Understanding Factors That Can Decrease Your Instagram Following Number

As an SEO specialist with Google, it's important to delve into the nuances of social media platforms like Instagram. One common query revolves around how one's following number can decrease, especially in the absence of manual unfollow actions. This article aims to explore the various scenarios where your following number might drop, including being blocked, facing deletions, and other external factors.

Key Scenarios Leading to a Decrease in Following Number

While manually unfollowing someone is a straightforward reason for your following number to drop by one, there are other scenarios that can lead to this reduction:

Unfollowing

When you manually unfollow someone, your following count decreases by one. This is a direct, observable change in the number of accounts you are following.

Blocked Accounts

If you are blocked by someone you follow, that person will be removed from your following list. Consequently, your following count will decrease. Blocking an account not only impacts your following metrics but also restricts the visibility of their content on your feed.

Deleted Accounts

When an account you follow is deleted or deactivated, you will no longer be following that account. This results in a reduction in your following number as well. It's important to note that deleted accounts not only affect your following metrics but also make their content inaccessible to you, a common scenario during platform purges or when users delete their accounts permanently.

Account Changes to Private

If an account changes its privacy settings to private and you are not accepted as a follower, it does not affect your following count directly. However, you will lose access to that account's content. While this doesn't reduce your following number, it does impact your experience with the platform as you won't be able to see updates from certain accounts.

Other Causes of a Decrease in Following Number

In addition to the above scenarios, there are other factors that can lead to a decrease in your following number:

Temporary Deletions: The owner of an account may delete their account temporarily or permanently. Instagram accounts can be deleted after receiving a complaint or for violating platform rules. Such deletions can directly impact your following number.

Spam Account Purges: Instagram regularly removes spam, fake, and bot accounts. These deletions can lead to a temporary decrease in your following number. However, it's often a positive impact as the platform aims to maintain the quality and integrity of its community.

Account Deletes by Followees: If one or more of the accounts you're following deletes their account, it will also contribute to a drop in your following number. This is especially true if they delete their account permanently.

Conclusion and Recommendations

While these scenarios can indeed lead to a decrease in your following number, it's crucial to focus on content quality, engagement, and consistency. These factors are more under your control and can help maintain a robust and engaged audience on Instagram.

Ultimately, the drop in following number due to blocked accounts or deleted accounts is a natural part of the platform dynamics. Rather than dwelling on these fluctuations, it's wise to concentrate on creating engaging content and fostering meaningful interactions with your followers.