Instagram stories have become a popular feature on the platform, allowing users to share snapshots of their daily lives with their followers. However, there are times when you accidentally view someone’s story that you weren’t meant to see, and you may wonder if they can still see that you viewed it. In this article, we will explore whether blocking someone on Instagram removes your name from the list of people who viewed their story. We will also discuss what happens if you deactivate your Instagram account and share some tips on how to ensure your viewing activity remains private.
Can They See You Viewed Their Story If You Block Them?
If you block someone on Instagram after viewing their story, they will no longer be able to see that you viewed it. Your name will be removed from the list of people who viewed their story as soon as you block them. However, it’s important to note that if you unblock them before their story expires, your name will reappear on the list of viewers, indicating that you watched their story.
It’s worth mentioning that even though your name is removed from the list, if the person saw that you viewed their story before you blocked them, they will still remember that you viewed it. Blocking someone on Instagram can be a double-edged sword, as it removes your name from the list but also raises suspicions as to why you blocked them. So, it’s essential to consider whether blocking is the best solution for your situation.
Can They See If You Viewed Their Story If You Deactivate Your Instagram Account?
If you deactivate your Instagram account after viewing someone’s story, they will not be able to see that you viewed it. Your name will disappear from the list of people who viewed their story once your account is deactivated. However, if you reactivate your account before their story expires, your name will become visible on the list again.
Deactivating your account can be a good option if you’re concerned about your profile being on the list of viewers. It allows you to maintain your privacy without the need to block the person. Additionally, if you decide to add them as a friend again in the future, you won’t have to face the awkwardness of reestablishing the connection after blocking them.
Factors That Influence Visibility
There are several factors that can affect whether someone can see that you viewed their story. Let’s explore these factors in detail:
1. Time Taken to Block Them
If you take a while to block someone after accidentally viewing their Instagram story, there is a higher chance that they may have already noticed that you viewed it. To prevent this, it’s best to block them immediately after viewing their story. The sooner you block them, the lower the chances that they will see your name on the list of viewers.
It’s also important to consider how long ago they posted the story. If the story is about to expire, there may not be a need to block them as they are unlikely to check the list of people who viewed it.
2. Blocking Without Following
If you block someone after viewing their story and you don’t follow them on Instagram, they may suspect that you have seen their story if they search your name and find that you have blocked them. This is especially true if they are someone you have a close relationship with or an ex-partner.
In such cases, they may assume that you watched their story and felt embarrassed or upset, leading you to block them. If the story is about you or something they know would affect you, they might also conclude that a mutual friend sent it to you, which is why you viewed the story and blocked them.
3. Blocking Immediately After Viewing
Blocking someone immediately after viewing their story may lead them to believe that you saw their story, even though they can’t see your profile in the list of viewers. If the person is a close friend or an ex who may post something that could affect you, they may interpret the block as a direct response to their story.
If they frequently check your profile or actively engage with your posts, they may become suspicious if they notice that your name is no longer present in their recent chat list or if they can’t find your profile when searching for it.
How to Ensure Your Viewing Activity Remains Private
Accidentally viewing someone’s Instagram story can be an uncomfortable situation, but there are ways to watch stories without the person knowing. Here are a few methods to maintain your privacy:
1. Airplane Mode
One way to watch someone’s story without them knowing is to put your device on airplane mode. When your device is in airplane mode, Instagram won’t be able to detect that you viewed the story since your device wasn’t connected to the internet while using the app. Before enabling airplane mode, make sure to refresh the Instagram app to ensure that Instagram recognizes that you are not connected to the internet.
2. Blocking
If you have already viewed the story but don’t want the person to know, the only way to remove yourself from the list of viewers is to block them. Blocking someone will delete your name from the list of people who viewed their story. However, unblocking them and adding them back as a friend can be awkward, so it’s important to consider the potential consequences before taking this step.
3. Deleting Your Account
Another option to maintain your privacy without blocking someone is to temporarily delete your Instagram account until the story expires. When you delete your account, your name will be removed from the list of viewers because your profile will be temporarily deleted from Instagram. Once the story is deleted, you can log back into your Instagram account.
4. Use a Burner Account
Instead of viewing someone’s story using your main Instagram account, you can create a burner account that is anonymous and not linked to your identity. By using a burner account, you can watch anyone’s stories without them knowing it was you.
5. Half Swiping
To view a story without registering a view, you can try the “half swiping” method. This involves swiping right from the previous story onto the next one without releasing your finger from the screen. By doing this, Instagram won’t register a view on that person’s story since you haven’t fully committed to watching it. However, keep in mind that with this method, you will only see the thumbnail of the story and not the entire content.
Conclusion
Accidentally viewing someone’s Instagram story can be embarrassing, but there are ways to ensure your viewing activity remains private. By blocking someone, deactivating your account, or using alternative methods like half swiping or viewing stories on a burner account, you can prevent others from knowing that you viewed their story. However, it’s important to consider the potential implications and choose the method that best suits your situation. Remember, maintaining privacy is essential on social media, and being aware of the available options can help you navigate these situations with ease.
