How to Know If Someone Blocked You on Instagram

It happens to everyone: You suddenly realize you haven’t seen someone’s posts in a while, but when you search for their profile, you get zero hits. Did they delete their account? Or, did the most-dreaded social media interaction — the infamous, often soul-crushing block, which feels like the online equivalent of a restraining order — finally happen to you? Here’s how to know if someone blocked you on Instagram. 

Doing Some Sleuthing

You’ve probably already done this, but the first step is to look up the person-in-question’s profile via different avenues:

• Try to use an alternative account, or ask a friend to look up the person’s profile. If another account can see the person’s profile just fine, you’ve likely been blocked. If they can’t see the account, however, it’s possible that the person deactivated their account, and nobody can see it. 
• You can also search for the person’s comments or likes on another Instagram page they follow. Can you see them? If so, their account still exists.
• Do a Google search for the account from an incognito page. If it shows up, that’s another way to determine if the person blocked you — though this method is less reliable if the person has a private profile or has deleted their account.
• Check your group chat messages with the person. If you can still see their name in a group chat but not in your one-on-one messages, then they have blocked you. 
• If they have a public profile, search for it while logged in to your account. If the page says “No Posts Yet” and you can’t see any of their information, this confirms that they blocked you. 

If you’re really bold, you could also just ask the person face-to-face if they blocked you on Instagram. However, this might not go over well — after all, they blocked you for a reason. It might be best to cut your losses and accept that they don’t want to interact with you. 

What Happens When You’re Blocked?

If you’re wondering how to know if someone blocked you on Instagram, there are some telltale signs. Here are a few things you can no longer do when a person blocks you.

You Can’t Send Them Messages

From your end, it will look like you can keep sending them messages in their DMs. On their end, however, they won’t actually receive them.

You Can’t Add Them to a Group Chat

If someone has blocked you, you won’t be able to add them to a group chat — their name simply won’t appear. However, keep in mind there are other reasons you might not be able to add someone, like group size limits, privacy settings or if they don’t follow you back.

You Can’t Video Chat

Instagram won’t allow you to video chat with a person who blocked you. Even if you try to start a call from a past conversation, the feature will be disabled or won’t go through.

You Can’t Find or Tag Their Username

When someone blocks you, their username will no longer appear in search results, and you won’t be able to tag them in posts, comments or stories. Even if you try to type their handle manually, Instagram won’t recognize it as a valid tag. This helps prevent any unwanted interactions from the blocked account.

You Can’t See Them in Your Followers and Following Lists

Once someone blocks you, their profile will be removed from your followers, following and mutual friend lists. You won’t be able to find them under your previous connections, even if you know for sure you followed each other before.

You Can’t View Their Story or Posts

This is likely what led you to discover you were blocked in the first place. Their account will either not appear or will show that they haven’t posted anything. 

You Can No Longer Follow Them

If you’ve been blocked on Instagram, the Follow button will stop working on that person’s page. No matter how many times you tap it, nothing will happen, and your request won’t go through. Don’t worry, though. Instagram doesn’t notify the person you’ve been blocked by, so they won’t know you attempted to reconnect.

The Most Common Reasons for Blocking Someone

Blocking a person’s account is often a last resort to keep them out of your life. Some reasons people may block you on Instagram include:

• Going through a breakup: Blocking an ex can help create emotional distance and support the healing process after a relationship ends.
• Cutting out a toxic friendship: Ending a harmful friendship often includes removing access to your online life to protect your peace.
• Preventing bullying: Blocking someone who harasses or bullies you can be a necessary step for your mental health and safety.
• Hiding content that upsets them: Some users block accounts that regularly post triggering or emotionally upsetting content.
• Avoiding extreme or differing political views: To reduce stress or arguments, people may block users with aggressive or radically different political opinions.
• Harassment or persistent messaging: Repeated, unwanted messages or comments can cross boundaries and lead to a block.
• Third-party drama: To avoid getting pulled into interpersonal conflict, users may block mutual acquaintances or people involved in drama.
• Spamming or self-promotion: Excessive tagging, unsolicited promotions or spammy comments can cause people to block the account responsible.
• Stalking or monitoring behavior: Overly attentive behaviors — like instantly reacting to stories or tracking every post — can feel invasive and lead to a block.
• Setting boundaries with family or co-workers: Some block relatives or colleagues to maintain a separation between personal life and professional or family obligations.

It may not be personal. Your Instagram account isn’t always a reflection of who you really are, and the person who blocked you might have simply wanted to avoid certain content. For example, someone struggling with an eating disorder might block accounts that offer dieting tips or only promote certain body types.

Learning That Someone Blocked You on Instagram

It might be uncomfortable, but knowing that someone blocked you is for the best. It allows you to give that person space, move on and make new friendships, and it might even help you grow as a person. 

Remember, it’s natural to feel confused or hurt, but try to be kind to yourself and understand that everyone’s social media choices are shaped by their own struggles and not necessarily a reflection of you — or your worth.

Original Publish Date 3/30/2023 — Updated 5/23/2025