New Instagram search bar takes stalking to the next level

Stalking on Instagram is going to change forever.

Instagram is testing a new search bar that'll let you search a specific person's followers, as well as who they're following. The search bars appear under the "Followers" and "Following" section within the app.

While Mashable recently discovered the feature, it appears Instagram is testing it among a only select group of users. Several colleagues did not see the search bar under their own accounts. Instagram has not yet responded to a request for comment.

Here's what the feature looks like on iOS running on an iPhone 6 (note: I couldn't replicate the feature when logged into my Instagram account on a Samsung Galaxy S7).

Image: Screenshot: Raymond Wong/Mashable

Although it sits atop of the page, the search bar appears to disappear on its own after a while. But, if you force quit the app by swiping it away within iOS's multitasker and then relaunch the app, it returns; that is, if it was blessed onto your account in the first place.

And here is what it's like in action:

Needless to say, the addition of a search bar to the Followers and Following sections is going to take stalking/creeping to the next level. One Twitter user described it perfectly:

Instagram finally has a search bar under the followers & following. now I don't have to scroll through 8213756204 people when I'm creeping

She wasn't the only one overjoyed with the new search bar and what it could do for her:

Instagram is just made my stalking so much easier with this search bar in the following/followers list

shoutout to Instagram for making it easier to stalk someone by having a search in someone's followers

Being able to search on people's Instagram followers has made my creeping a whole lot easier

you can search people's followers/following lists now, thx @instagram for fueling my petty stalking habits

People are gona be in trouble now that Instagram has a search bar for followers/following

There's a search bar in people's followers now on Instagram . Lurking just got 100x times easier

PSA there is now a search bar when you look at people's followers on Instagram

YOU CAN NOW SEARCH FOLLOWERS AND FOLLOWING ON INSTAGRAM, GOD HAS BLESSED US ON THIS EASTER SUNDAY. #blessedt

Instagram has been steadily adding new features to both its app and its website. Most recently, the company added exact date stamps to Instagram posts, a notifications tab and an Explore page to its website.