You can do lots of fun things on Instagram to pass the time. One of those things is to allow your IG followers to send you anonymous questions and messages through an anonymous messaging app. It’s an interesting way to see what people think of you (and other topics) when they don’t have to risk being embarrassed by their own opinions or questions.
One of the most popular ways to host anonymous questions on Instagram is through an app called NGL. In this guide, we will see what NGL does and how to use it for anonymous questions on Instagram.
What is NGL?
NGL is an anonymous messaging app for Instagram that allows its users to request anonymous questions and messages from their followers. The name “NGL” stands for “not gonna lie” (a common phrase used on social media) and refers to the fact that the app tries to encourage honesty through anonymity.
Here’s how the app works: You post an Instagram story that contains an NGL messenger link. Your followers see the story and use the link to submit a question or message to you anonymously. Once your followers submit their posts, NGL sends you a push notification to alert you. You can view the messages you have received in the NGL app. You can also reply to these posts, but this is done publicly through another Instagram story.
It’s not hard to imagine how anonymous messaging apps like NGL can go wrong. People can misuse these apps to send intimidating or abusive messages anonymously. However, NGL said its app uses “world-class AI content moderation” to “filter out harmful language and bullying.” And it offers a way to report any abusive messages that still make it to your NGL inbox.
In the following sections, we’ll show you how to use NGL for anonymous questions on Instagram and how to report abusive posts in NGL.
How to Post Anonymous Questions on Instagram Using the NGL App
If you want to receive anonymous messages on Instagram, you can do so with the NGL app. It’s a very popular option for handling anonymous questions on Instagram, and it’s easy to use. Here’s how to configure and use NGL:
Step 1: Download the NGL app. It is available for Android and iOS devices.
Once downloaded, open NGL on your device.
2nd step: Select the Get questions! button. Next, enter your Instagram ID when prompted. Select Do!
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Step 3: NGL will automatically generate an anonymous posts link containing your Instagram ID. This is the link your followers will use to send you anonymous questions and messages. On the To play screen, select Copy link. Then select the To share! button.
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Step 4: You will then be taken through a quick tutorial on how to add your posts link to your Instagram story. Review the tutorial and continue to select the The next step until you see the Share on Instagram button. Select this button.
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Step 5: You will then be redirected to Instagram, where NGL has pre-created a story for you that announces your request for anonymous messages. On this screen, select the Sticker icon in the upper right. Then select blue and white Link sticker.
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Step 6: On the next screen, under URLs, go ahead and paste the NGL email link you copied earlier. Then press Do.
Select Your story to post your NGL link to your story. Your followers will then see your story and select its NGL link to send you an anonymous message.
How to Answer Anonymous Questions on Instagram Using NGL
Once your followers start sending you anonymous questions and messages through your NGL link, NGL will start sending you push notifications alerting you to your messages. Tap on these notifications to open the NGL app so you can view your messages.
Here’s how to reply to your messages:
Step 1: In the NGL application, on the Mailbox screen, if you have any messages, you should see brightly colored envelope icons with hearts on them. Select one of these icons to display its message.
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2nd step: On the message screen, you will see the anonymous message that was sent and two options: who sent this and Answer.
If you want to see clues that will help you determine who sent the message, select who sent this. This is a premium feature that requires a paid weekly subscription of $5.99.
If you want to respond, which is free, select Answer.
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Step 3: You will then be redirected to Instagram, where NGL has already pre-created an Instagram story that includes the question someone asked you.
In this story, type your answer to the question. Select Your story to post your reply to your Instagram story so everyone can see your reply.
How to report abusive messages on the NGL app
As you can imagine, anonymous messaging apps have the potential to be a breeding ground for abusive messages. And while NGL says they use AI content moderation to filter these messages, you can still find yourself in a situation where someone is bullying you through your own NGL anonymous messaging link. If this happens, it’s important to know how to report harassment on NGL:
Open the offending message and select the Report icon at the top left of your screen. This icon looks like a triangle with an exclamation mark in the middle. Then select Report.
According to NGL, this also means that the message will be deleted and the sender will not be able to message you in the future.
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