If you’ve ever browsed through your list of followers on Instagram and wondered: “Wait a minute, why this person and not the others in the order of when they followed me?” – you’re definitely not the only one who has asked that question. The reason Instagram doesn’t arrange the list of people you follow in alphabetical order, chronological order, or at random has a lot to do with its algorithms.
As someone who has worked with numerous influencers and entrepreneurs to optimize their Instagram presence, the best part about this ordering system being explained to you is that you will be able to better connect with the audience you reach. And while we are on the subject, there is also another problem that many of you might be experiencing: what to do when your Instagram account gets disabled.
How Instagram Arranges Your List of Followers
Instagram has never shared the step-by-step procedure regarding the logic behind the order of their followers. However, from their observations and testing their own accounts, they found that this process is mainly dependent on engagement and connection strength.
1. Engagement Signals
The Instagram algorithm examines the frequency of interaction you have with an individual – in both ways.
- Likes & Comments: If you often like and comment on each other’s posts, they will probably be displayed near the top of your list.
- Direct Messages: The number of direct messages increases the priority of the message. Being recent also increases the
- Profile Views: Even without actively communicating, accessing the person’s profile might send a message of interest.
Why it works this way: The main agenda of Instagram is engagement. By presenting you with the list of people you interacted with recently or regularly, there’s an increased likelihood of you spending more time inside the app, which has its roots in the concept of recency weighting models used in data science.
2. Mutual Connections
Instagram takes into account the shared social circles. If you and another person had many shared followers or you had followed many of the same people, chances are that this person will come up higher in the list.
This has to do with the social graph concept employed in the architecture of sites such as Facebook, which favors groups of users who are interconnected.
3. Recent Activity
People who recently followed you, liked something of yours, or posted something you liked will also move up the list.
4. Your Own Behavior
One of the greatest misunderstandings about the list has been that this list applies to everyone equally. The truth about the list is that it’s actually customized. The list that the person who’s a friend of yours sees when they’re looking at your profile will be different from the list you see.
Pro-Tip from Experience:
A client asked me why their ex was always at the number one spot when they hadn’t had contact in months. After research, it came to my attention that they were often accessing their ex’s stories without being aware of it. Even passive behavior can affect results.
Busting Common Myths
- Myth: “The top people are stalking me.”
- Reality: The order of this list does not necessarily reflect who views your profile the most. Activity: Profile views are not necessarily the best behavior metric.
- Myth: “It’s alphabetical”
- Reality: It may appear alphabetical for very small or new accounts, but sooner than later when you begin engaging with many fans, the order shifts.
How This Can Help You Strategically
Knowing follower order can assist you in:
- Determine whom you interact with the most (and develop those relationships).
- Pay attention to which fans might be dropping down the list – this indicates you are likely posting less.
- Identify new and active connections who could be of value to you through networking.
Instagram Temporarily Disabled? Here’s How to Restore Your Account Quickly
However, now imagine that you log in and find the nightmare message: “Your account has been temporarily disabled.” This might happen due to the following reasons:
Common Causes
- Policy Violations (e.g., inappropriate content, spam behavior)
- Suspicious Login Activity from new device(s)/location(s)
- Automated Activity such as the usage of bots and/or unauthorized growth tools
Step-by-Step to Restore Your Account
1. Read the Message Carefully
Most of the time, Instagram will give you the reason why it has disabled your account. This will help you understand if you can appeal.
2. Submit an Appeal
- Go to the Instagram Help Center
- Select the correct form of appeal
- Be polite, informative, and brief when explaining
3. Verify Your Identity
Occasionally, you will be asked to upload a picture of yourself holding a verification code or scan a government ID.
4. AVOID MULTIPLE APPEALS AT ONCE
An excessive number of appeals can cause the review system to run slowly. One appeal procedure at a time should be used.
5. Be Patient but Proactive
Answers can also take up to 24-72 hours. Even so, if you haven’t received an answer after a week, send a reminder.
Please note that if you had been banned due to severe violations of the rules (such as hate speech and repeat offenses against others’ rights), the possibility of recovering the account might be impossible. This information must be clear because Instagram has strict rules regarding this policy to ensure the safety of the community.
A Personal Lesson Learned
One of the most enjoyable tasks that I was involved in was when a local café needed my help to return their disabled Instagram account only a few days before their relaunch. They had been using a third-party scheduling service which infringed Instagram’s rules. We appealed the decision, showed the work was original, and explained why it was so urgent. The account was restored in 48 hours. The moral of the story? Check third-party apps for the rules – the wrong app at the wrong time might just bleed you dry.
Key Takeaways
- Instagram ranks its followers according to interaction history, shared connections, recent activity, and behavior.
- The list is customized – no two individuals see the same list.
- Myths such as “the best minds are stalkers” are not true.
- In case your account has been disabled, you can appeal the decision through the proper procedure immediately and honestly.
- Prevention is better than cure – please avoid spammy practices & suspicious software.
Final Thoughts & Call to Action
Now that you know the And you do now. It’s time to leverage this information about Instagram’s algorithm to order followers and the ways you can regain access if you find yourself shut out. Want the inside scoop on growing on Instagram without jeopardizing your account? Sign up for my newsletter and learn professional insider secrets right in your inbox.