Block, Mute, Restrict, Report – What’s the difference?

We’re dedicated to fostering a positive and supportive environment for everyone on Instagram. That’s why we offer features like block, restrict, mute, and report to help you manage your interactions with care. Here’s a quick guide to understand the differences between these features and how they work.

What it means to Restrict someone on Instagram & how to do it

This feature allows you to discreetly restrict someone without alerting them. The restricted person won’t see when you’re online, and you won’t receive notifications for their comments. They also can’t tag or mention you or remix your content.

Instagram App for Android or iPhone

• Tap or in the top right of the feed.
• Tap the chat with the person you want to restrict.
• Tap the person’s name at the top of your chat.
• Tap Options in the top right, then tap Restrict.
• Tap Restrict account to confirm.

Instagram Lite app for Android

• Tap in the top right.
• Tap the chat with the person you want to restrict.
• Tap in the top right of your chat.
• Tap Restrict at the bottom.

If there isn’t a message thread available, you can go to the “Follow” or “Following” tab under the profile photo and name, then tap “Restrict” or “Unrestrict”.

*This tool is ideal if you prefer not to engage directly but still want to manage what’s visible on your account.

What it means to Mute someone on Instagram & how to do it

If you want to control what you see on your Stories and Feed without cutting off someone entirely, Mute is your go-to option. This allows you to hide someone’s posts, stories, or messages while still following the account. You can mute an account in a variety of ways in order to limit your interactions with them.

Muting a profile allows you to not see their content in your feed, stories, or in messages.

• Go to an individual’s profile
• Click Following ⌄
• Click on Mute
• Select what features you want muted between Posts, Stories, and Notes

Muting messages removes notifications from a group chats or messages from an individual sender:

• Click or on the left.
• Click the chat with the person you want to mute/unmute.
• Click in the top right of your chat.
• Click or next to Mute messages or Mute call notifications to mute/unmute someone.

*This feature is ideal for managing your Feed, Stories and Messages without unfollowing an account. Keep in mind that muting someone’s messages, posts or stories will not apply to notes they share. Here is how to mute someone’s notes.

What it means to Block someone on Instagram & how to do it:

When you block someone, they can no longer search for your profile, view your content, or send you messages. When you block someone, it will block their account, other existing accounts, or any new accounts they may create.

Note: There are multiple ways to block someone on Instagram. People aren’t notified when you block them. You can view a list of accounts you’ve blocked from your settings. Learn what happens when you block someone.

• Click their username from their post in your feed or story post, or click and search their username to go to their profile.
• Click in the top right, then click Block.

*This feature is ideal if you want to end all interactions with an account.

What it means to Report a profile or post on Instagram & how to do it

You can report Accounts, Comments, Messages, Posts and more to Instagram. Our team works 24/7 to quickly review and remove content that goes against our Community Guidelines. Reporting on Instagram is always anonymous, so the person who posted the content will not know you reported it.

*This feature is ideal if you want to address serious issues and ensure your safety.

By understanding how each feature works we hope this helps you maintain a safer and more positive experience.