When they suspend the accounts, there will be nothing on the page, and of course, you can’t follow people on Instagram in that case.

Note: It’s difficult to tell if a user has blocked you or just has disabled the account temporarily because both two cases look similar.

8. They’re Private Accounts

If an account you are about to follow is a private account, you can’t follow someone on Instagram immediately.

Follow Private Account on Instagram

On the profile of the private account, "This account is private" is displayed and you cannot see posts. If you tap the follow button here, it will change to "Requested".

Then, if the other person approves your following request, the following is complete. Conversely, if they turn the request down, you are unable to follow on Instagram.

Also Read: How to Hide Followers and Following on Instagram in 2023 >>

Follow People on Instagram with Tricks [Easy & Actionable]

  • Find Facebook Friends on Instagram to Follow

Great News: if you have a Facebook account, you can connect with Facebook friends and follow them.

Here is how to follow your Facebook friends in simple steps:

Way 1:

1. Tap the Menu button on the top right of the profile and tap Discover People.

Discover People on Instagram

2. Hit the connect button.

Connect to Facebook and Follow Friends on Instagram

3. Head back to your profile and hit Discover People again, you will find Facebook friends to follow.

Way 2:

1. Navigate to Settings.

2. Hit Follow and Invite Friends.

Follow and Invite Friends - Instagram

3. Connect to Facebook.

  • Follow People without Instagram App

If you can’t follow people on Instagram, joining the community for Instagrammers is an alternative way to find new friends to follow. There are many well-established off-Instagram communities out there.

For example, GetInsmartaGetInsttaFollowers Gallery gathers insta-addicts worldwide to help each other boost their Instagram accounts. Basically, you can use it to expose your Instagram posts or profile to other users in its community. Then you will have a chance to get 1k followers on Instagram in 5 minutes. On the flip side, you can follow new Instagram users with shared interests.

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How to Follow New Instagram Friends off Instagram [3 Steps]

1. Download the GetInsmartaGetInsttaFollowers Gallery app.

2. Add your IG account to it with your IG username (No password required)

3. Discover new Friends on Instagram and get free Instagram followers from the community.

Follow People off the Instagram App

The Bottom Line

This article covers 8 reasons why you can’t follow people on Instagram and some tricks to follow others even if you reach Instagram follow limit. For example, you can use GetInsmartaGetInsttaFollowers Gallery to follow Instagram accounts and get 1000 free Instagram views, likes and followers. Try now!

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