You receive a notification on Threads when someone mentions your Instagram username in a Threads post or reply. By default, Threads shows notifications for mentions from any Instagram account. If you manage a brand account or follow many users, this can quickly clutter your notification list. This article explains how the mention notification filter works and shows you how to configure it to see only mentions from people you follow or to turn off Instagram mentions entirely.
Key Takeaways: Filtering Instagram Mentions in Threads
- Settings > Notifications > Mentions: Choose to receive mention notifications from everyone, people you follow, or no one.
- Instagram account linking: Only mentions that include your linked Instagram username trigger a notification.
- Filter effect: Changing the filter applies to future mentions only — past notifications remain in your inbox.
How Instagram Mentions Work in Threads
Threads uses the same account system as Instagram. When you create a Threads profile, it is attached to your existing Instagram account. Any Instagram user can mention your Instagram username by typing @username in a Threads post. The mention appears as a link to your Threads profile if your profile is public or if the mentioning user follows you.
Threads sends a push notification and an in-app notification each time your Instagram username is mentioned. The notification includes the text of the post and the name of the person who mentioned you. By default, the filter is set to show notifications from everyone — meaning any Instagram account that mentions you will generate a notification.
The notification filter is a per-device setting. Changing it on your phone does not affect notifications on your tablet or computer unless you sign in to the same account and change it there as well.
Prerequisites for Using the Mention Filter
Before you configure the filter, confirm the following:
- You have a Threads account linked to an Instagram account.
- You are signed in to the Threads mobile app (version 1.0 or later).
- Your device notifications for Threads are enabled in the system settings.
Steps to Configure the Mentions Notification Filter
Follow these steps to change who can send you mention notifications.
- Open the Threads app
Tap the Threads icon on your phone home screen to launch the app. - Go to your profile
Tap the profile icon at the bottom-right corner of the screen. It shows your current profile picture. - Open Settings
Tap the two horizontal lines icon at the top-right corner. Then tap Settings from the menu that appears. - Select Notifications
In the Settings list, tap Notifications. - Tap Mentions
Under the Posts and Replies section, tap Mentions. - Choose a filter option
You see three options:
– Everyone: Receive notifications for all mentions from any Instagram account.
– People you follow: Receive notifications only from accounts you follow.
– No one: Turn off mention notifications entirely.
Tap the option you want. A checkmark appears next to your selection. - Return to the main feed
Tap the back arrow or swipe down to exit Settings. Your filter change saves automatically.
Common Issues and Limitations
Mentions from Instagram Stories or Feed Posts Still Appear
The filter in Threads only controls notifications for mentions that happen inside the Threads app. If someone mentions your Instagram username in an Instagram Story or Instagram feed post, that notification still appears in your Instagram notifications section. Threads does not control Instagram notifications. To manage those, open the Instagram app and adjust its notification settings separately.
Filter Does Not Remove Past Notifications
When you change the filter from Everyone to People you follow, Threads does not delete existing mention notifications in your inbox. You still see all past mentions. Only future mentions are filtered. To clear old notifications, open the Threads activity tab and manually dismiss each notification by tapping the red dot next to it or by swiping left on the notification row.
Filter Setting Resets After App Update
Some users report that the mention filter resets to Everyone after a major Threads app update. This happens because the update may overwrite local settings. After updating the app, open Settings > Notifications > Mentions and verify your preferred filter is still selected. If it reset, re-select it.
Threads Mention Filter Options Compared
| Filter Option | Who Can Send Mentions | Effect on Existing Notifications |
|---|---|---|
| Everyone | Any Instagram account | None — all past and future mentions appear |
| People you follow | Only accounts you follow on Threads or Instagram | Past mentions remain; only future mentions from non-followed accounts are blocked |
| No one | No Instagram account | Past mentions remain; all future mentions are blocked |
Choosing People you follow reduces notification noise while still letting you see when a mutual contact mentions you. Choosing No one is best for accounts that receive spam mentions or run a brand account where mentions are handled through a separate team tool.
You can now configure your Threads mention notifications to match your workflow. To further reduce distractions, consider muting specific conversations or turning off reply notifications in the same Notifications menu. For advanced control, use the Instagram app to mute individual Threads accounts that mention you too often.