How to Know If Someone Blocked You on Instagram – Quick Signs to Spot

Ever opened Instagram, searched for someone, and poof — they're just not there anymore? You’re not alone. A lot of people feel confused when someone they followed suddenly vanishes. There are clues if you’re asking how to know if someone blocked you on Instagram. Instagram doesn’t send notifications when someone blocks you (yep, shady), but there are ways to find out on your own.

This blog will help you figure it out without going into full-on stalker mode. We’ll show you the clear signs, what to look for, and even what it means when you’ve blocked them first. So if your IG crush suddenly disappeared—or your ex just went silent—this one’s for you.

No Notification? No Problem. Here’s How to Tell

Instagram won’t ever tell you if someone blocks you. That’s just how the platform works. But trust, there are signs. You’ve just got to know where to look.

Sign #1: You Can’t Find Their Profile

This is the first and clearest clue. If their username no longer shows up in search:

Try typing it directly.
Still nothing? It could be they changed their handle… or blocked you.

Test It Out:

Ask a friend to search their username. If they see the profile but you don’t, you’re blocked.

This also works if you have a second account (we all do 😉). Use that to check their profile.

Sign #2: Their Posts and Stories Are Gone

If you used to see their updates all the time and now—nothing—it might be a block.

Their post count shows “0” even though they had hundreds?
You can't see any old comments or likes? Another big sign.

They’ve either blocked you or deleted their account. But your friend can still see them? Blocked.

Sign #3: You Can’t Follow Them Again

Sometimes their profile appears, but there's no Follow button. Or you tap Follow, and it instantly unfollows. That’s not a glitch—it’s a block.

You’re not allowed back in. Insta said “Access Denied.”

Sign #4: You Can’t Send DMs Anymore

Let’s say you’ve chatted before. Open that DM thread. If it’s there but their name is now Instagram User and the profile pic is blank, it’s either:

They’ve deactivated their account, or
You’ve been blocked.

If you try messaging and it never delivers, it’s probably the latter.

Sign #5: Tagged Posts and Comments Are Gone

Were to be tagged in their pics? Could you see them in comments? If all of that vanished—again, very likely you’ve been blocked.

Instagram hides all traces of your profile from yours once you’re blocked.

Also, read

**What If You Blocked Them First?**

Now here’s a twist. If you're asking, how do I know if I’m blocked on Instagram by someone I blocked first? It gets tricky.

When you block someone, you can’t search or interact with them anymore. If they blocked you back, you won't be able to unblock them easily.

As Quora explains, here, if both people block each other, Instagram hides both profiles completely.

Tip:

Unblock them first. Wait a few hours. If you still can’t find them—yep, they blocked you.

What’s the Difference Between Being Blocked vs. Unfollowed?

Being unfollowed just means they don’t follow you anymore. But if you're:

Not able to see their profile
Can't follow or message
All content is wiped

That’s a full block. No “let’s take a break”—they shut the door and locked it.

Human Example: What Happened to Jay?

Jay thought his friend was just off Instagram. But when his sister could still see the friend’s story from the same day, Jay realized he was blocked. He even made a backup account to confirm, and there the profile was.

Conclusion: Blocked or Nah? Now You Know.

Alright, let’s break it down one more time. If you can’t find someone on Instagram, can’t message them, or their posts have vanished, there's a good chance you’ve been blocked. It's not the end of the world, though—it just means you can focus elsewhere.

This blog walked you through every trick to spot a block, plus how to deal with it. Whether it’s your ex, a friend, or that random crush, now you’ll never be left guessing again.