Top 6 Ways to Fix Instagram Not Showing Friends Posts

Like most social media apps, Instagram doesn’t offer a chronological feed to users. The app relies on your interactions, behavior and algorithms to customize your home feed. However, many users complain about Instagram not showing friends’ posts. Besides managing the recommended Instagram posts, you can fix Instagram feed not showing friends’ posts.

You may miss your friend’s vacation pictures, birthday party, or the latest potluck memories when Instagram fails to show relevant posts at the top. Several other reasons can cause the app to skip your friends’ posts. Let’s discuss them and get back to your ideal Instagram feed.

1.  Change to Following Feed on Instagram

Instagram offers a handy filter to change your feed. Launch the Instagram app and tap the down arrow next to Instagram name at the top. Select Following, and the app shows feed from your following accounts only.

You can even create a Favorites list to never get an update from selected accounts.

Step 1: Open the Instagram app, tap the down arrow next to Instagram name and select Favorites.

Step 2: Tap Add favorites and check the suggested list from the following menu. You can select more account or tap + at the top to add more people to your favorites list.

You can now check your favorite accounts’ recent posts in the same menu.

2. Follow More People on Instagram

Instagram’s algorithm monitors the content you consume and accounts you follow on the platform. If you are not seeing your friends posts, it can be because you follow only a small number of people on social media. The app may fail to show you an engaging feed in the first place.

Step 1: Launch the Instagram app and tap Explore icon (magnifying glass) at the bottom.

Step 2: Search for your friend’s username in the search box and follow relevant suggested accounts.

It may take a few days for Instagram to show related posts again.

3. You Have Been Blocked or Restricted on Instagram

Did things go south with someone on Instagram? The person may restrict you on the platform. You can’t reach such accounts via voice or video calls, and your restriction acts as a lite version of the block function. You can check our dedicated guide to learn about the implications of being restricted on Instagram.

The person can even block you on Instagram and prevent you from seeing their posts. Here’s how you can know if someone has blocked you on Instagram.  

4. Authenticate Your Account on Instagram

You may face issues with accessing your Instagram account due to outdated login credentials. You should log out from your account and log in again.

Step 1: Launch the Instagram app and tap your profile icon at the bottom-right corner.

Step 2: Tap the three horizontal lines and open Settings and privacy.

Step 3: Scroll down and log out from your Instagram account.

Login with your latest account details and check your Instagram feed.

5. Clear Instagram Cache

Instagram collects cache in the background to improve the app loading times and performance. When the app collects a corrupt cache, you may end up with glitches like ‘Instagram showing suggested posts only’.

Step 1: Long-press on the Instagram app icon to open the info menu.

Step 2: Select Storage and tap Clear cache from the following menu.

Here’s what happens when you clear cache on Instagram.

6. Update Instagram App

An outdated Instagram app can be the main culprit here. Instagram is quick to release new updates with features and bug fixes.

Update Instagram for Android

Update Instagram for iPhone

Tips to See Instagram Friends’ Posts Often

Apart from the troubleshooting tricks above, you may follow these suggestions to see your friends’ posts often on Instagram:

• Be active on Instagram. You can like, comment, and share content frequently on the platform. The goal is to remain engaged with the content.
• You can tag friends with your posts. It indicates that you have a close connection with selected accounts.
• You can manually search for necessary profiles to signal your interest in their content.
• You can mute or unfollow unnecessary accounts to help Instagram focus on relevant content only.
• You need to stay active in the Direct Messages menu. You can prefer the default messaging function to share interested Reels and stories with friends and family.

Stay in Touch With Friends on Instagram

You are up for an unpleasant experience when Instagram fails to show your friends’ posts. Instead of endlessly scrolling through irrelevant posts on your Instagram feed, use the steps above to check the most important posts at the top. Which trick worked for you? Share your findings with others in the comments below.