We all know that Instagram is a widely used platform for posting content and staying connected with loved ones. But occasionally you might have a query, “How to know if someone screenshots your Instagram story” which would have left you wondering. 

Unfortunately, there isn’t any source to know if someone has taken a screenshot of your Instagram story. Instagram doesn’t notify users when someone screenshots their story or any other content on the platform namely reels and posts. 

Taking screenshots of the Instagram story is an excellent way to save someone’s content so that it doesn’t disappear within a day.  Let’s delve into the information below to know about it. 

Does Instagram notify you about screenshots of stories? 

No, Instagram will not notify you if someone screenshots your story or post. This rule also suits any ‘close friends’ on the Instagram app. This is also the case when someone on the cultivated close friends list can not receive any notification if their story gets screenshotted. 

However, it is worth noting that some Instagram features have different rules. For instance, if you try to screenshot content in Vanish mode, the other person will be informed, so it is best to stay cautious about what you opt to screenshot on Instagram. 

Although Instagram has earlier tested a feature that lets people view who screenshotted their story in 2018, however, it is still unclear if they have to add it back later. 

Why do people screenshot Instagram stories? 

There are multiple reasons for screenshotting Instagram stories or posts. However, the purpose of screenshotting Instagram stories differs for brands and individuals. 

Instagram influencers mostly take screenshots of the stories shared by the accounts that they are following for one of the reasons provided below: 

1. For zooming in: You can’t zoom in on an Instagram story within the app. Hence, screenshotting helps pinch and expand any picture for closer examination. 
2. For looking steadily: Screenshots allow you enough time to view a particular image without facing any struggle while pressing on the screen to pause the story from progressing immediately. 
3. To share with others: It is difficult to share stories once they disappear from the Instagram story, with users without an Instagram account or those with private accounts. Hence, taking a screenshot makes it easily accessible for anyone, anytime, and anywhere. 
4. To save content for future use: Do you want to preserve content to view it later, verify a link, or appear for an event? Taking a screenshot helps in saving the memory even when it disappears. 

Alternatively, brands, influencers, marketers, and social media managers might have another motive behind preserving Instagram stories: 

1. To manage an influencer program: Once the brands engage influencers, they would certainly want to know who’s posting about them and keep an eye on when and what they are sharing. 
2. For conservation: It is common for brand teams to take screenshots of their content published to maintain a record of their creativity on social media. 
3. For assembling UGC: It is pivotal for brands to screenshot user-generated content. In the absence of tools like Archive, screenshots are the only way out. 
4. To obtain social response: Knowing the reaction of the public is crucial as it lets users become aware of the e-commerce brands available today. Capturing the screen can help users preserve the opinion of the users. 
5. For reposting to other platforms: Brands can share stories discovered or created by them to send informative messages to TikTok and other social media platforms without having to increase their work.

When Does Instagram notify you about screenshots?

Normally, Instagram doesn’t notify the users when someone takes a screenshot of your profile or feed post. Until and unless someone takes a screenshot of the message sent in vanish mode. 

Moreover, Instagram will also send users when someone takes a screenshot of the disappearing photos and videos sent via direct message. These photos are taken directly through the camera app present within the DM, which will eventually disappear upon viewing them. 

These media files disappear once you have viewed them unless you choose ‘keep in chat’, press the replay button, and set the media to view it twice. Moreover, if someone takes a screenshot of the photo or video, a small circle next to it will indicate that the screenshot has already been taken. 

Additionally, you won’t be informed about the screenshots of the permanent messages in your personal DMs. Likewise, you won’t also find any notifications of any photos or videos sent to you via your phone gallery. 

Practices for Communicating with Other Users’ content on Instagram 

Screenshots of people’s stories are crucial for delivering messages to the wider audience and for Instagram content strategy. But if you ever need to take a screenshot of someone’s story with the thought of using them again, be sure to notify them even if Instagram doesn’t inform you about it, as it can save you from getting into trouble in the future. 

