Giving users a flawless experience of sharing images, videos, and stories, Instagram is among the most used social networking platforms worldwide. Many consumers, meanwhile, frequently run across annoying problems including trouble following people on Instagram.
Should you be experiencing this, you are not alone. Understanding the numerous factors behind this could help you solve the issue by means of troubleshooting. We will discuss why you cannot follow individuals on Instagram in this post along with fixes for the problem.
Typical Reasons You Find Yourself Not Following People on Instagram
You have exceeded the follow limit.
Instagram sets specific limits on the number of people you can follow in a given period to guarantee that the site stays user-friendly and to prohibit spamming activity. Instagram could momentarily restrict you from following any more individuals if you have been following many accounts in a short period of time. Though it varies, this restriction usually falls between 100 and 150 follow actions every hour.
In this situation, you just have to wait a little bit—usually a few hours or a day—before you may start following accounts.
2. Block on Temporary Action
Instagram detects apparently unusual or suspicious conduct using automated techniques. Should the platform find that you are rapidly following or unfollowing a lot of accounts, it could momentarily disable your ability to follow others. This is Instagram’s approach of guaranteeing a real experience and shielding its users from spam.
One way to fix this could be waiting for the action block to run out. Though their length varies, usually these temporary restrictions last anywhere from few hours to several days.
3. Restricted Instagram Account Access
Instagram occasionally limits your account based on suspected activity—that is, either breaking community norms or using spamming tactics like too many likes, comments, or follows. Should your account be restricted, you may not be able to follow others until the limitations are removed.
You might have to proof-of-identity verification or appeal the limitation using Instagram’s help page to remove it. The next best action if you think the restriction was implemented in error is getting in touch with Instagram’s support team.
4. You are using an outside app.
Automating your Instagram activity with outside apps or bots could cause account problems. Instagram frowns at utilizing such apps and regularly prohibits users depending on them for mass following or unfollowing operations. These programs can break Instagram’s terms of service and cause temporary or permanent activity blocks on your account.
Eliminate any automatic activity and stop using outside apps if you have been doing so. Once you do that, you can usually start regular Instagram activity once more.
5. Instagram flaws or bugs
Like every app, Instagram could occasionally have technical problems or bugs keeping you from following accounts. Updates to apps, server problems, or device compatibility concerns could all contribute to these problems. Should this be the case, occasionally uninstalling the program or looking for updates will help to cure the problem.
Furthermore, ensure the operating system of your phone is current since obsolete software could lead to app issues.
6. Your Instagram Account Under Review
Instagram routinely checks accounts to be sure they follow community policies. Should your account be under review, some actions—including following people—may be temporarily limited. Usually a preventive action, this should clear itself once the evaluation is finished.
Avoid engaging in any dubious behavior if your account has been flagged for investigation; wait until the inquiry is over. For updates, also review your email or Instagram alerts.
7. Network Communication Problems
Sometimes the problem can be only related to your internet connection. Instagram may not be able to adequately handle your follow requests depending on a weak or unreliable connection. Check your mobile data settings or try moving to a more consistent Wi-Fi connection if you are having slow or sporadic internet connectivity.
If you’re having problems with network connectivity, also cleaning your browser cache or using Instagram’s mobile app instead of the web version may help.
8. Type of Instagram Account Created
Should you have a company or creative account, you could run across various limitations than with standard personal accounts. Additional features and restrictions meant for business use surround these stories. Instagram’s algorithm occasionally may restrict follow actions if it finds suspicious activity linked with these kinds of accounts.
Turning back to a personal narrative could help to clear the matter. Once the problem is fixed, you are always free to return to a company or creator account.
How Should One React When Unable to Follow People on Instagram?
1. Wait a While.
Should you have been briefly barred or have reached the follow limit, your first action is only waiting. Usually temporary, Instagram’s restrictions might be reset after few hours or a day. Break off then come back later to check whether the problem fixes itself.
2. Go Through Your Work.
Spend some time looking at your Instagram activities. Have you lately been following or unfollowing accounts quickly? If so, cut back on the frequency of these behaviors and rest your account. Raise your following gradually to avoid Instagram’s automated systems flagging you.
3. Unlink Third-Party Applications
Right now stop utilizing any third-party apps you have been using. Many times violating Instagram policies, these apps can cause temporary or permanent action restrictions. Once you have cut off any outside services, you might be able to follow people on Instagram again.
4. Resinstall the app or update Instagram.
Make sure your Instagram app current. For updates, visit Google Play Store (for Android users) or the App Store (for iOS users). Try reinstalling the app should updating not fix the problem. Sometimes a new installation fixes problems or flaws keeping you from following others.
5. Search for Account Restrictions or Reviews.
See Instagram’s support center for further information should your account have restrictions or is under review. You could be asked to challenge the ban or confirm your identification. Try to follow others once more only once the restrictions disappear.
6. Access Instagram’s Web Version
Using the mobile app occasionally could lead to complications, particularly if your device is incompatible. Try following individuals from Instagram after accessing it on your PC using a web browser.
Final Thoughts
Though it can be annoying not being able to follow people on Instagram, usually this is a fixable problem. Fixing the issue starts with knowing the underlying cause, whether it’s a temporary action block, third-party apps generating problems, or account limitation. Following the above suggested solutions would probably help you to fix the problem and allow you to keep using Instagram’s social tools.
If you have been having this difficulty, follow the required actions; should the problem continue, do not hesitate to call the Instagram support team. Recall that Instagram’s main objective is to provide its users with a safe and fun environment; so, following its rules and utilizing the app sensibly helps one to prevent stumbling across such issues.
FAQS
Why can’t I follow people on Instagram all of sudden?
It might be from hitting a follow limit, getting momentarily action-blocked, or utilizing third-party apps against Instagram policies.
How long on Instagram does a temporary block last?
Depending on the degree of the behavior that set off a temporary restriction, it may last few hours to many days.
Will changing accounts help me to resolve this?
Sometimes switching to a personal account helps if you are using a company or creative account.
Should Instagram flag my account, what should I do?
If you think the flagging was a mistake, you could have to prove your identity or call Instagram help.
Is there any way I might avoid action blockages going forward?
Limit how many individuals you follow in a short period to prevent being blacklisted and steer clear of using outside apps.