Delete a post from your profile in three steps

Open Instagram and go to your profile. Find the post you want to remove, tap the three dots in the upper right corner of that post, and select Delete. Instagram will ask you to confirm — tap Delete Post again, and the post disappears from your profile, your followers' feeds, and search results within seconds.

The post is gone permanently. Instagram does not keep a recoverable copy, so you cannot undo this action after you confirm. If you think you might want the image or caption later, take a screenshot or save the photo to your phone before you delete.

This works the same way on the Instagram app for iPhone and Android, and on Instagram's website. The three-dot menu appears in the same spot on all versions.

Key Takeaways

  • Tap the three dots on any post, then select Delete to remove it permanently from your profile and all feeds.
  • Deletion is when ready and cannot be undone, so save the image or caption first if you might need it later.
  • Deleted posts disappear from your profile, your followers' feeds, and Instagram's search results right away.
  • You can only delete posts you created — you cannot delete comments, likes, or posts from other accounts.
  • If you want to hide a post without deleting it, use Archive instead, which keeps the post but removes it from your profile.

Archive a post instead of deleting it

If you are not sure whether you want to keep a post, Archive is a safer choice than Delete. Archived posts stay in your account but disappear from your profile and your followers' feeds. Only you can see them, and only if you go to your Archive folder.

To archive a post, tap the three dots, select Archive, and the post moves out of sight. You can unarchive it later by going to your profile, tapping the menu icon (three horizontal lines), selecting Archive, finding the post, tapping the three dots again, and choosing Unarchive. The post goes back to your profile exactly as it was.

Archive is useful when you want to clean up your profile for a job interview, a date, or a fresh start, but you are not ready to lose the post forever. It also keeps the post out of your followers' view without the finality of deletion.

What happens when you delete a post

When you delete a post, it stops appearing in your profile grid when ready. Anyone who tries to find it by searching your name or scrolling your profile will not see it. The post also disappears from the feeds of people who follow you — they will not see a notification that you deleted it, but the post straightforward vanishes from their view.

If someone saved the post, bookmarked it, or took a screenshot before you deleted it, they still have their own copy. You cannot remove a post from someone else's phone or their saved collection. However, if they try to click the link to the original post on your profile, they will get an error message saying the post no longer exists.

Comments, likes, and shares on the post also disappear when you delete it. If someone was in the middle of typing a comment, they will lose their draft.

Delete a post from your phone or computer

On your phone, open the Instagram app, go to your profile, find the post, and tap the three dots in the upper right corner. Select Delete, then confirm by tapping Delete Post.

On a computer, go to Instagram.com, click your profile picture in the top right, select Profile, find the post you want to delete, hover your mouse over it, and click the three dots that appear. Select Delete and confirm.

The steps are slightly different between phone and computer, but the result is the same — the post is deleted permanently and cannot be recovered.

Delete multiple posts at once

Instagram does not have a bulk delete feature that removes many posts in one action. You have to delete each post individually by tapping or clicking the three dots and selecting Delete. If you want to remove a large number of posts, this takes time, but there is no faster way through Instagram itself.

If you want to clear your entire profile quickly, you can deactivate or delete your Instagram account instead. Deactivating hides your profile, username, and all posts for 30 days — if you reactivate during that time, everything comes back. Deleting your account permanently removes everything after 30 days and cannot be undone. Both options are in your account settings under Help or Account, depending on your phone or computer.

Reasons to delete a post

People delete posts for many reasons. You might delete a photo because you do not like how you look in it, because the caption has a typo, because the post is outdated, or because you want a cleaner profile for professional reasons. You might delete a post because it got negative comments, because you changed your mind about sharing something personal, or because you no longer want certain people to see it.

Deleting a post does not affect your account status or your ability to post in the future. Instagram does not penalize you for deleting posts, and it does not count against you in any way. You can delete as many posts as you want without consequences.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I delete someone else's post or comment on my post?

You can delete comments on your own posts by tapping the three dots next to the comment and selecting Delete. You cannot delete posts from other people's accounts — only the person who created the post can delete it. If a comment violates Instagram's rules, you can report it instead.

What if I accidentally deleted a post?

Deleted posts cannot be recovered through Instagram. If you have a backup or screenshot on your phone, you can re-upload the photo and rewrite the caption. Otherwise, the post is gone permanently. This is why archiving is a safer choice if you are unsure.

Does deleting a post remove it from Google search results?

Deleted posts disappear from Instagram's search, but Google may still show a cached version for a while. You cannot control Google's cache directly, but it usually updates within a few days to a few weeks. If the post contains sensitive information, you can report it to Google to request faster removal.

Will my followers get a notification if I delete a post?

No, Instagram does not send notifications when you delete a post. Your followers will straightforward notice the post is no longer on your profile or in their feed. They will not receive an alert or message about the deletion.

Can I delete a post after a certain amount of time?

You can delete a post at any time, no matter how old it is. There is no time limit — a post from years ago can be deleted the same way as a post from today. You have full control over your posts for as long as your account exists.