How can I view Instagram browsing history? (2023)

When you click on a link on Instagram, it opens in the app's built-in browser. It's a handy feature that lets you view links without having to open your main browser.

The downside is that this session is not saved in your main browser history. If you were to revisit or share the link, you wouldn't find it in your normal browser.

Fortunately, Instagram's built-in browser saves your browsing history and you can see all the links you've clicked.

Here is a step-by-step guide on how to view Instagram browsing history on Android and iOS devices.

Use:This solution does not work on the Instagram web app.

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How to view Instagram browsing history

STEP 1 - Go to your Instagram profile

Open the Instagram app on your iPhone or Android device and tap your screen profile picture in the bottom right corner.

Then tap the hamburger menu icon (three lines button) in the top right corner. You should see a list of options including File, Your Activity and QR Code.

Tap Your Activity.

STEP 2 - View the links you opened

Tapping on your activity will take you straight to the Links tab.

Here you will find all the links you clicked on Instagram. It is in reverse chronological order, i.e. most recent link first.

Each entry includes the site's name, URL, and the last time you opened it.

The Links tab should contain all the links you opened on Instagram.

Unfortunately, there is no search function here. To find a specific link, you need to scroll down the list until you find it.

However, there is no concrete information on how far the story goes. Instagram saves data for a similar feature for six months, but there is no specific data for saved links.

To revisit any link, tap the link to reopen the webpage in the Instagram app's browser. By doing so, the link will be moved to the most recent and to the top of your link list.

If you want to open the link in your main browser, you must first open the link, tap the kebab menu (three dots icon) and select "Copy Link".

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The second tab is the Time tab. It shows you how much time you spent scrolling through Instagram mindlessly. I strongly recommend not opening them. The result may surprise you.

That's it. Now you know how to view Instagram browsing history.

Once you find it, what if you want to delete it?

How to Clear Instagram Browsing History

Technically you can't.

Yes, you can hide it from your profile and hide your browsing history from prying eyes, but Instagram still stores it on its servers.

Instagram and the metagroup of social apps (Facebook, WhatsApp) may still use your history to show you personalized ads and relevant content.

Now that you understand how it works, see how to “clear” your browsing history on Instagram.

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To "remove" individual links: Long press each link and select "Hide".

On Android, press and hold the link you want to remove. You will get a popup explaining how the cloaking feature works.

Choose Hide.

For iOS users, swipe left on the link and tap Hide. The message is displayed. Then tap Hide again.

Keep in mind that the link will be permanently removed from this list. Make sure you want this as you won't see it again unless you visit the same link from another part of Instagram.

Clear all link history: Tap Hide History.

Do you want it all to disappear? Again, don't forget that you cannot see the links. Once you've done this, only Instagram will be able to see the data and it will be permanently hidden from your view.

If you're sure this is what you want, tap the Hide History option at the top of the list.

Then tap "Hide" again on the popup that appears.

This will clear the entire list and remove all of your Instagram browsing history. A new list will be started when you visit another web page on Instagram.

As mentioned above, hiding your browsing history does not clear your Instagram browsing data. Therefore, you will continue to see posts from the websites you visit on your Your Activity page.

This is due to something called caching. Each device temporarily stores some data. This data increases how quickly an app or website opens on your phone.

Also, it helps to reduce the amount of data consumed when using your device. In other words, Instagram saves to make sure you get relevant content based on your previous searches.

But this is not always good. In addition to wanting to save your secrets, the larger the cache, the slower the app. Therefore, removing it can be beneficial for your phone's performance.

To use any of the benefits, you need to clear your Instagram cookies and browser cache. That's how it is.

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How to clear Instagram cache

On your profile page, tap the hamburger menu again and select "Settings".

Then select “Account” and tap “Browsing Settings”.

Finally, tap the blue "Clear" button next to Browsing Data to clear cookies and cache for websites you've visited via Instagram.

While this action is irreversible on this page, you can still find the hidden links by downloading a copy of your Instagram data.

Here's a quick description of how to access it.

How to download a copy of your Instagram browsing data

Whether you're cleaning house because you're leaving Instagram for good or finding links you accidentally removed, downloading your data is always a helpful step.

The more you use Instagram or any other social network, the more information they will collect about you.

You can see not only your browsing data, but also additional information such as: biotext history, opt-in and opt-out history, hashtags you follow, your advertising interests, and much more.

You can download this data via the mobile app or the website. Since we're talking about the mobile app, let's start with it.

1. Go to your profile page and tap on the hamburger menu (three lines icon).
2. Then tap on “Settings” and select “Security”
3. Under the Data & History category, tap Download Data.
4. Enter your email address and select "Request Download".
5. Enter your password and tap Next.

To do the same through the site, visitdie instagram-siteand log in to your account. After:

1. Click on the profile icon in the upper right corner of the screen and select "Settings".
2. In the sidebar, click Privacy & Security.
3. Find Data Download in the list of options and click Request Download.
4. Enter your email address and choose the information format you want. Then click 'Next'
5. Enter your Instagram password and click "Request download".

That's it. You should receive an email with your Instagram details within 48 hours.

So far, we have discussed how to view and clear Instagram browsing history. But a lot of the spying you don't want people to see happens in your search history.

Even if you clear your browsing history without deleting your search history, someone can still access your phone and see the profiles you've followed in the search bar.

The absolute terror.

Fortunately, there is a way to hide your embarrassment and destroy the evidence.

Here's how you can view and clear your Instagram search history in a few steps through the app and website.

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How to clear Instagram search history

STEP 1 - Go to your profile page

Just like viewing your browsing history, it all starts on your profile page.

