We’re in a digital age where privacy is a huge topic. On social media platforms like Instagram, you will find people asking questions like: Does Instagram notify when you screenshot a story?
The answer to this question is no, Instagram doesn’t notify users when someone takes a screenshot of their stories. While they once rolled out and tested this feature, it didn’t become active on the platform.
Here, we will explain everything you need to know about receiving notifications when someone screenshots your profile on Instagram. Keep reading to get more valuable details.
Does Instagram Notify When You Screenshot A Story?
The straightforward answer to this question is no. Instagram doesn’t notify users whether you screenshot their stories, posts, or videos. You can screenshot people’s stories, posts, videos, or statuses multiple times; they won’t know you did.
Although Instagram doesn’t notify users when one takes a screenshot of their stories, posts, statuses, and videos, the platform released a similar feature in 2018. However, the idea didn’t see the light of day.
Instagram Screenshot Notification: The History
Instagram introduced the screenshot notification back then in 2018. The feature worked by notifying you if someone took a screenshot of your story.
How would you know someone took a screenshot of your Instagram story? When you go through your story views, you will find a star-shaped icon next to their names. That was how the featured operated back then.
Instagram took the screenshot notification inspiration from Snapchat. Snapchat introduced the screenshot notification shortly after the social media application became available to users.
Instagram Screenshot Notification: How Users Reacted To The Feature
While the screenshot notification feature on social media apps like Snapchat has become an integral part of the app, it was clear that the feature wasn’t meant for apps like Instagram.
Snapchat users accepted the feature and aren’t protesting about it. But the same can’t be said of Instagram. The introduction of the screenshot notification in 2018 was met with great disapproval.
Many Instagram users argue that they often take screenshots of people’s stories for harmless reasons. For instance, people can take harmless screenshots of hotel recommendations, funny or motivational quotes, and so on.
The platform listened to the complaint and argument brought forward by its users and decided to abandon the screenshot notification feature in mid-2018.
Instagram’s Latest Policy On Screenshot Notification On Stories
Social media is dynamic. Now and then, we find new features being rolled out on the various social media applications. It’s a fierce competition between the social media platforms; a battle of dominance and user base.
Though Instagram once introduced the screenshot notification, they abandoned the idea that same year. Today, there is no screenshot notification for stories, whether highlighted or archived. It’s the same thing for profile pages, reels, and feed posts.
That implies that if you encounter a travel photo, recipe, or motivational quotes, you can save them on your device without worrying about the original owner getting notified. Instagram stories disappear within 24 hours. That means people won’t be able to trace the screenshot to the original owner.
Does Instagram Notify When You Screenshot Direct Messages?
Instagram doesn’t notify the owner of a story when people screenshot the story. You can screenshot the stories of people you’re hiding your identity from, and they won’t even know.
The platform applies the same rules to text chats, media files in one’s inbox, and shared posts. But there is an exception.
Here is the exception. If you screenshot a photo or video sent into your inbox as a direct message, the sender will get a notification. It occurs particularly in videos or photos sent in Vanish Mode.
Why will a sender get notified when the receiver takes a screenshot of a video or photo sent in Vanish Mode? The reason is simple.
The reason Instagram sends notifications is to protect the sender. One-time viewable content is temporary. The sender doesn’t want you to store the content in your device. They want you to view the content (photo or video) once.
When you take a screenshot of one-time viewable content, Instagram will notify the sender that a screenshot has been taken. There will be a small notification icon on the sender’s window to indicate to them that the recipient took a screenshot of their content.
That said,, before taking taking a screenshot of any temporary photo or video, understand how the Instagram privacy feature works. The app understands you want the recipient to view the content only once and will notify you when the recipient tries to play a smart one on you by taking a screenshot of the content.
Instagram Safety Measures For Teenagers
Instagram has demonstrated its commitment to protecting users’ privacy. And while they are pretty flexible in their privacy policy when dealing with adults, it’s a different ball game for teens.
When adults send temporary photos or videos through private chats, Instagram only alerts the sender when the receiver takes a screenshot of the temporary content. But that isn’t the case with teens.
