[2024 Edition] You can use Instagram just by looking at it! Explaining how to view without an account required

Instagram is one of the famous SNS used by over 1 billion users worldwide. The main activity is to post photos and images, and there are many users who use the site in search of such information. However, there are probably many people who are aware of Instagram but have no plans to post, and just want to use it for viewing.

Therefore, in this article, we will introduce how to use Instagram to “just view”. We will also explain things you can do without registering an account on Instagram, as well as things to keep in mind when viewing Instagram, so please use this as a reference.

How to just look at Instagram

There are multiple ways to take advantage of just looking at Instagram.

Create an account just for viewing

First, the easiest way to use it just for viewing is to create an account just for viewing. Anyone around the world can use Instagram for free, and anyone can create an account with a phone number or email address. After that, you can follow influencers you’re interested in on Instagram or search for hashtags to find the image you’re looking for.

Instagram has a system where if you don’t log in, a pop-up will appear, and the pop-up won’t disappear until you log in. In other words, it is extremely inconvenient to be logged in.

Taking these into account, if you are going to use Instagram just for viewing, we recommend creating an account that is only for viewing.

Access from browser

You can view it without logging in by entering the URL of the Instagram account you are interested in into your browser, regardless of whether you are on a smartphone or computer. However, you can only view accounts for which you know the URL, and if you try to use other hashtag searches, the above pop-up will be displayed.

Also, even the account that obtained the URL will not be able to see all the images. As you scroll, pop-ups appear in the middle, so it’s definitely not a convenient way to use it. This is only recommended if you are temporarily unable to log in for some reason.

Visit my profile page to see photos

If you enter the Instagram account name you want to view into a search window such as Google, it may appear in the search results. You can also view posts from the account you want to see from here. However, you will not be able to see all images and posts as you would be able to view them by entering the URL directly.

Also, private accounts won’t come up when you search for them, so they have the disadvantage of taking more time than creating an account just for viewing.

View photos from hashtags

If you search for “Instagram #〇〇” in a search window such as Google, posts with the hashtag you want to see will be displayed in the search results. In this case, you will be able to see all posts that appear in the search results, but you will not be able to see posts with other hashtags on Instagram that do not appear in Google search results.

The above also applies to location, which is one of Instagram’s features. Location is a feature that allows users to add location information to their posts. For example, if you are posting a photo of Tokyo Tower, you can add the location (address) of Tokyo Tower as a location.

Please understand that you will not be able to see other posts that do not appear in the search results for either hashtag or location.

Not all images can be viewed on profile pages or hashtags

As we have explained so far, unless you are logged in on Instagram, you cannot see all posts from your profile page or hashtag. Therefore, if you only want to view and use it, we recommend creating an account that is only for viewing.

If you create the above account and use Instagram while logged in, you will not only be able to see all posts but also use all the features. You can create an account for free if you have an email address and phone number, so this is probably the method you should consider first.

Advantages and disadvantages of using Instagram without an account

We will explain the advantages and disadvantages of using Instagram without an account.

Advantages of using without an account

The benefits of using Instagram without an account include:

No need to install Instagram app

You can use Instagram without an account by using a web browser. There is no need to install the app as it cannot be used without registering an account. However, after clicking or scrolling several times, you are prompted to log in, so you can only view a few items.

No need to register personal information

You can use it without registering an account, so there is no need to register any personal information. If you are reluctant to register personal information, we recommend using it without an account.

No other users will know that you are using it

If you don’t register for an account, you don’t have to worry about footprints being left on your stories. Footprints will be left only if you are logged in with your account. This means you can check your posts without other users knowing.

Disadvantages of using without an account

The disadvantages of using Instagram without an account include:

Can’t watch live broadcast

If you use Instagram without an account, some features will be limited. One of them is the restriction on live streaming. You cannot view live broadcasts without an account.

Live streaming is a feature that allows you to broadcast live broadcasts and allows users to participate in the live broadcasts in real time. Live streaming is a system in which the user name is notified to the broadcaster and other users as participants, so account registration is required.

Can’t see stories

You cannot view Stories without an Instagram account. Stories is a system similar to a so-called slide show, in which images and videos change depending on the slide format.

Stories originally have a system that leaves footprints (the poster can see who is visiting), so user registration is required.

Cannot like or comment

Without an Instagram account, you will not be able to react to posts, such as liking or commenting, and you will not be able to save posts. You can only view feed posts.

Advantages and disadvantages of creating an Instagram view-only account

We will explain the advantages and disadvantages of creating an Instagram account.

Advantages of a view-only account

The benefits of a look-only account include:

You can view posts just like a normal account.

With a view-only account, you can view other users’ posts without restrictions, just like with a regular account. Although it says “just view”, it means that you have an account, so you won’t be prompted to log in just by clicking or scrolling a few times like you would be without an account.

Regular account registrant-only features are also available.

Just like a regular account, you can also view other users’ stories and live broadcasts, which are only available to regular account registrants. Normally, these features cannot be viewed without an account.

Areas of interest will be displayed preferentially

By continuing to use the View account just like a regular account, user information will be accumulated on Instagram, and fields of interest will be displayed in the search tab. Instagram presents you with the best information based on your browsing history, posts, etc., making it easier to gather information.

Disadvantages of view-only accounts

The disadvantages of a view-only account include:

You need to register your personal information

Although it is an account for viewing only, if you want to have an account, you will need to register your personal information. If you have to enter personal information anyway, it might be better to have a regular account.

There is a possibility that footprints may be left behind.

