A UX solution that introduces a native way to view and manage pending follow requests within Instagram app reducing task completion time by over 90%.
A UX solution that introduces a native way to view and manage pending follow requests within Instagram app reducing task completion time by over 90%.
Project Type
Project Type
Mobile App · Social Networking
Mobile App · Social Networking
Tools
Tools
Figma · Figjam
Figma · Figjam
Role
Role
User Research · Interaction Design
User Research · Interaction Design
Timeline
Timeline
1 week
1 week
OVERVIEW
OVERVIEW
Introducing a missing feature.
Introducing a missing feature.
What started as a personal frustration revealed a broader usability gap: Instagram doesn’t let users view or manage their pending follow requests in-app. Instead, the only workaround is downloading your account data—a technical, hidden process most users don’t know about.
What started as a personal frustration revealed a broader usability gap: Instagram doesn’t let users view or manage their pending follow requests in-app. Instead, the only workaround is downloading your account data—a technical, hidden process most users don’t know about.
This lack of visibility leads to guesswork, inefficiency, and user frustration. For a platform with billions of users, it’s a surprising oversight.
This lack of visibility leads to guesswork, inefficiency, and user frustration. For a platform with billions of users, it’s a surprising oversight.
This project proposes a simple feature that gives users clarity and control over their outgoing requests—making social connections more transparent and manageable.
This project proposes a simple feature that gives users clarity and control over their outgoing requests—making social connections more transparent and manageable.
Challenge
Design a native, accessible way for users to view and manage their pending follow requests.
Solution
The redesign introduces a built-in feature within Instagram’s Settings and Following sections that makes pending follow requests easily visible and manageable.
DISCOVER
DISCOVER
Personal frustration or a broader usability problem?
Personal frustration or a broader usability problem?
Before diving into design, I needed to validate whether this issue was just a personal frustration or a broader usability problem worth solving. To explore this, I conducted 6 interviews with active Instagram users between the ages of 18 and 26. I also scanned online forums like Reddit and Quora to see how frequently users raised similar questions. Additionally, I analyzed the reach of YouTube tutorials addressing this issue to understand how many users were actively seeking a solution.
Before diving into design, I needed to validate whether this issue was just a personal frustration or a broader usability problem worth solving. To explore this, I conducted 6 interviews with active Instagram users between the ages of 18 and 26. I also scanned online forums like Reddit and Quora to see how frequently users raised similar questions. Additionally, I analyzed the reach of YouTube tutorials addressing this issue to understand how many users were actively seeking a solution.
Key Takeaways
Most users didn’t know there was any way to see their pending follow requests
Users thought the only possible way is to go to each account profile and check whether they have sent request to them or not
Some users expressed frustration at not remembering who they had sent requests to
Most users didn’t know there was any way to see their pending follow requests
Users thought the only possible way is to go to each account profile and check whether they have sent request to them or not
Some users expressed frustration at not remembering who they had sent requests to
Instagram lets users find pending follow requests by downloading their data from account settings
Forum discussions and youtube tutorials show that users have been looking for this feature for years—it’s a known pain point that remains unsolved
LinkedIn have solved this problem by adding a invitation manager in network screen
Instagram lets users find pending follow requests by downloading their data from account settings
Forum discussions and youtube tutorials show that users have been looking for this feature for years—it’s a known pain point that remains unsolved
LinkedIn have solved this problem by adding a invitation manager in network screen
DEFINE
DEFINE
Uncovering a hidden gap.
Uncovering a hidden gap.
Through both primary and secondary research, I found that this wasn’t just a personal frustration—it’s a broader usability issue that remains unresolved. The problem goes beyond simple discoverability: Instagram offers no built-in way to view or manage pending follow requests. The only available method is to download the full account data and manually sift through a raw text file—a lengthy, hidden process that most users aren’t even aware exists.
Through both primary and secondary research, I found that this wasn’t just a personal frustration—it’s a broader usability issue that remains unresolved. The problem goes beyond simple discoverability: Instagram offers no built-in way to view or manage pending follow requests. The only available method is to download the full account data and manually sift through a raw text file—a lengthy, hidden process that most users aren’t even aware exists.
This gap breaks core usability principles such as user control and recognition over recall. To guide the design process and evaluate the effectiveness of the solution, I developed two personas, crafted a clear problem statement, and defined success criteria.
