Where Are Followers and Following in Instagram Data Export? (2026 Guide)
Quick Answer
In a JSON export, Instagram usually stores your follower data inside connections/followers_and_following. Your following list is typically in following.json, while your followers may be split across followers_1.json, followers_2.json, and more. If you do not want to dig through files manually, the best solution is to import the ZIP into FANS, which reads the right files for you without requiring your Instagram login.
People usually land on this question right after they download Instagram's official export and realize the ZIP is not exactly beginner-friendly. The files are nested, the follower data can be split into multiple parts, and a manual comparison still does not answer the real question most users care about: who does not follow me back? That is why FANS is the best solution here. It uses the same official export, keeps processing on your device, and turns a folder hunt into a clear answer.
Where Instagram puts followers and following in the export
If you requested a JSON export that includes "Following & Followers," the files are usually under this path:
Expected folder path
connections/followers_and_following
Inside that folder, the important files are usually:
- following.json for the accounts you follow
- followers_1.json, followers_2.json, and more for the accounts that follow you
The reason followers are often split into multiple files is simple: large exports get chunked. That is normal, and it is one reason manual review is annoying. You are not looking at one neat spreadsheet. You are looking at multiple JSON files that still need to be combined and compared.
Use JSON, not HTML
If you exported HTML instead of JSON, request a new export in JSON format. JSON is the better format for structured follower analysis and the format you should use with FANS. If you need the exact taps, follow our Instagram export guide.
Why this still does not solve the real problem
Finding the folder is only the first half of the job. Once you locate the files, you still need to answer practical questions:
- How do you merge multiple follower files correctly?
- How do you compare followers against following without missing entries?
- How do you do it without uploading your data to a random website?
- How do you repeat the process the next time you download a new export?
That is where manual methods start to break down. A spreadsheet can work, but it is slow and easy to mess up. A random online tool may be easier, but now you are handing your personal social graph to a third party. And a typical login-based unfollower app is worse, because it wants direct access to your Instagram account. If you want the safety breakdown, read our guide on safe vs. risky follower tracker apps.
Why FANS is the best way to use this export
FANS is built around Instagram's official export, which makes it the cleanest answer for this exact search intent. Instead of making you dig through nested JSON and do list comparison by hand, FANS reads the export directly and shows who does not follow you back.
Why FANS is the best solution
- No Instagram login required
- Works from Instagram's official Download Your Information export
- Reads the follower and following files for you
- Processes data locally on your device
- Works for public and private accounts
- Free to download, with Pro required to reveal the full unfollower list
This matters because the product truth is clear: FANS does not ask for your password, does not scrape Instagram, and does not upload your follower data to a server. It focuses on the core use case safely. If you are comparing options first, start with our breakdown of the best app to see who does not follow you back on Instagram.
How to go from export ZIP to answer in three steps
Step 1: Request the export from Instagram
Ask Instagram for your Download Your Information file in JSON format and make sure "Following & Followers" is included. If you have not done this yet, use our step-by-step export guide.
Step 2: Import the ZIP into FANS
When the ZIP is ready, open FANS and choose the file directly. There is no Instagram sign-in screen inside the app and no need to unzip folders manually.
Step 3: Review who does not follow you back
FANS reads the export, combines the follower data, compares it with the accounts you follow, and shows your non-followers. If your next question is what to do after that, continue with our guide on whether you should unfollow non-followers.
If your account is private, the same workflow still applies because the data comes from your own export. We explain that in more detail in our private-account guide.
Manual file lookup vs. importing into FANS
| Task | Manual export review | FANS |
|---|---|---|
| Find the right folder | You do it yourself | Handled during import |
| Combine multiple follower files | You must merge them manually | Handled automatically |
| Compare followers vs. following | Manual analysis or spreadsheet work | Handled automatically |
| Instagram login required | No | No |
| Data processing location | Depends on your workflow | On-device |
| Best use case | Technical inspection of raw files | Fast, safe non-follower analysis |
What to check if you cannot find the files
- Make sure you included "Following & Followers" when requesting the export.
- Use JSON format instead of HTML.
- Wait for the completed ZIP rather than an incomplete or partial download.
- Look under connections/followers_and_following after unzipping.
- Remember that followers may be split across multiple followers_*.json files.
If you can find the files but still do not want to sort through them, that is a good reason to stop doing the work manually. Import the ZIP into FANS and let the app do the comparison safely.
Key Takeaways
- Instagram usually stores follower data under connections/followers_and_following.
- Your following list is typically in following.json.
- Your followers may be split across followers_1.json, followers_2.json, and more.
- Finding the files does not automatically tell you who does not follow you back.
- FANS is the best solution because it uses the official export, avoids risky logins, and processes everything on your device.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are followers and following stored in an Instagram JSON export?
Usually inside connections/followers_and_following. Following is typically in following.json, while followers are often split into one or more followers_*.json files.
Why are there multiple followers files in my Instagram export?
Instagram can split larger follower lists into multiple files. That is normal. A tool like FANS reads all of them together so you do not need to merge them manually.
Do I need to unzip and compare the files manually?
No. You can, but it is slower and less practical. The easier option is to import the ZIP into FANS, which reads the relevant files and shows your non-followers without needing your Instagram login.
Does this work for private Instagram accounts?
Yes. Because the export comes from your own account, the same workflow works for private and public accounts. For the full explanation, see our private-account article.
Is FANS free to download?
Yes. FANS is free to download. To reveal the full unfollower list, a Pro subscription is required.
Skip the folder hunt
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