Why Instagram Removed the “Following Activity” Tab
Back in the early days of Instagram, one tab quietly fueled endless curiosity, drama, and even relationship tension: the “Following Activity” tab. It let you see the likes, comments, and follows of everyone you followed — in real-time. So why did Instagram remove it?
In this deep dive, we’ll look at the history of the Following tab, why Instagram quietly killed it, and what users can do today to still keep tabs — respectfully — on others’ activity.
📜 A Quick History of the Following Activity Tab
The “Following” tab lived under the heart icon — alongside your own activity feed. Tap it, and you’d see everything your friends and followers were doing. Who they followed. What they liked. Who they commented on. It was a voyeur’s paradise — and a source of endless anxiety for some.
Instagram introduced it in 2011 as a discovery tool. But it quickly became something else: a relationship-monitoring feed, a jealousy trap, and a privacy minefield.
🤔 Why Did Instagram Remove the Following Tab?
By late 2019, the tab quietly disappeared from most users’ apps. Here’s why Instagram made that move:
1. It Was Hardly Used (According to Instagram)
Instagram’s head of product at the time said most users didn’t even know the Following tab existed. It wasn’t widely used for content discovery as intended — it was mostly used to “spy.”
2. It Created Privacy Concerns
Unlike other platforms, Instagram doesn’t notify users when someone checks their profile. But the Following tab changed that — it exposed users’ every move, creating a lack of privacy in an app that was otherwise silent on such behavior.
3. It Sparked Drama and Tension
Whether it was someone liking an ex’s bikini pic or suddenly following 20 new models, the Following tab often led to fights, awkward conversations, and digital policing. Instagram likely realized that wasn’t healthy for the community.
4. It Didn’t Align With the Platform’s Direction
Instagram shifted its focus toward Stories, Reels, and more personalized Explore feeds. The Following tab didn’t fit the more private, algorithmic, and content-centric future the app envisioned.
🕵️ So How Do You See Someone’s Instagram Activity Now?
The short answer: you can’t see it the way you used to. But if you’re looking for insights — like who someone recently followed — there’s a better, more respectful way.
🔍 Use GhostPeek to See Recent Follows
GhostPeek lets you see who someone just followed on Instagram — in real-time order. It’s totally anonymous and doesn’t require a login. Whether you’re curious about a friend, influencer, or even your partner, GhostPeek helps you stay in the know — without any confrontation or guesswork.
📉 The Fall of Public Digital Behavior
The Following tab’s removal is part of a larger trend: the decline of publicly visible online behavior. Instagram also gave users the option to hide likes. Twitter (now X) removed fleets and made likes private. TikTok lets users hide their following lists.
It’s a shift toward privacy — or at least, the appearance of it. Platforms want users to feel safe exploring, liking, and following without judgment. But curiosity hasn’t disappeared. It’s just gone underground.
💡 What This Means for Relationships, Influencers, and Brands
1. For Relationships:
The Following tab used to expose flirty behavior and sketchy follows. Now, that information is harder to find — but tools like GhostPeek can still offer insight, if used respectfully.
2. For Influencers:
Fans used to see who their favorite creators followed and engaged with. Now, influencers have more control over their narrative — but also less organic visibility.
3. For Brands:
Social listening is harder without public activity. But analyzing who influencers follow or engage with can still offer insight into trends and niches.
✅ Bottom Line: The Tab is Gone — But Curiosity Remains
The “Following Activity” tab may be history, but people still care about digital behavior. Whether you’re trying to understand trends, connections, or changes in someone’s online life, there are still ways to observe — with care.
GhostPeek helps bridge that gap. No drama. No app. Just clear, clean insight into what someone’s up to on Instagram — especially who they just followed.
🔚 Final Thoughts: Respect Is Key
Tracking someone’s follows or likes shouldn’t be about obsession or control. Use this info to stay informed, not to start fights or drama. Be mindful, be respectful — and when in doubt, just ask.