One of the most common questions that users of the Instagram application have is whether or not someone can see that they have viewed an Instagram story even if you are not currently friends on the app.
This can be important information to consider if you wish to view an Instagram story anonymously. While Instagram does not offer viewer information on users who have simply viewed their profile or photos, there is viewer data available for Snapchat stories.
This guide will provide you with detailed information regarding the way Instagram handles viewership information and also offer more information on the different account restrictions that you can encounter when attempting to view Instagram content for a user you are not currently friends with on the application.
Being “friends” with someone on the application will give the user access to all of the content that you post on your Instagram profile, including stories, comments, and the ability to direct message you. If you have a private profile, only people that you are currently friends with on the Instagram application will be able to view your profile.
You should use the information provided in this guide to better understand whether someone you are not friends with on the application will be notified that you have viewed their Instagram content.
Can Someone See That I Viewed Their Instagram Story If We Are Not Friends?
An Instagram user whose story you have viewed will be able to see that you have done so whether you are friends or not. All story view data is kept and viewable by the creator of the story for up to 48 hours. This means that any story that you view on the Instagram application will have your name in the recently viewed list for up to that time.
If the creator of the story checks their recently viewed list for the story, they will be able to see your username and profile picture in this list. Your friend status with the creator of the story will not affect your visibility in the recently viewed list.
Users can see the list of recent viewers by opening the Snapchat application and navigating to the story they wish to see data for. Once the story is opened on your phone, you should swipe up on the screen.
This will bring up a list of all of the usernames of the people who have viewed that particular story. This list will also include a total view count for the story.
This information is only available to the creator of the story. You can only view the story data in this way for up to 24 hours. After 24 hours have passed since the story was posted, the story will disappear and the creator of the story will only be able to see viewership data by using the Instagram Archives.
You can access your Instagram Archive by tapping your profile picture in the bottom right of the screen after you open the Instagram application. Once you are on your profile page, tap the stacked line icon in the top right corner of your screen.
This will bring up the menu where you will be able to enter into the Archive tab. Once in the Archive, simply select the story you wish to see the viewership information for and tap it. This will bring up a list of the viewers for that particular story.
Story creators will only be able to view this data using the archive for 48 hours. Once 48 hours have passed since the story’s initial creation, all data regarding the story will be removed from the archive.
This means that as long as the user does not check the recent viewers list for their story, there is a chance that someone who is not their friend could view the story without the user knowing.
Can Someone See That I Viewed Their Instagram Highlight If We Are Not Friends?
If you view someone’s Instagram Highlight reel, they will be able to see this by viewing the Seen By list for that particular highlight.
The Seen By list is similar to the Recently Viewed list for Instagram stories. Using this list, the creator of the highlight will be able to see your username and profile picture included and determine that you have viewed their highlight.
Whether or not you are friends with the user on the application will not affect your appearance on this list. Unlike stories, Instagram Highlights do not expire and the creator of the highlight will be able to view the Seen By list any time they wish.
This will make it very easy to determine that you have viewed their Instagram Highlights, even if you are not currently friends with them. If you wish to view someone’s Instagram Highlight anonymously, you should consider making another account under a different name to use when viewing the highlight.
This will make the username that appears in the Seen By list for the highlight appear different than your original one and keep the creator of the highlight from recognizing your username.
Can You See Who Viewed Your Instagram Stories If They Haven’t Added You?
You can use the recently viewed list for the story you have created to see people who have viewed it, even if they have not yet added you as a friend. All users of the Instagram application who view your stories will be added to this list, regardless of friend status on the application.
In the recently viewed list for a story that you post, you will be able to see the usernames and profile pictures of users who have not yet friended you on the application. This will help you determine exactly who has been viewing your Instagram story.
Users can see the list of recent viewers by opening the Snapchat application and navigating to the story they wish to see data for. Once the story is opened on your phone, you should swipe up on the screen. This will bring up a list of all of the usernames of the people who have viewed that particular story. This list will also include a total view count for the story.
This information is only available to the creator of the story. You can only view the story data in this way for up to 24 hours. After 24 hours have passed since the story was posted, the story will disappear and the creator of the story will only be able to see viewership data by using the Instagram Archives.
You can access your Instagram Archive by tapping your profile picture in the bottom right of the screen after you open the Instagram application. Once you are on your profile page, tap the stacked line icon in the top right corner of your screen.
This will bring up the menu where you will be able to enter into the Archive tab. Once in the Archive, simply select the story you wish to see the viewership information for and tap it. This will bring up a list of the viewers for that particular story.
You will only be able to view this data using the archive for 48 hours. Once 48 hours have passed since the story’s initial creation, all data regarding the story will be removed from the archive. This will make it impossible to see who has viewed that story using traditional methods.
Can Someone See You Viewed Their Story If Their Instagram Profile is Public
Any time you view an Instagram Story you will be added to the recently viewed list for that story. The creator of the story can view this list by swiping up on the story and see your username and profile picture to determine that you have viewed their story.
They will have access to this information for up to 48 hours after the creation of the story. If the user does not check the recently viewed list for the story in this time, there is a chance that they will not see that you have viewed their story.
How Can Someone See My Instagram Story If We’re Not Friends
The next part of this guide will provide more details on the ways that users you are not friends with can see your Instagram story. If you are concerned with people viewing your story that you are not currently friends with, you should consider making your profile private.
A private profile will limit your story visibility to users who you are currently friends with. This will keep your profile hidden from users who you are not friends with and keep them from contacting you directly through the Instagram application.
1. Because Your Profile Is Public, Your Story is Visible to Anyone
If your profile is public on the Instagram application, it will be visible to everyone on the app. This means that there are no visibility restrictions for your stories, making it quite easy for someone not currently friends with.
If you are concerned with people viewing your story that you are not currently friends with, you should consider making your profile private. A private profile will limit your story visibility to users who you are currently friends with. This will keep your profile hidden from users who you are not friends with and keep them from contacting you directly through the Instagram application.
Anyone who wishes to view your private profile will be required to send a friend request that you will have the option to accept or deny. A private profile can help keep your privacy intact while using the Instagram application.
How to Know Who Viewed Your Instagram Story If You’re Not Friends
The next part of this guide will detail a few ways that you can more easily determine who has viewed your Instagram story, including users who you are not currently friends with on the application. This can be useful information when trying to figure out who has been viewing your Instagram profile.
1. Check Who Viewed Your Story That You Don’t Follow
You should check who viewed your story and look for people who you are not currently friends with on the application. If the user is not someone you recognize on your followers list, then this indicates that someone you are not friends with has been viewing your story.
You can view the list of people who have viewed your story by swiping up while viewing the story. This will bring up the username and profile pictures of everyone who has viewed that story. You can access this information for up to 48 hours.
2. Check Who Replied to the Story That You Don’t Follow
You should also check who has replied to your story and look for people who you are not currently friends with on the application. If a user who has replied to your story is not someone you recognize on your followers list, then this indicates that someone you are not friends with has been viewing your story.
You will be notified any time through the Instagram notification system anytime someone interacts with your story by replying to it. You should check these notifications and see if they are coming from someone you are not currently friends with on the application.
Final Thoughts
This guide has provided you with all of the information that you need to determine whether someone will be able to see that you viewed their Instagram, even though you are not currently friends on the app.
As this guide indicates, it is very easy for someone on Instagram to see who has been viewing their stories. Story viewer data is one of the only types of viewership data that Instagram makes available to the user.
Because of this, it can be difficult to view an Instagram story without the creator knowing. If keeping your viewing of someone’s story on Instagram a secret is important to you, you should consider creating an alternative account to use when viewing the story.