Instagram Privacy Settings You Should Review

Instagram has several settings that give you control over who can interact with your account, see your content, mention or tag you and send you message requests. Reviewing these settings regularly can help you decide how you want to use Instagram and who you want to interact with.

Some privacy controls also help reduce unwanted comments, messages and other interactions on the platform.

Account Privacy

One of the main privacy settings to review is whether your Instagram account is public or private.

With a private account, you approve the people who can follow you and see your posts. A public account allows people to view content that is available publicly without requiring approval to follow you.

If you prefer to control who follows you and sees your posts, a private account may be more suitable.

Story Privacy

Instagram provides controls for managing who can see your Stories.

You can hide your Stories from specific people and use Close Friends when you want to share a Story with a selected group.

Review these settings if you regularly share personal updates through Stories and want more control over who sees them.

Activity Status

Activity Status controls whether other people can see when you are active or were recently active on Instagram.

If you do not want other people to see your activity status, you can turn the feature off.

Keep in mind that turning off your activity status also means you will not be able to see the activity status of other people.

Message Requests

Instagram provides controls for managing who can send you message requests.

You can review how requests from different types of accounts are handled and adjust the available options according to your preferences.

These controls can help you manage unwanted messages and reduce interactions from accounts you do not want to hear from.

Mentions

You can control who is allowed to mention your Instagram account.

Instagram provides options that can allow everyone, people you follow or no one to mention you in comments, captions or Stories.

If you receive unwanted mentions, reviewing this setting can help you limit them.

Tags

Instagram also lets you manage who can tag you.

You can control who is allowed to tag your account and use available controls for managing tagged posts.

Review these settings if you do not want other accounts adding your username to posts without your approval.

Comments

Instagram provides controls for managing comments on your posts.

You can limit who can comment and use tools to restrict unwanted comments. Instagram also provides filtering features that can hide comments containing words or phrases you choose.

These settings can be useful if you receive spam, offensive comments or other unwanted interactions.

Hidden Words

Hidden Words can help filter unwanted comments and message requests.

You can use Instagram's filtering options to hide comments and message requests containing offensive or unwanted words, phrases and emojis. You can also add your own words or phrases to the custom list.

This can be useful for reducing spam and other unwanted interactions.

Limits

Instagram's Limits feature can help reduce unwanted interactions during periods when you receive a large number of comments or message requests.

Depending on the available options, you can limit interactions from people who do not follow you or who have only recently followed you.

This can be particularly useful when an account suddenly receives a large amount of unwanted attention.

Restricted Accounts

Restrict is another option for managing interactions with specific accounts without blocking them.

When you restrict someone, their interactions with your account are handled differently. For example, comments from a restricted account can be managed before other people see them and you do not receive notifications for comments from that account.

Use the Restricted Accounts section to review accounts you have previously restricted and remove restrictions when they are no longer necessary.

Blocked Accounts

It is also worth reviewing your blocked accounts.

Blocking prevents an account from interacting with you in various ways on Instagram. Instagram also provides an option that can extend blocking to other accounts that a person may already have or create.

Review your blocked accounts occasionally and make changes when necessary.

Connected Apps And Websites

If you have previously connected third-party apps or websites to Instagram, review the services that have access to your account.

Remove access from apps or websites you no longer use or do not recognise.

Meta provides account controls that allow users to review permissions and the apps they have given access to their information.

Account Security

Security settings are separate from privacy settings, but they are important to review alongside them.

Check your password, login activity and two-factor authentication settings. Review the devices or sessions connected to your account and take action if you notice activity you do not recognise.

These checks can help you protect your account from unauthorised access.

Review Your Instagram Privacy Settings Regularly

Instagram's privacy and interaction controls give you several ways to manage who can contact you, interact with your content, mention you and tag you.

Review your account privacy, Stories, messages, mentions, tags, comments, Hidden Words, Limits, restricted accounts and blocked accounts from time to time.

It is also worth reviewing connected apps and your account security settings so you know which services have access to your account and which devices are signed in.

Taking a few minutes to review these settings can help you maintain better control over your Instagram account and your interactions on the platform.