This gap breaks core usability principles such as user control and recognition over recall. To guide the design process and evaluate the effectiveness of the solution, I developed two personas, crafted a clear problem statement, and defined success criteria.
Problem Statement
Users lack a direct, accessible way to view and manage their pending follow requests, leading to poor control over their social connections and a frustrating user experience
Users lack a direct, accessible way to view and manage their pending follow requests, leading to poor control over their social connections and a frustrating user experience
Success Criteria
Discoverability: >80% of users can locate the feature within 5 seconds during usability testing
Task Completion: >90% of users can successfully view and cancel a pending request without guidance
User Satisfaction: Average score of ≥4 out of 5 in post-test surveys regarding usefulness and ease of use
Discoverability: >80% of users can locate the feature within 5 seconds during usability testing
Task Completion: >90% of users can successfully view and cancel a pending request without guidance
User Satisfaction: Average score of ≥4 out of 5 in post-test surveys regarding usefulness and ease of use
DEVELOP
DEVELOP
Sketching an accessible, intuitive solution.
Sketching an accessible, intuitive solution.
How might we seamlessly integrate a way for users to view and manage their pending follow requests within the Instagram app—without disrupting the existing user experience?
How might we seamlessly integrate a way for users to view and manage their pending follow requests within the Instagram app—without disrupting the existing user experience?
I explored where this feature could naturally fit within Instagram’s existing interface. Since it relates to users’ outbound actions, the most logical placement was under Settings > Your Activity, where users already manage interactions such as likes, comments, and story replies.
I explored where this feature could naturally fit within Instagram’s existing interface. Since it relates to users’ outbound actions, the most logical placement was under Settings > Your Activity, where users already manage interactions such as likes, comments, and story replies.
I mapped out the flow, designed a Figma prototype, and tested it with 2 users. Feedback confirmed the placement felt intuitive—users understood the feature instantly, without needing guidance.
I mapped out the flow, designed a Figma prototype, and tested it with 2 users. Feedback confirmed the placement felt intuitive—users understood the feature instantly, without needing guidance.
REFINE
REFINE
Designing for efficiency and ease.
Designing for efficiency and ease.
To further streamline the access and support frequent users such as network builders, I introduced a second entry point: a dedicated “Pending Requests” category within the Following tab on the user’s profile. This shortcut allows users to quickly review and manage their outgoing follow requests without diving into Settings.
To further streamline the access and support frequent users such as network builders, I introduced a second entry point: a dedicated “Pending Requests” category within the Following tab on the user’s profile. This shortcut allows users to quickly review and manage their outgoing follow requests without diving into Settings.
I tested this with the same 2 users, who found the shortcut faster, easier, and more natural—validating it as a seamless extension of the Instagram experience.
I tested this with the same 2 users, who found the shortcut faster, easier, and more natural—validating it as a seamless extension of the Instagram experience.
SOLUTION
SOLUTION
A native way to manage pending requests.
A native way to manage pending requests.
The redesign adds a seamless, built-in way to view and manage pending follow requests—no downloads, no workarounds. Integrated into familiar parts of Instagram, the feature boosts user control, clarity, and peace of mind.
The redesign adds a seamless, built-in way to view and manage pending follow requests—no downloads, no workarounds. Integrated into familiar parts of Instagram, the feature boosts user control, clarity, and peace of mind.
It turns a frustrating blind spot into a simple, everyday action—cutting task time by over 90% and helping users stay organized and in control of their social footprint.
It turns a frustrating blind spot into a simple, everyday action—cutting task time by over 90% and helping users stay organized and in control of their social footprint.
Problems Solved
Makes pending follow requests visible and manageable within the app
Removes reliance on external tutorials and complicated data downloads
Supports privacy-conscious users by offering clear control over outgoing requests
Makes pending follow requests visible and manageable within the app
Removes reliance on external tutorials and complicated data downloads
Supports privacy-conscious users by offering clear control over outgoing requests
Empowers network builders with quick access to manage connections more efficiently
Follows Instagram’s established design patterns for consistency
Builds user trust through transparency, simplicity, and accessibility
Empowers network builders with quick access to manage connections more efficiently
Follows Instagram’s established design patterns for consistency
Builds user trust through transparency, simplicity, and accessibility
