Instagram has its default setting. When someone that you don’t follow sends you a message on the platform, they will end up in a separate Requests section.
But, if you don’t want message requests from unknown Instagram users, you can turn them off. Here’s how you can do it.
Don’t Receive Requests Feature
Facebook’s integration of Facebook Messenger with Instagram brought numerous new features to the Instagram messaging platform, like emoji responses, themes, and more. The ability to turn off message requests for new conversations is one of them.
Once this feature is enabled on the app, only Instagram users that you follow or who are in your personal contact book will be able to send you a message, according to How to Geek.
The Message button will still be visible on your Instagram profile, but when they try to message you, they will see an error message saying that “The user can’t receive your message. They don’t allow new message requests from everyone.”
Also Read: Instagram Anti-Abusive DM Tool Helps Protect Users from Harassing and Harmful Messages
How to Turn Off Message Requests on Instagram
You can disable the message requests feature from the Privacy section in Settings.
To get started, open the Instagram app on your iPhone or Android smartphone. Then tap the Profile button on the bottom-right corner of the screen.
On the profile page, tap the menu button on the top-right corner of the screen. In the pop-up, choose the “Settings” option. In the “Settings,” section, tap “Privacy.”
In “Privacy” section, tap the “Messages” option. Scroll down and locate the “Other People” section. Tap “Others on Instagram.” Then under “Others on Instagram,” tap the “Don’t Receive Requests” option, according to instructions via Pocket Now.
Exit “Settings” by tapping back several times.
After that, you should have disabled message requests on Instagram. If any unknown Instagram user sends you a message, you won’t get a notification about it, and you won’t see the message in your “Requests” folder either.
Once you have merge your Facebook and Instagram messaging accounts, it is also possible for Facebook users to directly message you on Instagram. The Instagram app also has the option to disable message requests specifically from Facebook users too.
Abusive Messages
Facebook and other affiliated apps have grappled with the issue of how to better manage bullying and other harassment on its respective platforms. In the latest development, Instagram announced new tools of its own.
The tool is a new way for users to shield themselves from abuse and harassment in their direct messages, specifically in message requests by way of a new set of words, phrases, and emojis that might point out abusive content, which include misspellings of the key terms.
Also, it is giving users the chance to proactively block people even if they try to contact the user in question over a new account, TechCrunch reported.
The blocking account feature is going live in the next few weeks. The feature will filter out abusive DMs, and will begin rolling out in the U.K, Germany, France, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, and Australia in the next few weeks. It will be rolled out to other countries over the next few months.
Related Article: Instagram Now Detects Harassing Private DMs, Issues Stricter Penalty Warnings
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Written by Sophie Webster
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