What Does Active Today Mean on Instagram?

If you’ve ever wondered, What Does Active Today Mean on Instagram? or found the concept of “Active Now” a bit perplexing, you’re not alone. Instagram’s recent activity status, coupled with the green dot next to your friend’s profile picture, is an exciting addition that brings a real-time aspect to the platform, akin to what we experience in Facebook Messenger.

In this guide, we explore the “Active Today” status on Instagram, its significance, and the factors that may affect its accuracy. Discover the distinctions between “Active Today” and “Active Now,” and learn how to manage your activity status.

What Does Active Today Mean on Instagram?

When you see the “Active Today” status on Instagram, it means the user has been online in the last 8 to 24 hours. This status will be displayed directly below their username, near their profile photo.

If a user has been idle on Instagram for more than 8 hours but less than 24 hours, their name will have the “Active Today” status next to it.

It’s important to note that “Active Today” does not reveal the specific hours of inactivity; rather, it indicates that the person has interacted with Instagram in the last 24 hours. This is distinct from “Active Now,” which shows that the user has been active on Instagram in the recent 5 minutes.

Related: What is My Instagram URL

Instagram Activity Status: “Active Today” vs. “Active Now”

Instagram offers two distinct activity statuses to signify a user’s online presence: “Active Today” and “Active Now.” To clarify the distinctions:

• “Active Today” implies that the user has been active on the platform within the past 8 to 24 hours.
• In contrast, “Active Now” signifies that the user has been online within the last 5 minutes.

When a user has been inactive on Instagram for more than 8 hours but less than 24 hours, you’ll notice the “Active Today” status displayed beside their name. Conversely, the “Active Now” status is signaled by a green dot next to the user’s name, indicating their immediate presence on Instagram.

The appearance of a green status dot beside their name indicates that they are now active on Instagram, making it a good moment to message them and expect a quick response.

Why I Can’t See Someone “Active Today” Status?

If the “Active Today” status is not visible on Instagram, there could be several underlying reasons. Here are some potential explanations for the absence of the “Active Today” status:

1. The individual has disabled their activity status, which conceals their presence in the “Active Today” list, even if they’re online.
2. You haven’t engaged in a direct message conversation with them, which means their activity status won’t be visible until you’ve had a conversation.
3. The person has either blocked or restricted you, resulting in the unavailability of their activity status.
4. A temporary glitch in the app might be affecting the activity status feature.
5. If the person is not following you on Instagram, their activity status won’t be visible, even if they haven’t disabled it.
6. You have disabled your own activity status, which also prevents you from seeing other users’ activity statuses.

If you suspect the issue is due to a temporary glitch, you can try waiting for it to resolve or updating the app to the latest version. If you suspect you’ve been blocked or restricted, you can send the person a message to confirm this. In case you’re still unable to see their activity status, consider reaching out to Instagram support for assistance.

How Accurate is the Active Today Status on Instagram?

Instagram’s “Active Today” status tends to be correct, but there is a possibility for inaccuracy. The correctness of the status is determined by various criteria, including the user’s recent activity on the app, whether they have enabled the “Show Activity Status” setting, and whether they have access to Instagram on other devices.

• The “Active Today” status is generally regarded as a reliable and accurate indicator.
• Instagram’s method of determining the “Active Today” status takes into account various factors, including recent user activity like scrolling through the feed, liking posts, or sending messages.
• The “Active Today” status undergoes periodic updates, so the roster of active users may vary over time.
• Users can opt to disable their activity status, ensuring they remain invisible in the “Active Today” list, even if they are online.
• If a user maintains a private account or has blocked you, they will not appear in the “Active Today” list, despite being online.
• Those with their activity status disabled will also be absent from the list.
• While “Active Today” doesn’t specify the exact hours of inactivity, it denotes that the user has engaged with Instagram within the past 24 hours.
• The “Active Today” status has a minor margin for error, allowing for the possibility that someone may still appear active due to the Instagram app being open.
• The “Active Today” status is not entirely precise and typically provides a rounded figure.
• Similar to “Active Today,” Instagram’s “Active Now” status is also not entirely precise and might occasionally display inaccurate information.
• Several factors can contribute to inaccuracies in the “Active Now” list, such as a user having a private account, blocking you, or disabling their activity status.
• In some cases, inaccuracies in the “Active Now” status may result from bugs or glitches within the app itself.

How to hide my activity status on Instagram?

If you wish to hide your activity status on Instagram, follow these steps:

1. Launch the Instagram app on your device.
2. Tap on your profile icon located in the bottom right corner of the screen.
3. Access the options menu by tapping on the three horizontal lines in the top right corner of your profile page.
4. Select “Settings,” and then choose “Privacy.”
5. Scroll down and tap on “Activity Status.”
6. Turn off the switch next to “Show Activity Status.”

Once you’ve deactivated your activity status, other users won’t be able to view your last active time or your current activity status on the platform. This change also applies to your activity status in direct messages.

Keep in mind, though, that disabling your activity status will mean you won’t be able to view other users’ activity statuses either.

Why Does Instagram Display My Activity When I’m Not Active?

Instagram’s “Active Now” status is a helpful feature that indicates when a user was last active on the platform. However, there are instances when Instagram may show you as active even when you’re not engaged. Several reasons could contribute to this anomaly. Here are some potential explanations for why Instagram keeps displaying you as active:

1. You haven’t fully logged out of Instagram, and the app is still running in the background.
2. You’ve enabled a persistent login, which means Instagram remains active in the background or you’re logged in on a desktop.
3. A temporary glitch within the app may be affecting the activity status feature.
4. If you haven’t updated the app to the latest version, a bug in the older version could be responsible.
5. Failing to properly close the app could result in it continuing to run in the background.

To resolve this issue, consider these solutions:

1. Log out of Instagram completely and ensure the application is closed.
2. Restart your device to ensure it functions correctly.
3. Update the app to the latest version to fix any potential bugs.
4. You can choose to disable the “Active Now” feature entirely.

It’s important to note that Instagram’s “Active Now” status is only visible when using Instagram Direct. Your activity status remains invisible to users viewing your posts or stories, providing a level of privacy for your other interactions on the platform.

Last Words

So, there you have it, a clear understanding of “Active Today” and “Active Now” on Instagram. However, the world of social media is always evolving, and Instagram frequently introduces new features and updates. Keep an eye out for future changes that might enhance your Instagram experience even further.

To get the latest information about Instagram features, read what does IG mutuals mean, instagram carousel, or how to collab post on instagram.