Does Deleting Instagram Followers Actually Work? My Six-Month Results

Six months ago, I made the bold decision to start deleting my Instagram followers (read more here). Not just a handful of them - thousands. It was a process I began to improve my reach, refine my audience, and take back control of my account.

At the time, I had no idea just how much this journey would demand of me - or how it would feel to see my follower count shrink so drastically. Now, after manually removing 25,000 followers (about a quarter of my entire follower base) one by one, I’m ready to share where this path has taken me.

A Tedious Yet Rewarding Task

Let me be honest: this process has been exhausting. I sifted through followers, searching for keywords in various languages to spot bots, fake businesses, and accounts with questionable intentions.

I checked every single account manually, ensuring I didn’t mistakenly delete anyone who genuinely wanted to be part of my community. It took days - months even - and I received countless warnings from Instagram for repeating the same actions too quickly.

At one point, I was even temporarily blocked from performing this task. So the message here is: take it slow.

But the effort has been worth it. Every time I removed an account that felt inauthentic, it felt liberating. It was as if I was scrubbing my Instagram feed clean of the clutter, making space for something more meaningful. Knowing that my audience is becoming more genuine with each passing day has been a source of immense satisfaction.

Mixed Results So Far

The changes have been noticeable, though not entirely straightforward. Many of my long-time followers, who hadn’t seen my posts in months - or even years - suddenly started commenting again.

Hearing, “Oh, you’ve popped back on my timeline!” was a delightful confirmation that this strategy was working. Loyal followers are engaging more frequently, and the sense of community feels stronger.

However, new followers have trickled in slowly. The few who have joined seem genuine, which is a huge improvement, but it’s not the influx of new faces I had initially hoped for. I still screen each new follower carefully, checking their profile for signs of authenticity before welcoming them into my circle.

One unexpected aspect of this process is how addictive it has become. There’s something strangely satisfying about hitting “remove” on accounts that clearly don’t belong. It’s a form of digital decluttering - a way to reclaim my space from those who’ve exploited it for their gain.

A More Refined Target Audience

One of the most rewarding outcomes of this process has been the improvement in my audience demographics. My follower mix now aligns much more closely with my target audience - those genuinely interested in interior design, creativity, and the stories behind my spaces.

This shift has been invaluable not only for me but also for my commercial partners. With a clearer focus on the right markets and demographics, my account has become more appealing to brands that share my vision.

The insight these refined statistics provide helps me create content that resonates with the people who truly matter, making every interaction feel more intentional and rewarding.

Liberating My Account and Myself

Despite the challenges, I wouldn’t change a thing. This cleansing has done wonders for my Instagram statistics, particularly in terms of my target demographics and markets. For my commercial partnerships, this shift is invaluable.

My story reach has improved noticeably, and though my general reach isn’t quite where I want it to be, I feel confident I’m heading in the right direction.

I can’t ignore the downside, though: Instagram doesn’t seem to like accounts that drop significantly in follower count. It feels like I’ve been penalised for moving backward in numbers, even though I know this was the right choice for me.

Still, I’d rather have a smaller, genuine audience than a bloated follower count that feels hollow.

Messages That Surprise Me

Throughout this journey, I’ve received countless messages from people begging not to be deleted. Some have even chosen to remove themselves, saying that the idea of being “deleted” didn’t sit well with them. To anyone who worries about this, let me reassure you: if you’re real, you’re safe.

I’m not here to cut out genuine followers. My focus is purely on removing bots, fake businesses, and those who followed me for reasons unrelated to what I share.

This process is about creating a space where I can connect with real people who value what I bring to the table - people who care about design, creativity, and authentic interaction.

Numbers Don’t Define Me

Six months in, my perspective on Instagram has shifted profoundly. I’ve lost all interest in follower counts and now focus solely on the quality of my interactions. Numbers on social media do not define you as a person, and they certainly don’t define the worth of your work.

What I care about now is building something genuine, something lasting. It’s about creating an account that reflects who I am and what I value. For me, that’s sharing design inspiration, personal insights, and accessible ideas for beautiful interiors.

Someone once described my account, @whisperingbold, as an inspiring place where I blend vintage with new, upcycling items to create story-rich spaces. They called my content approachable and stylish, with design tips that feel both achievable and aspirational. That review means far more to me than any number ever could.

The Journey Continues

I’m not done yet. There are still more accounts to sift through, more bots to block, and more space to make for the people who truly belong in my community. It’s a slow process, but one I’m committed to seeing through.

If you’re on a similar journey or considering starting one, I’d love to hear your thoughts. Have you struggled with fake followers or felt weighed down by the pressure of numbers?

Remember: it’s not about how many people follow you. It’s about the connections you build with those who do.