How to Check Your Boyfriend's Instagram Followers

You're here because something's bothering you. Maybe you noticed he's been on his phone more. Maybe you saw a name you don't recognize in his likes. Or maybe you're just curious and there's nothing wrong with that.

Whatever brought you here, you're not alone. Thousands of people search for this every day. And we're not going to judge—we're going to help you figure out the right approach.

First: Why Do You Want to Check?

Before you dive into his follower list, take a second to ask yourself why. Your answer matters more than you think.

Valid Reasons:

• You noticed suspicious behavior and want to understand what's going on
• He's been secretive about his phone and it's making you uncomfortable
• You saw interactions with someone that raised red flags
• You're trying to understand if your gut feeling has merit

Less Healthy Reasons:

• You check constantly out of habit or anxiety
• You're looking for problems that don't exist
• You don't trust him but haven't addressed it directly
• You're comparing yourself to people he follows

If you're in the second category, checking his Instagram probably won't make you feel better. It might actually make things worse. Consider talking to him or a therapist instead.

The Technical Part: How to Actually Check

Okay, you've decided you want to look. Here's how to do it.

Method 1: Just Ask Him

I know, I know. You probably rolled your eyes at this. But seriously—if you're in a healthy relationship, you should be able to say "Hey, I noticed you followed someone new. Who's that?"

If asking that question feels impossible or scary, that's a red flag about your relationship dynamic.

Method 2: Check His Public Profile

If his Instagram is public (and you're not blocked), you can:

1. Go to his profile
2. Tap "Following" to see everyone he follows
3. Scroll through the list

The problem? If he follows hundreds of people, finding anyone specific is tedious. Instagram doesn't let you search through someone else's following list.

Method 3: Use a Follower Checker Tool

This is where tools like DoTheyFollow come in handy. You can:

• See his complete following list, organized and searchable
• Check if he follows specific people
• See mutual followers between his account and others
• Compare his following list with yours or someone else's

These tools only access public information—nothing shady or illegal. If his account is public, this data is already available to anyone. The tool just makes it easier to navigate.

What to Look For (And What Not to Worry About)

So you're looking at his follower list. Now what? Here's how to interpret what you see without jumping to conclusions.

🚩 Potential Red Flags:

• Following his ex - Especially if he told you he wasn't
• Following dating or hookup accounts - Pretty self-explanatory
• Following someone he denied knowing - Inconsistency is concerning
• Lots of models/influencers - Not necessarily bad, but worth a conversation if it bothers you
• Following your friends without mentioning it - Could be innocent, could be weird

✅ Things That Are Probably Fine:

• Following female friends or coworkers - Men can have platonic female friends
• Following celebrities or influencers - It's social media, not a dating app
• Following people from his past - Old friends, classmates, etc. are normal
• Following accounts you don't recognize - Could be work-related, hobby-related, or just random

What About His Followers?

Some people worry more about who follows their boyfriend than who he follows. Here's the thing: he can't control who follows him.

If random women follow him, that's not his fault. What matters is whether he engages with them—likes their posts, comments, DMs, etc.

You can check his followers the same way you check his following list. Just remember: followers are less meaningful than who he chooses to follow.

The Conversation You Need to Have

Let's say you found something that bothers you. Now what?

Don't:

• Accuse him immediately
• Screenshot everything and build a case
• Stalk the people he follows
• Post about it on social media
• Tell all your friends before talking to him

Do:

• Bring it up calmly and directly
• Use "I feel" statements instead of accusations
• Give him a chance to explain
• Listen to his response
• Decide if his explanation makes sense

For example: "Hey, I noticed you follow [name]. I don't recognize them and it made me curious. Who is that?"

His response will tell you a lot. If he gets defensive or angry, that's worth noting. If he explains calmly, that's a good sign.

When Checking Becomes Unhealthy

There's a difference between checking once because something felt off and obsessively monitoring his every move. Here are signs you've crossed the line:

• You check his followers multiple times a day
• You screenshot his following list to compare later
• You stalk everyone he follows
• You create fake accounts to see more
• You feel anxious if you can't check
• You're neglecting other parts of your life

If this sounds like you, the problem isn't Instagram—it's anxiety or trust issues that need professional help.

What If You Find Something Bad?

Let's say you checked and found something genuinely concerning. Maybe he's following his ex and liking all her posts. Maybe he's following dating accounts. Maybe he's DMing people inappropriately.

First: trust your gut. If something feels wrong, it probably is.

Second: have the conversation. Give him a chance to explain, but don't let him gaslight you into thinking you're crazy.

Third: decide what you're willing to accept. Everyone's boundaries are different. What's a dealbreaker for you might be fine for someone else, and vice versa.

Setting Healthy Boundaries

Every couple needs to figure out their own social media boundaries. Some questions to discuss:

• Is it okay to follow exes?
• Is it okay to DM people of the opposite sex?
• Is it okay to like thirst traps?
• Should you share passwords?
• How much privacy does each person need?

There's no universal right answer. What matters is that you both agree and respect each other's boundaries.

The Bottom Line

Checking your boyfriend's Instagram followers isn't inherently wrong. Sometimes you have valid reasons to be curious or concerned.

But it's not a substitute for communication. If you're worried about something, talk to him. If you can't talk to him, that's a bigger problem than who he follows on Instagram.

And if you find yourself obsessively checking, take a step back. That level of anxiety isn't healthy for you or your relationship.