Most articles about InSnoop are written for the person doing the viewing. This one looks at the relationship between InSnoop and Instagram from both sides: how the tool gets Instagram content, how Instagram responds to tools like it, and, just as importantly, what you can do if you’d rather anonymous viewers couldn’t see your own stories.
For a general introduction, see our guide to InSnoop. For step-by-step instructions, see Instagram story viewer InSnoop.
Is InSnoop Connected to Instagram?
No. InSnoop is an independent third-party website. It is not made, approved or supported by Instagram or its parent company, Meta. It has no special partnership or official data access.
What InSnoop does is retrieve content that Instagram already makes publicly visible and display it on its own site. When you search a username on InSnoop, the request to Instagram is made by InSnoop’s systems rather than your account. That is why the view doesn’t appear in the account owner’s viewer list.
What Instagram Thinks of Tools Like InSnoop
Instagram’s Terms of Use prohibit accessing or collecting information from the service in automated ways without permission. Scraping-based viewers fall into that category, so Instagram regularly works to detect and block them by:
- Limiting how much data can be requested from a single source
- Requiring logins to view more content
- Changing how pages and media are delivered
This is the main reason anonymous viewers are unreliable. Some well-known tools have stopped working for Instagram altogether. Picuki, for example, was widely used before it stopped functioning for Instagram content in 2025. We cover that in our article on Instagram Picuki.
Does using InSnoop put my Instagram account at risk?
Simply viewing through InSnoop does not involve your account, so Instagram has nothing to link to you. The real risk comes from fake viewer sites that ask for your login. If you hand over your username and password, you could lose your account.
Can Someone See My Instagram Stories on InSnoop?
If your account is public, yes. Anyone can enter your username on InSnoop, or similar tools, and view your current stories and highlights without appearing in your viewer list.
If your account is private, no. Anonymous viewers cannot see stories from private accounts.
There is no reliable way to find out who has viewed your stories through a third-party viewer. Instagram only shows views from logged-in Instagram accounts. Any app claiming to reveal “secret viewers” or “who stalks your profile” should be avoided, as these frequently harvest login details.
How to Stop Anonymous Viewers Seeing Your Stories
You have several options, depending on how public you want to be.
1. Make your account private
This is the most effective step. In the Instagram app go to Settings and activity → Account privacy and switch on Private account. From then on, only approved followers can see your posts and stories, and tools like InSnoop can’t access them.
Note that business and creator accounts can’t be made private, so this option only works for personal accounts.
2. Use Close Friends for personal stories
If you want to stay public but share some things with a smaller group, post those stories to Close Friends. Close Friends stories are only visible to people on your list and are not exposed to third-party viewers.
3. Hide your story from specific people
In Settings and activity → Hide story and live, you can hide your stories from specific followers. This works for people viewing through the app. It won’t stop someone from viewing your public stories anonymously through a third-party site, which is why making the account private is the stronger option.
4. Review and limit your highlights
Highlights stay on your profile indefinitely. If your account is public, consider what you pin there. Remove highlights you no longer want permanently visible.
5. Block accounts that make you uncomfortable
Blocking stops someone seeing your profile through their logged-in account. It cannot stop them using an anonymous viewer if your account is public, but it is still worth doing and creates a clear record.
If You’re Being Harassed
If you believe someone is monitoring you obsessively or threatening you:
- Make your account private immediately.
- Keep screenshots of any messages or threats.
- Report the account to Instagram through the app.
- In the UK, stalking and harassment are criminal offences. Contact the police on 101, or 999 in an emergency. Charities such as the Suzy Lamplugh Trust run the National Stalking Helpline for advice.
For Brands and Creators: Accepting Public Visibility
If you run a business or creator account, public visibility is part of the deal. Competitors may view your stories through tools like InSnoop. The practical response is not to worry about anonymous views but to:
- Keep sensitive launches and pricing off stories until you’re ready to go public
- Focus on metrics you control, such as reach, replies and link taps, in Instagram’s own insights
- Use stories to build genuine engagement rather than relying on view counts alone
Our Social Media guides cover how to measure what actually matters.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is InSnoop an official Instagram tool?
No. It is an independent third-party site with no connection to Instagram or Meta.
Can I see who viewed my story on InSnoop?
No. Instagram only lists logged-in viewers, and no legitimate tool can reveal anonymous ones.
Does InSnoop work with private Instagram accounts?
No, only public ones.
Will Instagram ban me for using InSnoop?
Your Instagram account isn’t used when you view through InSnoop, so there is nothing for Instagram to act on. Never give your login to a viewer site.
What’s the best way to keep my stories private?
Switch to a private account, or post sensitive stories to Close Friends only.
Final Thoughts
InSnoop and Instagram are in a constant tug of war: the tool shows public content anonymously, and Instagram works to stop it. If you’re a viewer, stay safe and never share your login. If you’re the one being viewed, remember that “public” really means public, and use private mode or Close Friends for anything you want to keep to a trusted circle.