Best Apps For Adding Subtitles To Videos

Adding subtitles to videos makes spoken content easier to follow, especially when people are watching without sound. Whether you create TikTok videos, Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, interviews, tutorials or other social media content, the right app can save you from typing every line manually.

Several video editing apps can now recognise speech and automatically turn it into subtitles. They also allow you to correct mistakes, change the appearance of the text and adjust when each subtitle appears on the screen.

Here are some of the best apps for adding subtitles to videos:

1. CapCut

CapCut is one of the most useful options for creators who want to add subtitles quickly while editing their videos. Its Auto Captions feature uses speech-to-text technology to generate subtitles from spoken audio.

On the mobile app, you can import a video, open the Captions option and select Auto Captions before choosing the language. The generated subtitles can then be edited for incorrect words, timing and appearance. CapCut also supports automatic bilingual subtitles in supported versions and languages.

This makes CapCut particularly useful for short-form videos where subtitles need to be generated and styled as part of the editing process.

2. Canva

Canva is another good choice if you want to combine subtitles with a wider range of video design tools. Its video editor can automatically generate captions from speech and place them on the video timeline.

You can edit the generated text, change its appearance and choose from different caption styles. Canva also supports translating captions into other languages, making it useful for creators producing content for audiences who speak different languages.

The app is especially suitable for users who want subtitles alongside other design elements such as graphics, text, animations and branding.

3. Adobe Express

Adobe Express provides an automatic captioning tool that can generate subtitles from uploaded videos. After selecting the spoken language, the tool creates captions that can be reviewed and edited before the video is exported.

You can also change the font, colour, size and other visual elements of the captions. Adobe Express allows users to reposition and resize subtitles within the video editor.

It is a practical option for creators who want subtitle generation and video design in the same editor.

4. VEED

VEED is an online video editor with automatic subtitle generation built into its editing workflow. You can upload a video, open the Subtitles section and use Auto Subtitle to transcribe the spoken content.

After the subtitles are generated, you can correct the text, adjust the timing and customise the font, colour and style. VEED also supports uploading existing subtitle files and exporting videos with subtitles permanently embedded in them.

Another useful feature is subtitle translation, which can help creators prepare videos for viewers who speak different languages.

5. InShot

InShot is widely used for editing videos on smartphones and combines basic editing tools with text and subtitle features. It can be useful when you want to add text to specific parts of a video, adjust its position and control how it appears while the video plays.

The app is suited to creators who prefer doing most of their editing directly on a phone rather than moving between several applications.

6. VN Video Editor

VN Video Editor is another mobile-focused option for creators who want more control over their video edits. Alongside trimming, transitions and other editing tools, it provides text and subtitle options that can be used to place spoken dialogue on screen.

It can work well for creators who want to manually refine subtitle placement and combine subtitles with other elements in the same video project.

7. Captions

Captions is built around creating videos with spoken content and on-screen text. It is designed for creators who want subtitles to form part of the overall presentation rather than simply adding plain text at the bottom of a video.

The app can be useful for short-form content where the appearance and timing of subtitles are an important part of the video.

8. YouTube Create

YouTube Create is designed for creators working on videos for YouTube and other social platforms. It combines video editing tools with features that help creators prepare content for publishing.

For creators already working within the YouTube ecosystem, it can be worth considering alongside dedicated subtitle and video-editing apps.

What To Look For In A Subtitle App

The best app for adding subtitles depends on the type of videos you create and how much control you want over the final result.

Here are some features worth checking before choosing an app:

• Automatic speech-to-text transcription
• Support for the language spoken in your videos
• Easy correction of wrongly recognised words
• Subtitle timing controls
• Different fonts and text styles
• Subtitle animations
• Translation into other languages
• Support for vertical videos
• Ability to export videos with subtitles
• Subtitle file support such as SRT or VTT

Automatic transcription can save considerable time, but it should not be treated as perfect. Background noise, accents, fast speech and unclear audio can cause words to be recognised incorrectly. CapCut, for example, recommends reviewing and manually correcting generated subtitles when necessary.

How To Make Subtitles Easier To Read

Adding subtitles is only part of the process. They also need to be easy to read while the video is playing.

