The three ways to add someone on Instagram

You can add someone on Instagram in three ways: search for them by username, use the suggestions Instagram shows you, or scan their username code. The fastest method depends on whether you already know their username or only recognize their face.

When you add someone, they receive a notification that you sent a friend request. They must accept before they can see your private posts or send you direct messages. If your account is public, they can see your posts and follow you without accepting anything — but the request still sits in their inbox until they respond.

Adding someone is different from following them. On Instagram, "adding" means sending a friend request to a private account. On a public account, you straightforward follow them without a request. Either way, you see their posts in your feed once the connection is made.

Key Takeaways

  • Search for someone by their exact username in the search bar at the bottom of the app, then tap their profile and select "Follow" or "Add Friend" depending on their account type.
  • Instagram shows you suggested accounts based on people you know and accounts you interact with — you can add them directly from the suggestions list without searching.
  • If someone shares their username code (a scannable square), open your camera, point it at the code, and tap the link that appears to go straight to their profile.
  • Private accounts require the person to accept your request before you become connected; public accounts let you follow when ready, but a request still appears in their inbox.
  • You can add multiple people at once by going through suggested accounts or search results one by one, but there is no bulk-add feature.

Searching for someone by username

Open Instagram and tap the magnifying glass icon at the bottom of the screen. This opens the search page. Type the person's username into the search box at the top — you need the exact spelling, but capitalization does not matter.

As you type, Instagram shows matching usernames below the search box. Tap the person's name when you see it. Their profile opens, and you will see a button that says either "Follow" (for public accounts) or "Add Friend" (for private accounts). Tap that button.

If you cannot find them by username, ask them to confirm the spelling. Usernames often include numbers or underscores that are straightforward to miss. If they have changed their username recently, the old one will not work.

Using Instagram's suggested accounts

Instagram shows you suggested accounts in several places: on your home feed, on your profile page, and in a dedicated suggestions section. These suggestions are based on people you already follow, accounts you interact with, and mutual connections.

To see all suggestions at once, tap your profile icon at the bottom right, then tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top right corner. Scroll down and tap "Suggested for you." A list appears showing accounts Instagram thinks you might know. Tap "Add Friend" or "Follow" next to any account you want to connect with.

You do not have to use these suggestions — they are just a starting point. If you see someone you do not recognize, you can skip them. Tapping "See Less" next to a suggestion tells Instagram you are not interested in that type of account.

Scanning a username code

Some people share a scannable code that links directly to their Instagram profile. This code looks like a small square with a pattern inside, similar to a QR code. If someone sends you this code, you can add them without typing their username.

Open the Instagram app and tap the camera icon at the top left of your home feed. Point your phone's camera at the code. A link appears on your screen — tap it to open that person's profile. Then tap "Follow" or "Add Friend" as usual.

If the camera does not recognize the code, make sure you are pointing directly at it and that it is well-lit. You can also take a screenshot of the code and open it in Instagram's camera to scan it from your photos.

What happens after you send a request

When you add someone with a private account, they see a notification that you sent a friend request. They can accept, decline, or ignore it. While the request is pending, you cannot see their posts or send them direct messages.

If they accept, you become connected and can see all their posts and stories. If they decline, the request disappears and you cannot send another one for a while — Instagram prevents repeated requests to the same person. If they ignore it, the request stays in their inbox indefinitely.

For public accounts, tapping "Follow" connects you when ready. The person still receives a notification, but they do not have to do anything. You can see their posts right away.

Adding someone who has blocked you or changed their privacy

If someone has blocked you, their profile will not appear in search results, and you cannot send them a request. You will see a message saying the user could not be found. There is no way around a block — you have to wait until they unblock you.

If someone changed their account from public to private after you followed them, you stay connected automatically. You do not have to send a new request. If they changed from private to public, you remain following them with no action needed on either side.

If you unfollowed someone by accident, you can add them again by searching for their username and tapping "Follow" or "Add Friend" a second time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can someone see that I sent them a friend request?

Yes. They receive a notification that you sent a request, and they can see your request in their inbox. If your account is private, they can tap your name to see your profile and decide whether to accept. If your account is public, they can see your posts and stories even before accepting.

What if I add someone by mistake?

You can cancel a pending request by going to their profile and tapping "Cancel Request." The notification disappears from their inbox, and they will not see that you sent it. If they already accepted, you can unfollow them by tapping "Following" on their profile and selecting "Unfollow."

How many people can I add at once?

There is no limit to how many people you can add in a single day, but Instagram may slow down or temporarily block your account if you add dozens of people in a very short time. Adding people gradually throughout the day is safer than adding many in a few minutes.

Do I have to follow someone to add them?

On Instagram, "adding" and "following" mean the same thing. When you tap "Add Friend" or "Follow," you are doing the same action. The button label just changes depending on whether the account is private or public.

Can I see who viewed my profile before I added them?

Instagram does not show you a list of people who viewed your profile. You cannot see who looked at you before you connected. You only know someone viewed you if they sent you a direct message or interacted with your posts.