Dealing with unwanted Instagram collaboration requests can be frustrating, especially when they flood your DMs daily. I’ve spent years managing social media accounts, and I’ll share a lesser-known trick that’s still working beautifully in 2025 to help you maintain your inbox sanity.
Why You’re Getting So Many Collab Requests
Instagram’s algorithm loves collaborative content, and brands know this. Every time you open Instagram, you’re likely getting pinged by random accounts wanting to “collab” – but let’s be honest, most of these are just spam or dropshipping schemes trying to leverage your audience.
The Hidden Setting That Changes Everything
Here’s the secret that most people don’t know about: Instagram has a buried setting that lets you filter collaboration requests without turning off all your DMs. I discovered this while helping a client who was getting hundreds of collab requests daily.
Go to Settings > Privacy > Messages > Collaboration Requests. You’ll find a toggle that says “Filter Low-Quality Requests.” But here’s the pro tip – there’s actually a secondary filter underneath that most people miss.
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Open Instagram Settings
2. Tap Privacy
3. Select Messages
4. Scroll to “Collaboration Controls”
5. Enable “Advanced Filtering”
6. Select “Known Accounts Only”
What Happens After You Enable This
Once you’ve activated this setting, Instagram will only allow collaboration requests from accounts that you’ve interacted with at least three times in the past 30 days. It’s like having a virtual bouncer for your DMs!
The Catch (And How to Work Around It)
The only downside is that legitimate opportunities might get filtered out too. I’ve found a workaround: create a custom “Collaborators” list in your Close Friends and add potential partners there. This automatically whitelists them from the filter.
Making It Work For Your Account
Remember, this isn’t about blocking all collaborations – it’s about managing them intelligently. I’ve seen accounts grow 300% faster when they focus on quality partnerships instead of trying to handle every random request that comes their way.
Think of it like having a really good assistant who only puts the important calls through. You’re not missing opportunities; you’re just ensuring that the ones that reach you are worth your time.
This trick has saved me countless hours of sorting through spam requests, and I’m confident it can do the same for you. Just remember to check your filtered folder occasionally – Instagram tucks it away in a spot that’s easy to forget about.
