Instagram’s following tab has not been used for its primary intention. According to the company, the Following tab was to be used by individuals to discover new users that they can follow. But we all know the Following tab has proved beneficial in other ways – stalking.
The company says the Explore tab took its role and many people never even use the Following tab on a regular basis anymore. Which Instagram sees as enough reason for the shutdown.
The feature for a long time has been used to stalk users that you follow. In other real-world usages, this tab could even end friendships. Following tab allows users to closely monitor what their friends or even boyfriends/girlfriends are doing on the platform. This could also give a clue of your new Instagram crush when someone notices you liking pictures of a particular account way too much.
According to some users, the following tab was no longer accessible to them since August, which they deemed as a bug on the platform but it seems like it was an early clue of a future change that was planned to arrive later on the platform.
But, well, Instagram killing the functionality sounds like a win-win situation in any way to help users regain private control over their platform activity. So, starting today, you will only see your activity when you tap on the Heart button.
The rollout began on Monday 7th, in batches. But the company says the update will be rolled out to everyone by the end of the week. Meanwhile, enjoy your last days of the stalking tool while you can.
