How to Remove Followers on Instagram Without Blocking (2025)
Quick Answer
Go to your profile > Followers > tap the three dots next to any follower > select "Remove." They won't be notified, and you don't have to block them. This works for both public and private accounts.
Sometimes you want to remove a follower without the drama of blocking them. Maybe it's an ex, a coworker you'd rather not share with, or just someone whose attention makes you uncomfortable. Good news: Instagram lets you quietly remove followers without blocking.
How to Remove a Follower on Instagram (Step-by-Step)
On Mobile (iOS and Android)
- Open Instagram and go to your profile
- Tap Followers at the top of your profile
- Find the person you want to remove (use the search bar if needed)
- Tap Remove next to their name
- Confirm by tapping Remove again
On Desktop (instagram.com)
- Go to instagram.com and log in
- Click your profile picture in the top right
- Click Followers
- Find the person you want to remove
- Click the three dots (...) next to their name
- Select Remove follower
What Happens When You Remove a Follower?
When you remove someone as a follower:
- They are NOT notified - Instagram sends no alert about the removal
- They can still find your profile - You're not blocking them
- They can follow you again - Unless you have a private account (then they'd need to request)
- Your posts disappear from their feed - They won't see your content anymore
- They can still view your profile - If your account is public
- You still follow them - Removing a follower doesn't unfollow them (that's separate)
This is different from unfollowing someone, which affects who YOU see—not who sees you.
Remove Follower vs. Block: What's the Difference?
| Action | Remove Follower | Block |
|---|---|---|
| They're notified | No | No (but they'll notice) |
| Can view your profile | Yes (if public) | No |
| Can follow you again | Yes | No |
| Can message you | Yes | No |
| Can see your comments | Yes | No |
| Drama level | Low | Higher if discovered |
When to Remove vs. Block
Remove when you want less visibility without cutting ties completely—like with acquaintances, old friends, or people you might see in real life. Block when you need complete separation—like with harassers, stalkers, or toxic people.
Why Remove Followers Instead of Blocking?
There are several good reasons to choose removal over blocking:
1. Avoid Confrontation
If someone realizes they're blocked, it can create awkwardness or conflict. Removing them is more subtle—they likely won't even notice.
2. Maintain Professional Relationships
Blocking a coworker or business contact can backfire. Removing them lets you control your audience without burning bridges.
3. Curate Your Audience
Maybe you want to share more personal content but not with certain people. Removing followers lets you customize who sees what.
4. Improve Your Engagement Rate
Removing inactive or ghost followers improves your follower ratio and can boost your engagement rate, which matters for the algorithm.
5. Protect Your Privacy
Sometimes you just don't want certain people keeping tabs on your life. Removal is a clean, quiet solution.
How to Find Followers to Remove
Not sure who to remove? Here are some strategies:
Review Your Followers List Manually
Scroll through your followers and look for:
- People you don't recognize
- Accounts that look fake or spammy
- People you'd rather not share your life with
- Inactive accounts (no posts, no profile picture)
Check Who Doesn't Follow You Back
Use FANS to see who doesn't follow you back. While this is about who YOU follow, it can help you identify one-sided connections. You can safely check this by exporting your Instagram data and importing it into FANS.
Use Instagram's Built-in Categories
Instagram sometimes shows "Least Interacted With" and "Most Shown in Feed" categories in your following list. While these are for accounts you follow, they can give insights into relationship dynamics.
See Your Follower Insights
Find out who doesn't follow you back and make informed decisions about your connections.
Download FANS FreeCan Someone Tell If You Removed Them?
Instagram doesn't notify users when they're removed as a follower. However, they might figure it out if:
- They notice your posts aren't appearing in their feed anymore
- They visit your profile and see "Follow" instead of "Following"
- They use a follower tracking app like FANS that shows them who unfollowed them
- Your follower count appeared in their notifications and now doesn't match
That said, most people won't notice unless they're specifically checking. And even if they do, "removal" is less confrontational than blocking.
Removing Multiple Followers at Once
Unfortunately, Instagram doesn't offer a bulk remove feature. You have to remove followers one by one. If you need to remove many followers:
Go Slowly
Don't remove too many followers at once. Instagram may flag rapid actions as suspicious behavior and temporarily limit your account. Remove 10-20 accounts at a time, then wait a few hours.
This is similar to the advice for cleaning up your following list—slow and steady wins the race.
Private vs. Public Accounts: Does It Matter?
The remove follower feature works for both private and public accounts, but the implications differ:
Private Account
Removing a follower means they'd have to request to follow you again, which you can deny. They can't see your posts at all unless you approve them.
Public Account
Removing a follower just removes them from your followers list. They can still view your profile, see your posts by visiting directly, and re-follow you instantly. Your content just won't appear in their feed.
If you're concerned about someone persistently viewing your content, switching to a private account gives you more control.
Common Reasons to Remove Followers
- Ex-partners - Keep your new life private without the drama of blocking
- Coworkers or bosses - Separate professional and personal life
- Family members - Sometimes you need boundaries
- Fake/bot accounts - Clean up your follower list for better engagement
- Strangers who make you uncomfortable - Control your audience
- People from old life stages - High school acquaintances, former friends
- Inactive ghost followers - They don't engage but count against your ratio
Key Takeaways
- You can remove followers without blocking them
- Go to Profile > Followers > Remove (on mobile) or use the three-dot menu (on desktop)
- Removed followers are NOT notified
- They can still view your profile if it's public
- They can re-follow you (unless you're private)
- Remove slowly to avoid Instagram action limits
- Use this feature to curate your audience without drama
Frequently Asked Questions
If I remove a follower, do I also unfollow them?
No. Removing someone as your follower and unfollowing them are two separate actions. If you follow them, you'll still follow them after removal. You'd need to unfollow them separately if desired.
Can removed followers see my Stories?
It depends. If your account is public, yes—they can view your Stories by visiting your profile. If your account is private, no—they'd need to follow you again (and get approved) to see your Stories.
Is there a limit to how many followers I can remove?
Instagram doesn't publish official limits, but removing too many followers quickly can trigger temporary action blocks. Stay safe by removing 10-20 per day maximum.
Will removing followers hurt my account?
No. In fact, removing inactive or fake followers can actually help your engagement rate and make your account healthier. Quality followers matter more than quantity.
Can I undo removing a follower?
Not directly. Once removed, they'd need to follow you again. If your account is private, they'd have to send a follow request that you'd approve. There's no "re-add" button.
Why can't I find the remove option?
Make sure your Instagram app is updated to the latest version. The remove follower feature has been available since 2021, but older app versions might not show it properly.
Managing Your Instagram Audience
Removing followers is just one part of managing your Instagram presence. For a healthy account, you should also:
- Clean up your following list regularly
- Track who unfollows you to understand your audience
- Be aware of why people unfollow so you can improve your content
- Maintain a healthy follower to following ratio
- Use safe apps that don't require your password
Think of your followers list like your guest list at a party. You get to decide who's invited, and sometimes you need to adjust that list to keep the vibe right.
Take Control of Your Instagram
Start by seeing who doesn't follow you back—it's the first step to a healthier account.
Download FANS Free