Instagram currently has an estimated 2 billion active users each month, but not all of them are real people. Fake Instagram accounts flood the platform daily. Some are bots, others are scammers, and many exist just to inflate follower counts or spread spam.

If you’ve ever received a random DM from a so-called brand ambassador, seen an account with thousands of followers but no engagement, or found someone using your pictures under a different name, you’ve likely come across a fake Instagram page.

The goal of this guide is to explain how to tell fake Instagram accounts, what signs to look out for, and how to report and protect yourself from fake accounts on Instagram.

Types of Fake Instagram Accounts

❌Bot Accounts: These aren’t real users; they’re just programmed to follow, like, and comment to make other accounts look busier than they really are. You’ve probably seen them dropping random comments like “Great post!” seconds after something goes live.

❌ Impersonation Accounts: This is when someone copies your whole profile and pretends to be you. Sometimes, it’s harmless clout-chasing, but often, it’s done to scam or confuse people.

❌ Scam Accounts: These are the ones offering free phones, giveaways, or “miracle” products. They’re built to trick you into clicking something, sharing info, or handing over money. Some even replicate or clone big-name brands.

❌ Engagement Pods & Fake Followers: Not everyone builds their following the honest way. Some buy fake followers or join groups where people agree to like and comment on each other’s posts. The problem is that the engagement isn’t real, and it shows.

❌ Catfish Accounts: These accounts use fake names and stolen pics to pretend to be someone they’re not. They’ll message people, start fake relationships, and sometimes ask for money. If someone’s always dodging video calls, that’s your cue to walk away.

How to Tell If an Instagram Account Is Fake (10 Red Flags)

🚩 Zero Original Content – If an account has no posts, no stories, and nothing unique, it’s either brand new or just another bot.

🚩 Weird Follower-to-Following Ratio – If an account follows 8,000 people but only has 25 followers, that’s a red flag. Bots and spam accounts tend to follow tons of users hoping for follow-backs. On the flip side, a brand-new account posting nonstop with zero followers looks just as suspicious.

🚩 Generic or Spammy Comments – Ever get something like “Awesome post! 🔥 Let’s collab. DM me!” under a totally unrelated photo? That’s a bot. Fake accounts flood Instagram with copy-paste comments that have nothing to do with your content. Real people interact naturally, while bots just pretend to be active.

🚩Odd Username or Profile Details – Usernames like @Emily482930 or @free.giveaway.987 pretty much scream fake. These profiles usually have no bio, weird emojis, or sketchy links (which, by the way, you should never click). Real users take time to set up their profiles; bots don’t bother.

🚩 Stolen or Too-Perfect Photos – If the profile picture looks like it belongs on a magazine cover but the account has no real activity, it’s probably fake. Most of these use stolen influencer shots or stock images to come off as legit.

🚩 Suspicious DMs & Random Links – If a stranger messages you saying you’ve won a prize, need to “verify your account,” or offers to sell you something shady; it’s a scam. Real brands don’t slide into DMs with “urgent” requests.

🚩 Posts That Make No Sense – Some fake accounts repost stolen content but don’t engage like a real person would. If you see a profile posting random selfies, brand promotions, and memes with no comments or interaction, it’s likely a fake page.

🚩 Fake Giveaways & “Too Good to Be True” Offers – If an account is promising free iPhones, $500 gift cards, or instant fame, run. Legit giveaways are hosted by well-known brands, not some random account with 30 followers.

How to Report a Fake Instagram Account

If you come across a fake Instagram profile, the best thing you can do is report it. If it’s impersonating you, a friend, or a well-known brand, Instagram has built-in tools to handle these situations. Here’s how to do it:

On Mobile (iOS & Android)

1️⃣ Go to the fake profile.
2️⃣ Tap the three dots (⋮) in the top-right corner.
3️⃣ Select Report > They are pretending to be someone else.
4️⃣ Choose “Who are they pretending to be” (me, someone else).
5️⃣ Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the report.

On Desktop

If someone’s using your name, photos, or personal info to run scams or impersonate you, head to the My Instagram Was Hacked page. Click “Someone used my name, photos, or information to create a new account” and file the report by clicking “File Report.”

You can also go to the Instagram Help Center, then navigate to Privacy, Security and Reporting > How to Report Things. This section walks you through how to report fake profiles, impersonation, and other account abuse.

Keep in mind that Instagram may ask for proof, like a government-issued ID, to verify that the account being copied is yours.

What Happens After You Report a Fake Instagram Account?

Instagram reviews reported accounts and removes those that violate platform guidelines. Sometimes, it takes a while, but if the account is clearly fake, it will be taken down. If necessary, you can ask friends or followers to report the same account to speed up the process.

If an impersonation account keeps reappearing, consider setting your profile to private and using watermarks on photos to prevent image theft.

