Instagram Restrict Vs Block: Which One to Use?

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!

What Does Restrict Mean on Instagram?

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.

How to Restrict Someone on Instagram?

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:

1. Open the Instagram app on your smartphone and go to the profile of the person you want to restrict.
2. Tap on the three dots in the top right corner of their profile.
3. A menu will appear. Tap on Restrict.
4. A pop-up will appear, notifying you that you restricted the user. 

Once you have restricted someone on Instagram, the user will not be notified that they have been restricted. 

How to unrestrict someone on Instagram?

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.

Can You Tell If Someone Restricted You on Instagram?

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.

What Does Block Mean on Instagram?

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.

How to Block Someone on Instagram?

Blocking someone on Instagram is a more extreme measure than restricting them. Here’s how to block someone on Instagram:

1. Open the Instagram app on your smartphone and go to the profile of the person you want to block.
2. Tap on the three dots in the top right corner of their profile.
3. Tap on Block from the menu.
4. A pop-up will appear asking you to confirm that you want to block this user. You can either:
   • Block the specific user only;
   • Block the user and any other accounts they may own or create.
5. Tap Block or Block and Report if you want to report the user for any reason. If you report a user, the report will remain anonymous unless you report an intellectual property infringement.

Once you have blocked someone on Instagram, they cannot see any of your content or contact you in any way on the app.

How to unblock someone on Instagram?

If you ever want to unblock someone on Instagram:

1. Go to your profile.
2. Tap on the three lines in the top right corner.
3. Go to Settings.
4. Tap Privacy.
5. Select Blocked Accounts and unblock the user.

From there, you can select the account you want to unblock and tap on “Unblock” next to their name.

Can You Tell if Someone Blocked You on Instagram?

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.

Final Thoughts

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.