Keep each subtitle line reasonably short and avoid covering important parts of the video. Choose a font that remains clear on a small phone screen and make sure the text has enough contrast against the background.

It is also worth checking the complete video after generating the subtitles. Look for misspelled words, incorrect names, poor timing and sections where the text appears too quickly or too slowly.

Automatic Subtitles vs Manual Subtitles

Automatic subtitles are useful when a video contains a lot of spoken content because the app can create a first version without requiring you to type everything.

Manual subtitles give you more control, particularly when the video contains unusual names, technical terms, accents or audio that is difficult for speech recognition software to understand.

For many creators, using automatic transcription first and then correcting the result manually provides a practical balance between speed and accuracy.

Which App Should You Use?

CapCut is a strong option for creators who want automatic subtitles alongside mobile video editing. Canva is useful when subtitles need to be combined with broader graphic design features, while Adobe Express offers automatic caption generation within its video editor.

VEED is particularly useful if you prefer working through a web-based editor and need features such as subtitle files or translation.

The right choice ultimately depends on whether your priority is quick automatic transcription, detailed subtitle styling, translation or a complete video editing workflow.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which app is best for adding subtitles to videos?

Apps such as CapCut, Canva, Adobe Express and VEED can automatically generate subtitles and allow you to edit and style them.

Can I add subtitles to a video on my phone?

Yes. Mobile video editing apps such as CapCut and other subtitle-enabled editors allow you to add text or automatically generate subtitles directly from your phone.

Can AI-generated subtitles contain mistakes?

Yes. Speech recognition can misinterpret words because of background noise, accents, fast speech or unclear audio. Always review generated subtitles before publishing.

Can I translate subtitles into another language?

Yes. Some subtitle tools, including Canva and VEED, provide subtitle translation features that allow generated subtitles to be translated into other languages.

Best AI Voice Generators for Content Creation

Creating videos, podcasts, social media posts and other digital content often requires a clear and engaging voice. However, not every content creator has the time, equipment or confidence to record voiceovers for every project.

AI voice generators provide an alternative by converting written scripts into natural-sounding speech. Some also support voice cloning, multiple languages, different speaking styles and audio editing, making them useful for YouTube videos, podcasts, social media content, adverts, presentations and other projects.

Here are some of the best AI voice generators for content creation:

ElevenLabs

ElevenLabs is one of the most widely used AI voice platforms for creating realistic speech. Its AI voice generator provides access to more than 10,000 voices across more than 70 languages, while users can also design or clone voices for their projects.

The platform is suitable for video narration, podcasts, social media content, advertisements and other projects where natural-sounding speech is important.

ElevenLabs also offers voice cloning, dubbing and other production tools. Its current plans include a free option, while paid plans add features such as commercial licensing and voice cloning.

Murf AI

Murf AI is designed around voiceovers and content production, making it useful for creators who want more control over how an AI voice sounds.

The platform offers hundreds of AI voices and supports multiple languages and accents. Users can adjust elements such as pitch, speed, emphasis and pauses to create a voiceover that fits their script.

Murf can be used for YouTube videos, podcasts, advertisements, explainer videos, presentations and other forms of digital content. It also allows creators to combine voiceovers with visual media and background music within its studio.

Descript

Descript combines AI voice generation with audio and video editing. This makes it particularly useful for creators who want to generate a voiceover and edit the rest of their project from the same platform.

Users can type a script and turn it into AI-generated speech, choose from stock voices or create a clone of their own voice. Descript also allows creators to edit generated audio by changing the text rather than manually editing an audio waveform.

This can be useful for podcasts and videos where a creator needs to correct a mistake, replace a section of narration or add new lines without recording the entire project again.

Speechify

Speechify has developed beyond its original text-to-speech reading service and now offers a broader range of voice AI tools for creators.

Its AI voice generator provides more than 1,000 voices across more than 60 languages. The platform also supports voice cloning and can generate voiceovers for YouTube videos, TikTok content, podcasts and other projects.

Speechify also includes AI podcast creation, allowing users to turn documents or descriptions into podcasts. This makes the platform useful for creators working across both written and audio content.

