How to Export Instagram Followers as JSON

Step 1: Open Instagram Accounts Center

1. Open Instagram and go to your profile.
2. Tap the three-line menu in the top-right corner.
3. Open Accounts Center. If needed, open Settings and activity first.

On a computer, open Instagram, choose More → Settings → Accounts Center. Button names can vary slightly between app versions and languages.

Step 2: Create an export for the right account

1. Open Your information and permissions.
2. Choose Export your information. Older versions may call this Download your information or Download or transfer information.
3. Select Create export, then choose the Instagram profile you want to check.
4. Choose Export to device or Download to device.

If you manage several Instagram profiles, double-check the selected account before continuing.

Step 3: Untick everything except Followers and following

1. Open Customize information. In an older layout, choose Some of your information when asked what to download.
2. Use Deselect all if available. Otherwise, remove the tick from every selected category.
3. Find Followers and following, usually under Connections, and tick only that item.
4. Leave photos, videos, Reels, Stories, likes, comments, messages, contacts, and all other categories unticked.
5. Save your selection or tap Next.

Do not choose all account information. Photos and videos can make the ZIP much larger. Likes and unrelated activity add data this tool does not need. Selecting only followers and following keeps the request focused and the download smaller.

Step 4: Choose JSON, All time, and your email

1. Set Date range to All time.
2. Set Format to JSON, not HTML.
3. Check that the email address shown under Notify or the notification option is one you can access.
4. Review the selected information again. Only Followers and following should be selected.
5. Choose Start export, Create files, or the equivalent confirmation button.

You do not need high-quality media settings because photos and videos should not be included in this export.

Step 5: Wait for the email, then download your ZIP

Instagram or Meta will prepare your export and send an email notification when it is ready. The ZIP is not normally attached to that email. The email tells you that your download is available.

1. Wait for the notification and check your spam or junk folder if you do not see it. Preparation time varies.
2. Open Instagram directly and return to Accounts Center → Your information and permissions → Export your information.
3. Open your completed export and select Download. You can also use the download link in the genuine notification email.
4. Complete any confirmation requested by Instagram, then save the ZIP to your device.

If the email does not arrive, check the export status in Accounts Center. The completed file may already be available there.

Step 6: Upload the ZIP to FollowersInsights

1. Return to the Instagram follow-back checker.
2. Choose your current export and select the ZIP you downloaded. There is no need to unzip it first.
3. Start the analysis to compare your followers and following.

If you import extracted files instead, include following.json and every followers_*.json file from that same export. Read the export ZIP guide if the follower list is split across several files.

One complete export can show who does not follow you back. To compare missing and new follower usernames between dates, add a previous export to the unfollower tracker. Your files are analysed in your browser, and FollowersInsights does not need your Instagram password.