How to See Your Recent Instagram Followers in Order
- kristinaserinn
- May 17
- 8 min read
Updated: May 27
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A Simple Guide for Ambitious Coaches and Mompreneurs
Hey there, go-getter! 👋 If you’re a coach, content creator, or mompreneur who's been showing up and growing your brand on Instagram, you already know how powerful the platform can be for building your audience and getting those dream clients. But when it comes to actually seeing who’s following you—and more importantly, when they followed you—things can get a little tricky.
So if you’ve ever asked yourself:
“How can I see my most recent Instagram followers in order?”
Girl, you’re not alone—and yes, there is a way! Whether you're trying to connect with potential clients, filter out bots, or simply stay engaged with your community, this step-by-step guide is your go-to for checking your most recent Instagram followers in order.
Let’s dive in with a latte in hand and get to work, boss babe! ☕✨
Why Knowing Your Recent Instagram Followers Matters for Coaches and Mompreneurs
If you’re growing a coaching brand on Instagram, it’s not just about getting more followers—it’s about getting the right followers. The ones who are aligned with your message, interested in your offer, and ready to say yes to your coaching container.
Here’s why knowing who just followed you in order can change your Instagram strategy:
Instant Engagement:
When you know who just followed you, you can say hey, drop them a welcome DM, or comment on their latest post. Instant connection = instant relationship-building.
Lead Tracking:
If you’re using Instagram as a lead funnel for your coaching program (smart move!), this gives you a chance to tag those warm leads and follow up.
Bot Cleanup:
Noticing a surge of fake or irrelevant followers? You can catch and remove them before they mess with your engagement rate.
Content Feedback:
If you notice a spike in followers after a reel, post, or story—you’ll want to know who came in right after that content. It gives you a clue about what’s working!
So... Can You See Instagram Followers in Chronological Order?
Here’s the thing. Instagram doesn’t officially show your list of followers in exact chronological order anymore—at least not in the way we all wish they did. 😩
When you click on your follower list, Instagram used to list them by “most recent.” But with newer updates and algorithmic changes, the platform now displays Instagram users based on engagement patterns, mutual connections, and behavior—not the actual time they followed you.
However, there are workarounds and tools to help you get as close as possible to that juicy info.
Let’s break it down.
Step-by-Step: How to See Your Recent Followers on Instagram (Manually)
1. Use Your Notifications Tab (Quick Wins)
The simplest way to track new followers is to stay on top of your Instagram notifications. Instagram sends you alerts when someone follows you. So the top of the list will be your latest followers. Here’s how:
Go to your profile
Tap the heart icon (bottom right corner or top right on newer versions)
Scroll through your “Following you” notifications
This gives you a quick snapshot of recent followers, though the list gets buried fast if you’re getting lots of activity.
Pro Tip for Mompreneurs: Set aside 5–10 minutes each day to quick look at your follower notifications and write down any potential ideal clients that are in your target audience. Follow back any real people that could be a good fit for your services and make a plan to follow up with them. This mini habit keeps you in control of your growth!
2. Check Your Instagram Followers List on Mobile
Even though it’s not 100% chronological anymore, you can still go to:
Your Profile > Followers
Scroll through the list manually
Instagram sometimes shows newer followers near the top, especially if you check often. It’s not guaranteed, but it’s still helpful for spotting familiar new names. Depending on Instagram's algorithm you may see some older followers at the top of the list if you've had a recent mutual interaction. This is a great option because you can search your followers by account owner or Instagram username using audience demographics to make meaningful connections.
3. Sort Recent Followers on Instagram Desktop
If you prefer to work on a desktop or laptop, you can open your Instagram profile on a computer just from a regular or Chrome browser. You still cannot post on a computer, only on the mobile app. However, on the computer it is easy to highlight your list of Instagram followers and copy and paste them into a spreadsheet. This is obviously more of a manual approach, but you could start a list and add columns with dates to keep track of your newest followers.
Here's how:
Go to Instagram.com
Login with your username and password
Click on "Followers" at the top of your profile
Highlight all the way down
Copy and Paste in a spreadsheet
Add columns for the detailed information you want
You can decide what details or notes matter to you, you can add a note about their Instagram bio or list mutual friends. This is an easy way to start genuine conversations with people in your target audience. See more about this below.
Use Third-Party Apps to Track Recent Instagram Followers
Now let’s talk about tech, because if you’re a high-achieving coach or course creator, you don’t have time to scroll all day.
Here are some third-party tools that help you track and manage your followers more efficiently:
1. Followers & Unfollowers Apps
There are apps on both iOS and Android that help you track recent followers and unfollowers. Some popular options include:
Followers+
Reports+ for Instagram
Follower Analyzer
Caution: These apps often require you to log in with your Instagram account. Make sure you're using a secure and reputable app. Avoid apps that violate Instagram’s API policy, or you risk being flagged or banned.
2. Social Blade
You can also use Social Blade to track your follower growth over time. While it won’t show exact usernames, it shows:
Daily follower count
Trends of who followed/unfollowed over time
This is helpful for identifying if a certain post, story, or hashtag campaign brought in new followers. I have not used this third-party tool, but I would love to hear in the comments below if you have.
