6 Ways to Spot a Fake Instagram Account
Not sure if an account is real or fake? Here are the signs of a fake Instagram account, why there are so many phonies online, and how to stay safe on Instagram.
Posted last week
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Mackenzie TaylorPosted last week
If you’ve been on the internet for as long as we have (oof, just showed our age there, didn’t we?), you’ll know that the interwebs are full of bots. From having a super spammy profile that promises you’re the winner of a new iPhone or someone who has a username that is similar to another, there are loads of fake Instagram accounts. But, how can you figure out if an account is real or fake?
In today’s post, we’re taking you through the signs of a fake Instagram account, why there are so many phonies online, and how to stay safe on Instagram.
What is a fake Instagram account?
A fake Instagram account is an account that has been created, usually, with malicious intent. The account is usually created by someone who uses another person’s photo, name, and other personal info to trick people into thinking they are the person they are impersonating.
Ex: Someone impersonating an influencer or a bigger account to trick their followers into giving them personal information like credit card details.
However, fake Instagram accounts can also be created for other reasons like a Finsta. A finsta is an account one can create that has no ties back to them so they can follow and spy on other accounts without them realizing.
If you’re thinking of creating a fake Instagram account, remember that it is against Instagram’s terms of services and you could get into some serious trouble if you’re caught.
Why do people create fake Instagram accounts?
As much as we hate fake Instagram accounts, there are a few reasons why someone would create one. Here are some of the reasons:
- To troll or harass others. Fake accounts are often used to spread hate speech, make threats, or bully others. This can be a serious problem, especially for young people who are especially vulnerable to cyberbullying.
- To impersonate someone else. Fake accounts can be used to impersonate celebrities, politicians, or other public figures. This can be done to spread misinformation or to damage someone’s reputation.
- To spread misinformation or propaganda. Fake accounts can be used to spread false information or propaganda. This can be done to influence public opinion or to sow discord.
- To promote their own business or product. Some businesses and individuals create fake accounts to promote their products or services. This can be done to get more followers and engagement or to make it seem like there is more demand for their products than there actually is.
- To gain followers and likes. Some people create fake accounts simply to gain followers and likes. This can be done for a variety of reasons, such as to boost their ego or to make it seem like they are more popular than they actually are.
- To avoid being tracked or monitored. Some people create fake accounts to avoid being tracked or monitored by their employer, school, or government. This can be done to protect their privacy or to engage in activities that they would not want others to know about.
- To experiment with different social media strategies. Some businesses and individuals create fake accounts to experiment with different social media strategies. This can be done to test new features, to see what kind of content performs well, or to learn more about their target audience.
How to spot a fake Instagram account
If you’re wondering if an account that just started following you or who is creeping on your Instagram Story is a bot, here are a few signs that an account is fake:
No followers or posts
When you go to the profile and there are no posts and the person has no followers, chances are they are a bot or fake account. Unless you know the account personally (and they really don’t have any followers and posts), this type of profile is a major red flag.
Spam comments
The account leaves spam comments on how you can “get rich fast with cryptocurrency!!!” is more than likely a spam or fake Instagram account.
Not only are spam comments annoying, but they can actually make your own profile look less legitimate if you have too many spam comments under your posts.
Spam DMs
Not only will a fake account spam comments, but they will spam your DMs. You’ll get a message that is very generic that either wants you to participate in being an influencer with them, DM information to them, or visit another website.
Private accounts
We’re definitely not saying that all private accounts are fake (they definitely aren’t!), but a lot of fake Instagram accounts will make their profiles private to make it harder for people to identify them.
By limiting the amount of people who can see their content, private accounts have the ability to avoid detection of their activities longer than people with public accounts.
Copycat bio
A lot of fake Instagram accounts will copy and paste a bio from a real Instagram account. They might change a word or two—or add a few different punctuation marks—so be sure to pay attention!
There are also times when the Instagram account won’t have a bio at all.
Follows a lot of accounts
Instagram accounts look more legitimate when they have followers. What better way to get followers than to follow as many people as you can? Fake Instagram accounts will have a large number of people they follow to get more people to follow them.
If you find an account that has a large number of people they follow and hardly any followers, be wary.
How to report a fake Instagram account
So you found a fake Instagram account? Let’s report it!
- Go to the fake Instagram account’s profile
- Click the three dots at the top right corner
- Click “Report”
- Select “It’s a fake account” from the list of options provided
- Give details about why you believe it’s a fake account
- Click “Report” to submit your report to Instagram
Instagram will review the details you’ve provided and will take action if they believe the account to be fake.
FYI: The account might not be deleted if it doesn’t technically violate Instagram’s terms of service.
And that’s it! No more being suspicious and not ever knowing if an account is a fake one or not. You’ve got all the tools at your disposal. Want to learn even more Instagram tips and tricks? Be sure to bookmark our blog or sign up for our newsletter so you don’t miss out on a single thing!
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