How to know if someone blocked you on Instagram

Published on October 8, 2025 at 11:00 AM

Figuring out if someone has blocked you on Instagram isn’t always easy. There are a few key signs to watch for, but keep in mind that these could also mean the person deactivated their account or changed their privacy settings.

Table of Contents

Check if their profile is still visible

The first way to find out if someone has blocked you on Instagram is to try searching for their profile. If you can’t find their account in search results or can’t open their profile directly, it might mean they have blocked you. Keep in mind, though, that the account could also be deleted or set to private, so look for additional signs before assuming you’ve been blocked.

Search for their username manually

While Instagram’s search feature usually works well, typing a username manually can give you extra confirmation if you suspect someone has blocked you. If you enter the correct username, but their profile doesn’t show up in the search results, this could be a sign that you’ve been blocked. This simple check goes beyond Instagram’s automatic suggestions, helping you better understand whether the user’s account is truly missing from your view.

See if their posts and stories disappear

One common way to find out if you’ve been blocked on Instagram is by noticing if their posts and stories suddenly disappear from your view. When a user blocks you, their profile content, like photos, videos, and stories, won’t be visible to you anymore. If you could see their posts before, but now they’re gone, this could be a strong sign of a block. Keep in mind, though, that posts and stories might also vanish if the person deletes their account or changes their privacy settings. So, while missing content is a useful clue, it isn’t a 100% guarantee that you’ve been blocked.

Try to follow them again

Why try to follow the user again after suspecting you’ve been blocked? When someone blocks you on social media apps, your attempts to follow them usually fail, or the follow button might disappear entirely. Trying to follow again can help confirm if you’re blocked, especially when their profile appears inaccessible. However, if your follow request goes through successfully, it’s a strong sign you’re not blocked, meaning there could be other reasons why you’re not seeing their content. Understanding this can help you troubleshoot social media issues effectively.

Look for their comments or likes on your posts

If someone has blocked you on Instagram, you might notice their comments or likes on your posts have disappeared. This is a common sign of a block, especially if they used to interact with your content regularly. By reviewing your past posts and spotting missing likes or comments from that person, you can get a clear indication that they may have blocked you. This simple method helps you understand changes in your Instagram interactions without needing extra tools.

Send a direct message and observe the status

One effective way to check if someone has blocked you on social media apps is by sending them a direct message. If your message doesn’t deliver or stays in a “pending” status without showing “delivered” or “seen,” this could be a sign that you are blocked. Also, if you can’t access the user’s profile while trying to send the message, it further suggests that communication with that person has been restricted. Using this simple method can help you understand your connection status on popular messaging platforms.

Use a different account to verify

If your messages aren’t delivered, or you can’t access a profile, you might be blocked. One effective way to confirm this is by using a different Instagram account to search for the user. If you can see their profile from the alternate account but not from your main one, it’s a strong sign that you’ve been blocked. This simple method helps you quickly verify blocking status on Instagram.

Notice changes in your followers or following list

If you suddenly notice that a user has disappeared from your followers or following list, this could be a sign that you’ve been blocked on Instagram. When someone blocks you, their profile usually disappears from these lists. However, before assuming you’ve been blocked, consider other possibilities such as the user deactivating their account or deleting it. Always check these factors to understand why a follower or following might no longer appear on your Instagram.

Understand Instagram’s privacy settings and limitations

Changes in your follower or following lists on Instagram might suggest someone has blocked you. However, Instagram’s privacy settings and platform rules can also influence what you see. For example, users can make their accounts private, limit who interacts with them, or remove followers without blocking them. It’s important to know that Instagram does not send notifications when someone blocks you, making it tricky to tell if you’ve been blocked, restricted, or if the account is simply deactivated. Staying informed about these privacy features helps you better navigate your Instagram experience.

Conclusion

Overall, pay attention to changes in their profile visibility, how your interactions behave, and the status of your messages. Understanding these details will help you spot the difference between being blocked and other common situations on Instagram.

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Social Media Instagram

Amanda Torati

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Amanda has a degree in Languages, is a postgraduate student, and is passionate about content creation. After joining Cenário Capital, she discovered a strong interest in technology. She currently works on the Marketing team, in the SEO and Content squad.