PlayAI

PlayAI is another option for creators looking for AI-generated voices and text-to-speech tools. It can be used to turn written scripts into spoken audio for different types of digital content.

The platform is particularly relevant for creators who need AI narration without recording every piece of content themselves.

What to Look for in an AI Voice Generator

The best tool depends on the type of content you create. Before choosing an AI voice generator, consider the following features:

Voice quality: Choose a platform that produces natural speech with clear pronunciation, appropriate pauses and convincing delivery.

Voice selection: A larger voice library gives you more options for different types of content and audiences.

Voice cloning: If you want your content to maintain a consistent personal voice, look for a service that supports voice cloning with the required consent.

Language support: Creators targeting audiences in different countries should check the languages and accents available.

Editing features: Tools that allow you to control speed, pitch, pauses and pronunciation can make the final voiceover sound more natural.

Commercial usage: If you plan to monetise your videos, podcasts or other content, check the licence attached to the plan you are using.

Which AI Voice Generator Is Suitable for Content Creation?

There is no single AI voice generator that fits every type of creator.

ElevenLabs is built around a broad voice-generation ecosystem with voice creation, cloning and multilingual capabilities.

Murf AI is particularly useful for creators who want detailed control over voiceovers and a workflow that combines narration with other media.

Descript is useful for creators who want AI voice generation alongside text-based audio and video editing.

Speechify is worth considering for creators who want voice generation alongside text-to-speech, voice typing and AI podcast features.

The right choice ultimately depends on the type of content you produce, the voices you need, your editing workflow and whether you require commercial usage or voice cloning.

How to Change TikTok Username

TikTok gives users the freedom to personalise their profiles, and one of the easiest ways to do that is by changing your username. Whether you're rebranding your account, correcting a spelling mistake or choosing a name that better reflects your personality, updating your TikTok username only takes a few minutes.

Your username is different from your display name. It appears with the @ symbol, forms part of your TikTok profile link and is how many people find and mention your account. Choosing a memorable username can also make your profile look more professional.

Things to Know Before Changing Your TikTok Username

Before changing your username, there are a few rules you should keep in mind:

• TikTok only allows you to change your username once every 30 days.
• Every username must be unique.
• Usernames can contain letters, numbers, underscores (_) and periods (.).
• Spaces and special characters are not allowed.
• Your profile link will automatically change after you update your username.

How to Change Your TikTok Username

Follow these steps to update your username:

1. Open the TikTok app on your Android phone or iPhone.
2. Tap Profile in the bottom-right corner.
3. Select Edit Profile.
4. Tap Username.
5. Delete your current username.
6. Enter the new username you want to use.
7. Wait for TikTok to check whether it is available.
8. If the username is available, tap Save.

Your new username will appear immediately after the change is successful.

What If Your Preferred Username Is Already Taken?

Since every TikTok username must be unique, the one you want may already belong to another user.

If this happens, you can:

• Add your initials.
• Include a keyword related to your content.
• Add a simple number.
• Use an underscore.
• Try a shorter variation of the name.

Avoid using too many numbers or symbols, as they can make your username difficult to remember.

Username vs Display Name

Many users think these are the same, but they are different.

A username is your unique account ID that begins with @ and appears in your profile URL.

A display name is the name shown at the top of your profile. Unlike usernames, display names do not have to be unique.

How to Change Your TikTok Display Name

If you only want to change the name people see on your profile, follow these steps:

1. Open TikTok.
2. Tap Profile.
3. Select Edit Profile.
4. Tap Name.
5. Enter your preferred display name.
6. Tap Save.

Your updated display name will appear immediately.

Tips for Choosing a Good TikTok Username

A good username helps people recognise and remember your account.

Here are a few tips:

• Keep it short and easy to spell.
• Choose a name that reflects your personality or content.
• Use the same username across your social media accounts where possible.
• Avoid offensive words or unnecessary symbols.
• Pick a name you'll still be happy using months from now.

Your TikTok username is one of the first things people notice about your account. Choosing the right one can make your profile look more professional and easier to find. Before saving your new username, check the spelling carefully because you'll need to wait 30 days before you can change it again.