How to Protect Yourself from Fake Instagram Pages

Spotting fake Instagram accounts is one thing, but avoiding them is just as important. To keep your profile safe from bots, scams, and impersonators, do the following:

✅ Keep Your Profile Private (If You’re Not a Public Figure or Business): If you’re not trying to grow a public audience, switching to a private profile limits who can follow you, see your posts, or send messages. This blocks bots and fake accounts from randomly engaging with your content.

✅ Think Before You Click: Fake Instagram pages often use phishing links to steal passwords or personal data. If a random account claims you’ve won a prize, need to verify your account, or must “act fast,” don’t click the link, as it’s likely a scam.

✅ Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Adding an extra layer of security protects your account from hackers. With 2FA turned on, even if someone guesses your password, they can’t log in without the security code sent to your phone or email.

✅ Don’t Accept Follow Requests from Suspicious Accounts: A brand-new account with no profile picture, zero posts, or a sketchy username is most likely fake. These accounts exist to spam, scam, or steal information. If you don’t recognize them, decline the request.

✅ Be Wary of Random DMs from Strangers: Scammers often pretend to be influencers, brands, or even Instagram support to trick people. If an unknown account messages you with “You won a giveaway!” or “Verify your account here,” don’t fall for it. Legit businesses don’t operate this way.

✅ Avoid Fake Giveaways & Too-Good-To-Be-True Offers: If an account promises free iPhones, instant followers, or huge cash prizes, it’s a scam. Real giveaways are hosted by verified brands, not random pages with 50 followers. If they ask for credit card details or login info, they’re after your money.

✅ Check Your Followers & Remove Suspicious Accounts: Fake followers hurt engagement and credibility, so it’s best to remove them. Look for empty profiles, generic usernames, and accounts that follow thousands of random people. A clean follower list helps maintain genuine interactions.

✅ Ignore & Block Bots That Spam You: Bots flood Instagram with generic comments, fake likes, and spam links. If you keep seeing comments like “DM for collab” or “Promote it on [random page],” that’s a bot. Ignoring, blocking, and reporting them is the best move.

✅ Report Fake Pages & Impersonators to Instagram: If you spot an account pretending to be you or someone else, report it immediately. Instagram has a built-in reporting feature to remove fake accounts deceiving people. The faster you report, the sooner Instagram takes action.

Final Thoughts

Fake Instagram accounts are everywhere, from bots leaving spam comments to scammers impersonating influencers. While some are just harmless bots, others can spread misinformation, steal identities, or even attempt fraud. Knowing the warning signs helps you avoid these accounts and keep your profile safe.

If you’re serious about growing an authentic Instagram presence, focus on real engagement, quality followers, and genuine interactions. A clean follower list means better reach, stronger credibility, and a more engaged audience.

However, standing out on Instagram takes time. If you want a faster way to increase engagement, Bulkoid offers real Instagram followers, likes, comments, and views to help boost your visibility. No bots, no fake pages, just genuine engagement that gets your content seen by more people. Give us a try today!

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you know if an Instagram account is a bot?

Bot accounts usually have no profile picture, very few posts, and thousands of random followers. They also leave generic, spammy comments like “Nice post!” or “DM us for promo!” on multiple accounts. If an account seems too robotic, it probably is.

Is it possible to trace a fake Instagram account?

Tracing a fake account is tricky, but you can try a few things. Check their IP address if they’ve emailed you, run a reverse image search on their profile pictures, or look for patterns in their posts and interactions. However, unless law enforcement gets involved, Instagram won’t reveal the real identity behind an account.

How do you know if an Instagram account is official?

Official accounts usually have a blue verification badge next to the username. Legit brands, influencers, and public figures link their Instagram to their website or other social media. If an account claims to be someone famous but doesn’t have a checkmark or official links, be cautious.

Can someone know who is behind a fake Instagram account?

Unless the user slips up, like using the same username on multiple platforms or revealing personal details in their posts; it’s hard to uncover the real person behind a fake account. If the account is engaging in fraud or harassment, reporting it to Instagram or law enforcement is the best course of action.

What should I do if Instagram doesn’t remove a fake account I reported?

 If Instagram doesn’t take action after reporting, you can:

• Ask others to report the account as well (mass reports get more attention).
• Send proof of impersonation (if they’re pretending to be you or someone else).
• Block the account to prevent further interaction. If the fake page is causing serious harm, contacting Instagram’s support directly or taking legal action may be necessary.

Are private accounts safer from fake followers and bots?

Yes, private accounts have more control over who follows them, which helps keep fake followers and bots out. Since private accounts require approval before someone can follow, it’s easier to filter out spammy profiles with no posts, weird usernames, or mass follow activity. However, even private accounts can still receive fake DMs or comment spam.