How to identify fake accounts on Instagram

You work hard to manage your own Instagram account, and the increase in fans is indeed a joy. However, some “fans” are actually fake accounts, they will not actively interact with you, and may even cause problems for you and your fans. Don’t worry, this article will tell you some red flags that you need to pay attention to, and teach you to identify fake accounts on Instagram.

Method 1: The account does not upload an avatar.

Accounts without an avatar are likely to be fake. The real account will let others know who they are, so that family and friends can find them.
It is also possible that your friend has not had time to upload an avatar, but this possibility is extremely low.

Method 2: They did not follow anyone, nor were they followed by others.

There will always be a few fans in a real account. If they are not following anyone or being followed by others, it is most likely a fake account.
Robot programs often use such fake accounts to promote spam links in personal profiles. When you see this type of account, don’t click any links.

Method 3: The account has not posted any posts.

Accounts that have not posted any posts are likely to be deceptive. They are probably robot programs.
Even if it is a private account, you can see the number of posts at the top of their personal homepage.
You should also beware of accounts that have posted a lot of posts, but have stopped posting recently. If they have been disabled for a while, it is likely to be a fake account.

Method 4: They leave empty comments at the bottom of your post.

Fake accounts may want you to close them. If they connect in a short period of time and leave comments such as “good posts” or “good pictures” on many of your photos, it is likely to be a fake account.
However, this may also be an online celebrity account that wants to attract new fans. Check their homepage, if there are no other red flags, then they are likely to be real people.

Method 5: Account stealing other people’s pictures.

An account that pretends to be someone else’s identity is absolutely fake. You can perform reverse image search through Google or Baidu Zitu. If the relevant image has appeared elsewhere, the account is likely to be fake.
When you find accounts that have stolen photos of you or others, you can report them in the Instagram app or [Help Center].

Method 6: The accounts they follow are suspicious.

Fake accounts will follow many people and try to get others to close them in order to increase their number of fans. If you find that there is a huge gap between the account followed by the other party and the number of fans, it is likely to be a fake account.
This is certainly not always the case. Some real accounts also use the same trick to increase their fans. However, this is a good starting point for investigation.

Method 7: The account is newly created.

Fake accounts on Instagram are usually newly created. Scroll down to the bottom of their homepage to see the date of their first post. If it hasn’t been released for a few days, it may be a fake account.
If it is a private account, you cannot browse their posts unless the other party accepts your follow request.
Accounts that have never posted a post are also likely to be fake.

Method 8: They have a large number of fans, but not much interaction.

Fake accounts usually buy fans or have a lot of fake fans. If they have thousands of followers, but each post has only sporadic likes or comments, it is likely to be a fake account.
It is also possible that a real account increases the number of fans by buying fans.
You can also distinguish fake accounts by following their fans. If their fans are mostly inactive, have no avatars, have empty and meaningless usernames, and are likely to be fake fans, then the account is also likely to be fake.

Method 9: They often post photos of different people.

The fake account only takes a few seconds to see through. If all the photos they post are of different people, usually beautiful women who look similar but not exactly the same, then it is likely to be a fake account.
These spam accounts usually want to attract others to click on the links in their profile.

Method 10: They offer discounts or promotions.

Fraud accounts often sell luxury goods at substantial discounts. Accounts that keep trying to get you to click on links to discounted goods are likely to be fake.
The most common scam is the sale of discounted Ray-Ban sunglasses. There are similar fake accounts on Twitter and Facebook.
Do not disclose credit card information to any Instagram account.

hint

You can make your Instagram account private, and anyone who wants to follow you must first go through your screening.