How to Stop Replies on Your Instagram Stories
By default, Instagram allows everyone who follows you to check your stories and reply to them. These replies or comments will slide into your DM. If you are getting a lot of spam messages or want to stop some people from commenting on your stories, there are multiple ways to deal with it. You can stop the replies to your stories completely, hide stories from specific people, or choose to only share Instagram stories with some specific people. Here’s how to stop replies on your Instagram Stories.
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To stop the replies completely on Instagram Stories:
1.Open the Instagram app and tap on theprofile iconat the bottom right corner. Then tap on thehamburger menuat the top right and select theSettingsoption.
2.InSettings, tap on thePrivacyoption, then selectStory.
3.Now scroll down to Replying section. Here under Allow message replies, select theOffoption. This will remove the reply option completely on your Stories stopping the spam dead in its track. Now no one can comment on your Instagram stories.
4.Selecting thePeople you followoption will only allow the accounts you follow on Instagram to reply. If the spam is mostly from people you don’t know and don’t follow, then this option is the way to go. Your friends can still comment and engage with you and the spam count should reduce or disappear.
Pro Tip:How to Add Links to Instagram Stories – For All Users
How to Stop Message Requests on Instagram
A better way to handle comments on your Instagram Stories is by stopping new message requests. Instagram, by default, allows anyone to message you. But if you are not following the other user, then it keeps them in the Message requests section. By stopping the message requests, you are not only stopping the spam on stories, but also from all sources. People you don’t follow will not be able to message you at all.
1.On the InstagramSettingsscreen, select thePrivacyoption and then select theMessagesoption.
2.Here select theYour followers on Instagramoption and then select theDon’t receive requestsoption. This will stop everyone from messaging you except the people you follow.
How to Hide Your Instagram Stories From Specific People
Instead of blocking comments on stories, you can hide your stories from people you are getting the spam messages from. This way, they cannot check your stories, and so cannot reply to them either.
1.On the InstagramSettingspage, select thePrivacyoption and then select theStoryoption.
2.Now tap on thePeopleoption underHide story from. Here select all the users from whom you want to hide your stories.
Once done, your stories will not be visible to them anymore.
Must Read:How to Schedule Posts and Stories on Instagram
How to Post a Story Only to Specific People on Instagram
Alternatively, instead of hiding your story from all sources of spam, you can make your story available only to some specific people you care about.
1.Open InstagramSettings > Privacy > Storyoption.
2.Now tap on thepeopleoption underClose friends. Here select all the accounts that you want to share your Instagram story with.
3.In order to share your stories with Close friends, while uploading the story, tap on thearrow iconand select theClose friendsoption. Then tap onShareto finally share it with your Close friends list.
Note:you can tap on thedrop-downbelow the Close friends option to add or remove people from your Close friends list.
However, if you want to publish the story so everyone can comment on it, while publishing, you can just leave it in your Story option and then tap on Share to share the story with everyone.
Alternatively, you can also customize the Close friends list by opening yourprofile page, tapping on thehamburger menu, and then selecting theClose friendsoption.
Control Replies to Stop Instagram Stories Spam
Instead of stopping replies completely, and hiding your stories, a better way to stop spam is to block the user who is spamming you on Instagram. To block a user, open his/her profile, tap on the three-dot menu icon and then select the Block option. You can also report the user. Check out thedifference between block vs report vs restrict on Instagramand how to do all three.
Did you know you can also turn off comments forInstagram Ads, Live, Posts, and Videos? Learn how right now.
Ravi Teja KNTS
Tech writer with over 4 years of experience at TechWiser, where he has authored more than 700 articles on AI, Google apps, Chrome OS, Discord, and Android. His journey started with a passion for discussing technology and helping others in online forums, which naturally grew into a career in tech journalism. Ravi’s writing focuses on simplifying technology, making it accessible and jargon-free for readers. When he’s not breaking down the latest tech, he’s often immersed in a classic film – a true cinephile at heart.
