How to Make Your Instagram Account Private in 4 Easy Steps and secure your profile

Instagram is one of the most widely used social platforms in the world, with over one billion monthly active users. By default, all profiles are public — meaning anyone can view your photos, videos, stories, and interactions. While this can help you grow your reach, it also exposes your personal content to strangers, bots, or unwanted attention.

For many users — especially younger audiences, influencers, or brands in niche industries — privacy is becoming a priority. Making your Instagram account private can protect your content, control who sees your posts, and build a more loyal community by requiring people to follow you to access your feed.

But switching to a private account doesn’t mean you can’t grow. In fact, when combined with the right strategy, privacy can increase curiosity and boost engagement.

In this article, we’ll show you exactly:

• Why making your Instagram private might be a smart move
• How to make your account private in 4 easy steps
• What private profiles look like to others
• How tools like Boostfluence can help you grow — even with a locked-down account

Note: Also remember that having a private account on Instagram will prevent you from having a professional Instagram account and therefore from having access to statistics on Instagram.

How to make your Instagram account private? 4-step tutorial

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Here's how to do it in 4 steps:

1 - Open the Instagram app.

2 - Tap the bottom-right icon to access your Instagram profile. It's from this profile that you'll be able to see the content you've shared.

3 - Go to your Instagram settings using the menu at the top right. If you want to know how to protect your main account, this is where it all happens.

4 - In the settings, tap on Privacy > Account privacy and enable the "Private account" setting. Once you've done this, you'll be able to see the message "This Instagram account is private" every time you access your profile.

Now that you know how to set your Instagram account to private on Instagram and that this option is active on your account, people who visit your profile will come across this message:"This instagram account is private".

And will have to send you a follow request if they want to see your profile, your list of followers or the people you follow.

What can you see from a private instagram account without following it?

Now that your Instagram account is in private, you're wondering what can you see from'a private Instagram account without following it.

When you create an account on Instagram and set it to private, certain information remains visible.

On an anonymous Instagram profile in private mode, you can see the number of followers, following and posts. The username, profile photo, and bio are also in plain sight.

However, seeing photos, stories, or even Instagram accounts the person has followed to remains out of reach without following.

The fact that some of your information is not visible can encourage some people to follow to your account. This can really help you gain followers in case your social media posts are very viral.

What else can I use to have a private profile on Instagram?

If you're not happy with the account you currently have, or if you just want to keep some clout on Instagram while protecting your privacy, it makes sense to make your profile private.

In addition to this, limit the amount of personal information shared. You don't necessarily have to use your real name or that of the account you want, for example.

To make changes, head to the profile icon, click "Edit your profile" and adjust according to your preferences. You can even add a secondary account to diversify your presence.

It's also essential to know how to see who's accessing your content. If you don't want a former subscriber's account to view your photos after you've made your account private, block them.

To do this, go to the person's profile, click on the three horizontal dots icon and choose "Block User'". You can unblock this person if you change your mind. See, how to unblock someone on Instagram?

What else do I need to know about keeping my account private on Instagram?

It's crucial to understand the privacy settings. Even if you've set up your profile as a private instagram account, if you share its posts on another account, such as a Facebook account, they could be visible to everyone, depending on your settings on that network.

For example, by tweeting your Instagram post, those looking to find out how to view photos from an account can simply see the profile on Twitter, unless you have a private Twitter account.

Similarly, it's possible to post a private Instagram account by knowing certain tricks.

Also you can make changes to your instagram profile photo so that you're not recognized.

In short, if you want to see private profiles or others can't easily see yours, take the appropriate steps and be informed.

How to see a private Instagram account

• Simply ask to follow the private account you want: The easiest way to see a private Instagram account is to ask to follow the account. This respects the user's privacy and gives you a chance to legitimately access its content.
• Create a second account: Although not recommended, some users create a secondary account to follow profiles without revealing their primary identity.
• Instagram private account viewer: There are third-party tools claiming to offer access to private accounts. However, they can be dangerous, as they may violate privacy and Instagram's terms of use.
• Be patient: If the account you want to view becomes public or you are accepted as a follower, you will then be able to view its photos and content.

In conclusion, respecting users privacy on Instagram is essential. If an account is private, there are good reasons for it, and it's best to take an ethical approach when attempting to access its content.

Can I automate my Instagram account into a private account?

The answer is that with tools like Boostfluence, you can not only automate your Instagram profile whether it's public or private, but it also gives you an advantage. Having a private Instagram account is an effective way to engage users more.

Those who follow you will think twice before unfollowing you. And those who haven't yet accessed your account will be encouraged to do so, so they can see your photos and anything else you share.

In fact, some people create a new or second account, just to find out how to see an account they like. Yet when you have a private profile you're interested in, it's not always easy to see a private account without going through the subscription step.

FAQ: All about Instagram private accounts

How to view the content of a private Instagram account?

The easiest way to view a private Instagram account is to request to follow the account in question. If the user accepts, you can then access their content. Using backdoor methods, such as creating a fake account or an Instagram private account viewer, goes against the platform's terms of use.

How to view photos from a private account on Instagram?

Just like viewing the content of a private account, to view photos from a private account, you need to request to follow the account. Once your request has been accepted, you will have full access to its photos and publications.

How to view a private account on Insta without subscribing?

It is not possible to access a private account on Instagram without subscribing. However, some people try to create a secondary account or a fake account to access these profiles, although this practice is discouraged.

How to find out who is viewing your Insta profile?

Instagram does not provide a feature to see who has visited your profile. However, you can see who has viewed your stories or who is interacting with your posts.

How do I see the subscriptions of'a private account?

If an account is private, you cannot see the list of its subscriptions without being subscribed to that account. Instagram privacy protects this information.

Do people see when you view their Instagram Story?

Yes, when you view a story on Instagram, the person can see your name in the list of viewers.

Why have a private account on Instagram?

Having a private account on Instagram allows you to control who can see your posts. It's a security measure to protect your privacy and prevent personal content from being seen by everyone.