Sharing pictures and videos on Instagram is fun. But can you view other people’s activity? The answer is complicated because there are things Instagram will let you see and other things it won’t. Read on to find out what is what.
Due to Instagram’s privacy changes, you cannot view a centralized, public “activity feed” of what other people like, comment on, or follow. This feature was removed a few years ago to protect user privacy.
However, you can still see some types of activity:
- Likes and Comments on Public Posts: If a public account you follow likes or comments on a post, you may see that interaction directly on that specific post. You would need to navigate to the post itself and look for their name on the list of likes or in the comments section.
- Direct Message (DM) Activity Status: If your “Activity Status” is turned on and the person you’re messaging has theirs on as well, you can see when they were last active or if they are currently “In the chat.” This is a private interaction viewable only in your conversations with them.
- Shared Activity: In a direct message chat, you can see a “Shared Activity” tab. This shows a history of your likes, comments, and tags on each other’s posts.
- New “Friends” tab for Reels: Some users may have a new “Friends” tab in their Reels section where they can see public content their friends have liked, commented on, or reposted. This is a recent feature aimed at making it easier to connect with friends over content they enjoy.
- Third-Party Tools: There are third-party services that claim to track a user’s likes and follows. However, it is important to be cautious with these tools, as they often require you to provide your Instagram login information, which can pose a security risk.
Understanding Instagram Activity Tracking
What Instagram Activity Can You See
You can easily see a few things on someone else’s Instagram profile:
- Their Posts: This is the most obvious – you can see all the photos and videos they’ve shared.
- Followers and Following: You can see who follows them and the accounts they follow.
What Activity is Hidden on Instagram
Instagram hides a lot of activity details. Here’s what you cannot see:
- Liked Posts: You won’t know what posts someone else has liked unless it’s on your own profile.
- Comments: They don’t show you comments someone makes on other people’s posts.
- Direct Messages (DMs): DMs are entirely private.
- Stories Viewed: You can’t see whose Instagram Stories someone has watched.
Are There Tools to Track Instagram Activity?
Yes, there are third-party monitoring apps that claim to track Instagram activity. These apps often require you to install them on the target person’s phone. Be cautious with these for a few reasons:
- Privacy concerns: These apps raise serious privacy issues since they track someone’s activity without their knowledge or consent.
- Security Risks: Some of these apps might be malware in disguise.
- Reliability: There’s no guarantee these apps accurately track activity.
Should you use activity tracking tools?
It’s generally not recommended to use these apps. They are ethically questionable and can damage trust in relationships.
Overall, Instagram is designed to give users a level of privacy. While you can see some basic information, most detailed activity remains hidden.
Understanding Instagram’s Privacy Features
Instagram’s privacy features are designed to empower users with control over their personal content and interactions. These options determine who can see one’s activity and personal information.
The Fundamentals of Instagram Activity
Instagram allows users to share photos and engage with others through likes and comments. Knowing who can see this activity depends on privacy settings. There are two main account types:
- Public Account: Any Instagram user can view your profile and interact with your posts.
- Private Account: Only approved followers can see your posts and activity.
Privacy Settings and Personal Information
Strict privacy settings give users the ability to hide their activity status and manage visibility. For instance, only people you follow or have direct conversations with can see when you’re online if the activity status is enabled. Personal information, including your online status, is therefore protected, aligning with Instagram’s commitment to user privacy.
Visibility of Likes, Comments, and Follows
When it comes to individual post interactions:
- Likes and Comments: Are visible to others based on who can see the posts you interact with.
- Follows: Your follow list can be seen by others, but the visibility of your interactions, like liking a photo or following someone, is restricted according to your and their privacy settings.
Tracking Instagram Activity
Instagram users often seek ways to see what others are doing on the platform, whether that’s to keep up with friends or monitor a child’s online behavior. This section breaks down Instagram’s own features, the use of third-party applications, and the important legal and ethical considerations involved.