For people under the age of 18, Instagram blocks screenshots or recordings of temporary photos or videos sent via private chats. The platform introduced the security measure to prevent misuse of content, harassment, and other vices that can put teen users in danger.
The Reason Instagram Doesn’t Notify When You Screenshot A Story
Snapshot notifies users when someone takes a screenshot of their stories. So, is Instagram not doing the same thing? The platform introduced the same feature in 2018 but abandoned it the same year. Why?
Instagram didn’t continue its plans to introduce screenshot notification for two reasons. The first is the platform’s culture, while the second reason is its priorities.
Introducing screenshot notification will seem like the platform is going against its culture. It could lose its identity and appeal as a result.
Let’s elaborate on the reasons Instagram doesn’t have the screenshot notification feature like Snapchat.
- Instagram’s user experience:
Instagram’s usability is one of the reasons people adore the platform. The platform boasts a lot of rich and diverse content that prompts users to take multiple screenshots on a daily basis.
Many people rely on the platform for inspiration. They get inspiration by consuming content on food, travel, fitness, health, art, and other niches. Saving screenshots of interesting stories is a great way to save ideas.
Imagine a situation where over a million people take a screenshot of your story. It means you’ll receive a million notifications from people you know and barely know.
Because of Instagram’s uniqueness and focus on improving user experience, enabling screenshot notification will be counterproductive. It will discourage engagement and negatively impact user experience.
- A healthy balance between functionality and privacy:
The fact that you made your profile public and shared your story means you’re comfortable sharing the content with the public. You’re aware your stories might reach your followers and even people who aren’t following you.
Instagram favors a healthy balance between functionality and privacy. It offers users a chance to share content that is private and public without compromising their privacy.
For instance, if you publish a story on the platform, you won’t get a notification when someone screenshots the content. But the reverse is the case when you send a direct message to someone.
If you send a photo or video in vanish mode to someone via direct message, Instagram will notify you when the person takes a screenshot of that content. That is how the platform works.
- Users are against the screenshot notification feature:
When apps introduce new features, they study the reaction of their users. Instagram did the same thing with the screenshot notification it introduced in 2018. They discovered that the majority of their users were against the notification feature.
In order not to offend its users and make the platform unattractive, Instagram had to abandon the screenshot notification feature. They discovered people weren’t comfortable using the platform knowing that notifications get sent whenever they take screenshots of other people’s stories.
How To Protect Your Instagram Stories In The Absence of Screenshot Notification
How can you protect the content you post on Instagram since the platform doesn’t provide screenshot notification? Here are a few tips to follow.
- Make your Instagram profile private:
One of the ways you can prevent anyone from taking screenshots of your content on Instagram is by making your account private. When you do, only those following you can see your stories.
However, making your Instagram account private doesn’t mean people can’t screenshot your stories. And you won’t get notified when they do.
People can still take screenshots of your content even when you set your account to private. The only difference is that only those following you can see your stories and screenshot them.
When an Instagram account is set to private, you are telling Instagram that your posts, stories, and content aren’t for public consumption.
- Utilize Instagram’s “close friend” tool:
If you don’t want people to share your stories with a broader audience, use the platform’s close friend tool. When turned on, only people you consider your friends see your posts.
- Include watermark:
Adding a unique watermark to your content before sharing on your Instagram story will help protect your content. It won’t stop people from taking screenshots or sending notifications when they do. But it will help ensure they don’t take credit for your work.
You can use this technique to protect your creative content or original work. Include a watermark to prevent people from stealing your work. Even when they post your content on their Instagram page, the watermark will show that you are the original owner.
Conclusion
So, does Instagram notify when you screenshot a story? No, the platform doesn’t. It introduced the feature in 2018, but didn’t proceed with the idea because users were against it.
Allowing screenshot notification will dampen user engagement, which the platform thrives on. It will negatively impact the platform’s user experience.
While Instagram doesn’t send a notification when you screenshot a story, it does when you screenshot one-time view posts. When you take a screenshot of a one-time view post, Instagram notifies the sender.
The platform does this for security and privacy reasons. It understands that posts sent via vanish mode aren’t supposed to stay on on one’s device permanently.
