Instagram serves as a vibrant platform where we share the colorful moments of our lives. Users often update stories with daily experiences, from behind-the-scenes glimpses to quick insights into ongoing projects. However, not every moment is meant for public sharing—some are private and reserved for close friends or family.
The “Hide Story From” feature on Instagram allows you to control who sees your Story on Instagram, offering a valuable layer of privacy. If you haven’t explored this option yet, it’s time to consider it for better control over your shared content.
This blog addresses a common question: If you block someone from viewing your Instagram story, will they find out? Let’s explore.
If You Block Someone from Seeing Your Story on Instagram Will They Know?
Let’s clear up the confusion: Instagram does not notify users when you hide them from your story. So, if you block someone from viewing it, they won’t be directly alerted.
But where does this confusion stem from? Perhaps you’re imagining “what-if” scenarios or have experienced someone viewing your story despite being blocked. Both situations are possible. Below, we’ll explore instances where an Instagram user might still access your story even after you’ve hidden it from them.
Read More: How to Find List of Unblocked Profiles on Instagram
They use a fake account.
Fake and spam accounts are a widespread issue across social media platforms, not just Instagram. If you’ve blocked someone from viewing your story, they could still access it through a fake account, which explains why some people manage to see your content even after being blocked.
If your account is public, it’s time to switch it to private. This allows you to remove suspicious followers and control who sees your content. Private accounts are less prone to these issues, as they only allow followers who are known or at least familiar.
A mutual friend told them about it
Even private accounts aren’t immune to this issue. If you’ve been on Instagram for a while, you likely share at least one mutual friend with the person you’ve hidden your story from. It’s possible that a mutual friend could have shared details about your post with them. While only you can know the intentions behind this, once you have solid evidence that a mutual friend was involved, you can choose to confront them.
Someone reposted your story.
Instagram stories are interactive, allowing us to mention and repost friends when they tag us. People often react to our stories, leaving comments that add to the fun and engagement.
Now, imagine you posted a story about a day out with your friends but intentionally excluded a sick friend to avoid making her feel left out. One of your friends reposted the story but forgot to hide it from the sick friend. Naturally, she’ll see the rreportand discover that you all hung out without her.
How to hide your Instagram story from someone on Instagram?
On Instagram, we don’t always keep track of the people we follow or unfollow, but when necessary, we can quickly hide our stories from specific individuals.
Imagine posting a friend’s birthday story, but one of your mutual friends wasn’t invited. How would that make her feel? Awkward, to say the least. So, how can you share the birthday celebration without upsetting the uninvited friend? The solution is simple: use Instagram’s “Hide Story From” feature.
Here’s a quick guide to hiding your story from someone:
- Open Instagram on your smartphone.
- Tap “Your Story” at the top left of your home feed.
- Tap the gear icon in the top right corner to access Camera Settings.
- Under “Story,” select “Hide Story From.”
- Tap the number of people listed under this option.
- Choose the people you want to hide your story from, either by scrolling or using the search bar.
- Return to the previous screen, and you’ll see the count updated, confirming the people are hidden from your story.
This feature makes it easy to manage your privacy without upsetting anyone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will the person know if I block them from seeing my story?
No, Instagram doesn’t notify users when they’re blocked from viewing a story. The person will not directly know unless they deduce it based on other cues.
Can they find out through a mutual friend?
Yes, mutual friends who share or discuss your stories can unintentionally reveal your content to the blocked person.
What happens if they use a fake account?
Blocked users can still view your story using fake or secondary accounts, especially if your profile is public.
Does switching to a private account help?
Yes, switching to a private account reduces the chances of unauthorized access. You can control who follows you and view your stories.
Can someone see my story if a tagged friend reposts it?
Yes, if a tagged friend shares your story and doesn’t block the person you’ve hidden it from, they might still view the repost.
Will blocking someone from stories also block them from posts?
No, blocking someone from stories only affects story visibility. They can still see your posts unless you block them entirely on Instagram.
Can I undo the “Hide Story From” setting?
Yes, you can remove restrictions anytime by revisiting the “Hide Story From” settings and deselecting the user.
Conclusion
Instagram’s “Hide Story From” feature offers a discreet way to control who views your stories without alerting the blocked individuals. While the platform doesn’t notify users about these restrictions, factors like mutual friends, public profiles, or fake accounts may still compromise privacy.
Switching to a private account, managing your followers, and using this feature wisely can help protect your content and maintain boundaries. By understanding and utilizing these settings effectively, you can share your moments with confidence and privacy.