Even if you only look at your account, if you use certain features, your footprints may remain. Footprints are not the official name of Instagram, but they are what is called browsing history. When you view other users’ stories, live broadcasts, direct messages, etc., footprints will be left behind, just like when you log in to your account.

Information that can be seen by the other party includes your name and account ID, as well as your icon image and profile text. By setting this information so that it cannot be used to identify individuals, you can minimize the risk of your identity being discovered.

You can be identified just by looking at Instagram

So far, we have explained how to utilize Instagram just by looking at it. Instagram has a feature that allows you to see which users have viewed your posts.

The reason why it is said that your information can be revealed when you look at Instagram is because of the above features. Even if you create an account just to view it, some people may feel uncomfortable about having their views revealed.

However, the bottom line is that your browsing history will not be revealed on Instagram. As a premise, the following three functions are installed to know which users have visited.

Reactions to feed posts

Just looking at feed posts doesn’t leave a footprint, but “liking” or commenting does leave a footprint. Also, be aware that footprints may be left behind if you tap the heart icon or double-tap a video or posted photo.

Stories

Stories is one of the main features of Instagram that allows you to publish videos, photos, and images of up to 15 seconds for one day only. It has a system that allows you to send comments and stamps, allowing you to communicate with users on both sides. However, even if you do not send comments or stamps, the poster is able to know who came to see the post.

Direct mail (DM)

Direct mail (DM) is a feature that allows you to send messages directly to the account owner. When you send direct mail, your account information is given to the recipient.

Instagram live

Instagram Live is a feature that allows account owners to broadcast live broadcasts, and users can view live broadcasts in real time. When you participate in Instagram Live, your information is transmitted to the account owner, and your information is also transmitted to other users who are participating in Instagram Live.

Only account information is revealed from browsing information.

Instagram is one of the services of Meta Inc. (formerly Facebook Inc.), and since Facebook has a vast amount of personal information, many people are concerned that their personal information will be revealed through browsing information. Probably.

However, what you can see from Instagram viewing information is only account information. For example, if you use a pseudonym or nickname as your name, your real name will not be known, and of course your address and phone number will not be known.

Therefore, even if you log in with an account that is only for viewing and your viewing information is recorded, your personal information will not be revealed and you can safely use it.

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Things you can do without signing up for Instagram

As mentioned in this article, you can use Instagram without registering (logging in), although there are many restrictions. What you can do without registering is “search” and “viewing.” Let’s take a closer look.

search

You can search for accounts and hashtags on Instagram without logging in. However, you can only see the latest or most recent posts, and not all posts will be seen when you search. Viewing will be restricted at some point, so in that case you will have no choice but to log in or give up on looking at Instagram.

Footsteps feature not applied

Instagram has a system in which the footprint feature does not apply if you are not logged in. Therefore, account information will not be known to the account owner. However, you need to understand that unless you log in, you will not be able to send live messages or direct messages (DMs).

Points to note when viewing Instagram

Lastly, I would like to explain two things to keep in mind when viewing Instagram.

Private accounts require following

Instagram has a private setting that allows only users approved by the account owner to view posts. Private accounts are also commonly known as key accounts because they are marked with a key symbol.

Therefore, if there is a private account that you are interested in, you will need to follow it and get it approved. Please note that it is the account owner who decides whether to approve or not, so please be aware that there is a possibility that the request will not be approved.

The use of repost apps is not recommended.

Repost is a feature similar to retweet on Twitter, which allows you to quote posts from other accounts in your own account. Naturally, when you repost, footprints are left behind, but there are some external apps that allow you to repost without leaving footprints.

However, these apps have insufficient security measures. Therefore, there is a risk that your phone may be infected with some kind of virus or that your personal information may be stolen by the app creator.

If you use an external app to avoid leaving footprints, but your personal information is revealed by the external app, that’s putting the cart before the horse, so we generally recommend that you don’t use it.

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Points to note when using a view-only account

There are some things to keep in mind when using a view-only account. It is shown below.

Be careful when syncing contacts

When you synchronize your contacts with Instagram, Instagram may read the phone number registered in your smartphone’s phonebook, and it may unexpectedly appear in the other person’s recommended accounts. From these places, your account may be known to others. To prevent this, you need to unsync your contacts.

Be careful about external sites and apps

You can also use your account just for viewing using external sites or external apps. However, these websites may be loaded with viruses, and there is a risk that you may be hijacked or otherwise compromised the moment you log in. English apps that are not well-known to the company or creator are particularly risky, so you need to be careful.

Recommended sites to just look at Instagram

Below we will introduce some recommended sites where you can just look at Instagram.

InstaNavigation

InstaNavigation is a site that can be used without registering an account. You can also use this service to store your content. It is divided into tabs such as “Stories”, “Hightlight”, and “Posts”, making it easy to see the posts.

Picuki

Picuki allows you to view Instagram content without logging in. You can search by simply entering a username or hashtag from the search tab. Japanese hashtags can also be used for searching, which is very convenient.

Imginn

Imginn has a very simple screen, with only one search tab displayed on the home page. If you enter a username here and perform a search, the content of that user will be displayed.

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summary

In this article, we explained how to utilize Instagram just by looking at it. There are multiple ways to use Instagram just for viewing, but since there are various restrictions if you don’t log in, we recommend creating an account just for viewing.

However, if you don’t want your account information to be revealed, be careful that your footprints will be left behind, and be aware that you may need to follow private accounts. Why not start by creating an account just for viewing and enjoy Instagram?