How to Use DontFollowBack (and What a Snapshot Really Is)
2025-09-26
If you have ever wondered whether someone unfollowed you on Instagram, you are not alone.
Instagram shows a big number at the top of your profile, but it will not tell you who unfollowed, or which “friends” never followed you back in the first place.
Most apps that claim to solve this are risky. They ask for your Instagram login, which can put your account at risk of being flagged, locked, or even banned.
That is why we built DontFollowBack: a safe, straightforward tool that uses only your official Instagram export.
- No login
- No signup
- No risk
Upload your export, instantly see who does not follow you back, and (if you save a Snapshot) catch unfollowers any time in the future — all while keeping your account safe.
Why Instagram does not show this
Instagram gives you a follower count, but not the full truth. You cannot see:
- Who you follow that does not follow you back
- Which “close friends” do not actually follow you
- Who quietly unfollows over time
Your Instagram export solves this. It is the one safe, official way to get your account data, and it powers DontFollowBack.
How it works (step by step)
-
Export your Instagram data (about 1–2 minutes inside Settings).
Need help? See our step-by-step export guide: /blog/2025-09-22-how-to-export-your-instagram-data-in-2025. -
Upload your ZIP or JSON file to DontFollowBack.
We parse it in memory only — nothing stored, nothing posted. -
Preview your first results free.
You can instantly see your top non-followers. -
Save a Snapshot to your device (free).
This is simply a plain-text list of your current followers saved to your phone or computer (not our servers).
Next time you export again, compare it to your Snapshot to reveal exactly who unfollowed.
What is a Snapshot?
A Snapshot is not a database or a cloud file. It is a saved list of your followers from today, stored on your own device. Think of it like a “before picture.”
Example
Snapshot (saved last week):
- @nova_cafe
- @raqx_ts916
- @studio.meridian
New export (today):
- @nova_cafe
- @studio.meridian
Unfollower detected:
- @raqx_ts916 (missing from your new export)
That is it — your own reference point so you can see who disappears later.
Why it matters: If you follow hundreds or thousands of accounts, a Snapshot gives you a clean before/after so you always know who changed.
Gestures and power tips
You can manage your lists quickly with touch gestures or mouse:
- Swipe left on a user: add to Ignore.
Use this to hide accounts you are done reviewing. - Swipe right on a user: add to Watchlist.
Use this to keep an eye on specific users. - Tap/select, then drag down on the selected row: mark as Deactivated.
(Clicking on the right side of the row works best for selection.) - Press and hold on a user: open the selection menu
(Ignore / Watchlist / Mark as Deactivated). - Toolbars include an Actions button if gestures are not feasible on your device.
Selection tips
- You can Select all or Clear all in a tab.
- If selection feels out of sync, a quick refresh/reload will reset the UI;
your already swiped changes (Ignore/Watchlist/Deactivated) should remain saved.
Search and tabs
The Search bar filters users within the current tab (for example: Followers, Following, Mutuals, etc.).
Note: we are continually improving search across all views; behavior in the “Does not follow back” tab may vary depending on export details.
Why it is safe
- No Instagram login
- No signup
- Files are analyzed in memory and then discarded
- Stripe handles payments; we never see your card details
Your account stays safe because we only work with the export Instagram provides to you.
Ongoing improvements
We are always refining the design and accuracy of DontFollowBack.
Instagram frequently changes how its exports and connections work, which can introduce unexpected quirks or data inconsistencies.
Our goal is to stay ahead of those shifts — maintaining precision, improving reliability, and continuing to deliver insights that Instagram itself does not provide.
As momentum grows, we will keep developing new features and refinements that make the tool faster, clearer, and more capable for every user.
Wrap-up
Export once, upload once — and you will finally see who does not follow you back.
Save a Snapshot, and next time you will know exactly who unfollowed.
Use Ignore, Watchlist, and Deactivated to keep the noise down and stay organized.
Ready to see your results? Upload your export now and get clarity in seconds.