Alexis Kestler
Have you ever tried messaging someone on Instagram, only to be greeted by the dreaded “You can’t message this account” error? As a long-time Instagram power user, I totally get the frustration.
Not being able to slide into your crush’s DMs is super annoying! But don’t worry, I’ve got you covered.
In this comprehensive guide, I’ll walk you through exactly why you get that error, and give you some creative tips to get around it. By the end, you’ll be a master at figuring out how to message people who don’t follow you back on Instagram.
Why You Get the “You Can’t Message This Account” Error
Before we get into the fixes, let’s talk about why this happens in the first place.
You get the “You can’t message this account” error for one simple reason: Their privacy settings don’t allow messages from people they don’t follow.
By default, anyone can send a DM to anyone on Instagram. But in the app’s privacy settings, you can limit who’s able to message you:
- Followers Only: Only accounts you follow back can message you
- Off: No one can message you unless you DM them first
So if you’re trying to message someone who has these limitations turned on, Instagram won’t let you message them unless they follow you back first.
Makes sense, right? People turn on these restrictions to avoid unwanted DMs from strangers.
But never fear! There are still a few sneaky ways to get your message across to accounts you don’t follow. Keep reading to find out how.
Clever Ways to Message People Who Don‘t Follow You Back
Over my many years navigating Instagram DM puzzles, I’ve discovered some clever workarounds for messaging non-followers.
Here are my favorite tricks to avoid or get around the “You can’t message this account” error:
1. Send Them a Follow Request First
This one seems obvious, but it’s absolutely the easiest solution. Take a few seconds to request to follow the account you want to message.
If they accept your request, their profile will show up in your “Following” list and you’ll be able to send them DMs without any issues.
To send a follow request on mobile:
- Go to their profile page
- Tap the Follow button
If they accept, you’re in! Feel free to shoot your shot with a DM.
Pro Tip: If your follow request gets rejected, try engaging with their content first before requesting again. Comment on their posts and Stories to get on their radar!
2. Comment Thoughtful Things on Their Public Posts
If the account you want to message has a public profile, try engaging with their content first.
Leave thoughtful, relevant comments on their posts. Ask engaging questions or give compliments. This gets their attention and prompts them to check out your profile.
They may even decide to follow you back! Then you can slide into their DMs.
Pro Tip: Reply to their Stories as well. IG lets you reply to Stories from public accounts, even if you don‘t follow each other.
3. Message Them From Mutual Friends‘ Posts
Here’s a slick hack if you and the account have mutual friend connections.
Go to a mutual friend’s profile and find a post where the account you want to message is tagged. Tap on their tagged name.
Even if they have “Followers Only” DMs, you should be able to message them from mutual friends’ tagged posts. Instagram seems this as less of a “cold DM.”
4. Use a Backup Account That They Follow
If all else fails, pull out your spam account. If you have another Instagram account that the person already follows, switch over to that profile.
You should now be able to DM them without any issues. Mention in your message that you also have your main account (include the username) and would like to chat on that profile going forward.
Pro Tip: Make sure your backup account has some followers and posts so it looks legit.
When Will You Be Able to Message Them?
With the tricks above, you may be able to successfully message accounts that don‘t follow you back. However, there‘s no guarantee any of them will work.
Some accounts are very strict about only letting followers DM them. If you‘ve tried these suggestions and they still haven‘t followed you back or changed their settings, they likely don‘t want to receive your message.
At that point, there‘s not much else you can do. You‘ll have to wait until they follow you first before sending them a direct message. Patience and persistence are key!
Or, you can always post some fire content and hope it goes viral. That‘s sure to get their attention…and a follow!
The Instagram Algorithm – How It Controls Your DMs
Now that you know how to get around Instagram‘s DM limits, let‘s talk about how their algorithm controls who sees your messages in the first place.
Yup, Instagram has a special algorithm just for your DMs! Here‘s how it works:
- DM priority is based on your interactions outside of DMs
- Accounts you engage with more (comments, likes, etc.) will see your messages higher up in their inbox
- Instagram ranks your DM convos based on who you interact with most frequently
- Conversations with frequent back-and-forth messages rank higher
- They limit message requests (DMs from non-followers) to protect people from unwanted content
So in a way, Instagram forces you to engage with an account before you can message them. Their algorithm gives priority to conversations with people you actively interact with.
That‘s why it‘s so important to comment, like, and follow accounts you want to DM! Instagram needs to see you have a connection before enabling open DMs.
Final Thoughts
And there you have it, folks! The inside scoop on messaging accounts that don’t follow you back.
While Instagram‘s restrictions can be annoying, they‘re there for good reason. Nobody wants their inbox flooded with unwanted messages!
With the tips above, you should be able to message most accounts—even those elusive private profiles. Just remember to be respectful, patient, and engage genuinely before sliding into those DMs.
Over to you! Now get out there and start messaging your favorite Instagram crushes. Your perfect match is waiting for you!
