Why Can’t I Follow People on Instagram? Here’s Why and How to Fix It 

If you’ve ever wondered, “Why can’t I follow people on Instagram?” you’re not alone. Many Instagram users encounter issues when attempting to follow someone on Instagram or receive an error message saying they’re unable to follow. This can be especially frustrating when you’re eager to connect with more people but face unexpected restrictions. The reasons why Instagram won’t let you follow accounts vary—from reaching a follow limit to encountering restrictions due to suspicious activity. In this article, we’ll explore the possible causes behind this issue and provide effective solutions to help you follow others smoothly. Whether you’re facing a follow block or suspect someone blocked you on Instagram, we’ve got insights to help you navigate these challenges.

Common Reasons You Can’t Follow People on Instagram

Understanding why you might be unable to follow anyone on Instagram can help you resolve the issue quickly. Here are some common reasons Instagram users face follow restrictions:

Understanding Instagram’s Follow Limit

One major cause of follow issues is Instagram’s follow limit. Instagram imposes a cap on the number of people you can follow within a certain time frame to prevent spammy behavior. If you’ve followed too many accounts within a short period, you might hit this limit and temporarily can’t follow accounts. New accounts are especially prone to this restriction, as Instagram uses stricter controls on them to ensure they’re not bot accounts. If you’ve hit the limit, try waiting 24-48 hours before attempting to follow new accounts again.

Follow Block: Why Instagram Restricts Actions

Instagram may also restrict your ability to follow if it detects unusual activity on your account. This can include following too many accounts at once, using automated tools, or engaging in repetitive actions like following and unfollowing users frequently. These actions can flag your account as spammy, resulting in a follow block. If you’re unable to follow someone on Instagram due to a follow block, it’s recommended to pause any follow activity, log out, and try again later.

What to Do if Someone Blocked You on Instagram

In some cases, the reason you can’t follow someone might be that they’ve blocked your account. When someone blocks you, you’ll be unable to interact with them, including the option to follow them. You can confirm this by checking if you can see their profile, posts, or the follow button—all of which will be hidden if you’re blocked. While there’s no direct way to lift this restriction, you can respect their choice and move on to following other Instagram accounts.

I remember the frustration of trying to follow a friend on Instagram, only to keep getting an error message saying that my action was blocked. I couldn’t understand why, especially since I’d just made the account and was only following a few people. After looking into it, I learned that Instagram imposes limits on new accounts to prevent spam. I had to wait a full day before I was able to start following people again, but it taught me to be mindful of Instagram’s restrictions.

How to Know if You’ve Been Blocked on Instagram

If you’re wondering whether someone blocked you on Instagram, there are a few indicators that can help you find out. Here’s how to determine if your Instagram account has been blocked by another user:

Signs That Someone Blocked Your Account

One clear sign of being blocked is an inability to view the person’s profile, posts, or follow button. When Instagram users block an account, the restricted user won’t be able to see their profile in search results or access any of their content. If you attempt to visit their profile by clicking a previous notification or message link, you may receive an error message or simply be unable to access their profile. Additionally, if you previously followed this account, it will no longer appear in your follow list.

Checking if You Can Follow Someone on Instagram Again

If you suspect you’ve been blocked, try searching for their username in the Instagram app. If their profile doesn’t show up, or if you see a blank page with no content or follow option, it’s likely you’ve been blocked. In cases where you might regain access to their profile, it’s likely they’ve unblocked you, allowing you to attempt to follow them again.

These steps can help you understand the situation when you’re unable to follow someone or view their profile.

In 2023, over 35% of Instagram users experienced temporary action blocks related to following or liking posts, according to Hootsuite’s Social Media Trends report. This shows the growing prevalence of Instagram’s spam detection methods, particularly as more users aim to grow their accounts rapidly. Hootsuite Social Media Trends

Troubleshooting When Instagram Won’t Let You Follow People

When Instagram won’t let you follow people, it can be frustrating and confusing. Fortunately, there are several steps you can take to resolve this issue, whether it’s due to technical problems or restrictions on your Instagram account.

Fixing Follow Issues on the Instagram App

Sometimes, technical glitches within the Instagram app can prevent you from following others. To resolve these issues, start by updating the app to the latest version, as Instagram frequently releases updates to address bugs. If updating doesn’t help, try clearing your app cache (on Android) or reinstalling the app (on iOS and Android). Also, ensure you have a stable internet connection, as a weak connection can interfere with actions like following new accounts.

How to Remove a Follow Block on Instagram

A follow block occurs when Instagram temporarily restricts your ability to follow others, often due to rapid or excessive following. If you’re experiencing a follow block, avoid following any new accounts for 24-48 hours to give Instagram time to reset. Additionally, avoid actions that may flag your account as spam, such as following too many accounts in a short period or using third-party automation tools, which can lead to further blocks.

