Instagram removed the Following Activity tab in 2019. Since then, there is no native way to see who someone recently followed. Whether you are keeping tabs on a partner, monitoring a competitor, or just curious, this guide covers every method available in 2026.
3 Methods to See Who Someone Recently Followed
Method 1: Manual Check
Go to their profile, tap Following, and sort by "Date followed: Latest." This approach is tedious, only works for your own follows, and provides no history or alerts. You will need to check back manually every time you want to see changes, making it impractical for ongoing monitoring.
Method 2: Browser Extensions
Some Chrome extensions claim to track follows. However, they come with significant risks: they require your Instagram login, may violate Instagram's Terms of Service, and raise serious data privacy concerns. Your credentials could be exposed to unknown third parties.
Method 3: Stalkie (Recommended)
Stalkie is a dedicated Instagram follow tracker that monitors any public profile anonymously. You receive push notifications the moment someone follows a new account. No Instagram login is needed, and you get a full history timeline of all follow activity. It is the most reliable way to track Instagram following activity in 2026.
How Stalkie Works
- Download Stalkie from the App Store. The app is free to install and takes seconds to set up.
- Add any public Instagram username. Simply enter the handle of the profile you want to monitor. No login or authentication required.
- Get push alerts when they follow someone new. Stalkie checks profiles periodically and builds a complete timeline of follow activity, sending you a notification as soon as changes are detected.
Unlike manual methods or risky browser extensions, Stalkie operates as a completely anonymous Instagram tracker. The person you are monitoring is never notified, and your identity is never exposed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you see who someone recently followed on Instagram?
Not natively since 2019. Instagram removed the Following Activity tab, so there is no built-in way to see who someone recently followed. Stalkie monitors public profiles and alerts you to new follows automatically.
Is it possible to track Instagram follows anonymously?
Yes. Stalkie only accesses publicly available data and never requires your Instagram credentials. The tracking is entirely anonymous.
Does the person know I'm tracking their follows?
No. Stalkie works entirely in the background using public information. The target is never notified.
Do I need to log into Instagram to use Stalkie?
No. Stalkie does not connect to your Instagram account at all. You simply enter a public username and start receiving alerts.
How quickly does Stalkie detect new follows?
Stalkie checks profiles periodically and sends push notifications as soon as changes are detected.
Is tracking someone's public Instagram activity legal?
Monitoring publicly available information is generally legal. Stalkie only accesses data that anyone can see by visiting a public profile.