Why Can't I Follow People on Instagram And What To Do

As well known, instagram is one of the most popular social media platforms, allowing users to share photos and videos and follow friends, celebrities, brands, and more. However, sometimes you may find yourself unable to follow new accounts on Instagram. There are a few common reasons why the Follow button may not be working for you.

And that is what I will be addressing in this article, so if you are unable to  follow someone on Instagram please continue reading. 

Not been able to Follow People on Instagram is not a new problem to many Instagram users, and there are a few main reasons why Instagram may block you from being able to follow someone, check it out below;

Account Privacy Settings

If the user you're trying to follow has set their account to private, you will need to send them a follow request which they'll need to approve before you can see their content. Accounts with private profiles do this intentionally to control their list of followers. 

If you already sent them a request and they haven't approved you, try reaching out to them directly to ask them to accept. If it's someone you don't know well, they may be limiting who can access their account.

Follow Limit Reached 

Instagram limits the number of accounts you can follow per day as an anti-spam measure. This number usually starts out around 200 follows per day for newer accounts. If you go over this limit, Instagram may prevent you from sending additional follow requests for a period.

The exact follow limit isn't published by Instagram and is subject to change. If you hit your max, you'll have to wait 24 hours before the limit resets to resume following more accounts. Be strategic in who you choose to follow each day.

Blocked by the User

If someone has blocked your account, Instagram will prohibit you from viewing their profile or posts. Trying to follow a profile that has blocked you will result in an error. 

To check if you're blocked, try accessing the user's profile from an alternative account. If your main account is loaded, you have likely been blocked and will need to contact the user to request they unblock you.

Banned or Deactivated Account

Attempting to follow accounts that have been deactivated or banned by Instagram will result in errors. If the account has been removed, it no longer exists on the platform to allow new followers.

Always double check that the username is typed correctly when you run into follow errors. If spelled correctly, the account has likely been disabled for violation of Instagram's terms of service.

Account Under Age 13

Instagram requires users to be at least 13 years old to sign up. If users discover an account belongs to someone under 13, they will restrict certain account functions, like following others. This is to comply with legislation around children using online services. If you're unable to follow and suspect underage use, reporting the account to Instagram is encouraged.

Banned Hashtags or Captions

Sometimes a post you engaged with may have included banned tags or captions that violated Instagram’s community guidelines. Even though you did nothing wrong, interacting with that post links your account. Attempting to follow more accounts could be temporarily disabled as a result.

Exceeded Daily API Limit

The Instagram API (application programming interface) allows third-party apps to access Instagram data and functionality programmatically. However, Instagram also enforces a limit on the number of API calls an app can make in a day to prevent abuse. 

If you were using a third-party app that then exceeded the API limits linked to your account, some functionality including following accounts may be disabled for a period. Check the app’s documentation or with their support team to understand if API limits are affecting your account actions.

Troubleshooting Instagram Follow Issues

If none of the above reasons apply and you're still having issues, try logging out and back into your Instagram account to reset it. Also ensure the app is updated to the latest version on iOS or Android. 

Overloading your follow requests too fast can sometimes cause temporary glitches. Take breaks between massive follow sprees to allow the system to register them properly.

If all else fails, contact Instagram support directly for additional help determining why specific accounts are unfollowable. Be patient and persistent, as permissions can sometimes resolve in a few days.