In the age of social media, “ghosting” or “lurking” (browsing someone’s profile without interacting) is incredibly common. However, the fear of being “caught” is real. Whether you’re checking in on an old friend or looking at a competitor’s business page, you’ve likely wondered: Can people see what you look at on Instagram?
The short answer is: Mostly, no—but there are a few very important exceptions.
Here is a breakdown of what is private and what is visible on Instagram.
1. Can people see if I visit their profile?
The Answer: No.
Instagram does not notify users when you visit their profile or look at their photos. Unlike LinkedIn, which tells users exactly who viewed their profile, Instagram keeps this information private.
- Professional Accounts: Even if someone has a Business or Creator account, they can see how many people visited their profile, but they cannot see the specific names of those visitors.
2. Can people see if I watch their Stories?
The Answer: Yes.
This is the biggest exception. If you tap on someone’s Instagram Story, your username will appear in their “Seen by” list.
- The person who posted the Story can see this list for 48 hours after the Story was posted.
- Pro Tip: If you want to remain anonymous, do not click on the colorful ring around their profile picture.
3. Can people see if I watch their Reels or Videos?
The Answer: No.
When you watch a Reel or a video posted to someone’s feed, the creator can see the total number of views and who liked the video, but they cannot see a list of every single person who watched it.
4. Can people see what I search for?
The Answer: No.
Your search history is for your eyes only. Instagram uses your search history to suggest content to you in the “Explore” tab, but it never shares your search terms with other users.
- Note: If you are worried about someone looking at your phone, you can clear your search history in Settings > Your Activity > Recent Searches.
5. Can people see my “Likes” and “Comments”?
The Answer: Yes.
This may seem obvious, but any interaction is public.
- If you like a photo, the owner gets a notification, and anyone who can see that post can see your name in the “Likes” list.
- Instagram used to have a “Following” tab that showed your friends what you were liking, but that feature was removed in 2019. Now, people have to manually find the post you liked to see your interaction.
6. Can people see if I screenshot their content?
The Answer: Mostly No.
- Feed Posts & Reels: No, Instagram does not notify users if you screenshot a post or a Reel.
- Stories: No, Instagram currently does not notify users if you screenshot a Story.
- Vanishing DMs: YES. If you send a “disappearing” photo or video in a Direct Message (using the camera icon inside a chat) and the recipient screenshots it, Instagram will show a small starburst icon next to the message.
7. Can people see when I’m online?
The Answer: Yes (unless you turn it off).
By default, Instagram shows a green dot or a “Last Active” timestamp in your Direct Messages.
- How to hide it: Go to Settings > Messages and story replies > Show activity status > Toggle “Off.”
Summary Table: What is Visible?
| Activity | Can they see you? |
|---|---|
| Browsing a profile | No |
| Watching a Story | Yes |
| Watching a Reel | No |
| Searching for a user | No |
| Liking a post | Yes |
| Screenshotting a post | No |
| Screenshotting a disappearing DM | Yes |
The Bottom Line
Instagram is designed to protect your browsing privacy to keep you on the app longer. As long as you don’t like a photo from three years ago or watch a Story, your “lurking” is completely anonymous.
Do you have more questions about Instagram privacy? Let us know in the comments!