How to Stop Instagram from Tracking Your Web Browsing

Ever notice how, after shopping for a new pair of shoes on one website, adverts for comparable shoes appear on Instagram? 

It's not magic because it's tracking. Instagram, just like its parent company Meta, monitors your online browsing activities to create a user profile of your interests and deliver relevant adverts. 

But do not be scared! We will teach you how to stop Instagram from tracking your browser history and preserve your online privacy.

What Is Tracking Web Browsing?

Web tracking is a process in which website owners and third parties collect, retain, and share information about visitors' activity on the Internet. 

Analysis of a user's behavior can be used to give content that allows the operator to figure out their preferences and may be of interest to multiple parties, including advertising. Web tracking can be used to help with visitor management.

How Does Instagram Track Your Web Browsing?

Instagram does not directly access your web browser history. However, it uses a few subtle ways to track your internet activity:

Cookies and Tracking Pixels

• When you visit websites with embedded Facebook (which owns Instagram) features, such as a "Like" button or a social media feed, those parts may place cookies or track pixels on your device. 
• These cookies and pixels capture information about your browsing activity on a certain website, which Instagram can then use to create an interesting profile for you.

Off-Facebook Activity

• This is a setting in Facebook (and Instagram) that allows third-party websites and apps to share your browsing history with them. 
• Even if you don't have a Facebook account and visit a website that uses Facebook services, your behavior may be recorded.

Device Fingerprinting

• This method collects information about your device's unique configuration, such as the browser version, operating system, and installed fonts. 
• Instagram can create a profile that is likely to be unique to you by combining this data with other monitoring methods, even if it does not directly access your browser history.

In-App Browsing

• Clicking on a link within the Instagram app launches an in-app browser. 
• This browser can also track your behavior on the linked page and send the information back to Instagram.

Why Is Instagram Tracking Your Web Activity?

There are two primary reasons why Instagram tracks your web browser activity:

Targeted Advertising

• The basic goal is to show you adverts that are more relevant to your interests. 
• Instagram creates a profile of your likes and dislikes based on the websites you visit and the content you engage with online. 
• This enables advertisers to target you with advertisements for items and services that they believe you are more likely to click on or buy. 
• This targeted advertising is what keeps Instagram (and Meta) free to consumers.

Improve the User Experience

• Tracking can be used to personalize your Instagram experience. 
• For example, if you frequently browse travel websites, Instagram may recommend travel influencers or accounts to follow. 
• However, many users may find this customization invasive.

How to Stop Instagram from Tracking Your Web Browsing

Here are the steps you must follow to stop Instagram from tracking your web browsing:

1. First of all, open your Instagram app on your smartphone.
2. After that tap on your Profile icon at the bottom right corner of the screen.

3. After that tap the Hamburger icon on the top right corner of the screen.

4. After that tap on the Account Center option on the next page.

5. Then tap on the Information and Permission option on the next page.

6. After that tap on the Your Activity off Meta Technologies option on the next page.

7. After that tap on the Manage Future Activity option on the next page.

8. After that tap on the Disconnect Future Activity option and then tap on the Continue button.

9. Then read the What You Should Know screen and then tap on the Disconnect Future Activity button.

Limit In-App Browsing

Avoid clicking on links in the Instagram app. If feasible, open URLs on your regular web browser, which gives you more control over tracking settings. That is it, this is how you can stop Instagram from tracking you.

What Happens When You Stop Instagram from Tracking Your Web Browsing?

Here's what you should expect when you disable Instagram's site tracking:

Reduce Intrusive Ads

• One of the most significant changes you'll notice is a difference in the types of ads you encounter. 
• Instagram can not customize advertisements to your exact interests unless it has access to your browser history. 
• You will probably encounter more generic advertising that isn't tailored to your preferences.

Tracking Across Meta Platforms

• Keep in mind that Meta, which owns Instagram, may still track your activities on other platforms it owns, such as Facebook. 
• This information could be used to advertise on Instagram.

Device Fingerprinting Remains

• Even with tracking turned off, some tracking may still occur via device fingerprinting. 
• This technique collects information on your device's specific configuration and can be used to create a profile of your device, however, it is less detailed than standard tracking methods.

Is Tracking Web Browsing Secure on Instagram?

Tracking online browsing on Instagram is not inherently harmful. The primary problem is privacy, as Instagram creates a profile of your interests to target you with advertisements. 

This might seem bothersome and create a sense of being continually monitored. However, there may be safety concerns if the acquired data is leaked or exploited by Instagram or third parties. 

In such a case, your private information and browsing patterns could be compromised, potentially resulting in identity theft, targeted fraud, or even physical damage if browsing discloses private locations or activities.

PurePrivacy helps by acting as a digital guardian for your social media accounts. It can evaluate your Instagram settings for privacy errors, suggest adjustments, and even remove your search history and previous posts. 

Essentially, PurePrivacy allows you to gain control and reduce the danger of something going wrong with your Instagram data.

Prevent Online Tracking, Data Collection, and Identity Theft

PurePrivacy functions as a protection for your social media privacy. It helps you understand and handle your social media settings, simplifies some privacy activities, and may even allow you to remove your details from data brokers.

Scans and Analyzes Social Media Settings

• PurePrivacy connects to your Instagram account and checks your existing privacy settings. 
• This helps you identify instances where Instagram may be tracking your web surfing activities, such as through cookies or in-app browsing.

Changes to Limit Tracking

• Based on the scan, PurePrivacy recommends improvements to explicitly limit Instagram's ability to trace your browsing activity. 
• These recommendations may include removing features such as "Activity Off-Meta Technologies" or urging you to avoid following links within the Instagram app.

Block Invisible Trackers

• With your consent, PurePrivacy can establish a secure on-device connection comparable to a VPN. 
• This can help disable known trackers that Instagram or other websites may use to monitor your browser activity throughout the internet.

In Conclusion 

While Instagram tracking is not inherently dangerous, it might be a privacy worry and put your private data at risk. By taking the aforementioned steps, you can limit Instagram's ability to track your online activities and recover control over your online privacy. 

However, if you want an extra degree of security, consider using an all-in-one privacy app like PurePrivacy that can examine your Instagram settings, suggest ways to prevent monitoring, and even block unknown trackers. 

Remember that taking control of your online privacy is a continuous process, but with the correct tools and awareness, you can dramatically decrease the amount of information Instagram collects about you.