First click on your profile icon and then on the hamburger menu (three grouped dashes) in the right corner.

STEP 2 - Find Settings and open the Security tab

Tapping this menu button will open a list of options such as File, Your Activity, Close Friends, and Settings.

Tap "Settings".

Another list of options will appear. Find and tap "Security".

STEP 3 - Clear your Instagram search history

Under "Security" there are several options under two categories: Login Security and Data & History.

Under Data & History, tap Blush Search History.

This will open all of your recent searches. You can scroll through the entire list to see all the profiles you've searched for in the past.

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To clear the entire list, tap Clear All in the right corner.

If the idea of ​​an empty search history seems a bit lazy, Instagram gives you the option to delete individual profiles.

This allows you to remove surveys that you don't want others to see.

To do this, scroll to the profile you want to delete and tap the "x" next to the Instagram handle.

Are you ready. This process works for both iOS and Android devices.

Alternative method to clear Instagram search history

The above method is easy, but the app finder tool is shorter if the account data path is too long for you.

All you have to do is press the explore button (magnifying glass icon) at the bottom of the app to open the search page.

At the bottom of the search tool, there's a Recent section with all of your recent searches.

Press the "x" button next to each identifier to remove individual profiles.

If your search history is long and you want to clear all history, tap "Show All" button.

Then, on the main search history page, select "Clear All" to clear all your searches.

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This feature is especially useful when you have a few seconds to delete profiles before anyone can see your search history.

How to Clear Instagram Search History on Desktop

Perhaps you occasionally use an official account for your Instagram research. Whether or not you prefer to use Instagram on a computer, clearing your Instagram search history isn't much different from the app.

First, click on your profile icon in the top right corner and select "Settings".

Then click on Privacy & Security in the left sidebar and scroll down to Account Details. Then click View Account Details.

In the account details and under Account Activity in Search History, click View All.

voila! You will find all searches for accounts, locations and hashtags.

You should note that you cannot delete individual desktop searches, but you can delete them all at once.

Simply click the blue "Clear Search History" button at the top of the page, then click "Clear All" in the pop-up message to complete the process.

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How to clear Instagram search history on computer.

You should also know that clearing your search history is not a one-time job. Let's say you're searching for the same accounts, hashtags or locations again. If so, they will reappear in your history and you'll have to go through the same process to delete them again.

Clearing your browsing and search history are just two of the many ways to make using Instagram private.

There are other options, eg. B. Make your entire account private, hide your online status, and block certain people from seeing your stories.

Sound like something you're interested in? How to implement each of them.

How to make your Instagram account private

Not everyone wants the social part of social media. Some people prefer to be alone and only want the interaction of the people they love.

Or, if you want to stalk but don't want others to stalk you, you can make your account private to keep your posts private.

To make your Instagram account private, go to your profile page and select the three centered lines icon (hamburger menu).

Then select "Settings" and tap "Privacy".

Finally, enable "Private Account" and tap "Switch to Private" in the pop-up message.

Once enabled, users must ask to follow you, and only those you approve of can see your posts.

You can also review your followers and remove followers you don't want to see your posts.

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How to hide your activity status on Instagram

Let's say you want to browse Instagram without anyone knowing what you're doing or you want to browse undisturbed. In that case, you can hide your online status.

It essentially works like an incognito mode for Instagram, keeping you hidden while you do what you need to do.

To set it up, open Instagram and go to your profile page. Then select the menu icon in the top right corner and tap on Settings.

Under Settings, select Privacy under Options and Activity Status.

Show activity status is enabled by default. Deactivate it by pressing the blue button.

Your activity status doesn't just hide your activities; You also don't see other users' activity status.

There is also no timer. If you want to see other people's status or get back online, turn activity status back on.

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How to block certain people from seeing your stories

Let's say you don't want to go private, but you want to block certain people from seeing your stories. You can also filter them.

You don't have to unfollow, unfollow, or block them. By applying a filter to Stories, you can control who can see your posts.

To do this, tap your profile icon and press the menu button.

Then tap "Settings" and select "Privacy" from the options. Then, under Interactions, select Story.

Search for "Hide History" and tap "People". Then select the accounts you want to hide your stories from.

That seals it. Selected accounts will no longer be able to see your stories.

You can replicate the same with comments on your posts. Under Privacy, tap Feedback.

Then find the accounts you want to block from comments and select Block.

Alternatively, you can ban users from your account entirely. They won't see your stories or comment on your posts.

You can use this option to prevent anyone from accessing your account without making it private. Or avoid awkward interactions.

To do so, tap “Suspended Accounts” under Privacy and click “Suspend” in front of the usernames you want to ban.

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Your pre-ban interactions are still on your side unless you manually delete them. But once blocked, they will not be able to comment or view future posts.

Can you clear Instagram browsing history on desktop?

Unfortunately, you cannot delete Instagram browsing history using a computer. You can only do this via the mobile app.

Instagram has not given an official reason for this. However, a good guess is that the web version of Instagram doesn't have a built-in browser.

Can I see a history of the profiles I've clicked on on Instagram?

No you can not. While Instagram may have access to the data, there is no public feature that allows you to view recently viewed accounts.

The only thing you can do so far is view your search history from the Explore or Account Details page in Settings.

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Conclusion

Your Instagram account is yours and your secrets should only remain between you and Instagram.

Now that you know how to view and clear your Instagram browser and search history, you can control who sees what and maintain your dignity.

If you want tighter control over who has access to your activity and account, use one of the comments, story blocking, and account privacy features.

I know that setting it up for the first time can seem confusing and overwhelming, but once you figure it out, you'll become the master of your Instagram.