Why Can’t I Follow People On Instagram? Help, Instagram Won’t Let Me Follow Anyone!

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Can’t follow anyone on Instagram? First, check for technical problems. You may need to reinstall the app. Also, Instagram limits how many people you can follow, according to SocialPros, a website all about Instagram marketing. If you rapidly follow accounts, it may temporarily ban you for bot-like behavior. You also can’t follow over 7,500 people.

You might be asking yourself, “Why can’t I follow people on Instagram?” Everything was fine earlier, but now the Instagram follow button is not working. I’ve been there a few times with my Instagram account. I know that many questions immediately come to mind.

Have you made a mistake? Is this a technical issue? Maybe! Keep reading to determine what caused this problem and what you can do about it.

Technical Issues

You’ve Lost Internet Connection

Make sure your device is connected to the internet, as instructed by TaleSocial, a blog all about social media news. If it isn’t, I’d suggest you see if reconnecting solves your problem.

It’s The App

If you only encounter this problem with the Instagram app (as opposed to a browser, like Google Chrome), it’s probably malfunctioning or outdated, according to LifeWire, a blog all about tech. 

Try restarting it. If that doesn’t work, I believe that one of these solutions will do the job:

  • Log out and back in.
  • Link your Facebook and Instagram accounts.
  • Reinstall/update the app.

Check our video to see all three solutions:

YouTube player

Your Device Is Malfunctioning

Try using a different phone or computer to follow people. If this works, there may be something wrong with your device, as explained by Instagram itself. I’ve found out that restarting it may solve the issue

Instagram Is Down

You can’t use Instagram when the Instagram servers are down. I’d highly suggest you check out the Down Detector, a website with connectivity status updates about every major website, to check the status every few hours.

Instagram Policy Issues

You’ve Reached The Maximum Follow Limit

If you try to follow over 7,500 people, you’ll get this message: “Error: You can’t follow any more people.” This follow limit, created by Instagram itself, is used as a way to reduce spam. That’s actually pretty good if you ask me.  

Instagram Thinks You’ve Been Hacked: Change Your Passwort Immediately (Video)

If you access your account from different IP addresses or devices, as is explained by Combin, a blog all about the Instagram app, Instagram may suspect that it has been compromised. As I’ve discovered, this is especially likely if you can’t confirm your identity through two-factor authentication.

Of course, Instagram could be right. If you notice unfamiliar account activity, change your password ASAP! You can review your account’s potentially suspicious activity through these steps by TechJunkie, a major tech-related blog:

1. Go to your profile.

Go to your profile.

2. Tap the three lines on the upper right.

Tap the three lines on the upper right.

3. Choose Settings.

Choose Settings.

4. Select Security.

Select Security.

5. Select Access Data.

Select Access Data.

6. Select View All to investigate a type of activity (scroll down for more options).

Select View All to investigate a type of activity

You can also watch our video to see the steps in action:

YouTube player

You’ve Been Temporarily Banned For Bot-Like Behavior

Sometimes, Instagram bans accounts that violate its rules temporarily, as indicated by Instagram’s Terms of Service. Affected users are prohibited from actions such as following personal or business accounts. These bans often last 24 – 48 hours. 

Instagram prohibits using bots to rapidly like posts, comment on them, or follow many accounts. Even if you do these on your own, Instagram may think you’re using a bot. 

I guess that’s what I get when I end up following a dozen accounts within a few seconds from my Instagram account.

Hourly And Daily Following Limits

Instagram appears to prevent you from following too many accounts per hour and day. Because it hasn’t explained these limits to the public, all information in this section is based on user experiences, as documented by SocialPros:

YouTube player

To prevent a temporary ban, I suggest that you increase your account activity week by week rather than increasing it suddenly in one day. If you gain followers or unfollow accounts, it seems to count towards the following limits.

But remember to not send spam Instagram messages, as instructed by SocialPros, as this might lead to a temporary ban in itself.

During your first week, follow or unfollow 100 – 150 accounts per day. From then on, increase your daily follows by 25 each week until you’re following 700 – 1000 accounts daily. I would recommend that, no matter how old your Instagram account is, you never exceed this amount.

FAQs

Why can't I follow more people on Instagram?

If you can’t follow people on Instagram, the reason may be policy-related or technical. You can get temporary bans for liking, commenting, or following too frequently. You also can’t follow over 7,500 accounts, according to AmpFluence, a blog all about social media.

Common technical issues I’ve dealt with in the past are an unstable internet connection, an outdated or corrupted app, and device problems.

You Now Hopefully Know Why You Can’t Follow More Accounts On Instagram

I hope my article helped you solve your problem. If someone asks you, “Why can’t I follow people on Instagram?” here’s a troubleshooting recap of what to tell them, according to Instagram themselves:

  • They may have lost internet connection, or the servers could be down.
  • Updating or reinstalling the app may work.
  • They could try restarting their phone.
  • They can’t follow over 7,500 accounts.
  • Instagram might think their account’s been hacked.
  • They may receive temporary bans, especially for spam behavior.

Have questions? Let me know in the comments!

About The Authors

  • Cole Trahan

    Cole is a freelance writer and former laptop repair technician with a knack for explaining how things work. As a remote worker and millennial, software and the internet are ordinary parts of his life. Cole’s pastimes include enjoying the outdoors, meditation, and listening to creepypastas on Youtube. Follow him on LinkedIn.

    View all posts
  • Adam Hughes

    Adam Hughes is a senior technical editor who holds a Ph.D. in computational chemistry and has a passion for helping people make the most of technology. He has spent more than 25 years as an IT professional, from writing code and building systems to leading large teams of programmers and engineers. Along the way, Adam has written and edited hundreds of user guides, white papers, and architectural documents across a wide range of technologies and industries. Connect with Adam on LinkedIn.

    View all posts
Photo of author

Cole Trahan

Cole is a freelance writer and former laptop repair technician with a knack for explaining how things work. As a remote worker and millennial, software and the internet are ordinary parts of his life. Cole’s pastimes include enjoying the outdoors, meditation, and listening to creepypastas on Youtube. Follow him on LinkedIn.

8 thoughts on “Why Can’t I Follow People On Instagram? Help, Instagram Won’t Let Me Follow Anyone!”

  1. I actually do have the same problem since 3 month on different devices (computer and phone) and places so it can t be the connection.
    someone knows what to do?

    Reply
  2. How can i fix my instagram? Cause it doesn’t let me follow anyone but only a few people only.. but every time i try following someone it says to try again later. We restrict certain activity to protect our community. But idk how to fix it smh. It’s been like this for like 2weeks

    Reply
  3. I have been having this issue for awhile. Tried logging out and in, reinstalling, updating etc. I have no excessive use or bots or botlike behavior so it’s been driving me nuts. I think it must be tied to my Wifi/VPN, because when I turn off and just use cellular data it seems to work.

    Reply

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