Instagram is one of the most popular social media platforms, with millions of users sharing content daily. While engaging with friends, influencers, and brands can be enjoyable, sometimes certain accounts become overwhelming or irritating. Fortunately, Instagram offers a feature to mute accounts, which allows users to continue following someone without seeing their posts or stories. This article provides a step-by-step guide on how to mute someone on Instagram, and the differences between muting and blocking.
What Does It Mean to Mute Someone on Instagram?
Muting an account on Instagram means that the user’s content, such as posts and stories, will no longer appear in your feed. However, unlike blocking, muting does not stop you from following them or them following you. It simply hides their posts from your feed without alerting them. This feature is useful if you want to maintain a connection without regularly seeing their content. You can also choose to mute only posts, only stories, or both.
The muted person won’t know you’ve muted them, and you’ll still be able to view their profile if needed. Instagram allows you to unmute accounts at any time, which gives you control over your feed without burning bridges.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Mute Posts from Someone
Muting someone on Instagram can be done through various methods, depending on whether you are muting their posts, stories, or both. Here’s how you can mute someone’s posts:
Mute from their Profile:
- Visit the profile of the person you wish to mute. You can do this by either clicking on their name in your feed or searching for their account using Instagram’s search bar.
- Once on their profile, you’ll see two buttons underneath their bio: “Following” and “Message.”
- Click on “Following” and a menu will appear with various options.
- Select “Mute” from the list.
- You’ll be given two options: “Posts” and “Stories.” Toggle the switch next to “Posts” to mute their posts.
After muting their posts, you won’t see any content they share in your feed. However, you can still visit their profile and view their posts manually.
Mute Directly from Your Feed:
- While scrolling through your feed, if you come across a post from someone you want to mute, click the three vertical dots in the top-right corner of their post.
- A menu will appear, and you can select “Hide” to remove the post from your feed.
- After hiding the post, Instagram will offer the option to “Mute” the account entirely.
- Choose whether you want to mute only posts or both posts and stories.
How to Mute Instagram Stories
Muting Instagram Stories follows a similar process. You can mute stories either from a user’s profile or directly from your feed. Here’s how:
Mute from the Profile:
- Follow the same steps as muting posts by visiting the user’s profile.
- When you click on “Mute,” you can toggle the switch next to “Stories” to mute only their stories.
Mute from Your Feed:
- In your Instagram feed, you’ll see circular icons at the top of the screen representing accounts with active stories.
- Press and hold the user’s profile picture for a few seconds. A menu will appear.
- Select “Mute,” and then choose between muting only stories or both posts and stories.
Mute While Viewing a Story:
- If you’re already watching the person’s story, you can click the three dots in the top-right corner of the screen.
- Select “Mute” and choose between muting their story or both story and posts.
Just like with muting posts, you can always unmute stories by visiting the person’s profile and following the same steps.
Blocking vs. Muting: What’s the Difference?
Muting and blocking on Instagram serve different purposes. While muting hides a user’s content from your feed, blocking is a more severe action. When you block someone:
- The blocked user cannot see your posts, stories, or profile.
- They won’t be able to follow or message you.
- Their attempts to interact with your profile will be restricted.
Blocking is often used in cases where you want to sever all connections with a user. However, if you simply want a break from seeing their content without cutting ties, muting is a more subtle and less confrontational solution.
How to Block Someone on Instagram
If you decide that muting isn’t enough, blocking a user is simple. Follow these steps:
- Visit the profile of the person you want to block.
- Click the three dots in the top-right corner of their profile.
- Select “Block” from the list of options.
- Instagram will ask if you want to block only that account or that account and any future accounts the person creates.
- Confirm your choice, and the user will be blocked.
Instagram also offers the option to “Block and Report” if the account is violating the platform’s rules. Reporting allows Instagram to investigate the account for any breaches of its policies.
When Should You Mute vs. Block?
Knowing when to mute or block depends on your goals. Muting is appropriate when you want to remain connected but don’t wish to see the person’s content regularly. It’s ideal for distant acquaintances or accounts that post too frequently.
On the other hand, blocking is better when you want to cut off all communication. Whether it’s due to harassment, privacy concerns, or simply wanting to avoid interaction, blocking ensures that the person won’t be able to see or engage with your content.
Conclusion
Muting on Instagram is a helpful feature for users looking to manage their feed without severing relationships. It allows for discretion and control over what content appears in your feed, making your Instagram experience more personalized. Whether you want to mute posts, stories, or both, Instagram provides various methods to do so. Additionally, the option to block users offers a stronger approach to managing interactions on the platform.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How Can I Tell If Someone Has Muted Me on Instagram?
You can’t. Instagram does not notify users when they’ve been muted, and there’s no way to see a list of accounts that have muted you. However, you can view which accounts you have muted by going to Settings > Privacy > Muted Accounts.
What Happens When I Mute Someone on Instagram?
When you mute someone, their posts or stories (or both) won’t appear in your feed. They will not be notified of the mute, and you can still visit their profile to see their content manually.
Can I Still See a Muted Person’s Instagram Posts?
Yes, muting only removes their content from your feed. You can visit their profile anytime to see their posts or stories.
How Do I Unmute Someone on Instagram?
To unmute someone, visit their profile, click the “Following” button, select “Mute,” and toggle the switches back to unmute their posts or stories.
Does Muting Someone Affect My Interaction with Them?
No, muting only hides their content from your feed. You can still message them, view their profile, and interact with their posts manually.
