When you restrict someone on Instagram, the feature works as a handy tool to limit interactions, mute comments, and avoid unwanted messages without breaking connections. This option, introduced in 2019, helps curb cyberbullying, reduce instances of conflict, and promote a more positive, welcoming community on the platform. Many users use this to pause how others interact with their account, page, snaps, likes, and comments, keeping social media spaces safer. Keep reading this blog to learn what happens when you restrict a user, restrict an account, or connect with people the smart way, as this post will fully explain how to do so.
How It Works
- Temporarily limit interactions:
When you restrict someone on Instagram, you limit their interactions without having to block, unfollow, or tell them. This feature helps manage unwanted attention quietly while keeping the person unaware of any changes.
- Review their comments:
When you restrict a person on Instagram, their comments on your posts will only be visible to you and them unless you choose to approve each individual new comment they make, so others can see it too.
- Hide your activity status:
When you restrict someone on Instagram, their messages will be moved to Message Requests, so they won’t see if you’re online, read them, or able to chat with you like before.
What does it mean to restrict someone on instagram?
Instagram first launched the Restrict Accounts feature in 2019 to help users control interactions and fight cyberbullying, creating healthier communities. In May, 2024, it was updated, further expanding ways to block or restrict unwanted connections who may tag, mention, comment on posts, stories, or remix your Reels. This protects your account by limiting communications like direct messages in the inbox and making comments not visible to others, all managed from the Privacy tab, settings, or a person’s profile under their name. It helps prevent online bullying, a serious issue for young people who feel reluctant to report or ban someone, letting them guard their space by swiping or using the option to see less, without alerting the person right away or completely blocking, keeping your experience calmly monitored.
How to restrict someone on Instagram in several different ways
Here’s what happens when you do:
- You can restrict multiple users from group accounts to stop being bullied or getting unwanted comments.
- Do this by clicking their comment, then tap restrict, and confirm your action.
- Once restricted, you will not receive notice or future claims from that person, and they will not know what changed.
- They can still view comments, but you must choose to approve, delete, or ignore them for others to see.
- It helps manage comments about your post, and you can use it temporarily too — just note it’s your choice to act again.
Step 1: To restrict or unrestrict someone via message
In the Instagram app for Android and iPhone:
- Click the Send or Messenger icon in the top right corner of your feed.
- Open a dialog with the person you want to ban.
- Click the person’s name at the top of the dialog.
- Click More Actions (or the option icon) in the top right corner.
- Tap Restriction.
Step 2: To restrict or unrestrict someone by commenting
In the Instagram app for Android:
- Go to profile option.
- Go to your post and tap View all comments.
- Click and hold the text button.
- Click Restrict [Username] or unrestriction [Username].
In the Instagram app on iPhone:
- Go to your post and tap View all comments.
- Swipe left above the line.
- Click Restrict or UnRestrict.
On Instagram, you can use the restriction feature by going to messages, tap the chat of the person, then see the see comment option and once tapped, you can restrict or unrestrict the user to control their interaction, engagement, and access. A restricted someone can still comment on your post, but their comment visibility is limited — you can approve, approve again, delete, or remove it, and it won’t be visible to others, nor will they get a notification. This also helps hide comments on future posts, make your content more private, and avoid dealing with a blocked person directly.
Step 3: To restrict or unrestrict someone through settings
In the Instagram app for Android and iPhone:
- Go to your profile.
- Tapping your picture at the bottom right.
- Tap more options (three dots) at the top right corner in the screen.
- Tap restricted.
- Tap continue to move ahead.
- Search account you want restrict.
- Tap next to their username.
- To unrestrict someone, tap the same way again.
Step 4: To restrict or unrestrict someone through profile
In the Instagram app for Android and iPhone:
- Tap the search icon and type their username.
- Click on their profile from the results.
- Look in the upper right corner for the three dots menu icon (Android or iPhone).
- Click the menu, then click restrict or unrestrict to manage their account.
- You won’t see their story or post on your feed, and they won’t know they’re restricted.
In the Instagram app for Computer:
- Search and enter the person’s username to open their profile.
- Click the three dots at the top right corner of their account.
- From the menu, click restrict or click unrestrict.
- Their post, story, and presence on your feed will adjust silently.
What happens when you restrict someone on Instagram?
