Hide Your Following List on Instagram [2026 Guide]

If you’ve ever wondered, “how do I hide my following list on Instagram”, you’re not alone. A public following list makes it easy for coworkers, friends, or strangers to snoop on your activity. For anyone who values privacy, that lack of control can feel uncomfortable.

This is why tools and guides like FollowBuddy focus on privacy-first habits that don’t require sharing your Instagram password. The goal is simple: help you understand what Instagram allows, and how to reduce visibility without risking your account.

In this guide, you’ll learn what Instagram does and doesn’t let you hide, how making your account private actually works, and what extra steps you can take to limit who sees your follows. If you’re trying to keep a lower profile in 2026, these steps matter.

How Instagram Following Privacy Works

Instagram’s following list shows every account you’ve chosen to follow. By default, anyone can check this out when they visit your profile.

What Is the Following List?

Your following list is just all the Instagram accounts you follow. When someone taps that "following" number on your profile, they’ll see every account you’ve subscribed to: friends, brands, celebrities, whoever.

This list updates automatically whenever you follow or unfollow someone. Each entry shows the username, profile pic, and name.

People checking your following list can also see if you have any mutual follows with them. The order of the list? That’s up to Instagram’s mysterious algorithm. You can’t rearrange it.

Default Privacy Settings on Instagram

By default, Instagram makes your following list visible to everyone. Anyone who stumbles on your profile can tap your following count and browse through the list.

You can’t pick and choose who gets to see your following list. It’s either visible to everyone, or it’s not. There’s no in-between. Instagram also doesn’t let you know who’s been creeping on your following list. No notifications, no clues.

Public vs. Private Accounts

If your account is public, anyone on Instagram can see your profile, posts, and following list. No approval needed, and your stuff can show up in search and hashtag feeds.

Private accounts are a bit different. You have to approve each follower request, and only those people can see your content, including your following list.

Switching to private is the main way to limit who sees your followers. But heads up: your approved followers still get full access. There’s no way to hide your following list from people who already follow you.

How to Hide Your Following List by Making Your Account Private

Making your Instagram account private is the main way to control who sees your following list. When you switch to a private account, only your approved followers can view who you follow.

Steps to Switch to a Private Account

Open Instagram and tap your profile picture in the bottom-right corner. Hit the three horizontal lines up top to open the menu. Tap Settings and privacy. Scroll until you spot Account privacy, then tap it.

You’ll see a switch next to Private account. Flip it on (should turn blue or green). Instagram will ask you to confirm. Tap Switch to Private to lock it in. Now your account’s private, and new followers have to request access.

What Happens to Your Following List After Going Private

Your following list is now hidden from anyone who doesn’t follow you. Only your approved followers can check out who you follow.

People who aren’t following you will still see your follower and following numbers, but they can’t click through to the lists. Your posts are also hidden from non-followers.

Existing followers keep their access. If you want to hide your following list from someone who already follows you, you’ll have to remove or block them.

Limitations of Private Accounts

Private accounts don’t hide your following list from your approved followers. Anyone who follows you can still see all the accounts you follow.

Your account’s harder to discover. New people can’t see your posts, Reels, or Stories unless you approve them. That can make it tough if you’re trying to grow an audience.

You’ll need to manually approve every follow request. It’s a little more work, but it’s the price for a bit more privacy.

Additional Privacy Strategies for Hiding Activity

Besides making your account private, you can block certain users, remove followers you’re not comfortable with, or restrict accounts that get on your nerves.

Blocking Specific Users

Blocking someone on Instagram keeps them from seeing your profile, posts, and following list. Once you block, they can’t find your account or see what you’re up to.

To block, go to their profile, tap the three dots in the corner, and select "Block." They won’t get a notification, but they’ll notice they can’t access your profile.

You can also block people straight from your followers list. Just tap the three dots next to their name and block away. Blocking is a total shut-out. Blocked users can’t see anything about you.

Removing Followers

Removing followers gives you control without going full block. Works best if your account’s private. Removed followers won’t see your posts unless you let them back in.

To remove a follower, tap your follower count, find the person, tap the three dots, and choose "Remove Follower." Instagram won’t notify them.

If your account’s public, they could still check your profile, but they’d have to follow you again for private stuff. On a private account, they’re out of the loop unless you approve them.

Restricting Accounts

Restricting is a softer approach. When you restrict someone, they can still follow you and see your public info, but their interactions get limited.

Go to their profile, tap the three dots, and pick "Restrict." You can also restrict by swiping left on their comments or through privacy settings.

Restricted accounts:

• Their comments only show to them unless you approve
  
  
  

• They can’t see when you’re active or if you’ve read their messages
  
  
  

• Your activity status is hidden
  
  
  

This is handy when you don’t want to block someone but need a little space.

Third-Party Apps and Tools: Should You Use Them?

You’ll see some apps and websites claiming they can hide your Instagram following list without making your account private. Honestly, these are risky and usually break Instagram’s rules.

