What Does Mutual Mean on Instagram?
Have you ever opened someone’s profile on the Instagram app, and seen a little list of accounts under the name of Mutual Followers?
Well, if you have seen this mutual feature before, but have no clue about its meaning, then you have arrived at the right palace.
Today, we are going to give you the answer you are looking for! Let’s get straight to it and continue reading this post to learn more about:
- What does mutual mean on Instagram?;
- How do you see mutual users on Instagram?;
- Things you must know about the Instagram mutual feature.
What Does Mutual Mean on Instagram?
If you take a wild guess, you will quickly know what mutual means: mutuals on Instagram are the accounts that follow one profile or page you have in common.
When you sign in to Instagram and search for someone’s profile, you can see a list of the people you follow that also happen to follow that same account.
In the same order of ideas, you can go to an Instagram account, and check the friends you have in common between two accounts.
Mutual lists show you the connections you share with another account, and it’s a feature also available on other social media platforms, such as Twitter and Facebook mutual friends (remember that, at the end of the day, Facebook owns Instagram as well).
Needless to say, you cannot see the mutuals of private accounts you do not follow on the app.
How to See Mutual Followers On Instagram
Seeing someone’s mutual list is a great way if you want to start finding friends on the app.
This will show you how many Insta users and real friends you have in common, and, who knows? Perhaps you will make some new friends along the way!
Worry not, and check out these quick steps to learn how to do it.
Method 1: See Mutual Friends On Instagram App
First of all, we will show you how to see common friends on the Instagram app.
So, log in or sign in to your account, and let’s go for it.
Step 1: Go to Someone’s Instagram Profile
Open Instagram’s search bar and start searching for the username of the person you want to see mutual followers you have in common.
If the search results say “ Instagram User Not Found,” then check our related article to learn what to do here.
Step 2: Tap On Other Followers
Now, right below the person’s username, you will see a little list that says “followed by X and Z others.”
You might see familiar connections here (ergo, mutual friends), tap on Other Followers and proceed with the last step.
Step 3: Check Each Mutual Follower
Finally, once you tap there, you will be able to see mutual followers you have with that friend. You can send people friend invites if you want!
Remember that you cannot see mutual friends with a private account.
You need to send them a friend request first so you can start communication with them, see their photos, posts, and more.
Method 2: Check Mutual Friends On Instagram Web Version
The second method to see mutual friends on Instagram consists of using the Instagram web version.
It works like this:
- Go to the Instagram website, and use the search option to look for an account;
- There, you will see the same “follower by X and Y others” message - click on it;
- At last, the mutual follower list will be shown on the screen. That’s how you do it!
Checking the mutual followers you have with others is quite easy, and you might as well send these users friend requests and hope for them to accept them.
Either way, remember that only public accounts you follow grant you access to the complete list of mutual followers. We create Instagram-related content on a day-to-day basis, so follow GrowFollowing for more useful insights!
FAQ
Can You Hide Mutual Friends on Instagram?
No, you cannot opt-out to hide your mutual friends. Instagram privacy features are truly great, but when it comes to mutual followers, then you cannot hide them (unless you make your account private and prevent users who don’t follow you from checking it out!).
Does “Mutual Friend” Have Another Meaning?
Well, outside Instagram, a mutual friend is a person who you consider a real friend, and said person has the same feeling towards you. This goes beyond the Instagram app - it is a term that describes two people that are true friends. If someone lives next to you and you go out for food once in a while, or you lend money to them in good faith, but you are not Instagram friends, then you two are mutual either way!
Karen is a senior technical writer and copywriter here at GrowFollowing. Her area of expertize are social media apps and new media.