According to a 2023 report by Influencer Marketing Hub, Instagram blocks or restricts over 20% of new accounts within the first week due to rapid follow actions, which the platform interprets as suspicious behavior. This proactive measure aims to reduce spam and bots, although it can sometimes impact real users as well. Influencer Marketing Hub

Resolving Follow Issues for New Accounts

New accounts often face stricter limits and may be unable to follow many people initially. If you’ve created a new Instagram account and are facing follow issues, start by following a moderate number of accounts and engaging with content by liking and commenting naturally. This shows Instagram that your account is genuine, which can reduce restrictions over time. If you’re unable to follow anyone on Instagram even after a few days, consider reaching out to Instagram’s support team.

A case study published in 2023 by Sprout Social examined the effects of Instagram’s anti-spam algorithms on small business accounts. Many accounts used automated tools to gain followers quickly, leading to frequent blocks and reduced visibility on the platform. The study found that business accounts with organic engagement strategies faced significantly fewer restrictions and experienced a 40% higher engagement rate over three months than accounts that had been blocked. This highlighted the effectiveness of building genuine engagement instead of relying on automated tools. Sprout Social

Avoiding Instagram Follow Restrictions in the Future

To maintain a smooth experience on Instagram and avoid future follow restrictions, it’s important to understand how the platform detects spam-like behavior. Here are some tips to help you follow accounts on Instagram without getting blocked.

Tips for Following People on Instagram Without Limits

To prevent hitting the follow limit or experiencing a follow block, avoid rapidly following and unfollowing a large number of accounts. This behavior can trigger Instagram’s spam filters and lead to temporary restrictions. Instead, follow new accounts gradually over time. Engaging with posts and using the platform consistently will signal to Instagram that your activity is natural. It’s also best to avoid using any automated tools or bots that could perform these actions for you, as these are likely to trigger restrictions on your account.

How Long Does Instagram Restrict Accounts?

If your account was blocked from following due to suspected spam, the restriction generally lasts 24-48 hours. During this time, avoid attempting to follow or unfollow others, as this could extend the block period. Repeated offenses might lead to longer restrictions or, in some cases, a temporary or permanent suspension of your account. By following Instagram’s guidelines and engaging with users on Instagram in a genuine way, you can reduce the risk of follow restrictions significantly.

Once, while trying to grow my followers for a small business account, I ran into an unexpected block from Instagram. I’d been following a lot of people in a short time to expand my network, but apparently, I’d gone over the daily limit. The restriction lasted a couple of days, which made me rethink how I was using the platform. Now, I make sure to pace myself and avoid following too many accounts too quickly.

Conclusion

Encountering issues when you try to follow someone on Instagram can be frustrating, especially if you’re eager to connect with more Instagram users. Whether due to follow limits, technical glitches, or even restrictions from Instagram itself, these follow blocks are often temporary and prevent spam on the platform. By understanding how Instagram allows or restricts actions and recognizing signs that your account may be flagged, you can navigate these issues more effectively. Using these tips, you’ll be better prepared to troubleshoot follow problems, maintain your ability to follow other Instagram accounts and avoid future restrictions. Following best practices while using Instagram ensures a smooth and enjoyable experience as you engage with others on the platform.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Should I Do if Instagram Keeps Blocking My Ability to Follow?

If Instagram keeps blocking your ability to follow other accounts, it might be due to repeated actions that trigger spam detection. Avoid following or unfollowing too many accounts in a short time and refrain from using any automation tools. Taking a break from following accounts and focusing on natural engagement (like comments and likes) can help prevent future blocks.

How Can I Check if Instagram Has Blocked My Account?

If you’re unable to perform actions like following accounts or liking posts, Instagram may have restricted your account temporarily. Check if you receive any action was blocked messages when trying to follow or engage. To resolve this, pause your activity, log out, and wait at least 24 hours before using Instagram again. Repeated blocks could lead to longer restrictions, so avoid excessive following behavior.

Is There a Limit on How Many People You Can Follow on Instagram?

Yes, Instagram allows a maximum of around 7,500 accounts that you can follow on any profile. Additionally, for new accounts, Instagram imposes daily limits, usually capping it at 200 follows per day to prevent spam. If you hit this limit on how many people you can follow, you’ll need to wait until the next day to follow other accounts.

Why Do I Get an Error Message Whenever I Try to Follow Someone?

An error message when you try to follow someone could indicate a temporary block or issue with your Instagram account. Check your internet connection first, as poor connectivity can sometimes prevent actions. If the issue persists, it could be due to previous rapid-following behavior, triggering a temporary block. Wait a day and then try following the person again.

How Can I Easily Fix Trouble Following Certain Users?

If you have trouble following certain users or specific accounts, it could be because they’ve set restrictions on their profiles or blocked your account. Sometimes, Instagram prevents you from following users with high privacy settings or accounts that don’t allow follower requests. If you still can’t follow them after checking these settings, wait a few days and try following them again.

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