Instagram is said to be working on a new feature called “read-only mode”

The report is accurate as an early-stage discovery, but there is an important caveat: Instagram says the feature is only an internal exploration and is not being externally tested.

What Instagram’s “Read-Only Mode” could do

According to screenshots shared by app researcher Alessandro Paluzzi, the proposed feature would let users browse an Instagram profile while disabling several forms of interaction:

• Like posts
• Comment
• Send messages
• Follow the account
• View Stories

The option appears to be associated with Instagram Plus, although Instagram has not confirmed that it will actually be part of a paid subscription

The interesting part is that this could let someone browse another profile without accidentally interacting with it. For example, a user looking through years-old posts would not have to worry about accidentally liking an old photo.

But it could create a privacy concern

The feature is already attracting criticism because removing visible interactions could make it easier for people to browse profiles without leaving the usual engagement signals. Some reports have raised concerns about potential misuse for stalking or unwanted monitoring.

However, it is important not to describe the feature as an anonymous or completely untraceable browsing mode. The currently reported functionality only indicates that certain user actions would be disabled. There is no evidence that Instagram plans to eliminate all internal records of profile visits or browsing activity.

Instagram says it isn’t being tested

This is the biggest qualification for any article about the feature.

An Instagram spokesperson told Engadget that “read-only mode” is an internal-only exploration and is not being tested externally. That means users should not expect the feature to appear in their Instagram accounts yet, and there is no confirmed launch date.

So the strongest news angle is not that Instagram is launching read-only mode, but that Instagram is exploring a feature that could let users browse profiles while preventing accidental or visible interactions.