Pro Tip: Make sure you screenshot the conservation in which they provided you permission. This way, even if they alter their decision later, you will still have the proof. 

Also, don’t forget to give them the due credit by specifying the original poster in your story. This will also enable you to maintain healthy relationships with the content owner.  Hence, it will also avoid any problems due to privacy and copyrights. 

Can you see if someone screenshot content on Instagram? 

No, you can’t see if someone has captured the content of your Instagram story. However, you can use the insights Instagram to know who has screenshotted your content. 

On the other hand, in the case of a business account, you can see the number of viewers or the people who shared your story with others. If you have a personal Instagram account then you can only view the content.

Just knowing who captured your story might not be helpful. You can also get an idea of what people can do with the screenshotted content after you post it. 

Ways to maintain privacy on Instagram 

To restrict the usage of your Instagram post, story, or feed, you must follow some practices to maintain the privacy of your content. Sometimes, people might reuse your Instagram content for their own convenience without giving the due credit for the work. The marketing community does capture screenshots of the images or videos for inspecting the competitor’s social media strategies. 

When you keep your Instagram account public to link with the consumers and boosting your audience, keeping your account private won’t go well with your marketing strategies. Follow the tips below to enhance your content privacy and avoid others from capturing screenshots of your Instagram stories: 

• Concealing your stories from specific users

If you want to share some content publicly on your Instagram story but are concerned about some users, you can opt to hide your story from them. It is generally a beneficial feature if you are facing some privacy concerns with particular account users. For instance, the users have reposted their Instagram stories without providing you the due credit. 

You have the option to conceal your stories from particular users by visiting their account privacy settings and following the below-given prompts: 

1. Click on ‘story’ and hit ‘hide story from’.
2. In the search bar, enter the name of the users you are having issues with. 
3. Tap on ‘Done’. Now, the users that you have chosen will no longer access your stories or screenshot them. 

• Prevent sharing sensitive information publicly.

It is crucial to double-check the content including images or videos before posting them on your Instagram story, and ensure that they do not consist of any sensitive information that could hinder your privacy. For instance, you may coincidentally share your physical address while doing an unplanned story video. 

Although you may want to establish a strong and genuine connection with your followers by sharing real-time events stories. However, it is not worth sacrificing your privacy and safety so ensure that you stay cautious while sharing the sensitive information that people can capture and take advantage of. 

If you need to share some sensitive information with the users, you can do so via direct messages. This provides better control over who can access your information and it also lets you narrow down the users who might have leaked the information. 

• Search for problematic followers. 

Instagram is a public platform, where your content can be at a high risk of getting misused. Hence, filter out the followers who hinder your privacy, and remove or block them if they create issues and make you feel uncomfortable. This can make a vast difference by avoiding illegal usage of the content as you are removing people who might create problems for you through unscrupulous activities. 

• Keep your account private. ‘

This option might be the least opted one by the content creators but it is one of the beneficial ways of ensuring the safety of the Instagram content. This lets you eradicate people who can be problematic for you as you have added people manually to your followers list. Hence, you can also limit the viewer’s list and only include people you trust so that they do not take screenshots of your stories or use them again without your consent or giving due credit.

However, if you want to grow your Instagram audience then you need to make your account public as private account content doesn’t reflect in people’s Explore pages.  

• Filter your viewers via a ‘Close friends’ list.

Another option that you can use to reserve your Instagram content is by using the ‘Close friends’ list. This list will include people whom you can trust and whom you can share your stories with. In this way, you can still keep your account public while making sure that only a few people view specific types of content you want to share with your Instagram stories. Thus, This is an excellent way to share content with a few close friends. 

Read Also – How to Contact a Live Person at Facebook

Bottom Line 

Thus, it might be clear to you ‘ How to know if someone screenshots your Instagram story ’. The answer is simple,  Instagram won’t notify users about people taking screenshots of their stories. This enables you to screenshot other users’ stories save the information for future use and use it again for your own Instagram strategy. However, ensure that you follow the best practices outlined above to avoid any problems linked to privacy and copyright.