Hey there, I’m Henry Duy. After 10+ years deep in the world of digital marketing, I’ve seen every shift in how platforms like Instagram evolve to keep us connected — and sometimes confused. One question I get a lot: What does Active Today mean on Instagram?
It sounds straightforward, but like most things on IG, there’s a bit more to it. Understanding how these activity statuses work is not just helpful for casual users — it’s also crucial if you use Instagram for business or brand communication.
Let’s unpack what “Active Today” really means, how it’s shown, why it may not appear, and how to control whether others can see your activity status.
What Is Instagram’s “Activity Status”?
Instagram gives users a quick way to see when someone last used the app, but only in Direct Messages (DMs). Here’s the key: Both you and the other person must have Activity Status turned ON to see each other’s status.
If that’s the case, here are the main statuses you’ll see:
Active Now
This is the most immediate status. It typically comes with a green dot next to the user’s profile picture (visible in the DM list and sometimes within a chat). It means the user was active on Instagram very recently, generally within the last 5 minutes. It doesn’t necessarily mean they are currently chatting, just that they have the app open or were using it moments ago.
Active [X]m/[X]h ago
This is a specific timestamp indicating exactly how many minutes or hours have passed since the user was last active. This status usually appears if the user was last active between 5 minutes and approximately 8 hours ago.
Active Today
Ah, the focus of our discussion! What does active today mean on Instagram? This status indicates that the user was last active on the platform sometime within the past 24 hours, but typically it means they have been inactive for more than 8 hours but less than 24 hours. Instagram uses this broader timeframe rather than giving a precise hour once the activity is no longer relatively recent.
Active Yesterday
If a user hasn’t been active for more than 24 hours but less than 48 hours, their status will likely show as “Active Yesterday”.
No Status Shown
If a user hasn’t been active for more than 48 hours, or if either user has their activity status turned off, no status indicator will appear.
So, What Does Active Today Mean on Instagram?
To reiterate, when you see “Active Today” under someone’s name in your Instagram Direct Messages, it means they have opened or used the Instagram app at some point within the current calendar day (the last 24 hours), but likely haven’t been active within the last 8 hours.
This status serves as a general indicator of recent presence without giving away precise timing. For users, it offers a balance between providing availability clues and maintaining a degree of privacy. For marketing or business purposes, it tells you that the person is engaging with the platform on a daily basis, even if not constantly online.
Beyond knowing what active today means on Instagram, the platform has its own language! If you’re sometimes puzzled by other terms you see, or want to build your understanding of Instagram’s unique vocabulary, take a look at our guide to essential Instagram Terminology.
Where Do You See “Active Today”?
You’ll only see the “Active Today” status in Instagram DMs:
- In your inbox, below a user’s name.
- Inside a chat thread, near the top.
You won’t see it on someone’s profile, feed posts, or Stories — it’s strictly for messaging context.
Why Can’t You See Someone’s “Active Today” Status?
Not seeing “Active Today”? Here’s why that might be:
They turned off their activity status
This is the most frequent reason. If a user has gone into their Privacy settings and toggled “Show Activity Status” off, their status (Active Now, Active Today, etc.) will not be visible to anyone, regardless of your own settings.
You turned yours off
As mentioned earlier, visibility is mutual. If you have turned off your settings, you cannot see anyone else’s status.
You don’t follow each other or haven’t messaged
According to Instagram, you can see the activity status of people you follow OR people you have direct conversations with. If you don’t follow them and have never exchanged DMs, you likely won’t see their status (even if they have theirs on).
They blocked or restricted you
If a user has blocked or restricted your account, their activity status will not be visible to you.
App glitches
Occasionally, technical issues or delays in the app can prevent the status from updating or displaying correctly.
They’ve been inactive for 48+ hours
If it’s been over two days since they last used the app, Instagram stops displaying any status.
Why You Might Appear “Active” When You’re Not?
Ever get a “Why were you online?” message when you weren’t? That’s common — and here’s why it happens:
App Running in the Background
Instagram, like many apps, can continue running processes in the background even after you switch to another app or lock your screen. This background activity can sometimes trigger the “Active Now” status.
