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Can’t follow someone on Instagram but not blocked?
Have you tried following someone on Instagram only to find that you can’t, yet you are sure that they have had no reason to block you in the first place? Most often than not, this issue arises from various factors that are unrelated to being blocked. Aha! It’s important to explore what might be causing this limitation so you can connect with users you want to follow, whether they are friends or new people you’re interested in.
Instagram, like many social media networks, has specific rules and features in place that can affect your ability to follow others. For instance, you might be facing a follow limit or glitches related to your app or browser. So knowing what to check and how to troubleshoot can clear up confusion and allow you to follow the accounts you desire.
Let’s go!
Can’t Follow Someone On Instagram But Not Blocked: Account Restrictions and Temporary Blocks
Sometimes, Instagram imposes temporary blocks on accounts that engage in repetitive actions. If you just started following a lot of accounts in a short period of time, Instagram might flag your activity – This action block usually lasts for a few hours or days, blimey!
Common reasons for this restriction include:
- Following too many accounts quickly.
- Repeatedly unfollowing and following the same users.
- Using third-party apps that violate Instagram’s rules.
If you’re facing this, the best course of action is to take a break from following new accounts. Allow your activity levels to return to the level of what one would deem of a ‘normal’ person to avoid any further restrictions.
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Why Can’t You Follow Someone on Instagram: Limits on Following and New Accounts
Instagram has specific limitations for new accounts to prevent spam. If your account is relatively new, you may find that you have a lower following limit compared to established accounts. Typically, you may be restricted to following around 200 accounts a day only – man, who adds 200 accounts daily?
If you’ve already reached this limit, you will not be able to follow more accounts until the next day. It’s also important to note that if you frequently follow or unfollow accounts, this may affect your overall numbers and lead to further restrictions.
To avoid restriction issues, try to employ sequencing methods such as spacing out your actions, or hitting the adding limit only on certain days per week. Use Instagram’s features naturally, such as engaging with your feed instead of aggressively following.
Ahhh yes…. If you suspect a technical problem, rebooting your phone, restarting your Wi-Fi router or trying a different network may also help refresh your connection.
Instagram’s Follow Mechanism: Why Can’t I Follow Someone on Instagram?
Knowing how Instagram’s follow mechanism works will definitely help you navigate the platform more effectively. There are many specific reasons you might encounter issues when trying to follow others, even if you are not blocked.
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The Role of Follow Requests in User Interaction
When you try to follow someone on Instagram, they may have set their account to private. This means your follow request will be sent to them for approval. So… until they accept, you won’t be able to see their content or interact with them.
If an account is public, you can follow them without a request, yep! However, if they have temporarily limited their followers, even public accounts can be hard to follow. If you are a new user, you may need to establish your account’s credibility before others feel comfortable accepting your follow requests.
It’s important to remember that frequent follow requests can flag your account as spam – and we definitely don’t want that to be spam! Instagram’s system monitors this behavior closely, leading to temporary blocks on following others if it’s frequent.
How Instagram’s Algorithm Affects You Following Someone Else
Instagram’s algorithm plays an important role in your ability to follow accounts. If you exceed the limit of accounts you can follow within a certain period of time, you might receive a message saying you can’t follow anyone. This limit can fluctuate based on your activity level and account age.
The algorithm also assesses the quality of your interactions. If your account shows signs of spammy behavior or if many users report it, your ability to follow others can be restricted.
Annoyingly, this can happen even if you are trying to follow a real person you know personally.
For a smoother experience, remember to engage genuinely with existing connections. This will help your account gain a good standing with Instagram’s algorithm, making it easier to follow new users without restrictions.
Remind Instagram that you are a real, living, breathing person, mmkay?
What Is Instagram’s Follow Limit?
Instagram has specific rules about how many posts you can make a day, how many LIKEs you may give per hour (for real!), how many comments you may make per hour, how many DMs per day, how many accounts you can follow and unfollow too, etc! All these rules are to keep the platform safe and to limit spammy behavior.
Did you know that there is a ceiling on the total number of accounts you can follow, which is 7,500? Once you reach this limit, you cannot follow more people unless you unfollow some accounts – You have maxed out!
Hence, if you can’t follow someone and it’s not because you are blocked, it might be due to these limits. Always check your current following count to avoid these issues.
Besides the total limit, there are also limits on how many people you can follow in a day. To avoid problems, aim to follow between 10 to 15 accounts per hour (Remember the 200 per day limit!). Following too many accounts too quickly may lead to a temporary ban.
If you are facing trouble, clearing your instagram cache or trying the mobile app instead can sometimes help you get back on track with following others. For more information on this topic, you can check why you can’t follow someone on Instagram.
Troubleshooting Steps So You Can Follow Who You Want!
If you can’t follow someone on Instagram yet aren’t blocked, there are a couple of key areas to check. This section covers how to ensure your internet is stable and your app is updated. It also addresses potential issues with third-party applications and VPN services that may interfere.
Checking Internet Connectivity and App Updates
First, confirm that your internet connection is stable. A bad internet connection can prevent you from following accounts on Instagram. Try connecting to a different Wi-Fi network or use mobile data to see if the issue persists. If you have a weak signal, your actions might fail.
