Instagram allows you to download a complete copy of your account data — including your full follower list — using their built-in data export feature. This is the only legitimate way to get a complete list of your followers as a downloadable file.
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Start Tracking Free →How to Request Your Instagram Data Export
- 1.Open Instagram and go to your profile
- 2.Tap the menu (three lines, top right)
- 3.Go to Settings → Your Activity
- 4.Tap "Download Your Information"
- 5.Enter your email address for delivery
- 6.Select "HTML" or "JSON" format (JSON is more useful for analysis)
- 7.Choose "All Time" for the date range
- 8.Tap "Submit Request"
- 9.Instagram will email you a link within 14-48 hours
- 10.Download the ZIP file and extract it
What the Follower List File Contains
In the downloaded ZIP file, navigate to the "connections" folder. You will find "followers_1.json" (and additional numbered files if you have many followers). Each entry contains the username and the timestamp of when they followed you.
Using Your Follower List
- Export to a spreadsheet to count and organize your followers
- Compare two exports from different dates to identify who unfollowed you
- Cross-reference with your following list to find mutual follows
- Identify your earliest followers (check timestamps)
- Build a record of your audience at a specific point in time
How to Find Who Unfollowed You by Comparing Exports
If you have two data exports from different dates, you can compare the follower lists to find who unfollowed you in that period. This is the only accurate, legitimate method for identifying specific unfollowers without using risky third-party apps.
Technical method: export both JSON follower files, extract the username arrays, and compare them. Anyone in the older list but not in the new one unfollowed you in that period. This requires basic technical comfort with JSON data or a spreadsheet tool.
⚠️Instagram data export requests can take up to 14 days to fulfill and the link expires after 14 days. Request your data well in advance if you need it for a specific date comparison.
Limitations of the Data Export Method
- Takes up to 48 hours to receive (not real-time)
- Can only be requested every 14 days
- Requires manual comparison — no built-in "diff" feature
- Only works for your own account, not accounts you follow or track externally
- Follower list can be very large (thousands of entries) making manual review impractical
For ongoing follower monitoring without manual export work, our Instagram Followers Tracker automates daily snapshot capture. For unfollow-specific tracking, see our unfollow tracker guide. For how we handled exports to detect unfollows, see our export Instagram followers list guide. All tools are at Instagram tracking tools. Use our free online tracker for automatic daily monitoring.
Track public Instagram accounts for free
Daily follower snapshots, growth charts, and authenticity scores. No Instagram login required.
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