Instagram is ripping at the seams with content that can keep you scrolling for hours. From Reels to stories and posts that hit the spot, you’re never starved for content on the platform.
However, there are some times when all you want is a good old-fashioned chat with a friend. How do you know when that friend is online?
It’s always great to know when a friend is online, so Instagram included a feature to help you keep tabs on that. We’ll explore some ways to detect user activity on Instagram.
How to Check Online Status on Instagram
The most prominent indicator of activity on Instagram is the green dot. This small, green circle appears next to a username in various sections of Instagram to indicate that the user is currently on the app.
Where can you find this green dot, you ask? Well, it’s all on the conversations screen. Just open your Instagram app and tap on the messages icon at the top right of the screen.
Once you get there, you’ll see some profile pictures with the green dot at the top of the list. These are users who are currently active on the app at that time so that you can slide into their DMs with the expectation of a quick response.
Criteria Necessary to See Activity Status on Instagram
While it is convenient to know which of your friends are active on Instagram, it can also be seen as an intrusion into their privacy. With people’s activity status known by their Instagram friends, they are open to unwanted messages.
To prevent this, some criteria must be met before you can see an account’s activity status on Instagram. They include:
- The account must be following you.
- The account must not have blocked you.
- The account must have its activity status turned on.
- The account must not be private.
Once these criteria are met, the account’s profile picture will appear at the top of your conversations screen.
How to Turn off Your Activity Status on Instagram
If you don’t want your followers to see your online status on Instagram, you don’t have to go as far as switching to a private account. You can simply turn your activity status off.
The only downside to this is that you won’t be able to see anyone’s activity status while yours is off. Instagram is just like WhatsApp, another social network from Meta, in that regard. Here’s how to do it:
- Open your Instagram app and tap on the profile photo at the bottom right of the screen.
- Tap on the hamburger menu icon at the top right of the screen to open the “Settings and Activity” menu.
- Scroll down to the “How Others Can Interact with You” section and tap on “Messages and Story Replies.”
- Tap “Show Activity Status,” then tap on the toggle to turn it off. With that, you’ve turned off your activity status, and no one can see when you’re online.
We’ve shown you how to know if someone is online on Instagram, but remember that Instagram is a platform for connection, not constant monitoring. Focus on creating meaningful interactions, respect people’s privacy, and enjoy the journey of building online connections in the way the app was designed.
