What Happens When You Switch Your Instagram Account from Public to Private

So you're thinking about changing the privacy settings of your Instagram account, but you're not sure what will happen next. Don't worry, we've got you covered. In this article, we'll explain everything you need to know about making your Instagram account public or private and the consequences that come with it.

What Happens When You Make Your Instagram Account Private

Once you switch your Instagram account from public to private, there are a few changes you can expect:

Who Can Check Your Private Instagram Account Posts/Stories

Only users who are following you will be able to see your posts and stories. For everyone else, your account will appear as “private.” This means that your posts won't show up on the search page or explore pages, even if you use hashtags.

Who Can Follow You on Instagram If It Is Private

People can no longer follow you directly. Instead, they will need to send a follow request, which you can accept or decline. You'll receive a notification whenever someone sends a request, and you can manage all your follow requests in one place.

What Happens to Your Old Instagram Followers Once You Make It Private

Any users who were already following you will continue to follow you even after you make your account private. However, if you want to remove any of them, you can do so by accessing your profile page, tapping on the Followers option, and selecting the Remove option.

What Profile Info Is Visible on a Private Instagram Account

Even though your account is private, certain profile details are still visible to anyone. This includes your profile picture, bio, the number of posts you've made, and the number of followers you have. However, you can choose to block specific users if you want to restrict their access to your profile.

Who Can Send You Direct Messages on a Private Instagram Account

Even with a private account, anyone can still send you direct messages. However, they need to tap on the three-dot menu at the top of your profile and select the Send Message option. If you want to prevent specific users from messaging you, you can block them.

Who Can Tag Private Instagram Accounts

Anyone can tag you in their posts or mention you in comments, even if your account is private. If you find this annoying, you can block individual users to stop them from tagging or mentioning you.

What Happens When You Make Your Instagram Account Public

Now, let's take a look at what happens when you switch your Instagram account from private to public:

Who Can View Public Instagram Account Stories

Once your account is public, your posts and stories can be viewed by anyone, even those who don't have an Instagram account.

When Can Your Uploaded Media Be Searched on Google Search

If you have a large number of followers and your account is set to a professional account, the images and videos you post may also appear on Google search results.

What Happens to Pending Friend Requests

All your pending friend requests will automatically be accepted once you switch your Instagram account from private to public. If you don't want certain users to follow you, you'll need to delete their friend requests. However, they can still choose to follow you again as your account is no longer private.

How to Switch Your Instagram Account's Privacy Settings

Changing your Instagram account's privacy settings is easy. Just follow these steps:

1. Open the Instagram app on your Android or iOS phone and tap on the profile icon at the bottom right corner.
2. Tap on the hamburger menu at the top right corner, then select the Settings option.
3. On the Settings page, select Privacy, and enable the toggle next to Private Account to make your account private. You can turn it off to make your account public again.
4. In the pop-up window, tap on the Switch to Private or Switch to Public option accordingly.

That's it! You've successfully switched your Instagram account from public to private or vice versa.

Will You Make the Switch?

Now that you know what happens when you change your Instagram account's privacy settings, will you make the switch? Keep in mind that if you have a professional account, you'll need to switch to a personal account first before you can make it private. Also, avoid including any personal information in your profile picture and bio. Instead, consider posting it and pinning that post to your Instagram profile.

Remember, the choice is yours. Whether you prefer to keep your account private or make it public, make sure you're comfortable with the level of privacy and exposure you have on Instagram.