If you’ve ever spent a lazy Sunday scrolling through Instagram, only to notice that one person’s story no longer pops up, you’re not alone. I’ve personally found myself wondering whether I got blocked or if the app was just glitching.
Sometimes, it’s not as easy to tell, but there are signs and subtle tips that can help you find out the truth. In 2025, these little things matter more people are more conscious about privacy, and interactions online feel more curated than ever.
A helpful guide to Know If Someone Blocked You From Their Story or a set of actionable steps can save you from overthinking, and that’s what I’m here for. With some keen observation and the right clues, you can often confirm what’s going on.
It might start with a sunset-hued loop that used to glow around their profile picture, now suddenly missing. Or maybe you hear from mutual friends that the person is still posting, but you see nothing.
From my experience, this is where a bit of digital stalking begins (we’ve all done it). Since the launch of Instagram Stories back in 2016, people have shared everything from late-night musings to travel escapades and Saturday night plans.
So when their feed goes quiet, and your curiosity kicks in, it could mean they’ve hidden their IG updates from you.
Whether it’s a one-time thing or you’ve been removed from a specific set of viewers, remember Instagram gives users the option to hide Stories for the sake of high regard toward privacy.
Although a technical glitch is always a possibility, the truth is, if it keeps happening, you’ve probably been excluded for good.
Hints to Know that Somebody Has Blocked You from Viewing Their Instagram Story
Sometimes, you sense something is off and these signs can help you know if you’ve been blocked from someone’s Instagram story.
- If your username never shows up in their list of story viewers, chances are they’ve blocked you from their story. I’ve tested this with a secondary account, and it’s a reliable clue.
- A sudden drop in interactions like likes, comments, or fewer direct messages can be a red flag. It often feels like they’ve disappeared without notice.
- Being unable to interact with their content might mean they’ve limited your ability to communicate. You might still see old posts, but you can’t reply or engage.
- When you can’t find their profile or posts by search, and nothing loads anymore yep, likely blocked. Their account becomes practically invisible to you.
- If you have mutual friends, you might still view their activity through those profiles, but can’t engage directly. It’s a strange loophole I’ve noticed in testing.
Best Ways to Know if Someone Blocked You from Instagram Their Stories
Here are a few ways to figure out why someone’s Instagram story isn’t showing up for you.
Doing a Quick Search
A simple search on Instagram can reveal a lot. If their profile shows up but the posts aren’t visible in the display area, it’s a sign you’ve been blocked from seeing their stories.
Try sending a follow request if ignored or denied, it could confirm they’ve manually blocked you. Sometimes, no results mean the account was deleted or deactivated, not just hidden.
Searching Via Browser
Open any web browser and go to Instagram.com/username using the person’s Instagram handle. If you’re logged in and see a message like “Sorry, this page isn’t available“, it’s a strong sign you’ve been blocked.
That’s why you can’t view their Instagram story or access their profile. This trick helped me figure things out when I couldn’t find a friend’s updates one day.
Using an Alternative Instagram Account
One easy way to check if you’ve been blocked is by using an alternate account. If you can see the person’s story from this account but not your primary one, you’ve probably been blocked.
Asking Friends
If you’re unsure, ask your friends to check the story. If they can see it but you can’t, it’s a strong sign that you’ve been blocked from their story.
Using a Dummy Account
Using a dummy account is a simple method to check if you’ve been blocked from viewing someone’s Instagram story. You won’t get a notification when you’re blocked, but the story will be visible from the dummy account.
Following Them Again
If you try following someone again on Instagram, and the Follow button doesn’t work, it might mean you’ve been blocked.
You can tap their profile, but if you can’t follow them or get an error, it’s a clear sign they may have restricted access to their story. Keep in mind, there’s no notification to let you know you’ve been blocked.
Check Their Instagram Highlights
If you can’t view their Instagram highlights, it may indicate you are blocked from their story. Even if the story is added to highlights later, you won’t be able to access it.
Check with a friend to see if they can view the highlight and confirm your suspicion.
Use a Third-Party App
If you’re desperate to see someone’s Instagram story but don’t want to create a new account, you might consider a third-party app. These apps claim to help you view a story anonymously without logging in or installing anything.
However, using these apps could violate Instagram’s policies and might even expose your personal information to malware. Always be cautious, as your account might get suspended or even permanently banned.
How To Hide Your IG Story From Someone
- Go to your profile page, tap the menu at the top right corner, then choose Settings > Privacy > Story.
- From there, hide your Stories from specific users, pick a Close Friends list, and tweak sharing settings, saving settings, and message reply settings.
How To Make Your Instagram Account Private
- Go to your profile page, tap the menu at the top right corner, and open Settings > Privacy.
- From there, toggle Private Account to limit person access to your public profile and viewing content.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why would someone block me from their Instagram story?
There are many reasons why someone might block you from their Instagram story. It could be due to privacy settings, personal issues, or something unintentional that happened. People sometimes restrict their stories to protect their space.
Will I get a notification if someone blocks me?
Instagram does not send you notifications if someone blocks you. Instead, you may notice a change in their story visibility or that you can no longer find their account in search results.
How do you know if someone hides their story from you on Instagram?
If you wouldn’t normally miss their story but now can’t see it, they may have hid it from you on Instagram. Try checking from a second or alternative account if it’s visible there, you’ve got your answer without them knowing you were searching.
How do you know if someone restricted you from seeing their story on Instagram?
If someone restricts you, you won’t see their story updates on Instagram. Check if the activity status is hidden or if their posts and stories are missing.
How do you know if someone removed you from their private story on Instagram?
If you can’t see someone’s private story anymore, it might mean they removed you from it. You can check by visiting their profile and seeing if the story is missing. If their private stories are no longer visible to you, it’s a sign they may have restricted your access.
Can someone block you from their stories?
Yes, someone can block you from their stories on Instagram. If they choose to, they can hide their stories from you, so you won’t be able to view their updates.
Final Remarks
It’s tough not knowing for sure if someone blocked you from seeing their stories, but combining a few search techniques and maybe checking from a friend’s account can offer some clues. Just keep in mind, they might’ve just stopped posting or changed their public access settings. Either way, it’s always best to respect their choices and protect your own privacy too.
That’s all! You can also check out How To Reorder Photos In Facebook Post – Detailed Guide 2025 and How Do You Send An Anonymous Message On Facebook – 6 Easy Steps
Want to get more insights and tips to keep your devices running smoothly? Check out our blog for additional troubleshooting guides and tech news.
What are you waiting for? Follow our advice to stay updated and keep your device in top condition. If you like this article, please follow us on WhatsApp and Pinterest for more free technology tutorials and updates
