What does followed mean on Instagram? The simple guide for beginners
The two mysterious numbers on your profile
Everyone who is on Instagram knows them: the two numbers at the top of every profile. On one side it says "Followers", on the other "Followed". This can be quite confusing, especially if you're new to the platform. You ask yourself: What means followed on instagram? Is that the same as a follower? And why are the numbers almost never the same?
If you've asked yourself these questions, you've come to the right place. These two terms are the absolute heart of Instagram and determine how you experience the app and how others see you.
In this article, we explain step by step what the difference between "follower" and "followed" is, what the new green "Followed" and how you can use this knowledge to take complete control of your Instagram experience.
The simple explanation: followers vs. followed - who are your fans and who are you a fan of?
To understand the difference, let's use a very simple image: Imagine Instagram as a huge newsstand full of magazines.
Your followers: your personal fan club
Follower (sometimes also called subscribers) are the people who have subscribed to your "magazine".
- They have actively chosen to see your content.
- They are your audience, your fans.
- When you post something new, it will appear in their personal feed.
- The more followers you have, the more people will potentially see your content.
In short: Followers are the people who follow YOU.
'Followed': The people YOU are a fan of
The figure below "Followed" shows how many "magazines" you have subscribed to yourself.
- These are all the people, profiles and brands where you pressed the "Follow" button.
- You are their audience, their fan.
- Their content (posts and stories) is what you see in your home feed when you scroll through Instagram.
In short: "Followed" are the people YOU follow.
This also provides the answer to the frequent question "what does follower and followed mean on instagram": They are two sides of the same coin. One number shows your reach, the other your interests.
What exactly happens when I follow someone?
When you tap on the blue "Follow" button on a profile, several things happen at the same time:
- You subscribe to the content: From this moment on, the new posts and stories from this person will appear in your home feed. You have effectively added a new channel to your personal TV program.
- The button changes: The "Follow" button on the person's profile turns into a gray "Followed" button. This way you can always see immediately who you are already following.
- Your "Followed" number increases: The number on your own profile under "Followed" goes up by one.
- The number of followers of the other person increases: The person you are following has gained a new fan.
Public vs. private accounts: The small but subtle difference
There are two types of accounts on Instagram: public and private.
- Public account: Here you can simply tap on "Follow" and follow the person immediately. Everyone can see the content.
- Private account: If you tap on "Follow" here, you are sending a "request". The person must first confirm your request before you can actually follow them and see their content. The button is then called "Requested".
Anna and Ben: An example from everyday life
Anna discovers the profile of Ben, a travel photographer from Altdorf. She likes his pictures.
- Anna follows Ben: She taps on "Follow" on his profile.
- Anna's view: Her 'followed' count is rising. She now sees Ben's beautiful landscape photos in her home feed. She now sees the gray "Followed" button on Ben's profile.
- Ben's view: His follower count increases. He receives a notification: "Anna is now following you." If Ben now looks at Anna's profile and also follows her, his "Followed" number and Anna's "Follower" number increase.
The unwritten rules: The etiquette of following and unfollowing
There are a few unwritten rules on Instagram when it comes to "following".
- "Follow for Follow?": Some people only follow others in the hope that they will follow them back, and then unfollow them again when they don't. This is often seen as inauthentic. It's better to follow people whose content really interests you.
- The tricky "unfollowing": If you "unfollow" someone (i.e. tap on the "Follow" button and then on "Unfollow"), this person receives none Notification. But if it's someone you know, they may naturally notice if they look at your profile or go through their follower list. Unfollowing in real life can sometimes be perceived as a small social rejection.
More than just 'Followed': the special buttons explained
The gray "Followed" button can sometimes do even more. If you tap on it, a menu opens with further options to manage your relationship with this account.
The "Close Friends" circle: sharing with loved ones
You can add certain people you follow to your "Close friends" list. When you then post a story, you can choose to share it only with this selected circle. They will then see a green ring around your story instead of a colorful one.
The new "green followed": What does the subscription mean?
The paid subscription model is brand new. Some creators offer exclusive content for paying fans. If you subscribe to such a creator, your "Followed" button with him into a green "Followed"-button with an asterisk.
- What does the green "Followed" mean? It means that you are a paying subscriber.
- What's the point? You get access to exclusive posts, stories, live videos or even group chats that normal followers don't see.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions
Does anyone get a notification when I unfollow them?
No, Instagram does not send "XY follows you no longer" notification. The person can only find out for themselves if they actively check or use third-party apps (which is not advisable).
What does 'Suggestions for you' mean in the 'Followed' list?
When you look at a person's "Followed" list, Instagram often suggests similar accounts. The algorithm thinks that you might also be interested in these profiles based on the interests of the person whose list you are currently viewing.
Why don't I see the posts of someone I follow?
This is due to the Instagram algorithm. Your home feed is no longer strictly chronological. Instagram tries to show you the content it thinks will interest you the most first. If you never interact with a person's posts (i.e. never like or comment), the algorithm may show you their content less often. However, you can also add a profile to your "Favorites" to always see their posts at the top.
Conclusion: The small but subtle difference
Now you know exactly, what does followed mean on instagram and what the difference is to your followers. It's quite simple:
- Follower are your fans - they see your content.
- Followed are the ones you are a fan of - you see their content.
Your "Followed" list is basically your personal, self-compiled entertainment program. It determines what you experience on Instagram. Your "followers" list, on the other hand, is your audience and the basis for your own small community. Once you have understood this difference, you have mastered the basic principle of Instagram!
On Instagram, "Followed" means the number of accounts that a person follows themselves. It is the list of "subscriptions" whose content (posts and stories) appears in your own home feed. "Followers", on the other hand, is the number of people who follow your profile. In short: "Followed" shows who you follow; "Follower" shows who follows you.
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