Why Can’t I Unfollow People on Instagram: A DIY Research

why can't I unfollow people on Instagram

It’s not an everyday thing, but there are times when you’re itching to unfollow someone on Instagram and, lo and behold, you can’t. The nagging question pops up: ‘Why can’t I unfollow people on Instagram?’

 Well, the main culprit is often exceeding the follow- unfollow limit. Once you cross that line, Instagram taps the brakes and won’t let you unfollow anyone for a while. Now, let’s dig a bit deeper and unravel the mystery!

Why Can’t I Unfollow People on Instagram?

The issue many folks run into is unfollowing someone on Instagram, yet that person sticks around in the followings list, and the follower count doesn’t budge.

To troubleshoot, I tested it with one of my Instagram accounts. I unfollowed in bulk, and around 200 unfollows in, I noticed something (My account is professional and about 7 months old).

  • Even though I could hit that unfollow button, the accounts I unfollowed still hung around on my list, like this:
why can't I unfollow people on Instagram?

After a few minutes, this pop-up appeared on my screen: (this usually pops up when you break Instagram like, follow, unfollow, or comment limit).

  • But wait, there’s more to the story! Just a few minutes later, I hit that unfollow button again. This time, not in a crazy, rapid-fire style, but at a chill pace of four or five accounts per minute. And guess what? No limits, no fuss!

Curious to know how to unfollow everyone on IG like a pro? Click here! 

What are the findings?

From this little DIY investigation, I figured out why I can’t unfollow people on Instagram.

Unfollowing a bunch of people in a hurry triggers Instagram’s spam radar. It thinks you might be up to some bot shenanigans and puts a pause on your unfollowing game for a few minutes. 

However, if you keep it cool, unfollow in smaller numbers, and take your time, everything goes back to normal.

When it comes to effortlessly and professionally mass unfollowing on Instagram, consider relying on the expertise of our team at AiGrow. We steer clear of bots, opting for a strategic approach that ensures a clean and organized feed. 

What if Instagram unfollows accounts randomly?

There’s a flip side: you don’t unfollow accounts, but they’re gone from your followings. The reason? People say Instagram unfollows them on its own, but, likely, It’s an Instagram glitch.

In general, three scenarios may explain friends missing from your followings:

  • They removed you.
  • They blocked you.
  • They deleted or deactivated their account.
  • Your account has been hacked.

If none apply, it’s likely a bug. How to fix the Instagram unfollow bug? Be patient, and once it’s sorted, resend the follow request.

Although discovering unexplained unfollows isn’t necessarily a clear indication of hacking, if you’re concerned, you can visit this page for assistance from Instagram.

Note:

  •  Technical hiccups like this on Instagram are pretty rare.
  • Instagram Does not Unfollow or Remove accounts on behalf of you, even if they’re inactive. 
  • Instagram Only removes fake accounts and bots. 

Also learn: why can’t you follow people on Instagram.

FAQs

Now, let’s take a look at the most common questions users may ask:

Q1. Why won’t Instagram let me unfollow people?

This issue may happen because you’ve reached unfollow limits. If you unfollow a large number of accounts in a short time and quickly, Instagram will detect you as a bot and limit you. 

Also read: Best app for Instagram unfollowers

Q2. How Long Does Instagram Unfollow Glitch Last?

It depends on the reason you are experiencing Instagram glitch. Sometimes, it’s just a temporary issue and goes away within a few hours. But if the problem is more serious, it may even last 24-72 hours. 

Q3. Does Instagram Randomly Unfollow Accounts?

Instagram doesnt unfollow or follow accounts on its own. If this happens, it’s more likely a technical glitch. 

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Picture of samira Heydarifar
samira Heydarifar
I'm Samira and I absolutely LOVE everything about content. With 6+ years in content marketing and a background in Journalism and Media Studies (Media Literacy), I'm not just a writer; I'm a social media enthusiast too! You can reach us via Cyrus@aigrow.me
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