However, the specifics of this function might not be clear to you, and you might be wondering if the public can actually see your private Instagram stories.
So, even though the quick answer to your question is ‘no,’ meaning that the public cannot see your private stories, there are cases where that happens.
So, let’s see why and how it happens!
What Is The Difference Between Private Instagram Stories With The Public Ones?
Public and private Instagram stories have different visibility settings.
Public stories are visible to all of a user’s followers unless a user blocks another user. They can be seen by anyone who visits the user’s profile and swipes left.
Private stories, on the other hand, can only be seen by approved followers. The user can choose who can see their private story by creating a Close Friends list in their privacy settings. Only those on the Close Friends list will be able to see the user’s private stories.
Take a photo or video or select one from your camera roll.
Tap the three lines in the top right corner of the screen and select “Close Friends.”
Your story will now only be visible to the people you’ve added to your Close Friends list.
Who Can See Private Stories On Instagram?
Private stories on Instagram can only be seen by people who you have added to your Close Friends list.
When you create a private story on Instagram, it will only be visible to the people you have added to your Close Friends list. You can add people to this list by going to your profile, tapping the three lines in the top right corner, selecting “Close Friends,” and then tapping “Add.”
What Happens When You Make Your Story Private
When you make your story private, it will only be visible to the people you have added to your Close Friends list. People who are not on your Close Friends list will not be able to see your story, even if they follow you.
To check who can see your private story on Instagram:
Go to your profile.
Tap the three lines in the top right corner.
Select “Close Friends.”
The list of people who can see your private story will be displayed here.
Is There Any Loophole For Public Access To Private Stories On Instagram?
From what you can tell, private stories on Instagram are not publicly accessible. Only the people you have added to your Close Friends list can see your private story.
This feature is designed to give you control over who can see your stories and provide a more intimate and personal sharing experience with your closest friends.
Therefore, once you make your Stories private, you can rest assured that no one apart from the people who you have added as Close Friends will see them, at least from your end.
Can Someone Share My Private Instagram Story With Others?
Even though someone cannot share their private Instagram story with others if it is set to be private., if that someone takes a screenshot of your private story, they can share that screenshot with others outside of Instagram (see also “Does Instagram Notify When You Screenshot?“).
To prevent this, you can enable the “Story Controls” feature in your privacy settings, which will notify you if someone takes a screenshot of your story.
However, you need to keep in mind that this feature may not be available in all regions.
Instances Of Private Stories Being Leaked Or Accessed By The Public
Instances of private stories being leaked or accessed by the public are relatively rare, but they can occur.
For example, if someone takes a screenshot of a private story and then shares it with others outside of Instagram, the story could become publicly accessible.
Additionally, if a person’s account is hacked, their private stories could be leaked or accessed by the hacker.
To minimize the risk of your private stories being leaked or accessed by the public, it is important to use strong passwords for your Instagram account and to be cautious about who you add to your Close Friends list.
Moreover, we have also mentioned how, in some countries, you can also enable the “Story Controls” feature in your privacy settings, which will notify you if someone takes a screenshot of your story.
Still, it is important to note that no method of sharing content online is completely secure, and there is always a risk that your private stories could be leaked or accessed by unauthorized individuals.
Overview Of The Causes Of Public Access To Private Stories
So, let’s see in summary the several causes of public access to private stories on Instagram, including some we just mentioned:
Screenshots: If someone takes a screenshot of a private story, they can share it with others outside of Instagram, potentially making it publicly accessible.
Hacking: If a person’s account is hacked, their private stories could be leaked or accessed by the hacker.
Accidental sharing: If a person accidentally shares their private story with the wrong audience, it could become publicly accessible.
Technical errors: There may be technical errors or glitches that result in private stories becoming publicly accessible.
Insufficient privacy settings: If a person does not properly set their privacy settings, their private stories may become publicly accessible.
Risks Of Making Your Stories Private On Instagram
While making your stories private on Instagram can provide a more intimate and personal sharing experience with your closest friends, there are also some risks involved (see also “How To Add Multiple Photos To Instagram Story“). Some of the risks of making your stories private on Instagram include:
Limited audience: By making your stories private, you limit the number of people who can see your content, which may limit the reach and engagement of your content.
Increased risk of hacking: By limiting the number of people who can see your content, you also increase the risk of your account being hacked. Hackers may target private accounts with fewer followers because they are less likely to be monitored and may contain more sensitive information.
Technical errors: There may be technical errors or glitches that result in private stories becoming publicly accessible.
Risk of screenshots: If someone takes a screenshot of a private story, they can share it with others outside of Instagram, potentially making it publicly accessible.
Insufficient privacy settings: If a person does not properly set their privacy settings, their private stories may become publicly accessible.
Alternatives To Making Your Stories Private On Instagram
If you are considering making your stories private on Instagram, but are concerned about the risks involved, there are several alternatives you can consider:
Restricting Access
Instead of making your stories private, you can consider restricting access to your account by making it private.
This means that only people you approve as followers can see your content, but your content will still be publicly visible to your followers.
Using Instagram Stories Selectively
Instead of making all of your stories private, you can consider only making certain stories private and keeping others public.
This way, you can still reach a larger audience with some of your content while having a more intimate and personal sharing experience with your closest friends through your private stories.
Using Instagram Highlights
Instead of making your stories private, you can consider using Instagram highlights. This allows you to curate a collection of your best stories and keep them visible on your profile for a longer period of time.
Using Other Social Media Platforms
If you are concerned about the risks involved in making your stories private on Instagram, you can consider using other social media platforms to share your content.
For example, you can consider using a platform like Snapchat, which provides more privacy and security for your content.
Ultimately, the best alternative for you will depend on your specific needs and preferences.
By considering your options and weighing the benefits and risks of each alternative, you can make an informed decision about the best way to share your content on social media.
The Bottom Line
Overall, it is important to weigh the benefits and risks of making your stories private on Instagram before doing so.
If you do choose to make your stories private, it is important to be cautious about who you add to your Close Friends list, use strong passwords for your Instagram account, and regularly monitor your privacy settings.
However, if you are uncomfortable with the privacy on Instagram, it is important to explore alternative options to ensure that your content is being shared in a way that makes you feel safe and secure.
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