Make your account private

A private account lets you choose who follows you. People have to ask, and you approve each one. Anyone who already follows you stays.

1. Open your settings

   In the app, tap your photo › Settings. On the website, open Settings from the menu under your photo.

2. Switch on Private account

   It sits with your profile details: “People must ask to follow you. You approve each one.”

3. Save if asked

   The app saves it as soon as you flip it. On the website, save your settings.

What changes

• New people see Follow, but tapping it sends a request instead. Their button shows Requested, and they can tap it again to cancel.
• People who don't follow you see This account is private on your profile, and can't see who you follow or the circles you share.
• Your posts, replies and reviews in the neighborhood stay public, as they are for everyone. In a circle chat, members still see your messages.

Answer follow requests

1. Open Follow requests

   In the app, tap your photo and open Follow requests under PEOPLE. A number shows how many are waiting. On the website, open the request from the bell.

2. Choose for each person

   Tap Accept, Decline or Block.

When you accept, the person gets a notification and starts following you. When you decline, the request is removed quietly; they aren't told. In the app, requests also show on your Home under Waiting for you.

Turning it off

Switch off Private account in the same place. People who are still waiting stay in Follow requests until you answer them.

For more on who sees what, read Who can see what you share and Follow and unfollow people.