Instagram, Facebook sending notifications when your followers comment on posts? Try this workaround

Instagram users are increasingly reporting receiving notifications every time someone they follow comments on another user’s post. This phenomenon appears to be more recent on Instagram, with many users noticing it in the last few weeks. However, others have had it for months.

Interestingly, I’ve had this on my Facebook account for quite some time, where I get notified whenever a friend comments on another friend’s post, raising the possibility that Meta, the parent company of both platforms, might be silently extending this feature to Instagram. However, I’ve also asked some of my friends with active Instagram accounts and turns out they haven’t come across this phenomenon just yet.

The notifications, while potentially useful for staying updated on friends’ activities, have sparked concerns about privacy and intrusiveness. Some users feel it broadcasts their engagement to a wider audience than intended.

While it’s unclear whether this is an intentional new feature or a bug, the inconsistent experience across users and platforms suggests it may be a gradual rollout or a glitch.

Thankfully, there are ways to potentially disable these notifications on Instagram:

1. Navigate to Instagram app’s Settings section.
2. Tap on Notifications.
3. Select Posts, stories and comments.
4. Turn off ‘Comment daily digest’ and any other notifications you don’t want to receive.

Facebook users can also take control of the notifications they receive. To do this, follow the steps below:

1. Go to your Facebook Settings.
2. Tap on Notifications.
3. Tap on “Updates from friends” and toggle this setting off.

For additional control, consider disabling other unwanted notification types from the list. However, it’s worth noting that disabling these notifications on your end does not guarantee that your friends and followers won’t receive alerts when you comment on others’ posts. The notification system is reciprocal, and your activity may still trigger alerts for your network.

Until an official announcement is made regarding this feature, it remains uncertain whether it’s here to stay or will be refined based on user feedback. In the meantime, utilizing the steps above can help tailor your notification experience to your preference and regain control over your social media interactions.

While some users may find value in these notifications, others view them as an unwelcome intrusion. As social media platforms evolve, striking a balance between engagement and user control over their information remains a challenge. This issue highlights the ongoing tension between fostering connections and respecting individual preferences in the digital age.