Risks of Using Unofficial Tools

Third-party apps that promise to hide your following list need access to your Instagram account. That means you’re handing over your username, photos, and sometimes way more.

Here’s what could go wrong:

• Your login info could get stolen
  
  
  

• The app might post weird stuff without your say-so
  
  
  

• Your data could get sold off
  
  
  

• Instagram could suspend or ban your account

Security is often an afterthought for these apps. Hackers might get your info, and that’s a nightmare no one wants.

How Third-Party Apps Claim to Hide Following Lists

Most of these apps don’t actually hide your following list from other users. They might let you remove followers in bulk or block a bunch of people at once.

Some claim to show who viewed your profile or who unfollowed you. But they’re just automating stuff you could do yourself. They don’t have special access to Instagram’s privacy settings.

If an app says it can hide your following list while keeping your account public, don’t buy it. Instagram doesn’t allow that, and no outside tool can change it.

Instagram's Policy on External Tools

Instagram’s pretty clear: avoid apps promising likes, followers, or account management features. They actively hunt down and block unauthorized apps.

You can see which apps have access by going to your profile, tapping the menu, and checking "Website permissions" or "Apps and websites" under settings.

Stick with Instagram’s official tools. If you really need a third-party app, make sure it’s verified and trustworthy.

Tips for Managing Your Instagram Presence

Instagram’s about more than hiding your following list. Being thoughtful about who you follow and checking your settings now and then helps keep your account secure and private.

Curating Who You Follow

Be picky about who you follow. Every account shows up on your following list if you’re public. Ask yourself if you really want to follow someone, or if bookmarking a post is enough. Sometimes you just want to peek, not commit.

Unfollow accounts that aren’t your vibe anymore. Every few months, scroll through your list and clean house. Some people make a private "finsta" (fake Instagram) for following accounts they’d rather keep separate. It keeps your main following list tidy.

Reviewing Your Privacy Settings Regularly

Check your privacy settings every few months. Instagram loves to update things, and that can change how your info is shared.

Go to Settings and Privacy, then Account Privacy, to check if you’re private. Only approved followers can see your posts and following list if you are.

Other privacy areas to review:

• Story settings: Decide who can see your stories
  
  
  

• Post visibility: Control who views your content
  
  
  

• Activity status: Hide when you’re online
  
  
  

• Tagged posts: Approve tags before they show up

Turn on two-factor authentication for extra security. That way, even if someone tries to get in, they’ll have a tough time.

Handling Privacy Concerns With Followers

Remove followers who make you uneasy. Just tap the three dots on their profile and select Remove Follower. No drama, no notification. If someone keeps pushing your boundaries, block them. Blocked accounts can’t see your profile, posts, or following list.

Talk to friends and family about your privacy preferences. If you’d rather they not tag you or share your posts, just let them know.

If someone harasses you or breaks Instagram’s rules, report them. Instagram does take privacy violations seriously.

A Quick Wrap-Up For Staying Private

If you’re asking “how do I hide my following list on Instagram”, the most reliable move is still switching to a private account, then cleaning up followers you don’t fully trust.

If you want a simple, privacy-first way to stay on top of your settings and keep your account feeling under control, FollowBuddy can help you run safer checkups without turning your profile into public business.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can You Tell Me the Steps to Privatize Who I Follow on Instagram?

Open Instagram, tap your profile picture, then the three lines up top. Head to Settings and privacy.

Go to Account privacy and switch on the Private account toggle. Now, only approved followers can see your following list.

Is There a Way to Make My Followed Accounts Invisible to Others?

You can’t hide your following list from everyone if your account is public. Instagram shows your following list to anyone who visits your profile when it’s public. The only real fix is switching to a private account. That way, only people you approve get access.

What Are the Privacy Settings for Controlling Who Sees the People I Follow on Instagram?

Instagram doesn’t give you many options here. The main setting is making your account private, which hides your following list from non-followers.

You can’t pick and choose who sees your following list. It’s all or nothing, depending on your account status.

Just Wondering, How Can I Keep My Follows on Instagram a Secret From Friends?

If you want to keep your follows private from friends who already follow you, you’ll have to block them, at least temporarily. That stops them from seeing your profile and following list.

Or, make a separate account for private browsing. That way, you can follow whoever you want without it showing up on your main profile.

Could You Guide Me Through Adjusting My Account So My Followings Aren't Public?

Go to your profile, tap the menu icon, and pick Settings and privacy. Find Account privacy and toggle on Private account. Now, only people you approve can see your following list.

I'm Looking to Maintain a Low Profile; How Do I Hide the List of Accounts I'm Following From Nosy Users?

Making your account private is honestly the best way to control who gets to peek at your following list. If you do this, people have to send you a follow request before they can see your profile details.

You might also want to block certain users if you really don't want them snooping around your activity. When you block someone, they can't see your profile, posts, or following list, even if they try to make new accounts to look you up.