Instagram’s Native Tools for Activity Monitoring
Instagram offers an Activity Status feature that allows users to see when someone they follow or have messaged with was last online. This feature only works if both parties have their activity status turned on. Moreover, by following an account, one can view updates in their Instagram Activity Log, which shows posts, comments, and likes.
Third-Party Apps and Their Capabilities
Though Instagram provides some monitoring tools, third-party apps offer more extensive tracking services. Apps like KidGuard Pro and Snoopreport claim to provide insights into someone’s Instagram behavior. They furnish details like activity timestamps and interactions that the native Instagram tools do not.
- KidGuard Pro: Monitors direct messages, comments, and even deleted content.
- Snoopreport: Offers weekly and monthly activity reports, including liked posts.
Legal and Ethical Considerations of Tracking
When using Instagram’s tools or third-party apps for tracking someone’s activity, it’s crucial to consider the legal and ethical implications. Consent is a major factor, and monitoring without permission could infringe on privacy rights. It’s important to use these tools responsibly and ensure they are in line with Instagram’s terms of service and local laws.
Staying Informed About Interactions
Instagram offers multiple avenues for you to keep tabs on the social activities of those you’re interested in. Whether it’s through notifications or the activity tab, monitoring interactions is straightforward.
Notifications and Real-Time Updates
Users can receive real-time updates by turning on notifications for specific accounts. This ensures that whenever the person posts new content, you’ll be immediately informed. Here’s how to activate them:
- Go to the desired profile.
- Tap on the ‘Following’ button.
- Select ‘Notifications’ from the menu.
- Customize your preference for posts, stories, and IGTV.
Through direct messaging, you’ll also know if the user is currently online or when they were last active, provided they haven’t turned off their activity status.
Understanding the Activity Tab
The Activity Tab is a feature that keeps you informed about likes, comments, and new followers on your own posts. It also shows when people you follow engage with other posts. To access it:
- Tap on the heart icon at the bottom of your Instagram feed.
- The tab displays recent activity directed towards your content and interactions from those you follow.
Following activity, however, isn’t as transparent as it used to be. Instagram has limited the visibility of others’ likes and comments for privacy reasons.
Techniques to Observe Without Following
It is possible to observe someone’s Instagram activity even without following them. You can do this through:
- Enabling post notifications for their account by visiting their profile, then following the same steps outlined for notifications.
- Checking their Instagram Stories, as these are often public and can give insights into daily activities.
Always remember that these techniques should respect individual privacy and adhere to Instagram’s terms of service.
Frequently Asked Questions
Instagram’s platform has changed over time, affecting how much of someone else’s activity you can see. While some actions are still visible, others have been made private to protect user privacy. Below is a roundup of common questions about what’s accessible and what’s not.
How can one view the likes and comments made by another user on Instagram?
It is not possible to view all the likes and comments a user makes on others’ posts directly through Instagram. Earlier versions allowed this, but privacy updates have limited this visibility.
Is there a method to check someone’s recent follows on Instagram?
You can see someone’s recent follows if you visit their profile and look at their following list. This only works for public accounts or if you’re approved followers of a private account.
What steps should I follow to access the Instagram activity log?
The activity log on Instagram is personal and can be accessed by tapping the heart icon on your profile. This log shows your interactions, such as likes and comments you’ve made.
Has Instagram removed the feature that allows you to see other users’ activity?
Yes, Instagram has removed the ‘Following’ tab where you could previously see the activity of users you follow. The focus has shifted toward privacy, limiting the visibility of others’ actions.
Are there any privacy settings affecting the visibility of my interactions on Instagram?
Privacy settings on Instagram affect the visibility of your actions. With a private account, only your approved followers can see your likes, comments, and followers list.
Can followers see my interactions and activity on Instagram?
Followers can see your interactions such as likes and comments on public posts. Direct interactions, like direct messages, remain private. Your followers list is visible to your followers, but the detailed activity is no longer publicly available.
