Should You Delete Deactivated Instagram Followers? Yes! And Here’s How You Do It
Instagram can feel like a big, beautiful mess sometimes - especially when your follower count is padded with accounts that no longer serve a purpose. Deactivated followers are the social media equivalent of unused decor gathering dust in the corner of a perfectly styled room.
The good news? Instagram has made it easier to find these inactive accounts. The bad news? Removing them is still a manual process that requires a little patience (and maybe a coffee break or two).
If you’re on the fence about whether it’s worth the effort, let me share how I tackled my own deactivated follower purge, why it’s helpful, and what the process involves. Spoiler: it’s a time-consuming but oddly satisfying little task that’s worth weaving into your routine.
Why Bother Removing Deactivated Followers?
Deactivated followers are accounts that are no longer in use - usually because the user has left Instagram, deactivated their profile, or had their account removed. They’re not engaging with anyone’s content (let alone yours), and their presence can weigh down your engagement rate.
Remember, Instagram cares more about how engaged your followers are than how many followers you have. When a chunk of your audience is made up of deactivated accounts, it signals to Instagram’s algorithm that your content isn’t as engaging as it could be.
By removing these inactive profiles, you’re making space for an active, relevant audience - and giving the algorithm one less excuse to ignore your posts.
Why This Is Different from Other Follower Purges
If you’ve read my other blogs (“Does Deleting Instagram Followers Actually Work?” or “Why I’m Deleting My Instagram Followers to Improve Reach”), you’ll know that purging your follower list can be a bit of an emotional minefield. It often involves making subjective decisions about whether someone is part of your target audience or not.
But removing deactivated followers? It’s refreshingly straightforward. There’s no second-guessing whether the person might engage with your content again in the future. These are accounts that Instagram itself has identified as inactive.
They’re not engaging with anyone’s posts, and they’re not coming back unless the user reactivates their account (in which case, they can always refollow you).
Instagram’s Deactivated Users Feature
Thankfully, Instagram now makes it easy to identify deactivated accounts. Instead of scrolling endlessly through your followers list trying to guess who’s active and who’s not, Instagram has added a feature that groups deactivated accounts together under the label “Deactivated Users.”
This means you don’t need to play detective anymore. When you visit your followers list, you’ll see a dedicated section for these inactive accounts, flagged clearly as “Deactivated Users.” All that’s left to do is remove them.
How to Remove Deactivated Followers
Here’s where things get a little less glamorous: removing deactivated followers is still a manual process. Yep, one by one, tap by tap. Depending on how many deactivated accounts are clogging up your follower list, this could take a while.
For me, the journey started with a daunting 800 deactivated users. I’ll admit, the thought of clearing them all out in one go made me want to curl up with a blanket and ignore the problem entirely. But instead, I decided to tackle it little by little.
Now, I check the “Deactivated Users” section daily and remove a handful of accounts at a time (you'll be surprised to see how many pop up each day). It’s like clearing your inbox or organising a drawer - small, consistent effort adds up.
Here’s a step-by-step guide:
Open Your Followers List
Go to your profile and click on your follower count.
Find the “Deactivated Users” Section
Instagram will group these accounts for you under the “Deactivated Users” label. No guessing or searching required.
Remove Followers One by One
Tap on the three dots next to each deactivated account and select “Remove Follower.” Instagram won’t notify the user (not that they’d notice—they’re not active anymore!), so it’s a painless goodbye.
Repeat as Needed
Depending on how many deactivated users you have, this might take a while. But don’t stress about doing it all at once. Make it part of your routine—check in every few days, remove a couple of accounts, and slowly chip away at the list.
Is It Worth the Effort?
Yes, but only if you’re willing to commit to it as an ongoing task. If you’re expecting this to be a quick, one-and-done process, you’re going to be frustrated. But if you view it as part of maintaining your Instagram presence - like curating your content or engaging with followers - it’s a worthwhile investment.
Clearing out deactivated followers won’t instantly skyrocket your engagement rate, but it does contribute to a healthier, more engaged audience over time. Plus, it’s a great way to tidy up your profile and give yourself a sense of control in the chaotic world of social media.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve been avoiding your follower list because the thought of managing it feels overwhelming, I get it. But with Instagram’s new “Deactivated Users” feature, the process is much more straightforward than it used to be. Sure, it’s still a manual task, and yes, it takes time - but it’s also a small, satisfying way to keep your profile clean and engaged.
Start small. Remove a handful of accounts each day. And before you know it, your list will be as curated as your favourite corner of your home.
