In the vast social media landscape, Instagram has been a powerhouse platform for sharing content. One of its popular features, Instagram stories, allows users to share moments with their followers. However, what happens when your story views must appear as expected? This issue affects the user's interaction with the application. Encountering the frustrating scenario where your story views are not displayed can leave you puzzled. The absence of view counts can hinder your ability to assess the popularity of your stories. With this feature, you can understand your audience's preferences. It becomes challenging to check the effectiveness of your content approach. In the following parts of this article, we will explore the potential causes behind Instagram story views not showing. We will also provide practical solutions to help you resolve this issue. By taking the necessary steps to address this problem, you can regain control over your story analytics and unlock the full potential of your Instagram storytelling journey.
Check for App and Device Updates
A. Updating the Instagram app to the latest version:
One of the potential causes of Instagram not showing story views is using an outdated version of the Instagram app. Outdated versions may have compatibility issues or bugs that can interfere with the story views feature. Therefore, updating the app to ensure optimal performance regularly is crucial. Here's how you can update the Instagram app:
For iOS: Launch the App Store on your iPad or iPhone. Press your profile picture icon in the App Store's top right corner. Scroll down to the "Available Updates" section. If an update for Instagram is listed, tap the "Update" button next to it. Alternatively, you can tap "Update All" to update all the apps on your device.
For Android: Open the Google Play Store on your Android device. Tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the Play Store's top left corner. From the menu, select "My apps & games." Under the "Updates" tab, find Instagram in the list of apps. Tap the "Update" button next to Instagram if an update is available. You can also tap "Update All" to update all the apps on your device.
B. Updating the device's operating system (iOS or Android):
Another important aspect to consider is the operating system on your device. Outdated operating systems can also lead to compatibility issues and hinder the proper functioning of apps, including Instagram. To ensure that your device's operating system is up to date, follow these steps:
For iOS: Go to the "Settings" app on your iPhone or iPad. Scroll down and tap "General." Select "Software Update." If a new update is available, tap "Update." Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the update.
For Android: Launch the "Settings" from the application menu of your Android device. Scroll down and select "About phone" or "About device." Look for the "System updates" or "Software updates" option. If an update is available, press the "Update." The steps may vary because the Android device manufacturer has different versions and models.
Refresh the Instagram Story
A. Closing and reopening the Instagram app:
Sometimes, minor technical glitches can occur within the Instagram app, causing story views not to appear. You can update the app's settings and fix the problem by closing and reopening it. Here's how you can do it:
On iOS: Swipe up from the bottom of the device's screen (or double-click the home button on older iPhone models) to open the app switcher. Find the Instagram app preview and swipe it up or off the screen to close it completely. Return to the home screen and tap the Instagram icon to relaunch the app.
On Android: To access the app switcher, tap the Recent Apps or Overview button (usually represented by a square or three horizontal lines). Find the Instagram app preview and swipe it left or right, or tap the close or "X" button to close it completely. Return to the home screen and tap the Instagram icon to reopen the app.
After relaunching the app, navigate to your story and check if the views are visible.
B. Swiping down on the screen to refresh the feed and story views:
Manually refreshing the Instagram feed can sometimes resolve the lack of story views. Swiping down on the screen triggers a refresh action to update the content and display the missing views. Follow these steps:
- Open the Instagram app and navigate to the main feed, where stories are displayed at the top.
- On the top part of the screen, swipe downward using your finger to initiate the refresh action.
- Wait for the refresh to complete, then check if the story views appear as expected.
Check Privacy and Sharing Settings
A. Verifying the privacy settings of the story:
One of the common reasons why Instagram story not showing all viewers is due to privacy settings. Instagram offers different privacy options that allow you to control who can view your stories. To ensure that your account is not restricted from being seen, follow these steps to verify your privacy settings:
- Open the Instagram app, then press on your profile image below the right corner to access your profile. Tap the three horizontal lines in the top right corner to open the menu.
- From the menu, select "Settings." In the Settings menu, tap on "Privacy."
- Under the Privacy section, select "Story." Check the privacy settings for your story. Ensure it is set to "Everyone" or "Followers."
B. Ensuring the story is set to be shared with all followers:
In addition to privacy settings, another setting specifically determines who can view your story among your followers. To ensure that your story is set to be shared with all your followers, follow these steps:
- Open the Instagram app and go to your profile. Tap the gear icon (Settings) located in the top right corner. From the menu, select "Story Controls."
- In the Story Controls menu, ensure that the "Hide Story From" or "Hide My Story" option is not enabled for any specific followers. If any users are listed, you have restricted their access to your story.
- To remove the restriction, tap on the user's name and confirm the action to unhide your story from them.
Clear App Cache and Data
A. Instructions for clearing the cache on Android devices:
Deleting the cache of the Instagram app on your Android device can help resolve various issues, including the problem of the Instagram story view not showing. In addition, this method can resolve the issue of Instagram video chat not working. But if this method didn't work, there are a couple of ways that you can learn more here.
- Launch the Settings on your Android device. Then scroll down and tap "Apps" or "Applications," depending on your device.
- From the list of installed apps, find and tap on "Instagram." On the Instagram App Info screen, tap "Storage" or "Storage & cache.
- You will see two options (Clear cache & Clear storage). To clear only the cache, tap on "Clear cache."
B. Instructions for clearing the cache on iOS devices:
Deleting the cache of the Instagram app on your iOS device requires uninstalling and reinstalling the app.
