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Updated Feb 2026

How to Bulk Unfollow on Instagram Without Getting Banned

Clean up your Instagram following list safely. Use smart filters to find accounts that clutter your feed, then unfollow them in bulk with built-in rate limiting that keeps your account in good standing.

Beginner
10 minutes
7 steps

Before You Start

  • Google Chrome browser (desktop)
  • An Instagram account (logged in via web browser)
  • Instagram Unfollow Pro installed from the Chrome Web Store
1

Install Instagram Unfollow Pro from the Chrome Web Store

Visit the Chrome Web Store listing and click "Add to Chrome." The extension installs instantly. No API keys, no Instagram developer account, and no third-party logins required. It works directly with your existing Instagram web session.

Chrome Web Store page for Instagram Unfollow Pro

Screenshot the Chrome Web Store listing with the 'Add to Chrome' button highlighted.

2

Navigate to your Instagram profile

Go to instagram.com in Chrome and make sure you are logged in. Click on your profile picture or go to instagram.com/yourusername. Then click the "Following" count to view the accounts you follow. This is where Instagram Unfollow Pro activates.

Instagram profile page showing the Following count

Screenshot your Instagram profile page with an arrow pointing to the 'Following' count near the bio section.

3

Open the Instagram Unfollow Pro management panel

Click the floating PlugMonkey button on the right side of your screen to open the management panel. The panel displays your complete following list with search and filter controls. Each account shows their profile picture, username, follower count, and activity status. The panel loads your full following list, which may take a moment for large accounts.

Instagram Unfollow Pro management panel showing following list

Screenshot the management panel open on Instagram, showing the list of accounts with profile pictures, usernames, and filter controls at the top.

4

Apply filters to find accounts worth unfollowing

Use the filter controls to narrow your list. Instagram Unfollow Pro lets you filter by: accounts that do not follow you back (non-reciprocal), inactive accounts (no posts in 30, 60, or 90+ days), low engagement accounts, and keyword filters on bios and usernames. The most popular starting filter is 'does not follow back' — these are accounts where the relationship is one-sided.
Pro Tip

Start conservatively. Filter for accounts that do not follow you back AND have been inactive for 90+ days. These are the safest to unfollow — they are unlikely to notice or care, and removing them instantly improves your follower-to-following ratio.

Filter controls showing non-reciprocal and inactivity options

Screenshot the filter section expanded, showing the 'Does not follow back' toggle enabled and the inactivity dropdown set to '90+ days'.

5

Protect important accounts with the whitelist

Before running any bulk action, whitelist accounts you never want to unfollow — close friends, family, business contacts, and favorite creators. Click the shield icon next to any account to add them to your Protected List. Whitelisted accounts are excluded from all bulk unfollows, even if they match your filter criteria. This is your safety net against accidental unfollows.

Whitelisting an account in Instagram Unfollow Pro

Screenshot showing the shield icon being clicked next to an account, with a few accounts already showing the protected badge.

6

Run the bulk unfollow with rate-limit-safe pacing

Click "Bulk Unfollow" at the bottom of the panel. A confirmation dialog shows the exact number of accounts that will be unfollowed (excluding whitelisted ones). Confirm to begin. Instagram Unfollow Pro processes unfollows with automatic rate-limit-safe pacing — it adds random delays between unfollows to mimic natural human behavior. This is critical for avoiding Instagram's action blocks.
Important

Instagram actively detects and blocks aggressive unfollow behavior. Never use multiple unfollow tools simultaneously. Do not manually unfollow while a bulk operation is running. Instagram Unfollow Pro's built-in pacing is calibrated to stay within safe limits — trust the timing and do not try to speed it up.

Bulk unfollow confirmation dialog with rate limiting info

Screenshot the confirmation dialog showing the account count, estimated time (with rate limiting), and the Confirm/Cancel buttons.

7

Monitor progress and review results

The panel shows real-time progress as accounts are unfollowed. You can see: accounts processed, accounts remaining, current pacing speed, and any accounts that failed (rare, usually due to temporary Instagram issues). Once complete, the panel shows a summary of how many accounts were successfully unfollowed. Your following count on Instagram updates immediately.
Pro Tip

After a bulk unfollow session, wait at least 24 hours before running another one. This gives Instagram's systems time to reset and ensures your account stays in good standing. For very large cleanups (1,000+ unfollows), spread the process over 3-5 days.

Bulk unfollow progress showing accounts processed and remaining

Screenshot the progress view with a progress bar, accounts processed count, and the pacing indicator showing rate-limit-safe timing.

Summary

You have safely bulk unfollowed accounts on Instagram using smart filters and rate-limit-safe pacing. Your following list is cleaner, your feed is more relevant, and your follower-to-following ratio has improved. The key to safe bulk unfollowing on Instagram is patience — Instagram Unfollow Pro's automatic pacing handles this for you by adding natural delays between unfollows. For ongoing maintenance, run this cleanup monthly with conservative filters (non-reciprocal + 90 days inactive). Always use the whitelist to protect accounts you care about. Avoid using multiple unfollow tools or manual unfollowing during bulk operations.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Clean Up Your Instagram Following Safely

Instagram Unfollow Pro uses smart filters and rate-limit-safe pacing to protect your account. Free to install, no API keys needed.

Ready to Get Started?

Install Instagram Unfollow Pro free from the Chrome Web Store. No credit card required.