How to Know if Someone Blocked You on Instagram

I am from the time of Orkut, the Google social network that was a craze in Brazil. Shortly after, Facebook came along. It was there that not only an area to connect friends and share moments emerged, but also an ecosystem for various businesses. Over time, Facebook’s hair started turning gray, and its reign was taken over by Instagram.

Migrating to Instagram became a natural move, no matter what your professional field is. However, there may come a moment when you start to suspect that someone has blocked you from accessing a certain profile.

Blocking is a common feature on Instagram, allowing users to completely restrict another person’s access to their profile and content. However, the platform does not notify you when you’re blocked, which can lead to doubts. Fortunately, there are signs that can clarify the situation. How?

1. Search for the person’s username in the Instagram search bar:

• Open the Instagram app and tap the search icon.
• Type the username of the person you suspect has blocked you.
• If their profile doesn’t appear in the search results, it’s possible you’ve been blocked. However, this could also mean they’ve deactivated their account or changed their username.
• For public profiles, not finding their account can be a strong indicator of being blocked.

2. Check previous conversations in case you’ve already interacted with the person via direct messages:

• Go to your Direct Messages (DMs) and find the chat with the person.
• Tap on the conversation.
• If you can still see the chat history but cannot access their profile by tapping their username, you may have been blocked.
• If their profile picture is missing or replaced with a generic icon, this is another red flag.

3. Attempt to follow them in situations where you can still access their profile (e.g., through tags or shared content):

• Visit their profile and check if there is an option to follow them.
• If you see a button labeled “Follow” but it doesn’t change to “Following” after tapping, this likely indicates you’ve been blocked.
• Alternatively, if the profile says “User Not Found,” it’s either deactivated or blocked.

4. Check their posts and stories

• Look for posts where they’ve been tagged or where mutual friends might have interacted with them.
• If their tagged photos or mentions have disappeared, this can suggest you’ve been blocked.
• If their stories are no longer visible to you while others can still see them, this is a strong sign.

5. Use a secondary account or ask a friend to confirm their profile visibility:

• Log in with a secondary account or create a new one.
• Ask a trusted friend to search for their account.
• If the account is visible to others but not to you, then you’ve likely been blocked.

So you may be wondering: Why am I blocked? Well, understanding why someone blocks you can provide clarity and help you avoid similar situations in the future. Here are common reasons people block others on Instagram:

• Personal Disputes: Arguments or disagreements can lead to blocking as a way to create space.
• Spam-Like Behavior: Excessive tagging, messaging, or commenting can be perceived as intrusive.
• Privacy Concerns: People often block to protect their personal lives from strangers or unwanted followers.
• Content Preferences: If your content doesn’t align with their preferences, they might block to curate their feed.

Being blocked isn’t the end of the world, and there are ways to move forward:

1. Respect Their Decision. Understand that blocking is a personal choice. Respect their boundaries and avoid attempting to bypass the block using fake accounts.

2. Reflect on Your Interactions. Think about your recent interactions with the person. Could there have been misunderstandings or conflicts? Use this as an opportunity to grow.

3. Reach Out Through Alternative Channels (If Appropriate). If the relationship is important to you, consider reaching out respectfully through other platforms to clarify any issues. Avoid confrontation.

4. Focus on Positive Connections. Social media is vast, and there are countless meaningful connections to foster. Focus on those who appreciate your presence and content.

Remember, being blocked isn’t always personal, and respecting others’ decisions is key to maintaining healthy digital interactions. Focus on building positive relationships and ensuring your online behavior aligns with your values.

After all, as Richard Branson would say, business opportunities are like buses. There’s always another one coming.