Have you ever wondered who suddenly stopped following you on Instagram? As a tech geek myself, I totally get the curiosity. But Instagram doesn‘t make it easy to see who hit that unfollow button.
Luckily, I‘ve got you covered. In this post, I‘ll share the inside scoop on how to see exactly who unfollowed you on Instagram in just 5 simple steps. No sketchy hacks needed!
Here‘s a quick overview of what we‘ll cover:
The 5 Steps to See Who Unfollowed You on Instagram
- Download an unfollower app
- Connect your Instagram account
- Sync your followers list
- Wait 1-2 days
- Check for unfollowers
By the end, you‘ll be able to detect any followers who disappear from your account. I‘ll also give some pro tips to use these apps responsibly.
Let‘s dive in!
Why People Unfollow on Instagram
But first – why do people unfollow in the first place? Knowing the backstory will help you avoid taking it personally when it happens.
According to data from Socialinsider, here are the top reasons users unfollow on Instagram:
- Irrelevant content – 70% unfollow because posts are no longer interesting or useful to them.
- Too many posts – 15% unfollow accounts that post too frequently and overwhelm their feed.
- Not enough posts – 5% unfollow due to lack of new content from the account.
- Forgot they followed – 5% unfollow people they no longer remember following.
- Too many ads – 3% unfollow accounts that are too promotional or push too many ads.
- Unfollowed first – 2% unfollow people who unfollowed them first in a sort of retaliation.
So in most cases, people aren‘t unfollowing you out of spite or dislike. It‘s just a way to curate their feed and remove irrelevant content. Good to keep in mind!
Now let‘s get into the step-by-step guide.
Step 1: Download an Unfollower App
Since Instagram doesn‘t have a native unfollower-tracking feature, you‘ll need a third party app.
I recommend these top options:
For iPhone:
- FollowMeter – Simple and accurate. Easy-to-read list of unfollowers.
For Android:
- Followers & Unfollowers – Intuitive app with stats and filtering.
- SocialTracker – Tracks followers, unfollowers, ghosts, and more.
Both have free versions with ads or affordable paid options. Download from the App Store or Google Play Store. I suggest FollowMeter for iOS and Followers & Unfollowers for Android based on user reviews.
Once you‘ve downloaded the app, it‘s time to connect your account.
Step 2: Connect Your Instagram
The unfollower app needs access to your profile to work its magic.
To connect your account, just log into the app using your Instagram username and password when prompted. This gives the app permission to look at your followers list on your behalf.
Some newer Instagram API restrictions have limited third-party apps, but the ones I recommended still work as of 2023.
Once you grant access, the app will be able to securely pull follower data from your profile.
Step 3: Sync Your Followers List
After connecting your account, you‘ll need to let the app sync with your followers list.
This copies your full list of current followers into the app‘s database to use as a comparison point.
The initial sync may take a few minutes if you have lots of followers. For example, an influencer with 50K followers could expect the sync to take around 10-15 minutes due to the size of their list.
Once the sync finishes, you‘ll have your baseline follower count stored in the app. Now you just need to let some time pass…
Step 4: Wait 1-2 Days
Before checking for unfollowers, you need to wait a bit so that people actually have time to unfollow you. I‘d recommend waiting at least 24 hours before running your first check.
Don‘t worry, the app will still track anyone who unfollows you in the background. But you need to give it some time to detect changes from the original count.
While you wait, use Instagram as normal – post stories, photos, reels, and do your thing! The app will be quietly keeping tabs on your follower list behind the scenes.
Step 5: Check for Unfollowers
Okay, now‘s the fun part!
After a day or two, open up the unfollower tracker app and take a look. Most apps have a big button like "Check for Unfollowers" or "Show Unfollowers."
Tap that, and it‘ll compare your current followers to the original synced list. Anyone who unfollowed will show up on a list!
Apps like Followers & Unfollowers have nice features, like:
- Sorting by most recent unfollows
- Filtering between people you know vs. strangers
- Showing follow history over time
- Comparing follow ratio
So you can get a detailed view of how your follower count is changing.
I recommend checking your unfollowers once a week or so. That way you can spot broader trends vs. daily follower fluctuations.
Pro tip: Resync your followers every month to make sure the app has your latest count as the baseline.
Responsible Ways to Use Unfollower Apps
Unfollower apps can be useful tools, but should be used responsibly:
Don‘t obsess. Don‘t check for unfollowers constantly throughout the day. This can become unhealthy.
Don‘t take it personally. People unfollow for many reasons, usually not because of you.
Be wise with your response. Never harass or attack someone for unfollowing you.
Consider removing exes or family members from the unfollower check to respect their privacy.
Focus on great content, not stresses about followers. Create value, and the right people will stick around.
Alright, now let‘s get into some common questions about these apps!
FAQs: Your Questions Answered
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about tracking your unfollowers:
How accurate are these apps? Can they really show you who unfollowed?
The top recommended unfollower apps I shared access Instagram‘s API directly, so they are quite accurate and work reliably. As long as you use a reputable app, it will show valid information on who unfollowed your account.
Is it safe to connect my Instagram to these apps?
There is always an inherent risk giving third-party apps access to your account. Make sure to only use apps that are secure and have been vetted. Check reviews and look for verified developers. Revoke access if you have any security concerns.
Why did I suddenly lose 100 Instagram followers? Was it a glitch?
Big drops in followers are usually due to Instagram removing fake or inactive accounts. These weren‘t real people who intentionally unfollowed you, just bot/spam accounts cleaned up by Instagram‘s system. The followers will show up as unfollows in your app but they didn‘t actually choose to unfollow you personally.
Why can‘t I see who unfollowed me on Instagram without an app?
Unfortunately, Instagram does not have a native feature to see who unfollowed your account. They likely don‘t want people obsessing over follower counts. So a third-party app is required to access and compare follower data.
What‘s the best app for seeing who unfollowed you on iPhone?
For iOS, I recommend FollowMeter. It still reliably works around Instagram‘s API changes. Many iOS apps have issues, but FollowMeter has positive reviews as of 2023.
Is it possible to see who someone else unfollowed on Instagram?
Nope, there is no way to see who unfollowed someone else‘s account. The unfollower apps only work for your own profile since they require your login credentials.
Can someone tell if I unfollowed them on Instagram?
No, unfollowing is anonymous. There is no notification or ability for someone to see that you unfollowed them on Instagram. The action is private on both sides.
Should I unfollow people who don‘t follow me back?
I suggest occasional "unfollowing back" of accounts that don‘t reciprocate, just to declutter your Following list. But be careful not to overdo it and unfollow people too aggressively. Moderation is key.
What are some other reasons people may unfollow me?
Additional unfollow triggers include switching to a private account, having too many ads, posting controversial content, or if your content style drifts from your niche. Familiarize yourself with top reasons people unfollow to identify any issues.
And there you have it – the inside scoop on seeing exactly who unfollowed your Instagram account!
Let‘s Stay Connected
I hope this clear walkthrough of how to monitor your unfollowers was helpful. Use these tools responsibly to keep tabs on your Instagram audience and growth.
Don‘t get too hung up on minor follower drops – stay focused on your passion and delivering great content. The right followers will stick around if you continue providing value.
Have any other questions about unfollower apps or Instagram strategy? Let‘s chat in the comments!
