Instagram can sometimes be too much to handle but, by making an account private, users can regain control over how they use the social media app. While private accounts aren’t a new Instagram feature, it’s definitely worth considering using.
Since its launch in 2010, Instagram has skyrocketed as one of the most popular social media platforms on the planet. Users can share photos on their timeline, add to Instagram Stories, get lost on the Explore page, and even do a bit of shopping. In addition to seemingly endless features, Instagram has also attracted a downright massive audience — over 1 billion monthly users. Having so many people on the app can often bring unwanted attention to people’s profiles but, thankfully, this is a fairly easy thing to avoid.
To make an Instagram account private, Instagram says to open the app and tap the profile icon on the bottom navigation bar. From there, tap the three lines in the upper-right corner, tap ‘Settings,’ tap ‘Privacy,’ and then tap the toggle next to ‘Private Account.’ Instagram then shows a pop-up message with more details about switching to a Private Account, informing users that doing so only allows followers to view the account’s photos/videos. After reviewing this, tap the ‘Switch to Private’ button to confirm the change. If someone switches to a Private Account but wants to disable it, they can do so at any time by re-tapping the toggle next to Private Account.
Why It’s Worth Making Your Instagram Account Private
Switching to a private Instagram account is easy enough, but why would someone want to do this in the first place? For most people, it all comes down to privacy. If an Instagram account is public, anyone can look it up in the app and view anything they’ve posted. Private accounts can still be searched and found on Instagram, but unless someone is following the account, they can’t view any of their posts. If they choose to follow a private account, the account owner needs to approve their follow before that person can see any pictures or videos that have been shared.
Whether someone is sharing personal photos or wants to limit their interactions with strangers on Instagram, setting up a private account is well worth the minimal effort required to create one. It takes mere seconds, can be undone just as quickly, and is a great way to add a layer of privacy that otherwise isn’t there. Some people may be perfectly fine keeping their account public, but going private is a smart move for those that aren’t.
Source: Instagram
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