Organize and Track New Followers Like a Pro
Once you start identifying who your newest Instagram followers are, the next step is staying organized—especially if you’re treating Instagram like a lead gen machine (which you should be!).
Here’s how to do it:
1. Use a Follower Spreadsheet
Create a simple Instagram Lead Tracker using Google Sheets or Excel with these columns:
Name
Handle
Date Followed (based on your tracking)
Bio/Notes (Are they a coach? A mom? Interested in mindset or business?)
Last Interaction
Lead Status (New | Warm | Hot | Client)
This is great for follow-up DMs, story replies, and nurturing conversations for building a strong connection.
Pro Tip for Coaches: Instagram is the right place to build an audience. However it is not a great place to get people to take action since it is the least clickable platform. The best way to capture your leads from Instagram is to invite them to your Facebook Group. Check out my latest videos on why you need a Facebook Group for your coaching business and how to Grow Your Group.
2. Save Followers to Instagram Close Friends or Collections
Did you know you can categorize followers on Instagram itself?
Add potential leads to a Close Friends list so they get special story access
Save their posts or profiles to a collection under your Saved folder (call it “Hot Leads” or “Coaching Prospects”)
Smart and sneaky, right? 😉 This is a discreet way for business owners to keep track of potential customers based on real Instagram followers and their recent interactions.
Bonus: DM Script for New Instagram Followers 💬
Once you know who your new followers are, don’t be shy about saying hi! Here’s a quick DM script you can personalize:
“Hey [Name]! 💖 Thanks for following! I love connecting with other go-getter women. I peeked at your profile and love what you're doing in [their niche]. Let me know if there’s anything you need—I’m here to cheer you on!”
Want to get even more strategic? Add a CTA:
“PS – I’ve got a free [lead magnet] for coaches/mompreneurs—want me to send it your way?”
This is a great way to build connection without being salesy. There are plenty of reasons for starting a DM with your latest Instagram followers. Another good idea is to invite them to your Facebook Group in the DMs by directing them to your profile link.
Frequently Asked Questions About Recent Instagram Followers
Q: Why can’t I see my newest Instagram followers in order anymore?
Instagram switched from showing followers chronologically to showing them based on an engagement algorithm. This is to promote accounts you might interact with—but it’s a pain for tracking!
Q: Are the top people in my follower list my most recent followers?
Not necessarily. Instagram may show people you engage with often or who follow similar accounts, not the most recent.
Q: Will Instagram bring back the old chronological follower list?
There’s no official word—but for now, use notifications, spreadsheets, and third-party tools to get as close as possible.
Final Thoughts for the Go-Getter Coach & Mompreneur 💼💖
Knowing how to see your recent Instagram followers in order can seriously level up your engagement strategy. Whether you're building your coaching business, growing a mompreneur brand, or just want to keep your community real and relevant, tracking who’s coming into your world helps you make stronger, more aligned connections.
Instagram isn’t just about likes and followers—it’s about relationships. When you can see who’s joining your audience in real time, you get the power to turn new follows into real conversations… and real clients.
You’ve got the hustle. You’ve got the heart. Now go check those new followers and make some magic, mama. ✨💼
🚀 Ready to Turn Your Instagram Followers into Daily Leads? Meet the Lead Accelerator
If tracking your recent Instagram followers feels overwhelming—or if you're posting and praying but still hearing crickets—girl, it’s time for a system that actually works.
That’s exactly what I teach inside my Lead Accelerator program. 💼✨
This 12-week business coaching experience is designed for go-getter women coaches and mompreneurs who are done with the chaos and ready for clients. Whether you’re brand new or scaling to your next income level, this program walks you through my signature cross-platform lead generation strategy that turns likes into leads—daily.
Inside the Lead Accelerator, you'll learn how to:
Build a high-converting Instagram profile that attracts aligned clients
Use content, DMs, and reels to nurture warm leads
Grow your Facebook Group as your lead funnel (no ads required!)
Cross-promote on Pinterest, TikTok, and your email list to multiply your reach
Create a lead magnet library that works while you sleep
Use my daily Messenger system to follow up like a pro (without feeling salesy)
And yes—there’s a whole module just on how to track new followers and turn them into real leads. Because followers are just numbers… until you know what to do with them. 💡
📣 From Chaos to Clients, the Mompreneur Way
You’re not just building a business—you’re building a movement. And you shouldn’t have to piece it all together from random reels and YouTube rabbit holes.
Let me help you simplify the process and show you how to create daily demand for your coaching offers, one authentic connection at a time.
👉 Want to learn more about the Lead Accelerator?
Join my Facebook Group to get a FREE Facebook Group Audit and learn more.
Because you deserve a strategy that works—without burnout, hustle, or guesswork. 💻💖
And don’t forget to follow me on Instagram @localgirlmedia for daily tips and inspiration just for women coaches and mompreneurs like you!
Written in collaboration with artificial intelligence (ChatGPT-3.5). Edited by a human.
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