Instagram followers list sorted by date followed, oldest first, with the first follower at the top

Who was your very first follower on Instagram? It's a fun question, but Instagram doesn't make it easy to find the answer. By default, your list of followers isn't sorted chronologically, and there's no "first follower" button.

There are two ways to find out: a quick method in the app, and a more reliable one using your own data.

Why your followers list isn't in order

Previously, Instagram displayed your followers starting with the most recent ones. Today, the default order is determined by Instagram, which factors in the people you interact with most frequently. This is why scrolling to the bottom of your list does not reliably show your earliest followers.

Method 1: Sort your followers list (quick)

In many versions of the app, you can change the order of your followers list:

  1. Go to your profile and tap on Followers.
  2. Look for the Sort option near the top of the list.
  3. Select Date followed: Oldest.

The account that appears at the top of the list is the one that has been following you the longest, among those displayed by Instagram.

This option is not being rolled out uniformly. If you do not see it, try updating the app. If it still does not appear, it means the feature is not yet available for your account or region; in that case, the second method is the best alternative.

Method 2: Check your data export (most reliable)

Exporting your Instagram data provides a list of all your followers, along with the date each person started following you. This method works even when a sorting option is not available.

  1. Request your data from Instagram in JSON format. Selecting only the "Followers and following" category will speed up the process. Refer to our step-by-step guide on how to download your Instagram data.
  2. Once you receive the email, download the file and unzip it.
  3. Open the followers_and_following folder and locate the file named followers_1.json.
  4. Each follower is associated with a timestamp. The lowest value corresponds to your very first follower.
Watch: how to download your Instagram data (30 sec).

These timestamps are in Unix format (the number of seconds that have elapsed since January 1, 1970). Copy and paste one of these values into a Unix timestamp converter (available for free online) to determine the actual date. If you have a large number of followers, you may also see files named followers_2.json, followers_3.json, and so on. Here's what's inside these files.

Why your "first follower" might not be who you think

These two methods only show people who are still following you, based on the date of their most recent follow. This can lead to a few surprises:

  • They have unfollowed you. If the very first person to follow you has left, they disappear from the list entirely.
  • They unfollowed and then followed you again. In this case, the date is reset to that of the new follow, which moves them further down the list.
  • Their account has been deleted or deactivated. They disappear from your list of followers.
  • You removed them. If someone you removed chooses to follow you again later, they will reappear with a new date.

The answer, therefore, is actually "your oldest follower who is still here", often someone close to you or a family member.

How to see who followed who first

Wondering who followed whom first? Compare two dates:

  1. Look for the person's username in followers_1.json and note the timestamp (when they started following you).
  2. Look for that same username in following.json and note the corresponding timestamp (when you started following them).
  3. The earlier date is the one that counts.
An important detail

If either person unfollowed and then followed again, only the most recent date will appear.

Avoid apps that promise your "full follower history"

Some applications claim to show you your first follower, a list of everyone who has followed you in the past, or even a complete history. Instagram does not share a list of past followers with anyone; these applications are simply making guesses or asking for your login credentials, which could lead to restrictions on your account. Exporting your own data is the only reliable source. To learn more, see Is it safe to use Instagram unfollower apps?

Frequently asked questions

Yes, if the Date followed: Oldest sort is available in your app. Otherwise the data export is the only way.
No. Neither action sends a notification.
No. You can only sort or export your own followers.
They most likely unfollowed and followed you again, which resets the date.
Not from a single export. Compare two exports taken at different times, or use Unfollow Finder Pro's history tracking to keep a record going forward. See how to see who unfollowed you.