How to tell if someone blocked you on Instagram or deleted their account
While using Instagram, you may notice someone's missing or inaccessible profile. Knowing how to tell if someone blocked you on Instagram or deleted their account can help you understand the situation. Clues like not seeing their posts, stories, comments, etc., can reveal whether they've blocked you or deleted their account. TUKO.co.ke also sought expert insight from social media manager Barbara Wavomba on how to tell whether someone has blocked you on Instagram or simply deleted their account.
Source: Getty Images
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Key takeaways
- When you can’t find someone's profile through search or view their posts, it may indicate they’ve blocked you or deleted their account.
- The sudden absence of their posts or stories could suggest they’ve restricted access to their profile or deleted their account.
- Messages stuck on sending or failing to deliver might mean you've been blocked.
- If your comments or likes on their previous posts are no longer visible, they could have blocked you or deleted their account.
- Not being able to locate their account via username or name could mean they've deleted their account or blocked you.
How to know if you're blocked on Instagram
Are you blocked or did they delete their Instagram? There are several ways to tell if someone blocked or unfriended you or deleted their Instagram. They include:
Search for their profile
Source: Instagram
The quickest way to know if you're blocked on Instagram is to search for the person’s username. You might have been blocked if you can’t find their profile even though you could see it previously.
Check profile visits
How do you know if someone blocked you or unfriended you on Instagram? You might be blocked if you could access someone's profile and their picture is missing, or you can't see any posts. Typically, if you're blocked, you can't see their posts, stories, or followers list.
In addition, If you visit their profile and there’s a "User not found" notification or a blank profile, this could indicate a block. However, note that if the user switches to private, and you aren’t following them or are unfriended, you won’t see anything either.
Look for their posts in your feed
Source: Instagram
Another indicator you’re blocked is if their posts suddenly stop appearing in your feed. Usually, even if someone unfollows you, you might still see their posts if their account is public or you are a mutual follower.
Unable to send direct messages
You might be blocked if you can't send a direct message to the user. In some cases, the conversation thread no longer exists at all in your inbox. Unlike regular unfollows, blocking prevents interaction, including messaging, and is a strong clue.
No comments or likes
Source: Instagram
Did you like or comment on their posts in the past, but now they aren’t visible? You are blocked. Additionally, if you can't see their activity on your posts (such as their likes or comments disappearing), it may indicate that they’ve blocked you.
Visit their profile using a web browser
Source: Instagram
Sometimes, the Instagram app has technical issues. To double-check if you’ve been blocked, open Instagram in a web browser and search for the person's username. If their profile appears on the browser but not in the app, it could be an issue with the app itself. But if it's also unavailable on the browser, you have most likely been blocked.
Check mutual followers
Another way to know if you’re blocked on IG is to ask someone who still follows the person if they can see the account. If that mutual follower can see the person's posts, it strongly indicates that you've been blocked.
How to check whether a person has deactivated their Instagram
Thankfully, Instagram allows you to check if your followers or someone you follow has deactivated their account. Here are the steps:
- Open your Instagram profile by clicking your profile photo.
- Click on “Followers” at the top of the screen.
- Click on “Deactivated accounts”.
- Scroll through the list to find the account in question.
Interview with a social media manager
In an exclusive interview with TUKO.co.ke, Barbara Wavomba, a social media manager, opened about how one can tell whether someone has blocked them on Instagram or simply deleted their account.
Q: What are the most obvious signs that someone has blocked you on Instagram, and how do they differ from when someone simply deactivates or deletes their account?
If you're blocked, the profile picture can be seen and it exists, but no interaction can take place. You also can't find their username if you search for them, but another person can. If deleted, their posts are completely removed from the platform. And you can't see them.
Q: Sometimes, users assume they've been blocked or the account was deleted, but in reality, Instagram may have temporarily suspended the account. What are the key signs that an account has been suspended?
If suspended, you will be logged out and won't be able to log back in. You also receive an email from Instagram stating so.
Q: As a social media manager, how do you view the role of blocking as a privacy tool on Instagram?
The blocking tool is important to protect the user from constantly having to defend themselves from cyber stalkers and cyber bullies.
Q: With Instagram’s evolving algorithms and privacy settings, do these changes actually enhance user safety and help create a healthier online environment?
I haven't used a lot of Instagram privacy features because I own a creator account. But I will try to implement and see how 'healthy' it can be.
Final word
Knowing how to tell if someone blocked you on Instagram or deleted their account is crucial. Whether it’s due to privacy preferences, personal choices, or a shift in their social media activity, being aware of these possibilities allows you to manage your interactions with them.
Tuko.co.ke has published an article about How to fix the "Sorry this page isn't available" error on Instagram. In some instances, Instagram says sorry, this page isn't available when you try to access a profile, picture, post, or a link. Different things usually cause this error, but it can be fixed. How? Read this article for a guide.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
Bill Cyril Salasya (Lifestyle writer) Bill Cyril Salasya is an experienced writer who joined the Tuko team in 2023. He earned a Bachelor of Education (Arts) degree in 2021. Bill has 7 years of experience in the field and has worked as a content writer at Strikingly, Urban Ambiance, and WOW Travels. He works on various topics, including technology, lifestyle, travel, entertainment, marketing, etc. In 2023, Bill finished the AFP course on Digital Investigation Techniques. In 2024, he expanded his skills through Google News Initiative courses. You can reach him at billsalasya@gmail.com
Clinton Nyabuto (Lifestyle journalist) Clinton Nyabuto is a journalist at TUKO.co.ke with over five years of professional experience in digital journalism. He has previously worked with the Standard Media Group as a Digital Writer and Sub-Editor, Scooper News Kenya as a Content Editor, and Nairobileo.co.ke as a Content Writer and Editor. For inquiries, contact him via email: clinton.nyabuto@tuko.co.ke.
