If you restrict someone on Instagram, you get more control over that person’s comments and private messages. You do not block the account. That person can therefore still view your posts and stories if they could do so before. First, consider what you want: less hassle from someone’s contact, seeing less of that person or shielding your own photos and videos.

Below, you can read exactly what restricting does, which setting suits your goal and how to set or remove a restriction.

What does restricting someone on Instagram mean?

Restricting changes how comments and messages from one account reach you. You use this feature when that contact makes you uncomfortable but you do not want to block the person straight away. It does not exclude the account from your profile.

A fictional example: a family member keeps posting unpleasant comments under your photos. You do not want other followers to see and respond to them straight away. Restricting is more suitable than muting in this case. Muting means you see less from the family member, but it does not change their comments under your photos.

Instagram introduced restricting in 2019. According to Meta’s explanation at the time of its introduction private messages from restricted accounts go to message requests without a notification. That explanation dates from 2019; the screens may have changed since then.

What changes when you restrict someone on Instagram?

Restricting mainly affects new comments, private messages and what the other person can see of your activity.

Do not assume that restricting also removes old comments. Is there already an unpleasant comment under your photo? Review it separately and choose whether to delete or report it.

You can find additional information in the SocialKings overview of restricting someone . When following the steps, bear in mind that older guidance may differ from your current app.

Can someone tell that you have restricted them on Instagram?

Instagram does not send a separate notification when you restrict someone. However, that person may sometimes work it out.

For example, the other person may look from another account and notice that a comment is missing. A change in your contact may also be noticeable. So you cannot be certain that the restriction will go unnoticed.

Are you wondering whether someone has restricted you instead? A missing read receipt alone does not prove that. Do not draw a conclusion based on a single sign.

Unable to follow or tag someone? Those are different issues to investigate. For that, read why you cannot follow someone on Instagram or why you cannot tag someone on Instagram.

Can a restricted account see your Instagram stories and posts?

Yes, if that account was also allowed to see them before the restriction. Restricting does not hide your stories and posts. With a private profile, access continues to depend on which followers you have approved.

Suppose you do not want a colleague to see your weekend stories. Use your story settings. There, you can look at the options for hiding your story from particular people or sharing it only with a selected group.

Do you want to make your profile less public? Consider a private profile and check your existing followers. Making your profile private does not remove people who already follow you.

Would you like to know more about your story’s viewers list? Read can you see how many times someone views your Instagram Story?

Restrict, block or mute on Instagram: which should you choose?

Choose based on what you want to change. Muting is about what you see. Restricting is mainly about the other person’s comments and messages. Blocking stops access and direct contact for that account.

A fictional example: a friend posts lots of sports videos that you do not want to watch. Muting is suitable then. Does that friend also send unwanted private messages? Muting their posts does not solve that. Consider restricting or blocking, depending on how much contact you want to allow.

How can you restrict someone on Instagram and remove the restriction?

You can start with the profile of the person you want to restrict. The location of the feature and the Dutch button names may differ between app versions.

1. Open the profile. Check the username, especially if multiple accounts have the same name or profile photo.
2. Open the menu with options for that account and look for the restricting feature.
3. Read the explanation Instagram shows. Check whether the effects match what you want.
4. Confirm your choice if you want to restrict this account.

Cannot find the option? Search the settings for restricting if your app has a search field there. You can also consult the help within Instagram. Check that your app is up to date if you see different screens from those in a guide.

Removing the restriction

1. Return to the profile of the same account.
2. Open the options and look for the option to stop the restriction.
3. Remove the restriction and check that the account is no longer shown as restricted.

Removing a restriction does not restore deleted comments or messages.

When is restricting someone on Instagram not enough?

Do you want to prevent someone from seeing your photos? You need to change who has access to your posts. Restricting is not the right setting for this.

If someone threatens you or keeps contacting you through other accounts, restricting will not stop that behaviour by itself. If there are threats, first save the important messages, usernames and dates, for example with screenshots. You can then report the account or content and block the account.

Ask someone you trust for help if the contact makes you afraid. In immediate danger, contact the emergency services.