Logged In on Multiple Devices
If you are logged into your Instagram account on your phone, tablet, or computer simultaneously, activity on one device might show you as active even if you are not currently using it on another.
Temporary Delays
There can be a short lag between closing the app completely and your status updating to show your last active time.
Not Fully Logged Out
If you don’t fully close the app or log out, it might maintain a connection that registers as active.
>>> Might you like: What Does Accounts Engaged Mean on Instagram?
How to Turn Off Active Status on Instagram (Step-by-Step)
Want more privacy? You can easily disable your activity status — just know that doing so means you can’t see others’ activity either.
Here are the steps to turn off your activity status on different devices:
For Android and iPhone:
- Go to your Profile.
- Tap the Menu (three lines) in the top right.
- Select Settings and Privacy.
- Tap Messages and story replies.
- Tap Show activity status.
- Toggle it Off.
For Computer:
- Click More on the left menu.
- Go to Settings → Messages and story replies.
- Click Show Activity Status, then toggle it Off.
For Mobile Browser:
- Go to your Profile.
- Tap Settings.
- Tap Messages and story replies.
- Tap Show Activity Status.
- Toggle it Off.
For Instagram Lite:
- Go to your Profile.
- Tap the Menu icon in the top right.
- Tap Settings.
- Tap Privacy.
- Tap Activity Status.
- Toggle it Off.
Once you turn this setting off, your “Active Today” status, along with “Active Now” and timestamps, will no longer be visible to other users, and you will also stop seeing theirs.
Final Thoughts
So, what does Active Today mean on Instagram? It’s just Instagram saying, “Hey, this person has been around in the last 24 hours — but not super recently.”
It’s a subtle feature, but one that can shape how and when we reach out, especially if you’re running a business, handling client DMs, or trying to keep tabs on engagement patterns.
Whether you leave your status on or off is totally your call. But now, at least, you know exactly what it means — and how to use it to your advantage.
Hope this guide cleared things up! Want more insights from a marketing pro with a decade in the game? Follow me at https://henryduy.com/ for expert breakdowns on all things Instagram, digital marketing, and strategy.
What’s your take on IG’s activity features? Drop your thoughts or questions in the comments!
FAQs: Instagram Activity Statuses Explained
Let’s clear up some of the most common questions about Instagram’s activity statuses, especially the ever-confusing “Active Today.”
What does Active on Instagram mean?
This is just a broad way of saying someone used the app recently. Instagram breaks this down further into specific statuses:
- Active Now (within 5 minutes)
- Active [X]m/h ago (5 minutes to ~8 hours)
- Active Today (8 to 24 hours ago)
- Active Yesterday (24 to 48 hours ago)
What does Active Now mean on Instagram?
“Active Now” means someone was on Instagram very recently—typically within the last 5 minutes. You’ll usually see a green dot next to their profile picture in DMs.
What does Active Yesterday mean on Instagram?
It means the user last opened or used Instagram between 24 and 48 hours ago.
Does Active Now mean someone is chatting?
Not necessarily. It just means they’re on the app—or were a few minutes ago. They could be browsing, watching Stories, or replying to comments. It doesn’t mean they’re DMing anyone.
My girlfriend is always showing as Active Now. What’s up?
Frequent activity could mean:
- She’s actually using the app a lot
- The app is running in the background
- She’s logged in on more than one device
- Instagram’s activity status is lagging a bit
Try not to overanalyze it—these indicators aren’t 100% precise.
Is Instagram’s Active Now status accurate?
Mostly, yes. It’s designed to reflect activity within the past 5 minutes. But minor delays or bugs happen, so take it as a general cue, not gospel truth.
If Instagram is running in the background, will it show me as online?
Yes, sometimes. If the app is still running (even if minimized), Instagram might mark you as “Active Now.”
What does Active Now mean on Facebook Messenger?
On Messenger, “Active Now” works similarly—it means the user is currently using Messenger (or was within the last few minutes), typically with a green dot.
What does Active Now mean on Instagram Messenger?
Instagram doesn’t officially call it “Instagram Messenger”—it’s “Instagram Direct Messenger.” But if you’re referring to DMs, “Active Now” means the person was active on Instagram within the past 5 minutes, just like in Messenger.
