How to Recognize Fake Instagram Accounts

Co-authored by Kasey Dunn and Hannah Madden

Last Updated: September 19, 2024 Fact Checked

Getting a new follower on Instagram is an awesome feeling, especially if you’re trying to grow your account. However, sometimes you might be followed by fake accounts, which won't do much for your engagement and could even cause problems for you and your followers. Don't worry though—we've put together a list of some of the biggest red flags you should keep an eye out for when you're trying to tell if an Instagram account is fake or not.

1

The account has no profile picture.

Download Article

A profile without an identifying photo probably isn't real. A legit account would want people to know who they are so their friends and family members can find them. ^{[1]
X
Research source}
- This could also be a friend that just hasn’t had time to add a profile pic, but it’s unlikely.

2

They have zero following and zero followers.

Download Article

Legitimate Instagram accounts will almost always have a few followers. If the account hasn’t followed anyone or doesn’t have any followers, it’s most likely fake. ^{[2]
X
Research source}
- Bots usually use accounts like these to promote spam links in their bios. If you come across a profile like this, don’t click any links.

3

The account has no posts.

Download Article

Accounts without any posts are most likely trying to scam you. If you come across an account that hasn’t posted anything yet, it’s probably a bot. ^{[3]
X
Research source}
- Even if the profile is private, you can check their post number by looking at the top of their profile.
- You should also look out for accounts that used to post a lot but don’t anymore. If they’ve been inactive for a while, they could be fake.

4

They leave generic comments on your posts.

Download Article

A fake account might be trying to get you to follow them back. If they comment “great post!” or “nice shot!” on a lot of your pictures in rapid succession, they might be fake. ^{[4]
X
Research source}
- However, this could also be an influencer trying to gain a new follower. If you check out their profile and don’t see any other red flags, they’re probably a real person.

5

The account is using someone else’s images.

Download Article

Impersonation is a surefire way to spot a fake account. You can run their images through a reverse Google search ; if the photos pop up somewhere else, it likely means the account is fake. ^{[5]
X
Research source}
- If you see an account using photos from you or someone else, you can report them on the app or by visiting https://help.instagram.com/contact/636276399721841 .

6

They’re following a suspiciously high number of accounts.

Download Article

Fake accounts try to up their followers by following a lot of people. If you notice a huge discrepancy between their following number and their followers, there’s a chance that their account is fake. ^{[6]
X
Research source}
- This isn’t always the case, since some real accounts use the same tactic to up their followers, too. However, it can be a good jumping off point to start with.

7

It’s a brand new account.

Download Article

Instagram accounts that aren’t well established have a higher chance of being fake. Scroll down to the bottom of the profile and check the date of the first post. If it’s not more than a few days old, there’s a good chance the account is fake. ^{[7]
X
Research source}
- If the account is private, you won’t be able to scroll and see their posts until they accept your following request.
- If the account has 0 posts, that’s a good indication that they’re fake, too.

8

They have a high follower account with low engagement.

Download Article

Fake or purchased followers often indicate a fake account. If their following is in the thousands but they only get a few likes or comments per post, they may have a fake profile. ^{[8]
X
Research source}
- This could also indicate a real person using fake followers to up their numbers.
- You can also check out their followers to see if they look real or not. If a lot of their followers are inactive, don’t have profile photos, or have super generic names, it’s a good indication that the followers are fake (so the account might be too).

9

They post pictures of different people.

Download Article

These fake accounts are easy to spot within a few seconds. If all the photos on their account are of different people (usually attractive women who might look similar but not identical), the account is fake. ^{[9]
X
Research source}
- Accounts like these are usually spam accounts trying to get people to click the links in their bios.

10

They’re offering discounts or sales.

Download Article

Scam accounts will often offer luxury goods at a steep discount. If a profile ever wants you to click a link for a discounted item, it’s most likely fake. ^{[10]
X
Trustworthy Source
Federal Trade Commission
Website with up-to-date information for consumers from the Federal Trade Commisson
Go to source}
- The most common account like this is one selling discounted Ray Bans. You might also see accounts like these on Twitter and Facebook .
- Never give your credit card info to an Instagram account.

Expert Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Question

What can you do if someone's pretending to be you on Instagram?

Kasey Dunn
Social Media Expert
Kasey Dunn is a Social Media Expert and the Senior Social Media Manager for Golden Arrow PR in the Los Angeles Metropolitan Area. With over five years of experience, she specializes in business development, marketing, and brand design. She earned her BA in Business Administration and Management from Mount St. Joseph University. She also holds a SEMRUSH for Digital Agencies Certification, an SEO for Social Media Certification, and a Social Media Marketing Strategy: TikTok and Instagram Reels Certification.

Kasey Dunn

Social Media Expert

Expert Answer

You can report them on the app by going to the fake account and selecting "Report Account."

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 14 Helpful 30
Question

Is Alexander Dreymon's Instagram account fake?

Community Answer

He has a verified Instagram account. It is not fake.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 3 Helpful 3
Question

How can I know whether a girl's Instagram account is being handled by her family members or not?

Community Answer

You can't really tell unless you are told. Her profile description may say something like "account handled by parents". If she is severely disabled, famous or very young, there is a good chance that her peers/guardians monitor her account.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 1 Helpful 3

See more answers

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Video

Tips

If you want to screen your followers before letting them follow you, make your account private.

Thanks
Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0

Submit a Tip

All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published

Name

Please provide your name and last initial

Submit

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

[10]

Trustworthy Source

Go to source

Log in

How to Recognize Fake Instagram Accounts

Steps

The account has no profile picture.

They have zero following and zero followers.

The account has no posts.

They leave generic comments on your posts.

The account is using someone else’s images.

They’re following a suspiciously high number of accounts.

It’s a brand new account.

They have a high follower account with low engagement.

They post pictures of different people.

They’re offering discounts or sales.

Expert Q&A

Video

Tips

You Might Also Like

References

About This Article

Is this article up to date?

Quizzes

You Might Also Like

Featured Articles

Trending Articles

Featured Articles

Featured Articles

Watch Articles

Trending Articles

Quizzes

Explore Categories