Instagram has a lot of settings available for customization on their platform, but it can be a bit confusing to navigate it all. With great power comes great complexity (or something like that).
Today, we will be taking a look through the settings on Instagram to change our notification settings. Additionally, we are going to detail the steps on how to get to those settings, plus we will break down the specifics for what each setting means or gives you the power to control. When it comes to notifications, controlling the settings can make a huge difference in your lifestyle interruptions.
Let’s get started and discover how to change your notification settings on Instagram!
3 Steps to Change Your Notification Settings on Instagram
The following steps are designed for the mobile Instagram app, as the online version doesn’t offer full settings controls. In many cases, the online version of the platform’s notification settings will apply directly to your computer and the web browser, not your cell phone.
Step 1: Open the app and select your profile icon
Open the app and select your profile icon located in the bottom right corner of the screen. Your profile icon is the photo you’ve selected as your profile picture if you are struggling to find where the profile section is.
Step 2: Tap the menu in the top right corner and select Settings
Tap the menu, represented by three horizontal lines known as a hamburger menu in the top right corner, and select Settings from the drop-down menu. There will be a gear icon next to the Settings option, for guidance.
Step 3: Navigate to the Notifications page listed under Settings
Navigate to the Notifications page listed under Settings. On this page, you will be able to customize your notification settings for Instagram, such as turning on or off push notifications or adjusting the frequency of notifications. You can also turn off notifications for specific accounts.
Step 4 (Optional): Learn what each notification option allows you to control
There are a LOT of notification settings. If you want further controls for your notifications, take a look at our Notification Overview below.
Notification Overview: Breaking Down Your Notification Setting Options
Here is a quick overview of the types of notifications that the Instagram platform may send you. It’s important to know that there are slight differences between business profiles (which is the type we created this guide from) and personal profiles, but all of the personal profile notification settings should also be included within the options of a business profile.
Check out this helpful video guide on how to tweak your notification settings and regain control over your Instagram app. Learn to customize your alerts, prioritize important updates, and ensure a smoother scrolling experience. Watch the video now to master Instagram’s notification settings!
Push Notifications
This isn’t necessarily an option, but a description. Notifications that appear on your phone’s lock screen or notification bar are usually called Push Notifications, and this is simply the label that Instagram is using to describe the options under that larger umbrella. Essentially, if you have a smartphone, all notifications you get are classified as Push Notifications.
Pause All
The first real notification tool that Instagram offers is a small switch labeled Pause all. As the name suggests, this is an easy way to temporarily pause all notifications from Instagram. This is useful for the short term, but can also be useful in long-term situations where you don’t want to get notifications for an extended period of time.
Posts, Stories, and Comments
Now we’re getting into the specific types of notifications within the Instagram app. This settings page allows the customization of posts, stories, and comment notifications. You can receive notifications from everyone, including people you follow, or just simply turn them off.
Following and Followers
The following and followers notifications settings contain the options to turn on or off settings related to people following you or accepting your following request. With these on, for example, you would get a notification when someone follows you. With these settings off, you would not.
Messages
The messages notifications menu offers some settings regarding the built-in Instagram messenger. With these settings, you can change how you get group message notifications, message requests, and more.
Calls
Instagram offers video chats through its messenger app. These notification settings can be managed here. With them on, you will be notified of incoming video calls from either your friends or everyone.
Live and Reels
Lives and reels are content tools that Instagram has in place for longer-form content on the platform. These notification settings include things like Live Video notifications, recently uploaded reels, and a few other related things.
Fundraisers
If you have a business account, fundraisers can be initiated through the platform. You can change the notification settings of any of your own fundraiser campaigns or those posted by others.
From Instagram
The From Instagram notification settings are primarily built around product announcements, app reminders, and support requests, not social notifications. Think of these as system app notifications. They can be turned on or off like the others.
Other Notification Types
There are two types of “Other Notification Types,” including Email notifications and shopping.
Email notifications are the emails that Instagram may send to your listed email for various things, including products, reminders, feedback, support, and promotional emails. These can be toggled on or off individually.
Shopping notifications are for products listed on accounts you follow or ones that you may be interested in (Suggested). These can also be toggled on or off individually.
