Instagram is a platform that has managed to stay relevant for more than a decade, thanks to its constant innovations. If we take a look at the past, we will notice that at the beginning we had a simple social network to post photos. Today, there are various publication formats and also the possibility of sending direct messages. In this sense, today we want to talk about the latter, precisely about how to see Instagram message requests.
If you don’t know what they are or how to see them, you’ve come to the right place, because you could be missing a lot of messages from people you don’t follow, without realizing it.
What are message requests on Instagram?
Instagram as a social network has managed to handle private messages in a very effective and interesting way.. This area of the application is basically a chat, where we can share audio, video, and image content, as well as react through stickers and emojis. However, there is a necessary requirement for these messages to arrive directly and that is that both people follow each other. Otherwise, one of these two options may occur:
- The message will simply bounce, indicating that the recipient does not receive messages from unfollowed accounts.
- The message will be deposited in the request tray.
In this sense, we can define the requests for messages on Instagram as the tray aimed at accumulating messages from accounts that we do not follow.. However, this is something that we must enable in our account settings.
The importance of this tray lies in the fact that it does not mix the messages of those who do not follow, with those who do follow. It is an option that enhances our privacy and allows us to keep certain types of messages at bay. However, if you have a business account, it is best to enable requests.
How to see message requests on Instagram?
As we mentioned before, how to see message requests on Instagram is something that will depend on whether we have them enabled or not.. In case you do not have them and activate it right now, there will be no retroactive effect. That is, we will not have access to those messages that they tried to send us before. Despite this, you will already be prepared to receive new messages that will be stored in the requests.
How to enable message requests on Instagram?
Enabling the request for messages on Instagram is really simple and just follow the steps below:
- Open Instagram.
- Tap your profile photo in the bottom right.
- Tap the 3 horizontal stripes icon at the top right.
- Enter in «Settings and Privacy«.
- Go into “Messages and replies to stories«.
- Enter in «message requests«.
- Go into “Your followers on Instagram» and check the box «message requests«.
- Go into “other people on instagram» and check the box «message requests«.
In this way, you will already have the tray enabled and ready to start receiving messages from those who follow you.
How to see message requests?
Once this tray is enabled, you will receive direct message notifications as normally happens with the users you follow. However, when you enter the private messages section, you will see an additional section identified as “Requests”. Upon entering, you will have a tray like the others, but with the messages you receive from accounts you do not follow.
When you open the message, you will be able to see its content and you will also have two options just below: Accept and Delete. If you are interested in this contact, tap “OK” and the app will ask if you want to move it to your General or Main folder. For its part, if you choose “Delete”, then the message in question will disappear.
When you send the conversation to the General or Main folders, you will also have the possibility, automatically, to reply to the message in question. So, the sender won’t know when you’ve read it, unless you accept it.
View message requests from the web
Although the web version of Instagram does not provide the best experience, in the last year it has been renewed and is a little more functional. In this way, you will also have the possibility to see the requests for messages in this way.
To do this, follow these steps:
- Enter the Instagram page.
- Click on «Messages«.
- Enter the link «requests» located next to the General tray.
Although here you can do the same as in the app, we highly recommend doing it from your mobile.
Why turn on message requests?
Message requests is a feature that can be helpful for certain types of accounts, but not all.. This is due to the fact that not everyone seeks or needs to maintain a private or individual contact with their public. However, those accounts that do, have a great ally in this alternative to maintain direct communication with their customers, without the need to follow them.
