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Culture > Digital

3 Methods To Try If You Hate Seeing People’s Instagram Notes

Siobhan Robinson

As most of you are still reeling from Instagram’s abrupt change, you may be trying to adjust to its new feature: Instagram Notes. If you’re not familiar with the feature, Instagram Notes allows users to write up to 60-character messages that can be shared with their mutual followers or close friends list. While it’s a cute idea in theory to update your friends more casually, most people aren’t particularly fond of this update. 

While some Instagram users have used this new feature to relive their childhood nostalgia apps, such as posting funny AIM-inspired messages or pretending that the notes feature is similar to the Victorious PearPod updates that showed in between episodes, others are completely opposed to the idea, and simply want the feature gone. So, can you turn off Instagram Notes?

Unfortunately, Instagram does not allow you to completely disable the feature on your account. However, there are some ways you can prevent certain Notes from appearing in your feed!

Mute a person’s Notes through DM.

If an account is constantly posting inappropriate or unfunny Notes that you want to avoid seeing, you can completely mute the person’s notes via DM. To do so, open your phone’s DM section by clicking the messenger icon; hold the specific account you don’t want to see Notes from, and the option to “Mute Notes” will appear. You won’t see it in your feed again after you click and confirm your action.

Mute a person’s Notes through their account page.

Another way to mute someone’s Instagram Notes is by going to the person’s account. Similarly to how you can mute someone’s Instagram posts and stories, if you click the “Following” button on their account and then “Mute,” you can also now mute their Notes by clicking the “Notes” slide.

Do not update the Instagram app.

If you’re like me and haven’t seen the Notes feature appear on your Instagram feed yet, it may be a sign that you haven’t updated to the latest version of the app. The notes feature is currently available on Version 263.1, and any previous version on which you may be running your Instagram account will not display the feature at all. If you haven’t updated yet, maybe you should wait until you’re ready. I’m definitely taking my time by coming up with some cute Christmas-themed Notes to post before updating to the latest version!

Siobhan Robinson is a member of the Her Campus national writing program. She works on the Entertainment and Culture team, covering the most recent pop culture events, trends, and entertainment releases. Previously, she worked as an Entertainment and Culture intern during the Spring 2023 semester, where she was supervised in writing breaking news verticals, live coverage of events such as the Grammys and Met Gala, and interviewing emerging Gen Z talent for Her Campus's "Next Questions" segment. She graduated Magna Cum Laude in Spring 2024 with a B.A. in Communication Studies from San Jose State University and received communication honors for completing a graduate-level course during her undergraduate studies. While in college, she was an active member of the SJSU chapter of Her Campus, serving on the executive board as Editor-In-Chief. In this role, she supervised a team of writers, senior editors, and copy editors, and assessed their articles for the site. Previously, she served as a senior editor, supervising a team of 4-5 writers, and also worked as a campus correspondent for the entire chapter. Additionally, she contributed to the school's publication magazine, Access, and became a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. In her free time, Siobhan enjoys scrapbooking, hanging out with friends, going to concerts, and, of course, writing for fun! A die-hard fangirl, she loves sharing everything she knows about her favorite boy bands, even if you don't ask. If you need her, you'll likely find her binge-watching the latest K-drama.