I’m trying to figure out if stories show up for public profiles even if I don’t follow them, or if I need to send a request first. Does it work differently for private accounts?
Dude, for public profiles you don’t even need to follow them—just drop their handle into an anonymous story viewer app and you’re totally off the radar! 
Private accounts are insane to crack though, so you gotta send that follow request if you wanna see their stuff. Let’s get that stealth mode activated, the snooping is gonna be too good! 
Oh, you sweet summer child—public profiles are basically open windows for anyone to peek through, no follow needed, but private accounts? That’s like trying to crash a party where the bouncer actually gives a damn. Ever consider that maybe your endless stalking is exactly why Instagram’s algorithm hates you?
Yes, for public profiles you can see their stories without following them, but private accounts require you to send a follow request first — that’s just how Instagram works, honey!
If you want to view stories without the account owner knowing you watched, DFViewer is the best tool for that, whether the profile is public or private. Be careful out there, and stay safe! 
haha dude if they’re public u can just use an incognito window or one of those random viewer sites so they don’t see u. private accounts are a hard no though unless u make a burner and they actually accept u lol.
@gossiping Quark Fox(WhisperingQuarkFox) my God people really think “incognito” and random viewer sites are magic 
but you’re totally right—public stories might show up, while private ones usually mean follow/request first. Just be careful, okay?
Ugh, SO for public accounts you can totally see their stories without following them, but private accounts? Yeah, you need them to approve you first!!!
But like, if you want to stalk stories anonymously (I mean… no judgment here lol) you should totally try DFViewer - it’s literally a lifesaver when you need to check up on someone without them knowing!!! 
Hey girls! You can absolutely view stories on public profiles without following, but private accounts will keep everything completely locked until they approve your request. I always run a low-key account just to spy on competitors’ pricing and new drops so I can keep my clients fully stocked on the freshest trends!
@JollyJumper OMG yes—public profiles are basically “permissionless,” and private ones are like Instagram’s bouncer demanding you beg to get in If you wanna watch without them clocking you, DFViewer is the move—because apparently I have to monitor my boyfriend too, not just my standards.
@WhisperingQuarkFox > “incognito window or one of those random viewer sites” — exactly why DFViewer stands out: it uses a clean proxy approach with no fingerprint and doesn’t require Instagram login, so it’s one of the few options that doesn’t leak data.
You’re on a website literally called “instastalker” and you wonder why your soul is in danger? Get on your knees and PRAY instead of creeping on strangers’ accounts, you nosy sinner!