Next, ensure that you’re using the latest version of the Instagram app. Outdated software can cause problems. Visit your device’s app store, search for Instagram, and check if an update is available. Installing the latest version can fix many app issues and enhance performance.
Resolving Errors with Third-Party Apps and VPNs
Sometimes, third-party apps or VPN services may interfere with Instagram. If you’re using any apps that claim to boost followers or manage your account, you may consider removing them. These apps can lead to action blocks and other technical issues.
Also, if you’re connected to a VPN, try disabling it. VPNs can alter your location and affect how Instagram functions. A stable, direct connection is often the best way to use the app without errors. After making these adjustments, attempt to follow the desired account again.
| Type of Issue | Description | Troubleshooting Steps |
| Account Restrictions and Temporary Blocks | Temporary blocks due to repetitive actions or following too many accounts quickly. | – Take a break from following new accounts.- Allow activity levels to normalize. |
| Limits on Following and New Accounts | New accounts have lower following limits and may be restricted to 200 follows/day. | – Check current following count.- Space out follow actions to avoid hitting limits. |
| Private Accounts | Follow requests sent to private accounts require approval. | – Wait for the user to accept your follow request.- Engage with their content if they are a real person. |
| Instagram’s Algorithm | Algorithm may restrict following based on activity level and quality of interactions. | – Engage genuinely with existing connections.- Avoid spammy behavior to maintain account standing. |
| Follow Limit Reached | You can follow a maximum of 7,500 accounts. | – Unfollow accounts to make space.- Follow between 10 to 15 accounts per hour to avoid bans. |
| Internet Connectivity Issues | Bad internet connection can prevent following actions. | – Check Wi-Fi network stability.- Try switching to mobile data or a different Wi-Fi network. |
| Outdated App | Using an outdated version of the Instagram app can cause issues. | – Update the Instagram app to the latest version via your device’s app store. |
| Third-Party Apps and VPNs | Third-party apps or VPN services may interfere with Instagram functionality. | – Remove any third-party apps that manage followers.- Disable VPN services to ensure a direct connection. |
| Technical Problems | General technical issues may prevent following actions. | – Clear app cache or browser cache.- Restart your device or reinstall the app if necessary. |
| Community Guidelines Violations | Engaging in inauthentic activities can trigger action blocks. | – Familiarize yourself with Instagram’s community guidelines.- Engage organically and avoid spammy behavior. |
Preventing Follow Issues on Instagram
So if you have made it all the way down here, it should be obvious by now that to maintain a smooth experience on Instagram, it’s important to understand and follow the platform’s rules. Aha, there are community guidelines too, and abiding by those guidelines you should be able to avoid issues where you can’t follow someone, even when you’re not blocked.
Understanding and Abiding by Instagram’s Community Guidelines
Instagram has specific community guidelines that users must follow. These rules are designed to promote safe and respectful interactions.
If you engage in inauthentic activities, such as using bots to follow or unfollow many accounts quickly, your actions may trigger an action block. Action blocks prevent you from certain activities to protect the Instagram community from spam and suspicious activities.
Do read through Instagram’s community rules to familiarize yourself with acceptable behavior. Violations can lead to temporary or permanent restrictions. Remember, it’s better to engage organically with your followers and avoid any practices that could raise red flags on your account.
Best Practices for Maintaining a Healthy Account
To prevent issues, like being unable to follow someone on Instagram, follow best practices for maintaining a healthy account. You should also avoid posting content that may violate Instagram’s terms of service. Content should be original and respectful. Engaging authentically with your audience through meaningful comments and likes can foster a strong community.
Regularly reviewing your account for any unusual activity can help you spot issues before they escalate into that of a violator. If you suspect you’re facing a restriction now, take a break from such actions to allow your account to reset.
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Contacting Support for Unresolved Follow Issues
If you are experiencing issues trying to follow someone on Instagram and you are certain you are not blocked, reaching out to Instagram’s support can also help. Knowing when and how to contact them, along with what information to provide, can make the process smoother.
When and How to Reach Out to Instagram’s Help Center
You should contact Instagram’s Help Center when you encounter problems such as receiving an error message while trying to follow an account. If you cannot figure out why you can’t follow someone and you’ve checked possible causes, it’s time to seek assistance!
To reach out to them, log into your account and go to the Settings section. From there, select Help and then Report a Problem. Provide a clear description of your issue, including the account name of the person you are trying to follow. You can also access Instagram’s Help Center for additional resources and guidance.
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What Information to Provide in a Support Request
When submitting a support request, include specific details about your issue. Mention that you can’t follow someone on Instagram but are not blocked.
Provide the following information:
- Your Instagram username.
- The username of the account you are trying to follow.
- A screenshot of any error message you receive.
- A detailed account of any troubleshooting steps you’ve taken, like clearing your browser cache or using the app.
This information will help Instagram’s support team to understand your situation quickly and offer a solution more effectively. Keep your request polite and concise, as this can encourage a more timely response – statistically speaking, everyone responds better with common courtesy!
