How To Unfollow Inactive Accounts on Instagram?
None of us want to follow inactive accounts on Instagram, whether it’s you or me. We’ve all experienced liking a post from an account and deciding to follow them, only to realize later that they haven’t posted anything in a long time. Following such dead and inactive accounts serves no purpose.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through the step-by-step process of identifying and unfollowing these inactive accounts. After all, who wants their follower-to-following ratio to decrease due to following inactive users?
But before we delve into the solution, let’s first understand what exactly inactive accounts on Instagram are. Once we have a clear understanding of them, I’ll explain how to unfollow them in detail. Let’s get started!
Contents
What Is an Inactive Account on Instagram?
An inactive account, also referred to as a dead or ghost account, is an account that hasn’t been utilized for a considerable period. These accounts show no recent post updates on your feed, no stories, and no activity at all. There could be various reasons for this inactivity, such as the user abandoning the account, it being a bot account, or simply a spammer.
Following such bot accounts and spammers is undesirable, as they don’t contribute to a meaningful Instagram experience. Therefore, it’s advisable to consider unfollowing these inactive accounts to maintain a more relevant and engaging follower list.
Why Should You Consider Unfollowing Them?
Ego may be a playful reason to consider unfollowing dead accounts, but there are practical and sensible grounds to do so. Both personal and professional factors can influence your decision to unfollow accounts on Instagram. On a personal level, you might seek to distance yourself from certain situations, change the vibe of your feed, or avoid toxic content. While I won’t delve into those aspects, here are some reasons why unfollowing inactive accounts is worth considering:
- Curate Your Feed: The accounts you follow shape your Instagram feed, so it’s essential to choose wisely.
- Avoid Inactive and Spam Accounts: Refrain from the “follow for follow” trend, as it may lead you to follow inactive, bot, and spam accounts. Cleaning up your following list is crucial.
- Public Account Image: For public accounts, the accounts you follow can reflect on your image, so it’s crucial to address ghost accounts that may need your attention.
- Influence and Brand Endorsements: For public figures open to brand endorsements, closely monitoring followers and following lists is vital. Brands often assess these lists before considering endorsements.
- Credibility: Your following list can impact your credibility. For instance, having more followers and fewer followings can indicate that people appreciate your content. Conversely, having more followings than followers may suggest an attempt to gain followers through random follows.
Consider these reasons while deciding which accounts to unfollow, and ensure your Instagram experience aligns with your goals and values.
How To Find an Inactive Account on Instagram?
There are many ways to check if an account on Instagram is inactive
Profile Picture: Genuine accounts typically have profile pictures, but bot or fake accounts may lack one or have images that appear unreal. Checking for a profile photo can help you identify inactive accounts.
Username: Keep an eye out for usernames like ‘cool459’ or ‘mj673488’ in your following list, as these might indicate fake accounts. Legitimate accounts usually have the user’s name with a few numbers, whereas fake accounts may use random combinations.
Post Frequency: Review the posting frequency of the accounts you follow. If the last content posted is quite old or there are no recent posts at all, consider the account inactive or dormant.
Story Updates: While some users may not post often, they might actively share stories. Look for the presence of a circle around their profile picture, indicating a posted story. If there are no stories from an account you follow, it could be considered inactive.
By using these checkpoints, you can assess and identify inactive accounts among those you follow on Instagram. Cleaning up your following list will help maintain an engaging and relevant experience on the platform.
Methods To Unfollow Inactive Accounts on Instagram
Now that you have found the inactive accounts, let us see the methods to unfollow them.
Method #1: Manually
To manually unfollow inactive accounts on Instagram, follow these steps. Though it may take some time and effort, it’s essential for keeping your account clean and relevant.
- Click on your profile and go to the “Following” list.
- Navigate to the profile of the user you want to unfollow.
- Look for the “Following” option next to the username.
- A pop-up will appear; select the “Unfollow” option, and you’re done!
If you can identify dead accounts just by their username, you can use a shorter method:
- Go to your profile and access the “Following” list.
- Click on the “Following” option next to each user’s name.
- Once the button turns blue and says “Follow,” it means you have successfully unfollowed that account.
By following these steps, you can clean up your following list and ensure that you’re only following active and relevant accounts on Instagram.
Method #2: Using Third-Party Apps
Using certain third-party apps can be a convenient way to unfollow accounts in bulk, especially if you have a long “Following” list. These apps can save you a lot of time by helping you detect and unfollow inactive accounts on Instagram in large numbers.
However, it’s essential to be cautious when using third-party apps, as not all of them are authorized or safe to use. Some apps may pose risks to your mobile data and privacy. Additionally, using unauthorized apps can violate Instagram’s terms of service, potentially leading to the suspension or banning of your account.
If you decide to use such apps, be sure to double-check their safety and reputation before proceeding. Look for well-rated apps with positive reviews and a good track record. Here are some of the best-rated apps on the Google Play Store that can assist with unfollowing inactive accounts:
- Unfollow Users (4.5 rating)
- Followers & Unfollowers (4.2 rating)
- Crowdfire: Social Media Manager (3.9 rating)
Remember to exercise caution and make informed decisions when using third-party apps to manage your Instagram account.
Conclusion
I hope you now have a clear understanding of what inactive accounts are and how to identify them. Remember, there are various reasons to unfollow accounts, whether they are inactive or active.
I’ve shown you two methods to unfollow accounts, so now you can take action. Feel free to unfollow all those who didn’t follow you back if that’s what you decide to do. Happy managing your Instagram account!
