If you’re eager to discover how to mark messages as unread on Instagram, you’ve landed in the right spot. Many individuals share this interest, especially given how businesses can leverage Instagram messages in various ways. In the past, there was no built-in solution for this issue, but recent updates have made it possible to mark messages as unread, particularly through your business account.
When you mark a direct message as unread on Instagram, the “seen receipt” remains intact. In other words, the message sender will still know that you’ve seen their message, but it will be flagged as unread. Let’s delve into how you can accomplish this, especially when it pertains to managing your business account.
How to Unread Messages on Instagram
Maybe you’ve received an urgent message from one of your Instagram followers, but you can’t respond right away. You’d like to keep the message marked as unread to show that you intend to respond later. To unread a message on Instagram, you’ll need a business account. When you open your inbox, you’ll find three tabs: “Primary” for important conversations, “General” for non-urgent messages, and “Requests” for messages from unfamiliar senders.
To learn how to unread messages on Instagram, ensure you have a business account and follow these steps:
- Open your Instagram inbox and tap the icon at the upper right.
- Select the conversations you want to mark as unread, then tap “more.”
- A menu will appear; choose “Mark as unread.”
Now, you’ll notice a blue dot next to the conversation, making it appear as if you haven’t read the message yet. However, please note that this action won’t hide the “seen” status from the sender. This feature is handy for marking conversations you haven’t fully read or responded to, and it’s important to remember that it’s not available on the desktop version of Instagram.
How to Unread Messages without an Instagram Business Account
Many individuals seek a way to mark messages as unread on their personal Instagram profiles. Fortunately, there is a solution within the app. When you restrict someone on Instagram, their messages are automatically categorized as message requests. This means that even if you read these messages, they won’t show as “read.” If you’re looking to unread messages on a private Instagram profile, here are the steps to follow:
- Visit the Instagram profile containing the messages you want to mark as unread.
- At the top right of the screen, tap the three dots icon. From the menu that appears, select ‘restrict.’
- Confirm your decision.
Now, the messages from that person will be placed in the request folder, and you’ll need to request them in order to view the messages again.
What Does the Flag Mean?
If you’re using an Instagram business account, you’ve likely encountered the flag feature in your direct messages. It appears right below the unread message notification. When selected, it places an orange flag in the top right corner of the conversation. Flagging a conversation allows you to organize your chats, highlighting those that are important or need future reference. This makes it easy to find specific messages without scrolling through your entire inbox.
Here’s how to flag a message for later:
- Open your Instagram direct messages and locate the conversation you want to flag.
- Press and hold the conversation on your screen until a list appears.
- Choose the “flag” option.
Now, you’ve successfully flagged the Instagram message for future reference.
Final Thoughts
When you’re using Instagram for business purposes, you might find yourself inundated with a flood of direct messages, sometimes numbering in the thousands from business partners or customers. There could be instances where you open an important message, yet lack the necessary information or time to fully read and respond to it.
In such cases, knowing how to mark Instagram messages as unread can be incredibly helpful. This allows you to revisit and address messages at a more convenient time when you can give them the attention they deserve.
Additionally, understanding how to unread a message on Instagram can be handy if you accidentally opened a message on a friend’s Instagram. Armed with this knowledge, you’ll be better equipped to make the most of this feature for your benefit.