- Launch the "Settings" on your iOS device. Then go to General settings.
- Once inside the General setting, you need to locate the "iPhone Storage" and tap it to redirect you to the application list installed on your iOS device.
- Lastly, look for the Instagram application and press the Instagram app and press the "Delete App" to delete its application data. Then reinstall Instagram again on the App Store after the deletion to complete the process.
Reinstall the Instagram App
A. Uninstalling the Instagram app from the device:
If you have tried various troubleshooting steps and the issue of story views not showing on Instagram persists, reinstalling the app can be a more comprehensive solution. With this method, you can delete all the app data that the application possesses. You can also use this method to troubleshoot the problem when Instagram videos not playing if you have encountered this issue.
On iOS: Press and hold the Instagram app icon for a few seconds then your home screen begins to wobble. Tap the "x" sign on the top left corner of the Instagram app to uninstall it. Confirm the uninstallation when prompted.
On Android: Go to the Settings on your Android device. Browse the settings and tap "Apps" or "Applications," depending on your device. From the list of installed apps, find and tap on "Instagram." On the Instagram App Information screen, tap on "Uninstall." Confirm the uninstallation when prompted.
B. Downloading and reinstalling the latest version from the app store:
After uninstalling the Instagram app, you need to download and reinstall your device's newest version from the respective app store. This will ensure you have a fresh app version without any corrupted files or data.
On iOS: Your iPhone or iPad should now be in the App Store. In the App Store's bottom right corner, tap the "Search" tab. Type "Instagram" in the search bar. Locate the official Instagram app and tap on the cloud/download icon to reinstall it. Await the download and installation of the app on your device. Once the installation is complete, launch the Instagram app and log in to your account.
On Android: Open the Google Play Store on your Android device. Tap the search bar at the top of the Play Store. Type "Instagram" and search for it. Locate the official Instagram app from the search results and tap on it. Tap the "Install" button located on the Instagram app page. Wait for the download and installation of the app on your device. Once the installation is complete, launch the Instagram app and log in to your account.
Contact Instagram Support
A. Reporting the issue to Instagram through the app or website:
If you have tried the previous solutions or steps and are still experiencing the problem of story views not showing on Instagram, it may be necessary to contact Instagram Support directly. Here's how you can report the issue:
- Open the Instagram app on your device and go to your profile. Tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top right corner to open the menu.
- Scroll down and tap on "Settings." In the Settings menu, select "Help." Tap on "Report a Problem" or a similar option depending on your device.
- Follow the prompts to describe your issue with story views not showing. Be as specific as possible, providing any relevant details. Submit the report to Instagram Support.
B. Exploring support resources and FAQs provided by Instagram:
Before reaching out to Instagram Support directly, it's worth exploring the support resources and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) provided by Instagram. These resources often cover common issues and provide step-by-step instructions to resolve them. Instagram's support resources and FAQs are often comprehensive and can guide you through various troubleshooting steps. They may have specific instructions or solutions that address your issue, helping you resolve it without contacting support.
Wait for the Issue
Sometimes, the problem of story views not showing on Instagram may be due to server issues or temporary glitches on Instagram's end. These issues can affect the visibility of story views and may require time to be resolved. It's important to understand that Instagram handles a vast amount of data and user interactions, and occasional technical difficulties can arise. Delays in story view updates could be a result of these server-related issues. Keeping yourself informed about any developments will also help you stay updated on the progress toward resolving the problem of story views not showing. Remember that social media platforms like Instagram prioritize user experience and strive to address issues promptly.
Use Instagram Insights or Third-Party Analytics Tools
A. Utilizing Instagram Insights to track story engagement metrics:
Instagram provides built-in analytics tools called Instagram Insights, which can help you track and analyze various engagement metrics, including story views. Using Instagram Insights, you can gain valuable insights into your story performance and ensure you accurately track your audience reach.
- Open the Instagram app on your device and go to your profile. Tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top right corner to open the menu.
- From the menu, select "Insights." Scroll down to find the "Content" section in the Insights tab.
- Tap on "Stories" to access detailed analytics for your stories. Explore the metrics available to understand your story performance, such as impressions, reach, exits, and interactions.
By regularly monitoring your story metrics in Instagram Insights, you can gain insights into the visibility and engagement of your stories. If you notice any discrepancies between the story views shown in Insights and what you see in real-time, it may indicate a temporary issue with the story view display.
B. Exploring third-party analytics tools for more detailed insights:
In addition to Instagram Insights, third-party analytics tools can provide more detailed insights into your Instagram story views and engagement. These tools often offer additional features and data points to help you analyze your story performance in greater depth. When using third-party analytics tools, ensure they are reputable and adhere to Instagram's policies and guidelines. These tools can offer more granular insights and help you understand the performance of your stories beyond what is available in Instagram Insights alone.
Conclusion
Experiencing the issue of Instagram story views not showing can be frustrating. Fortunately, there are several methods to resolve it. This article explored various troubleshooting steps to tackle this problem. This ensures accurate tracking of engagement and audience reach. You can use methods like, checking for App and Device Updates, Refreshing the Instagram Story, Checking Privacy and Sharing Settings, Clearing App Cache and Data, and other solutions listed above. By following these methods, users can resolve the problem, track their story engagement accurately, and make the most of their Instagram experience. Remember to stay proactive in keeping the app updated and adhering to best practices for optimal performance and engagement on the platform.
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