How to Mute Someone on Instagram Without Unfollowing

Muting hides someone's posts and/or stories from your feed while you stay following them — and they're never told. It's the polite way to stop seeing content from an ex, an over-poster, or an acquaintance without the awkwardness of unfollowing.

Muting is Instagram's quiet-exit button. Here's how to use it and how it differs from the harsher options.

How to mute

1. Go to the person's profile, or press-and-hold their story.
2. Tap Following (on their profile) → Mute, or the mute option on the story.
3. Choose Mute posts, Mute story, or both.

Done. Their content stops appearing in your feed and story tray. You can unmute the same way anytime.

Do they know?

No. Muting is completely silent — no notification, no indicator on their end. They still see you as a follower and can still see your content normally. It only changes what you see.

Mute vs unfollow vs restrict vs block

• Mute: you stop seeing their content; you stay following; they notice nothing.
• Unfollow: you stop following; visible on your following list if they check.
• Restrict: limits their comments and DM read-receipts — for low-key conflict.
• Block: full cutoff both ways — see what blocking does.

Still want to check on them?

Muted but curious now and then? You can still visit their profile normally — or, to check without any footprint (no story view registered), watch their public stories through an anonymous viewer. Mute cleans your feed; a viewer lets you peek on your own terms.

FAQ

How do I mute someone without unfollowing?

Profile → Following → Mute, then choose posts, story, or both.

Does muting notify the person?

No — it's completely silent.

Can I mute just their stories?

Yes — you can mute posts, stories, or both separately.

Do they know I muted them?

No — there's no indicator, and you stay following.

Can I still see a muted person's profile?

Yes — muting only hides content from your feed, not their profile.