What Does Restrict Mean On Instagram? A Peaceful Break

Instagram offers many smart features to enhance the user experience for safety and privacy. Some of these features, like muting and restricting, allow you to share posts without the anxiety of being trolled. These options are different from each other, and users may opt for them as per their convenience. Let’s talk about the restricting feature on Instagram. So, what does restrict mean on Instagram? Restricting someone on Instagram means you are limiting them from your posts and comments. Although some other ways, like blocking reporting, can do the same but each option has its own pros and cons.

Read on to explore more about this awesome feature and how you can enable it in your profile.

Why Do You Need To Restrict Someone On Instagram?

“Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions:” Mark Twain

Since Instagram is a social media platform with around 2.4 billion monthly Global users. Whatever you share is open to comments from the user’s end. There may be some negative remarks or trolls that may upset you. In such cases, you have the option to either block or report the user. However, restricting is an easy and practical option to keep the bullies and negative people away from your profile. But why should you restrict someone? Here are a few common reasons why you need to restrict someone on Instagram:

New Contacts: Someone whom you don’t know properly, but don’t want to break the bond with them either. Restricting them gives you time to know them properly until you feel comfortable sharing your posts with them.
Social Shyness: Many people are introverts, and social media is only a virtual world for them. They may restrict some people but not block them to keep their virtual world alive.
Polite Behavior: You don’t want to look rude to someone by blocking, and thus you find Restricting to be the best option.
Social Status: Blocking will reduce the followers, but restricting won’t. Therefore, it is more beneficial for someone who doesn’t want to reduce the followers’ list.
Mental Peace: Restricting someone who constantly bullies and gives negative comments can give you peace of mind.

Remember: You may UnRestrict someone whenever you want, as this is not a permanent action. Many times, you are having a bad day or mood, and you take this sudden decision.

This is What Happens When You Restrict Someone on Instagram \

First of all, when you restrict someone, they will not get any notification. However, they will still be able to see your page and comment sections as usual. When you restrict somebody, the following things may happen:

You will not be notified of their comments. However, they may be able to reply to you in the comments.
The comments they give after being restricted will not be visible in your comment section. But the comments they have written in your comment section before being restricted will still be visible.
On scrolling through the comments section, you will see an option “View Hidden Reply.” Now, it’s up to you if you want to read the comment or not.
The most interesting part of restricting someone is that they will still be able to see their comments, but no one else can see those comments. So, they cannot leave a comment publicly on your post.
The restricted user will not be able to see if you are online or not. Their reaction will go to your message request box instead of the direct message box.

Ready to See the Magic of Restriction on Instagram?

Restricting Through Chat

You can easily restrict someone through chats using the methods below.

1. Instagram Lite app (Android)

Go to the Arrow button in the top right corner after logging in to your account.
Search for the Chat with the person you want to restrict.
Tap the Info icon at the top right corner of the chat.
Click on the Restrict icon.

2. Instagram App (Android or iPhone)

Log in and go to the Info or Messenger icon at the top right corner of the feed.
Go to the chat with the person you want to restrict and tap their name at the top.
Look for three dots at the top right and click on Restrict.

Restricting Through Settings

This is one of the common ways, just follow the steps below:

1. Instagram Lite app (Android)

Log in and go to the Profile picture icon or your profile picture in the bottom right.
In your profile, go to the Menu in the top right. Tap Settings or the gear icon.
Click on Privacy and go to Connections. Tap Restricted Accounts below connections.
Tap Restrict for the account you want to restrict, and Unrestrict next to the username to unrestrict someone.

2. Instagram App (Android or iPhone)

Log in and go to the bottom right corner and click on the Profile Picture icon.
Tap the menu from the top right corner and find the option “How others can interact with you.” Find the Restricted option from there.
Tap Restricted, followed by Next.
Now look for the user you want to restrict and click Restrict. Tap Unrestrict if you want to unrestrict an already restricted user.

3. Instagram.com From Computer/Browser

Log in and click on the 3 bars for More options from the bottom left of the page.
Click on Settings and find the option on “How others can interact with you.”
Find the user you want to Restrict or Unrestrict.

Restricting Through Comments

Log in to your account and go to your Post where the user you want to restrict has commented. Click on Comments to view the comments and find the comment of the user.
Click and hold the comment for a while. Now you will get the option to Restrict or Unrestrict the account.

Restricting Through Profile

Users can also restrict profiles by:

1. Instagram Lite app (Android)

Log in and go to the Profile of the user you want to Restrict. Go to their Username and click on it.
Click on the Three dots at the top right corner to find more Options.
Click on Restrict or Unrestrict.

2. Instagram App (Android or iPhone)

Log in and find the account you want to restrict. Go to their Profile.
Find Options in the form of 3 dots horizontal (iPhone) or 3 vertical dots (Android) in the top right corner.
Tap Restrict or Unrestrict.

3. Instagram.com From Computer/Browser

Log in to your Instagram account and click on the Username of the person you want to restrict.
After entering their Profile, go to Options (3 dots) in the top right.
Click Restrict or Unrestrict.

Fun Fact: Instagram.co is the 4th most-visited website Globally

A Quick Tour on Restricting Profile on Instagram

Restricting is different from Blocking and Muting.
The Restricted person does not receive any Notification regarding this action.
The Restricted Person can post comments, but they will be visible to them only, not to the other users on Instagram.
You have the option of opening and seeing their comment. Even if you don’t open it, you will have an idea if they have commented.
You may restrict the user through the Instagram site, Instagram App (Android & iPhone), and Instagram Lite (Android)
You may restrict someone to prevent negative comments on your feedback. However, there are many other reasons that may result in restriction.
You may Unrestrict someone whenever you want.
A Restricted Person can tag you in posts, but you will not receive any notification regarding that.

Pro Tip

Confused? or not able to remember whom you have restricted? Just Check Your Restricted List. Go to your settings under “Privacy.” You can now go through the “Restricted Accounts” to see who is there in your list you have restricted and now don’t even remember the reason!

Conclusion

You may restrict or unrestrict someone on Instagram anytime, and they won’t even get the notification. There are various ways discussed above on how to restrict someone on Instagram, on different platforms. By now, you might be aware of what does restrict mean on Instagram. You may take advantage of this feature to take a break from someone or to prevent your posts from negative comments.

FAQs

1. Will the person you are restricting know that they have been restricted on Instagram?

No, Instagram will not send them any notifications regarding your action.

2. Can you restrict someone after restricting them on Instagram?

Yes. You can unrestrict them by following the steps above anytime.

3. Will the restricted person be able to see my Instagram stories?

Yes, they can see your Instagram stories as they are still following you.

4. Can the restricted person comment on my post?

Yes, they can comment on your post, but it will be visible to them only, not others. And you, being the profile owner, will have the option to either open or not open that comment.

5. How many accounts can you restrict at a time?

No, there is no limit to restrict profiles on your Instagram.