Are you frustrated by Instagram’s “your request is pending” message when trying to follow someone? This common issue has a few simple explanations and solutions. Let’s break down why this happens and how you can fix it.
Why Your Follow Requests Are Pending
Instagram limits the number of follow requests you can send daily to prevent spam and protect the platform from bot activity. Your requests might be pending for these reasons:
- You’ve sent too many follow requests in the past 24 hours
- Your Instagram account is relatively new
- Your account may have some restrictions applied
How to Fix Follow Request Issues
1. Wait It Out
The simplest solution is patience. If you’ve hit Instagram’s daily follow limit, wait 24-48 hours before trying to send more requests.
2. Check for Account Restrictions
If waiting doesn’t solve the problem, your account might be restricted. Here’s how to check:
- Open Instagram and go to your profile
- Tap the three horizontal lines (≡) in the top right corner
- Scroll to the bottom and select “Account Status”
- Tap on “Features you can’t use”
This screen will show if Instagram has placed any limitations on your account. If everything is in order, you’ll see a message saying, “You can use all Instagram features right now.”
3. Submit an Appeal
If you discover your account is restricted:
- Look for the option to submit a request for review
- Follow the prompts to appeal the restriction
- Wait for Instagram’s team to review your case (usually a few days)
- Once approved, you should be able to follow accounts normally again
Prevention Tips
To avoid running into this issue in the future:
- Pace yourself when following new accounts
- Avoid following too many accounts in a short timeframe
- Make sure your account follows Instagram’s Community Guidelines
- Engage naturally with content rather than just mass-following
Following these steps should resolve most “request pending” issues on Instagram. Remember that Instagram’s follow limits exist to maintain a healthy platform, so always use the app responsibly.