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Instagram data download time and files guide

Last updated: 2026-04-15

This page helps you answer two common questions: how long Instagram export may take, and whether the export includes followers and following files for comparison workflows.

Step 1: Open the export page

Direct export page (login required): accountscenter.instagram.com/info_and_permissions/dyi/

  • App path: Profile -> menu (top-right) -> Accounts Center -> Your information and permissions -> Download your information.
  • Web path: Instagram web -> More -> Settings -> Accounts Center -> Your information and permissions -> Download your information.
  • If direct page redirects, use the menu path and search for Download your information.

Step 2: Click the right export options

  1. Choose Download or transfer information.
  2. Select Some of your information.
  3. Select Followers and following.
  4. Set format to JSON (best for automatic parsing).
  5. For unfollowed analysis, repeat export on different dates (T1/T2 snapshots).

Step 3: Wait for ZIP generation

  • Processing time depends on account size and queue load.
  • If no file appears, check notification email and export status again later.
  • Smaller scope (only Followers and following) usually completes faster.

Step 4: Download ZIP and extract files

  1. Download ZIP from the completion notification/email.
  2. Right-click ZIP and choose Extract All (Windows).
  3. Open connections/followers_and_following/.

your_export.zip

└── connections/

├── followers_1.json

└── following.json

Step 5: Identify which JSON files are needed

  • following.json: required for non-followback analysis.
  • followers_1.json (or similar): required for non-followback and unfollowed analysis.
  • For unfollowed timeline analysis, keep at least two followers snapshots from different dates.

If you only see following.json, re-export and confirm you selected Followers and following.

Special case: if account has 0 followers, followers JSON may be missing or empty. That is valid.

Step 6: Upload JSON in ListDiff and run compare

  1. Open ListDiff tool.
  2. Upload following.json to List A.
  3. Upload followers_1.json (or equivalent) to List B.
  4. ListDiff parses JSON usernames automatically; then click compare.
  5. Workflow mapping: non-followback = Following vs Followers; unfollowed = Followers(T1) vs Followers(T2).

Step 7: Troubleshooting checklist

  • No download email yet: verify request status in Accounts Center and wait longer for large accounts.
  • Cannot find followers file: check nested folders and JSON files with follower/following keywords.
  • Comparison looks wrong: ensure you compared usernames, not display names; keep Trim ON and Ignore empty ON.

FAQ

How long does Instagram export take?
It varies by account size and queue load. Small requests can be faster; larger accounts often take longer.

Does export include followers and following?
Yes when selected in data scope, though labels and paths may vary by version.

What should I compare after export?
Following vs Followers for non-followback; Followers(T1) vs Followers(T2) for unfollowed timeline.

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