Instagram generally does not notify users when you take a screenshot of their posts, stories, reels, or profiles. The only exception is when you take a screenshot of disappearing photos or videos sent in a direct message (DM) or in Vanish Mode — in those cases, the sender does get notified. Regular DMs, stories, posts, and profile screenshots do not trigger any notification to the content owner.

Detailed breakdown of Instagram screenshot notifications in 2025:

• Stories: No notification is sent when you screenshot someone’s story.
• Posts (photos, videos, carousels): No notification.
• Profiles: No notification.
• Regular DMs: No notification.
• Disappearing photos/videos in DMs (one-time view): Notification sent.
• Vanish Mode messages: Notification sent when you screenshot.
• Reels, Lives, Highlights: No notification.

This means most Instagram content can be screenshotted without the user knowing, except for ephemeral disappearing content in direct messages where privacy is preserved with screenshot alerts.