In a world where social media connections shape everything from brand strategy to personal networking, understanding who follows whom has become a powerful insight. Whether you’re a digital marketer comparing competitors, a creator analyzing audience overlap, or simply curious about connections between two profiles, finding the common followers of two Instagram accounts can reveal valuable patterns.
While Instagram does not offer a built-in feature for comparing follower lists, several reliable workarounds and tools make this possible. In this research-backed guide, we break down every method safe, practical, and up-to-date.
Why Finding Common Followers Matters Today
Audience overlap isn’t just a vanity metric it’s a strategic signal.
Brands use it to understand market competition.
Creators use it to design better collaborations.
Everyday users rely on it to map social circles.
As Instagram continues evolving, cross-account analysis has become a core part of social listening. Yet, most users still don’t know how to check it manually.
This article walks you through all the modern methods, tools, FAQs, and privacy considerations so you can confidently compare follower lists in 2025.
What Does “Common Followers” Mean?
Common followers refer to Instagram users who follow both accounts being compared. For example:
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If Account A has 5,000 followers
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Account B has 4,000 followers
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And 800 users follow both…
…those 800 people are the “common followers.”
Identifying them helps reveal shared communities, mutual audience interests, and growth opportunities.
Can You Check Common Followers Directly on Instagram?
No. Instagram does not natively offer any button, filter, or analytics section that shows common followers between two accounts.
You can see:
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Mutual followers between you and another person,
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But not mutual followers between two accounts you do not own.
That means you must use manual comparison or third-party tools.
How to Find Common Followers of Two Instagram Accounts (All Methods)
1. Manual Comparison (Free but Time-Consuming)
If both profiles are public and if one has fewer followers you can do manual cross-checking.
Steps:
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Open Instagram > search the first account.
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Go to Followers list.
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Screenshot or write down their followers.
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Open the second account’s followers.
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Match usernames manually.
Best for:
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Small accounts (under 500 followers).
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Quick checks without external tools.
Not ideal for:
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Large accounts (1,000+ followers).
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Professional or competitive research.
2. Using Instagram Data Export (For Your Own Accounts Only)
Instagram lets you download your own follower list.
Steps:
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Go to Instagram Settings > Your App and Media > Download Data.
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Export your follower list.
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Ask the second account owner to export their list.
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Compare both follower lists using Excel / Google Sheets (VLOOKUP or MATCH).
Pros:
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100% accurate
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Safe and official
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Great for business accounts
Cons:
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Works only if you own both accounts or the other user agrees to export data.
3. Use Third-Party Instagram Comparison Tools (Fast & Easy)
Several online tools analyze follower lists with just two usernames.
Popular features include:
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Listing common followers
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Showing unique followers
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Comparing engagement or growth metrics
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Exporting reports
How to use these tools:
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Visit a trusted Instagram comparison tool.
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Enter Account A and Account B usernames.
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Allow the tool to fetch public data.
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View common follower results instantly.
Benefits:
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Quick and simple
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Works even for large accounts
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No technical skills needed
Risks:
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Not all tools are reliable avoid those asking for passwords.
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Use only tools requiring public username access.
Tip:
Choose tools with transparent privacy policies and no login requirement.
4. Using Python Scripts (Advanced Users & Analysts)
Developers and analysts often write Python scripts using Instagram API alternatives or scrapers.
Basic workflow:
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Extract followers of Account A
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Extract followers of Account B
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Use Python sets to match common usernames
This method is ideal for marketers handling multiple accounts but requires coding knowledge and API compliance.
When Should You Compare Common Followers?
✔ Marketing or Competitor Analysis
Brands compare followers of rival accounts to understand overlapping audiences.
✔ Influencer Collaboration Decisions
Creators check audience similarity to ensure partnerships make sense.
✔ Audience Segmentation
Understanding who follows both accounts helps target ads effectively.
✔ Personal Curiosity
Some users simply want to know who’s following two friends, celebrities, or communities.
Is It Legal and Safe to Find Common Followers?
Yes as long as the data is public.
You are allowed to view follower lists publicly available on Instagram.
Avoid:
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Tools asking for passwords
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Automated scraping at extreme scale
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Violating Instagram’s Terms of Service
Stick to publicly accessible data, and you’re safe.
FAQs
1. Can I find common followers of private accounts?
Only if you follow them and have access to their follower lists.
2. Do I need an Instagram Business account?
No, but business accounts offer deeper analytics not follower comparison specifically.
3. Does Instagram notify users when I check their followers?
No. All follower list views are private.
4. Are third-party tools accurate?
Most are accurate for public accounts but may not update instantly due to Instagram rate limits.
5. Can I compare followers on Instagram using mobile and desktop?
Yes both platforms work, but desktop makes manual comparison easier.
Conclusion
Finding common followers between two Instagram accounts opens the door to smarter decisions whether you’re crafting a marketing strategy, planning influencer collaborations, or simply decoding social patterns. Although Instagram doesn’t offer this comparison natively, there are several reliable and safe methods to uncover these insights.
If you found this guide useful, share it with others, leave a comment, and help more users discover how audience analysis can empower their Instagram experience.
