Instagram is one of the most popular social media platforms today, with millions of users checking in daily to engage with content, follow friends, and discover new trends. If you’re an active user, you probably follow a significant number of accounts. But what if you want to view your recent following activity in chronological order? Whether it’s to track whom you’ve recently followed or to undo a quick spree of follow actions, viewing your list chronologically can be incredibly useful.
TL;DR (Too Long; Didn’t Read)
If you’re trying to view your Instagram following list in chronological order, the default app settings won’t help—you’ll need to take extra steps. Instagram used to show followers and following lists based on most recent activity, but it now organizes them primarily by relevance or popularity. While the native app has limitations, workarounds using filters, third-party apps, or browser tricks can help you regain chronological order. Still, it’s important to stay cautious while using third-party tools due to privacy and account safety concerns.
Why Instagram Doesn’t Show Chronological Following Order Anymore
Previously, Instagram offered a simple way to see your following list in the order it was created. Users could open the list and see the most recently followed accounts at the top or bottom. However, in 2020, Instagram removed this feature. Now, the app displays the following list based on its own algorithmic sorting, which is influenced by user engagement, interaction frequency, and mutual follows.
This change was made to prioritize user experience, but it left many users frustrated—especially those who follow new accounts regularly or manage brand or content pages.
Can You Still See Your Following List Chronologically?
The short answer is: not natively within the Instagram app. But there are some alternative methods you can use to track this information. Let’s break them down below.
1. Use Instagram’s Sorting Option (Limited)
Instagram does offer a small sorting function in the “Following” section, but it’s not perfect.
- Open the Instagram app.
- Go to your profile by tapping your avatar in the bottom right corner.
- Tap on “Following“.
- On the top, there’s an option labeled “Sort” or “Sort by“. Tap this to reveal sorting options like “Default”, “Date Followed: Latest”, and “Date Followed: Earliest”.
These options are only available to some users—Instagram rolls out features differently depending on device type, account activity, location, and version of the app. If you see these options, congratulations! You can tap “Date Followed: Latest” to sort your following list chronologically from most recent.
If it’s not available to you, read on for more workarounds.
2. Check Activity via Your Account Data
Instagram allows users to download all of their account data. Among this information, you’ll find a list of users you’ve followed, with the exact date and time.
Here’s how to access it:
- Go to your Instagram profile and open the menu (three horizontal lines in the upper right corner).
- Tap “Your Activity“.
- Select “Download your information“.
- Enter your email address and password to confirm.
- Once your data file arrives (usually takes a few minutes to a few hours), open and extract it.
- Look for a file called “followers_and_following” – this will include a chronological list of whom you followed and when.
Pro Tip: Use a spreadsheet tool like Excel or Google Sheets to sort and filter the list for easier viewing.
3. Use a Third-Party App (With Caution)
Some third-party apps offer features to help you monitor follower activity, including chronological following lists. Examples include:
- Followers & Unfollowers
- FollowMeter
- Influxy
Important: Be very careful when using these apps. Make sure they have good reviews, are from trustworthy developers, and don’t require excessive permissions. Giving full login credentials can put your account at risk for hacking or data theft.
Also, Instagram’s API limitations mean many apps won’t work perfectly or may get revoked access over time. Still, if you choose carefully and monitor app permissions, third-party apps might provide a decent workaround.
4. Browser and Instagram Website Tricks
If you’re using Instagram on a desktop, browser extensions like IG Follower Export Tool or web scraping scripts allow you to extract and sort data. These require more technical knowledge, but for users who are tech-savvy, they’re worth exploring.
Alternatively, you can copy the list manually from your profile page and use text or spreadsheet tools to organize it by date with reference from downloaded account data.
Benefits of Viewing Your Following List Chronologically
You might wonder why someone would want to see their following list chronologically in the first place. Here are a few great reasons:
- Monitor Your Growth Strategy: For entrepreneurs and influencers, this helps track your relationship-building strategy.
- Unfollow Management: If you’ve followed a lot of accounts recently and want to unfollow some, it’s easier chronologically.
- Behavior Insight: Gives you insight into your browsing or social behavior over time.
- Content Curation: Easily evaluate if recent follows are contributing to your desired feed quality.
Best Practices for Managing Your Following List
If you want to keep your following list manageable and easy to track in the future, consider the following best practices:
- Follow Accounts with Purpose: Avoid spontaneous follows. Instead, evaluate the value of the content.
- Use Categories: Instagram allows you to categorize accounts into “Least Interacted With” and “Most Shown in Feed”. Review these regularly.
- Create a Manual Log: If you’re particular about your social strategy, keeping a document or spreadsheet of usernames and follow dates might help.
- Regularly Audit: Use the “Following” list filters or account activity data to periodically clean up your feed.
Future Outlook: Will Instagram Bring the Feature Back?
While users have long requested that Instagram restore chronological features for following lists, so far, there’s no strong indication this will happen. Instagram continues to lean into algorithm-driven experiences, with content tailored for engagement rather than linear tracking.
However, as user demands for transparency and control increase, Instagram might consider bringing back advanced filters, including follow-order views. Until then, using the tips above is your best bet.
Conclusion
Seeing your recent following list on Instagram in chronological order can be a bit tricky, but it’s certainly not impossible. While the app’s interface doesn’t prioritize linear listing anymore, options like downloading account data, using third-party applications, and applying browser extensions can give you the insight you’re looking for.
Being able to trace your follow activity not only gives you more control but also helps you stay thoughtful about your social media habits. Whether you’re managing a personal or business account, having clarity on whom you follow and when can be invaluable.
Just remember—whatever method you choose, protect your privacy and use secure tools. Social media is about connection, but controlling your digital footprint is just as important.
