Instagram’s algorithm aims to show you posts that you’ll probably find interesting. When your feed caters to your likes and interests, you’re more likely to engage with the posts you see, which increases overall engagement on the platform.
Still, the Instagram algorithm doesn’t always get it right. There also might be times when you want to personalize your feed in a way that the algorithm doesn’t achieve.
Muting an account might come in handy for this purpose. Read this guide to discover why it works and how to mute someone on Instagram.
How to Mute Someone’s Posts on Instagram
The primary way to mute someone on Instagram is through their profiles. This process only works with accounts you already follow, as they’re the ones that show in your feed. Here’s how to do it:
- Navigate to the profile of the person or brand you’d like to mute.
- Tap the Following button.
- Select Mute.
- Toggle the button for Posts to stop seeing the user’s posts in your feed.
How to Mute a User’s Stories on Instagram
You can also mute an Instagram user’s Stories if you’d no longer like to see them. One way to do this is by following the steps above and toggling the button for Stories rather than posts. You can also use this method:
- Find the Story for the person you’d like to mute.
- Hold your finger on the user’s profile picture rather than tap it to open the Story.
- Tap Mute.
- Choose whether you’d like to mute the person’s Stories only or their Stories and posts.
How to Mute DMs on Instagram
Instagram also lets you mute DMs from other users if you’d prefer not to get notified when they message you. This is a good alternative to turning off all Instagram message notifications if you only want to mute a few specific accounts. Again, this only works with accounts you follow.
- Navigate to your Instagram DMs.
- Select a conversation with the person you’d like to mute.
- Tap on the user’s name.
- Toggle the Mute Messages button and the Mute Video Chats button if you’d like to mute those, too.
Why Mute Someone on Instagram?
Businesses and individuals can mute Instagram accounts to stop seeing their posts in their feeds. Why would you want to do this? Let’s look at an example from a personal perspective:
Suppose you follow several brands that you buy things from regularly on Instagram. You’ve primarily followed them because you want to be able to check for current sales and discounts before placing your next order. However, you don’t want to see their posts sprinkled throughout your feed, which you like to keep more personal with photos from friends and family. Muting allows you to stay connected with those brands by visiting their pages whenever you like.
Now, let’s look at it from a business’s perspective:
Your brand account follows several competitors of your brand for networking and competitive research purposes. But, you like to keep your feed filled with potential influencers you’d like to work with for future promotions. Muting your competitors still keeps you following them but without their posts making their way to your feed.
Muting vs. Blocking on Instagram: What’s the Difference?
When you mute an account on Instagram, you still have access to that account’s feed. You remain a follower, so even if the account is private, you can still see its posts. Similarly, that account can still see everything you post on Instagram.
In contrast, blocking an Instagram user removes their ability to see your posts and your ability to see theirs. The user’s account will no longer be available if you search for it, and you’ll be unable to contact each other.
Muting on Instagram: FAQs
Can muted people still contact me?
Yes, people you mute on Instagram can still contact you. If you’d prefer not to be contacted by someone you’ve muted, you might choose to block them instead. Alternatively, you can choose the Restrict feature to send the person’s messages to your Message Requests folder rather than your primary inbox.
Does Instagram notify people when I mute them?
No, Instagram does not let account holders know when you’ve muted them on Instagram.
Can you tell if someone has muted you on Instagram?
No, there is currently no way to know if someone has muted you on Instagram.
Is there an Instagram mute limit?
The exact number of accounts you can mute is uncertain, but some Instagram users report receiving error messages after muting around 100 accounts. However, this might also happen if you try to mute too many accounts in a short time period. Use the feature sparingly to avoid this issue.
Muting on Instagram is an effective strategy to exert more control over what shows up in your feed. But as a marketer, you want to ensure that your posts are showing up in many users’ feeds. Start growing your Instagram audience with the Instagram follow button. It’s easy to install on your blog or website in just minutes, and it’s totally free to use. Plus, it gives your visitors an easy way to follow you on Instagram with a single click.
