Instagram’s suggestion algorithm works in mysterious ways, and there are many different factors that go into who is shown to you.
This is especially true if Instagram suggests following pages or people that you haven’t interacted with recently.
Therefore, you may be wondering – does Instagram suggest people that search for you, and if you search someone on Instagram will they know?
In this article, we’ll cover everything that you need to know!
If You Search For Someone On Instagram, Will You Show Up In Their Suggested Users To Follow?
Yes. If you search for someone on Instagram, it increases the likelihood that you will show up on their Instagram suggestions.
Additionally, Instagram does indeed suggest users who search for you on the platform. This is because the algorithm assumes the two of you are connected in some way, so it increases the likelihood that the two of you will show up in each other’s Instagram suggestions, if you are not following each other already.
Of course, just because someone shows up on your suggested users list does not necessarily mean that they searched for you on Instagram. The suggestion algorithm uses many different factors to determine who they should suggest, including mutual connections, past interactions with each other, and even interactions on Facebook.
Therefore, you shouldn’t assume that someone in your suggestions searched for you, even if this is a possibility.
It could simply be that the two of you have mutual connections in common, or they post content Instagram believes that you’ll be interested in.
Is There Any Way To Tell When Somebody Searches For You On Instagram?
Unfortunately, Instagram does not have any way to show you who has viewed your profile, or who has searched for you on Instagram.
This is likely to protect the privacy of users. While TikTok has introduced a feature that lets you view who has seen your profile, this isn’t something Instagram has ever seemed to be interested in adding.
Therefore, it’s unlikely that this feature will be added anytime soon.
That being said, there are still some things you can do to get an idea.
For example, if somebody happens to like one of your older posts, you can be relatively certain that they’re actually on your page, and they simply didn’t come across the post in their feed.
Likewise, if you haven’t posted anything for a long time, any engagement on your posts is likely coming from someone who has searched for you, and clicked through to your profile.
Therefore, there are still some things you can do to find out, even if Instagram doesn’t provide you a direct list.
The Goal Of Instagram Suggestions
In order to better understand how Instagram’s suggestion algorithm works, it helps to keep in mind the goal Instagram has for it.
In order for Instagram to make more money, they need to keep you using the app as long as possible. In order to do that, they want you to be connected with people you know, and pages that interest you.
Instagram is a busy place, with over a billion users. Therefore, they need to use all available data to ensure they are only suggesting the people you are most likely to actually follow.
Some factors believed to be taken account include:
1. Page Interaction
The more you interact with someone’s page or posts, the more likely the page is to be suggested to you. This certainly includes searching for and viewing their profile, but also liking and commenting on posts.
2. Mutual Friends
If the two of you share common friends or followers, you are more likely to have them suggested to you.
3. Mutual Interests
If you follow a lot of pages about a certain topic and someone else also posts very similar content, they are more likely to be suggested to you.
4. External Connections
Because Instagram is owned by the same company as Facebook and WhatsApp, the companies share data between each other. This means you’re more likely to be suggested if you’re friends with them on Facebook.
Additionally, if either you or them have each other in your phone contacts (and the contacts are synced with Instagram), Instagram may use your phone number to suggest you to others as well.
While Instagram certainly has other factors they take into consideration, these are a few.
And in case you’re wondering, Facebook does suggest people who look at your profile as well!
Conclusion
Instagram may suggest people who have searched for you on Instagram, as their algorithm believes the two of you are connected.
However, just because someone appears as a suggestion does not necessarily guarantee that they searched for you. Instagram uses many factors to power their suggestion algorithm, and profile visits are only one of them.
I hope that you’ve found this article helpful. If you have any other questions about Instagram, please ask them using the comment form below.
Wishing you the best,
– James McAllister