If you’ve restricted an account on Instagram, here’s how it will affect your experience:
1. Active status will be saved
When you restrict someone on Instagram, they can’t see your active status even if it is turned on, which gives privacy and peace without disturbing them, especially when users are online or have been usually active after following you, but this helps manage visibility you’re comfortable with.
2. Request Message appears in inbox
When you’ve restricted accounts, messages from the person won’t appear in your main inbox, instead, they go to Requests, where you can choose to view, open, read, reply, or mark the message, but the person will not be notified, and they will not know if you saw it, unless you act on their message, as this action helps to control what you see and how it reaches your inbox.
3. Comments will be hidden by default
When you restrict accounts, their comments on your posts will not be visible to everyone by default, and only you and the restricted person can see them in the comment section by clicking “View Comments” or tap and hold to add or delete, keeping the information private, withheld from others, so the restricted person will not know that their comment is hidden by this feature.
See a List of All Restricted Accounts
Instagram makes it quite easy to see a complete list of all the accounts you have restricted on Instagram. If you wish to see how many users you have restricted to date, follow the steps below:
- Tap your profile and open the Hamburger icon in the top right.
- Go to Settings, then scroll to Restricted under activity.
- Here, you can see all the accounts you have restricted on Instagram.
- The list shows who can’t fully interact with you or others.
- This screen helps you manage and control restricted profiles easily.
To see who you restrict, go to the search bar, type the name of the account, and check if you’ve restrict that account, which helps when someone shows a tendency to send an inappropriate message or comment. This method works only if you remember, because Instagram did not clearly discuss this option above, but we, as human users, can still find them from the settings here.
Unrestrict Accounts on Instagram
Well, if you ever change your mind and wish to unrestrict people on Instagram, it is as simple as restricting them in the first place. Here’s how you can do it:
- Go to the person’s profile on Instagram.
- Tap the hamburger icon at the top right.
- Open settings, then the activity screen, and find the restricted accounts list.
- When you see the user you’ve restricted until now, tap the adjacent option to unrestrict them.
- This helps undo what you did above without hassle.
You have successfully removed an account from the restricted accounts list.
How to know if someone restricted you on Instagram
If someone restrict you on Instagram, they won’t be notified, like when someone takes a screenshot of your story. But you may notice some telltale signs.
Here’s how you can imagine it.
- Check their activity status:
To check if someone restricted you, see their profile for the green dot, “Active Now”, or “Active 1h ago” — the absence of this information can be symptomatic, though you still can send messages in this case.
- Check your comments:
Try checking the comments section on their latest post, ask a friend to see if they can view your comment, because this information may show you are restricted, as Instagram doesn’t notify you and others can watch what they share but not your input.
Keep in mind, the only way to know if you’re restricted on Instagram is not 100% sure, but Instagram allows people to hide their activity, status, and comments from being immediately visible, so knowing the signs can help you see things to lookout for, like what other users do, and these tips, from experience, can keep you safe and your space positive.
Conclusion
When you restrict someone on Instagram, it means their messages, texts, and replies go into silent mode, and they can’t see when you’re active or if you’ve read them. You can track such accounts by visiting their profile, checking their bio, and even unrestrict them by tapping open options. This restriction policy doesn’t ban them but adds prohibitions on interaction, helping to enhance your experience and improve your public profile slowly. Now, you know how to do it wisely, and alternatively, you can create better space by muting Reels, skipping notes, or following storytellers you enjoy, which makes things feel different and less annoying on your schedule at one place.
FAQ’s
If You See Their Story if Someone Restricts You on Instagram?
Yes, if someone restricts you on Instagram, you can still see their stories. Restricting someone doesn’t block them or stop them from seeing your content; it just limits their ability to interact with you. So, you’ll still be able to view their stories and posts.
If someone bans me on Instagram, can I still message them?
Yes, you can still message them. However, your message will not appear in their DM but in their message request section.
What happens if you ban someone on Instagram?
Restricting someone on Instagram is like putting them in a state of silence. They can still see your posts, but their information is hidden from everyone (except them). They also can’t message you directly due to your active status. It’s a way to make a path without cutting them off at all.
How to know if someone checked my Instagram profile?
Well, there isn’t a sure-shot way to know who visited your Instagram profile, as Instagram doesn’t have a tool for it. Here we have detailed how you can find who views your Instagram profile.
What will happen to the earlier comments of the now-restricted account?
The earlier comments made by the restricted account will still appear as they were, meaning the comments will still be visible to you and your followers if your account is private and to all users in case of a public account.
