Use case List Backup

Keep a Copy of Your Instagram Followers and Following

Save an Instagram follower or following list as a file you can keep. Download CSV, Excel, or JSON, add the date, and return to that snapshot when you need it.

Add to Chrome See the backup workflow ↓

01 Why keep a copy

Keep a Record Beyond
the Current List

Instagram connections can change. A downloaded export gives you a record of the accounts collected during that export, ready for future reference.

Save a Dated Snapshot

Keep a copy of the list you exported at a particular point in time. Record the source account, list type, and export date with the file.

Retain the Profiles Behind Your Research

Save usernames, user IDs, and profile links alongside your project files so you can revisit the accounts you reviewed.

Prepare for a Later Comparison

Keep separate exports from different dates. When you need to review changes, compare the files without overwriting your earlier copy.

02 The workflow

Save Your Instagram List
in Three Steps

Choose the Account and List

Sign in to Instagram in Chrome, open FollowGrid, and enter the account's username or profile URL. Choose Followers or Following and select an export limit.

Download the Collected Accounts

Run the export and download CSV, Excel-compatible .xlsx, or JSON. If you need both Followers and Following, export each list separately.

Name and Store Your Copy

Add the export date to the file name and save it in a folder you use for project records. Keep a new file for each snapshot instead of replacing the previous one.

Backup example

Keep Two Dated Snapshots of the Same List

For a fictional account named sample_coffee_brand, download its Followers list on two dates. Rename each file yourself and keep both in a project folder.

September 1 snapshot: sample_coffee_brand-followers-2026-09-01.csv
820 exported account rows, excluding the header.
September 24 snapshot: sample_coffee_brand-followers-2026-09-24.csv
845 exported account rows, excluding the header.
Notes saved beside the files: Same source account · Followers · export limit 1,000 for each run.

These dates and row counts are illustrative. To see which entries differ, compare the saved User IDs; the row-count difference alone does not identify the changed accounts.

History access lasts 7 days for free accounts or 30 days after a paid purchase. Keep these downloaded copies on your device for a longer-term record.

03 What's inside

Know What Your Copy Contains

Each export includes usernames, profile URLs, user IDs, verification status, avatar URLs, and row positions.

CSV and Excel-compatible .xlsx work well for spreadsheet review. JSON keeps the same account fields in a structured format for other workflows.

The file contains the successfully collected accounts, which may be fewer than the profile's displayed total. It does not contain Instagram posts, messages, passwords, or embedded copies of profile images.

04 Keeping files

Download the Files
You Want to Keep

Export history is available for 7 days on free accounts or 30 days after a paid purchase. Download a local copy if you need a longer-term record.

Exports made without a FollowGrid account do not create cross-session history, so download your file before leaving the current session.

A downloaded file is a snapshot. It does not update automatically when the Instagram list changes.

05 FAQ

List Backup FAQ

Is this a backup of my entire Instagram account?

No. FollowGrid saves follower or following account lists. It does not back up posts, stories, messages, or other Instagram account content.

Can I restore my followers from the file?

No. A downloaded list is a reference file. It cannot restore followers, recreate follow relationships, or recover access to an Instagram account.

Can I schedule automatic backups?

FollowGrid does not provide scheduled backups in this workflow. Start a new export whenever you want another snapshot.

Will the downloaded file expire?

FollowGrid's 30-day history limit applies to files available through FollowGrid. A copy you have already downloaded remains wherever you save it, unless you delete it or lose access to that storage. Linked profiles and avatar URLs may change later.

How often should I save a new copy?

Choose dates that fit your work, such as the beginning and end of a research project. Record the date and export scope each time so you can interpret future comparisons.

Save a List You Can Return To

Download the accounts you need now and keep a dated copy with your project files.

Add to Chrome