Written by, Bojana Atanasovska
Updated May, 10, 2023
With over 34 million users in the UK only, Instagram has become a hub for content creators, influencers, and businesses to showcase their work and connect with their audience. However, with the increasing use of social media, it has also become a platform for cyberbullying, hate speech, and other forms of online abuse.
To combat this, Instagram has introduced two features: restrict and block.
Stick around to learn about the difference between Instagram restrict vs block!
Instagram restrict is a feature that allows users to restrict the activity of another user without blocking them completely.
Restrict is helpful if you want to limit your exposure to specific individuals without completely blocking them. This feature is handy for content creators, influencers, and businesses that may receive negative comments or messages from fake Instagram accounts or competitors. By using restrict, they can filter out unwanted comments and messages without engaging with them or giving them the attention they seek.
Restricting someone on Instagram is a simple process, and it can be done in just a few steps. Here’s how to restrict someone on Instagram:
Once you have restricted someone on Instagram, the user will not be notified that they have been restricted.
If you ever want to remove the restrictions from a user, you can do so by going to their profile, tapping on the three dots in the top right corner, and selecting Unrestrict from the menu.
You cannot tell if someone has restricted you on Instagram. When someone restricts you on Instagram, you will still be able to see their profile, posts, and stories, but your interactions with their profile will be limited.
The restricted user’s comments on the posts of those who restricted them will only be visible to them. Nobody else will see their comments unless the user who restricted them approves them. The restricted user’s direct messages will go into the message request folder, and they will not be able to see when the user who restricted them is online or when they have read their messages.
The user who has been restricted will not receive any notification that they have been restricted, and they will not be able to tell if they have been restricted by looking at the user’s profile or posts. The only way to know if someone has restricted you is if they tell you directly.
If you suspect that someone has restricted you on Instagram, the best course of action is to communicate with them directly and ask if they have restricted you. It’s essential to have open communication with people, especially on social media platforms, to ensure a positive experience for everyone.
On the other hand, Instagram block completely blocks another user from interacting with you on the platform.
Block is a powerful tool for those who want to cut off all communication with someone on the platform. If you have been the victim of online abuse, harassment, or stalking, blocking can ensure that the person can no longer interact with you in any way.
Blocking someone on Instagram is a more extreme measure than restricting them. Here’s how to block someone on Instagram:
Once you have blocked someone on Instagram, they cannot see any of your content or contact you in any way on the app.
If you ever want to unblock someone on Instagram:
From there, you can select the account you want to unblock and tap on “Unblock” next to their name.
If someone has blocked you on Instagram, you can no longer see their profile, posts, or stories. Additionally, if you try to visit their profile by clicking on a link that previously worked, you’ll receive an error message saying that the user is not found.
There are other reasons you might not be able to see someone’s profile, such as if they have deleted their account or changed their username. However, if you suspect that someone has blocked you on Instagram, the best way to confirm is to ask a mutual friend to check if they can see the person’s profile or to create a new account and try to search for their username.
Instagram’s restrict and block features allow users to limit their interactions with other users on the platform. While both features have similarities, they also have significant differences that cater to different situations. If a user is unsure if they have been restricted or blocked by someone, there are ways to check, such as asking a mutual friend or creating a new account.
Ultimately, these features can help create a safer and more positive environment on Instagram, where users can showcase their work and connect with their audience without fear of online abuse.
When you use the restrict feature, there are no changes in your feed and stories. The person you’ve restricted can still view your published posts and stories. You’ll still be able to see their highlights, feed, and stories as well.
Bojana is my name and writing is my game. I am a content writer from Bitola who is always interested in the latest research in almost all areas of life. I have a Bachelor’s degree in English literature and a perfectionist character, both of which help me find the most accurate data and information available. Although I have my head stuck in studies and reports most of the time, I still have a bit of free time during which I enjoy knitting and watching classic 90’s Disney movies.