The short answer
| HTML | JSON | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Reading your data yourself | Tools, scripts and spreadsheets |
| Opens in | Any web browser | A text editor or code editor |
| Followers file | followers_1.html | followers_1.json |
| Following file | following.html | following.json |
| Works with UNFOLLOWED | Yes | Yes |
What the HTML export looks like
Each file is a web page. Open followers_1.html in your browser and you’ll see a list of usernames, each linking to the profile, usually with the date they followed you. It’s convenient for scrolling, but hard to compare by eye.
What the JSON export looks like
JSON is structured text. In the followers file, each account is an entry with the profile link, the username and a timestamp:
[
{
"string_list_data": [
{
"href": "https://www.instagram.com/example_user",
"value": "example_user",
"timestamp": 1700000000
}
]
}
]The following file wraps the same kind of entries in a relationships_following list. Instagram has changed these details over time (newer exports may put the username in a title field instead), which is why a good checker reads every known layout.
Which format should you choose?
- To compare followers and following: either. UNFOLLOWED reads both. JSON files are smaller and less likely to change layout.
- To read your data yourself: HTML.
- To build your own spreadsheet or script: JSON. Or let the checker do it and use Export CSV.
Already downloaded the other format? There’s no need to request a new export. See how to download your followers and following list for the full steps.