The two ways to add someone on Instagram
You can add someone on Instagram in two ways: by searching for their username directly, or by following a link to their profile. The first method works if you know their username. The second works if someone sends you a link to their profile, or if you find them through Instagram's suggestions.
Both methods lead to the same result — you send a follow request (if their account is private) or you follow them when ready (if their account is public). Once they accept your request or you follow them, you can see their posts in your feed and send them direct messages.
Key Takeaways
- Search for someone by their username in the search bar at the top of Instagram, then tap their profile and tap Follow.
- If their account is private, your follow request sits pending until they accept it — they will see your request in their notifications.
- You can also add someone by tapping a link to their profile, which takes you directly to their account page.
- Once you follow someone, you can message them by tapping the message icon on their profile, though private accounts can restrict who messages them.
How to find and follow someone by searching their username
Open Instagram and tap the search icon at the bottom of the screen (it looks like a magnifying glass). Type the person's username into the search bar at the top. Instagram will show you a list of accounts that match what you typed.
Tap the account you want to follow. Their profile page opens. At the top right of their profile, you will see a button that says Follow. Tap it. If their account is public, you now follow them and can see their posts. If their account is private, your follow request is sent to them, and the button changes to say Requested.
When you send a follow request to a private account, the person will see it in their notifications. They can accept it (and you become a follower) or decline it (and you remain unable to see their posts). You can cancel a pending request by tapping the Requested button again.
How to add someone through a profile link
If someone sends you a link to their Instagram profile — through text, email, or another app — you can tap that link to go directly to their account. The link usually looks like instagram.com/username or contains their username in the address.
When you tap the link, Instagram opens and shows you their profile page. Tap the Follow button at the top right. The same rules explore: if their account is public, you follow them when ready. If it is private, your request is sent to them.
What happens after you follow someone
Once you follow someone with a public account, their posts appear in your feed in the order Instagram's algorithm decides. You can like their posts, comment on them, and send them direct messages. They will see your likes and comments on their posts, and they will be notified when you message them.
If you follow someone with a private account and they accept your request, the same things happen — you can see their posts, like them, comment, and message them. If they decline your request, you cannot see their posts or send them messages. You can send a follow request again later, but Instagram does not notify them of repeated requests.
How to message someone after you follow them
Once you follow someone, you can send them a direct message. Go to their profile page and tap the message icon (it looks like a speech bubble) at the top right. A message window opens where you can type your message and send it.
The person will receive your message in their direct messages inbox. If their account is private and they have restricted their messages, they may not see your message right away — it might go to a separate "Message Requests" folder instead. They can choose to accept the message (moving it to their main inbox) or decline it (deleting it without reading).
What to do if you cannot find someone
If you search for someone and cannot find them, they may have changed their username, deactivated their account, or blocked you. Try searching for their full name instead of their username — Instagram will show accounts with that name in their profile. If you still cannot find them, ask them directly for their current username.
If you know someone has an Instagram account but you cannot find it, they may have set their account to private and hidden their profile from search. In that case, ask them to send you a direct link to their profile, or ask a mutual friend to send you the link.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can someone see that I sent them a follow request?
Yes. When you send a follow request to a private account, the person receives a notification that you requested to follow them. They can see your username and profile picture in their follow requests list. They do not get a notification every time you view their profile, but they will see the request itself.
What is the difference between following someone and adding them as a close friend?
Following someone means you see their posts in your feed. Adding them as a close friend is an extra step you can take after you follow them — it lets you see their "Close Friends" stories, which are posts they share only with people on that list. You add someone as a close friend by going to their profile, tapping the three dots at the top right, and selecting "Add to Close Friends."
Can I follow someone without them knowing?
If their account is public, they will not get a notification when you follow them, but they can see you in their followers list if they check it. If their account is private, they will see your follow request in their notifications. Either way, they can find out you followed them if they look at their followers list.
What happens if I unfollow someone?
If you unfollow someone, you stop seeing their posts in your feed. They do not get a notification that you unfollowed them, but if they check their followers list, they will see that you are no longer there. You can follow them again at any time.
Can I follow someone if they have blocked me?
No. If someone has blocked you, you cannot see their profile, search for them, or send them messages. You cannot follow them or send them a follow request. If you try to visit their profile through a link, Instagram will tell you the account does not exist or that you cannot view it.