How To Get Rid of Bots on Instagram
While Instagram makes efforts to prioritize user security, the presence of bots remains a persistent issue on the platform.
Bots are essentially fake Instagram accounts created with the purpose of boosting the audience for a brand or individual account.
Detecting bots can be relatively easy based on certain indicators such as unusual usernames, imbalanced follower-to-following ratios, automated messages on posts, and other suspicious activities.
However, the question arises: How can you effectively eliminate bots from your Instagram experience?
This article will detail the steps to comprehensively get rid of Instagram bots.
Contents
What Are Bots on Instagram?
During the early days of Instagram, it became a popular trend for both individual users and brands to amass a large number of followers. Regrettably, in their quest for higher numbers and increased visibility on the platform, some brands resorted to employing fake accounts operated by bots to engage users and inundate them with spam comments.
As a result, the presence of bots on Instagram has become pervasive, with virtually no account being immune to their presence. You may encounter them through unsolicited direct messages promoting a brand or account, accompanied by a link directing you to their content. They also infiltrate your comment section and swiftly like your posts mere seconds after they are published. These bots are known by various terms, such as spammers or fake followers.
How Do You Recognize a Bot Account on Instagram
Before taking action against a bot account on Instagram, it is important to be aware of the key indicators that can help identify such accounts. In addition to the telltale signs of automated comments and likes on your posts, there are several factors that can confirm the presence of a bot account:
- High follow count with a low number of followers.
- Lack of posts or a profile picture.
- Usernames that consist of a combination of letters and numbers.
- Absence of a profile description or bio.
- Immediate automatic messages in your direct messages (DM) as soon as you follow them.
Furthermore, it is advisable to be vigilant for other factors such as poor-quality content on their page, content filled with ads, no comments on their posts, and an uneven distribution of likes.
By recognizing these factors, you can better identify and take appropriate action against bot accounts on Instagram.
How To Get Rid of Bots From Your Instagram
In general, bot accounts on Instagram violate multiple rules, leading to their hunting and deletion by the Instagram team.
Having bot accounts among your followers or the accounts you follow can significantly harm your account’s reach, visibility, and even lead to suspension if Instagram suspects your involvement with bots.
The problems caused by bots are never worth the temporary increase in follower count they may provide. Therefore, if you have identified bot accounts, the following steps will help you eliminate them:
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Step 1: Search and Identify the Bots Begin by searching for and identifying the bot accounts using the factors mentioned earlier. Go through your followers list and the accounts you follow, looking for those exhibiting the listed characteristics. Additionally, review your posts for accounts that leave automated comments with unusual content or links. Take note of these accounts for the next step.
Step 2: Remove from Your Followers List If you find bot accounts among your followers, the next step is to remove them. Instagram arranges followers from oldest to most recent, so recent bot follows should appear at the top. Follow these steps to remove a bot account from your followers list:
- Launch the Instagram app and go to your profile.
- Tap on the “Followers” tab on your profile page.
- Scroll through the list and identify the bot account.
- Tap on the “Remove” button next to the account’s name.
However, removing a bot account does not guarantee it won’t find your account again and attempt to follow it. To prevent this, proceed to the next step and block the bot account.
Step 3: Block the Bot Account Blocking the bot account will prevent it from finding your account and attempting to follow you again. Once you have identified the account, follow these steps to block it:
- Tap on the profile icon of the bot account.
- Tap on the three-dot icon on the top right of the bot’s profile page.
- Select “Block [username] and other accounts they may have or create.”
- Tap on the “Block” button.
Blocking the account ensures it will have no further access to your account. Now, proceed to the next step to report the account and help Instagram take action against other bot accounts.
Step 4: Report the Account Reporting the bot account not only blocks it but also contributes to making Instagram a safer platform for you and other users. Instagram keeps the reporting process confidential, and the account won’t be notified about your report. Follow these steps to report a bot account:
- Find and identify the account.
- Tap on the profile icon of the account to open the profile page.
- Tap on the three-dot icon on the top right of the page.
- Tap on “Report…”
- Follow the instructions and provide reasons why you suspect the account is a bot.
Instagram will acknowledge receipt of your report and initiate an investigation into the account. They will also keep you updated with notifications regarding the action taken against the account.
By following these steps, you can effectively address the issue of bot accounts on Instagram and contribute to maintaining a safer and more authentic community on the platform.
Conclusion
It is crucial to distance yourself from bot accounts, whether they are following your account or you are following them.
Therefore, follow these steps to completely eliminate them.
By doing so, you will ensure your safety and foster organic growth for your account.
