A private account means only approved followers can see your posts, Reels and stories. Here is how to switch and what to expect.
How to make your account private
- Open your profile and tap the menu (three lines).
- Tap Account privacy.
- Turn on Private account.
- Confirm.
What changes
- New people must send a follow request that you approve.
- Your posts, Reels and stories are hidden from non-followers.
- Your posts will not appear on hashtag pages or Explore for non-followers.
- Existing followers can still see everything.
What stays visible
Your profile photo, name, username, bio and follower counts can still be seen by anyone.
Business and creator accounts cannot be private
To go private, you must first switch back to a personal account. You will lose access to Insights and some business tools. See business vs personal accounts.
Remove followers you do not want
Open your Followers list, tap Remove next to any account. They will not be notified.
Should you be private?
- Private is best for personal use, family photos or if you want tight control.
- Public is best if you want to grow, sell, become a creator or be discovered.
Growing while staying safe
If you want to grow, keep your account public but use Hidden Words, comment controls and Restrict to stay comfortable. Growth services like ViralSocialUp and our free tools only work with public accounts.
Grow your Instagram with real people
ViralSocialUp finds people who are genuinely interested in your niche. No bots, no password needed. Check your free growth preview first.