We all want to know who is lurking on our social media profiles, but the truth is, none of the major social media platforms allow you to access this information, even if you are a verified user.
Despite this, there is an endless litany of third-party apps for Instagram that promise:
- Shows if another user has searched for you.
- Keep track of which users have recently viewed your profile.
- List followers who see your posts, even if they don’t comment or like.
To be clear, there is no way a third-party app can find this information for you. It is not tracked in any way what users (or apps they install) have access to.
These fake apps and browser extensions for sure look convincingly. Here’s why – they can fill your “recent views” with randomly generated real account lists that are updated every time you refresh the app. It’s a smart trick, but a trick nonetheless. These views are not real.
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If an app or browser extension claims it can show you who’s looking at your Instagram profile or stalking your posts, it’s lying. Don’t download it and delete similar apps you have tried. Depending on how bad the crappy app in question is, it could track and sell your data, overload you with ads, or litter your device with malware. And even if it’s completely harmless, it won’t work something useful.
The only way to know if someone saw your Instagram post is if they liked or commented on it, or if they said it to you in person. Yes, of course you can see who viewed your Instagram stories, but that’s different from a regular Instagram post.
Some apps can notify you when someone stops following you. However, this is different from “following” who is viewing your profile, as your list of followers is always accessible to you; these apps simply alert you to a change that otherwise wouldn’t be mentioned.
Of course, LinkedIn Premium users can get a snapshot of how often their account appeared in searches and a list of who checked out their profile – if they’re willing to pay for it. But there are no such features available for Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter, or Facebook, and no matter what it promises, no app will be able to beat your stalkers and secret admirers.
[Mashable]