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Many users recently noticed some unusual activities with their Instagram account. People they were following for a long time are now missing from the following list. And this is not the case with a single one. A few more Instagram profiles have automatically been removed without users’ consent. In this article, we will discuss why Instagram unfollow friends without asking you.

Instagram is known for its images and videos sharing hub. The Meta-owned platform allows users to connect to other people by following them. In return, some of them follow you back and get updated about your new activities i.e. stories, posts, etc. But what if someone starts removing your followings and you don’t notice a thing until you check your list? 

Similar issues have been found with a lot of Instagram users. Many of them reported it to Instagram and asked if there’s any error with their account. 

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Why Instagram Unfollows Friends

Instagram has officially claimed they do not follow or unfollow your Instagram friends in any situation. If you violate user policy or share harmful/ misleading content, your account will get banned or temporary suspensions. 

Therefore, if your Instagram following is reducing, your account may have been hacked. Or someone decided to remove you from their followers’ list.

How To Know If Instagram Unfollowed Your Friend

If you doubt that Instagram is unfollowing your friends, the simplest way to confirm that is by checking your Instagram following list. 

The accounts you follow on Instagram are placed under the “Following” on your Profile.

Here’s how you can access your following list on Instagram:

Step 1: Launch Instagram and login into your account.

Step 2: Tap profile icon at the bottom and go to your profile page. 

Step 3: Tap the “Following” option.

Step 4: Scroll down and check whether the person is on your list or not. You can use the search bar to make it quick. 

If you can’t find the person you are looking for, they have got unfollowed by Instagram.

Why Is Instagram Unfollowing My Friends?

Instagram stated that they don’t follow or unfollow someone on your behalf. And if it is true, why your following is reducing? Or why you’re not friends anymore with the people you followed earlier? 

There are two possible reasons for the above issue:

Explanation 1: Your Account Has Been Hacked

If someone hacks your Instagram account, it means they can access everything you have on your Instagram, including:

• Make new posts or delete older ones
• Send messages
• Block or restrict someone
• Follow or unfollow someone
• Change Passwords, account details, profile pictures, and more.

If this is the case with you, Instagram suggests its users make an immediate report to the support team. Furthermore, you can change your passwords, enable two-factor authentication, and log out from all devices. 

Explanation 2: Someone Removed You as Their Follower

If your account is not hacked, you have got removed from their followers’ list. When someone removes their followers, you will not receive any notification. 

You can check whether you have got removed using two methods.

Method 1: Check Your Instagram Following List

On your Instagram profile, go to your following list. Now take a careful look at the accounts and notice whether the person is in or not. If the person doesn’t appear, they have been removed. 

Method 2: Check Their Followers List

Step 1: Open Instagram and go to your profile by tapping icon at the bottom.

Step 2: Find their profile.

Step 3: Tap their “Followers” list and search for your username.

If you can’t find yourself in the followers’ list, you are no longer part of their followers’ list. They have removed you as their followers. 

Summing Up

This was all about why Instagram unfollows your friends. If you can’t find the person you were looking for, you can follow them again and check after a few days whether they are on your following list. You can take a glance at what we just discussed.

• Why Instagram Unfollow Friends
• How To Know If Instagram Unfollowed Your Friend
• Why Is Instagram Unfollowing My Friends?
• Explanation 1: Your Account Has Been Hacked
• Explanation 2: Someone Removed You as Their Follower
• Method 1: Check Your Instagram Following List
• Method 2: Check Their Followers List