Dealing With an Instagram IP Ban: How to Regain Access to Your Account

The days when Instagram used to allow users to have multiple accounts, mass like, comment easily, and post are long gone. Today, Instagram controls all users with strict anti-spam and anti-botting measures.

Even if you aren’t trying to grow your account in a non-organic way, you might risk getting an Instagram IP ban. Understanding what Instagram IP and account bans are, what causes them, and the best tips to avoid them will help keep your account safe.

What Is an IP Address?

To understand Instagram IP bans, you first need to know what an IP address is . An IP address is a unique string of characters that identifies a device connected to the internet, be it a smartphone, tablet, PC, or any other device.

Without an IP address, no device can communicate with others and connect to the internet.

An internet service provider assigns it and contains information about the user, such as their approximate location.

The IP address can change depending on the network you are using, but it’s still one of the key ways of identifying and tracking users online. It’s also how websites and platforms can restrict access to their content based on the user’s geographical location, also known as geo-blocking.

An IP address is associated with all your online activities, including those on Instagram, and can be used to block your Instagram access.

Does Instagram Know Your IP?

Instagram, or any other online service you use, can see your IP address when you make a connection request. It’s how they know where to send the response, as your IP address is tied to your approximate location and internet service provider.

Although your IP won’t reveal more personal information about you, it does help Instagram separate you from other users. Much like other social media platforms, Instagram keeps a record of the IPs used when accessing it. It’s part of their privacy policy.

It’s also used for security reasons – if someone attempts to access your Instagram account through a different IP address, you’ll usually get a warning or message.

What Is an Instagram IP Ban?

An Instagram IP ban means that a specific IP address has been banned from accessing the platform. Since the platform can see your IP address and associate it with your activities, it can easily also block it from accessing the associated accounts or performing specific actions.

All requests sent from the banned IP address are automatically rejected, regardless of whether you use the website or mobile app. Everyone using the same Wi-FI, for example, can suddenly get banned, such as roommates or family members, even though only one of them has violated the rules.

Usually, more than one user is affected, and you can’t bypass such bans by creating a new account. The only possible workaround is to use another IP address to create an account.

Why Is Instagram Banning IP Addresses?

Generally, Instagram bans IP addresses when they are associated with continuous violations of rules. So, if you’re a casual user who just wants to share photos occasionally or scroll through Instagram, you have little to worry about. Unless you or someone in your network repeatedly breaks Instagram’s rules.

Online businesses are more likely to get their Instagram accounts and IPs banned as they might need to perform riskier actions. Managing multiple accounts, implementing automation, frequently posting, or other actions might cause an Instagram account or IP ban.

Causes of Instagram IP Bans

Suspicious Activity

An Instagram ban is common after following too many users, liking too many posts in an hour or day, or sending messages in quick succession. In some cases, you can also get punished by unfollowing many accounts in a short time.

Once an action is perceived as suspicious, the punishment can be either an action block or a temporary ban. The first one blocks access to specific features, such as liking and commenting, for a short time, and the second is usually given after ignoring multiple action blocks in the past.

Spamming

Managing numerous accounts just to post inappropriate or irrelevant comments (often referred to as spammy content) can result in an Instagram IP ban. The platform tries to provide a safer and more enjoyable environment for users and deter others from engaging in prohibited activities.

User Complaints

Every Instagram user has an in-app reporting feature that allows them to report an account they consider malicious. Users can also report accounts that post copyrighted content without the owner’s permission.

So, if your account is perceived as a threat to others or if you post someone else’s original content without permission, you can easily get banned due to reports from others.

Promoting Violence/Nudity/Abusive Behavior

If your account promotes hate speech and violence, engages in harassment, displays nudity, or engages in any form of harmful or abusive behavior, you’re violating Instagram’s terms and conditions. Such posts can get flagged, and your account or IP banned.

Running Multiple Instagram Accounts From the Same IP Address

The platform automatically flags IP addresses associated with multiple Instagram accounts. However, users on the same Wi-Fi will most likely have the same IP address when accessing Instagram. That’s because all devices in a coffee bar or apartment will probably use the same router to connect to the internet.

This, however, doesn’t mean they will automatically all get banned for sharing the same IP to access their Instagram account. The platform imposes a limit on the number of user accounts that can be accessed from the same IP address. If this limit is surpassed, an Instagram IP ban is imminent.

Buying Followers, Likes, and Someone’s Account

If you buy or sell followers, likes, or accounts, you’re violating Instagram’s terms and conditions. Since Meta is putting much effort into fighting misinformation, Instagram is quick to ban any accounts under even suspicion of such violations.

Using Bots

Using bots goes against Instagram’s terms of service and can lead to an account suspension or an Instagram IP ban. The platform employs various methods to detect automated behavior, including the use of bots.

If you’re running an online business, marketing agency, or are an influencer, you might need to use automation tools or bots to increase efficiency. They can help you increase your follower count, boost your engagement on the platform, and improve your visibility by automating various tasks.

Despite these potential motivations, it’s essential to recognize that using bots on Instagram is against the platform’s rules, which is why additional measures must be taken.

How Long Do Instagram Bans Last?

Each Instagram ban differs in effects and duration. In some cases, you might not even know your Instagram account is banned, so determining how long the bans will last is difficult. Yet, based on information in online communities, Instagram’s help section, and known ban messages, we can determine the length reasonably well.

• A temporary action ban typically lasts between 24 and 48 hours. However, if the user continues violating the rules, it can continue for up to 30 days. Certain features of Instagram, such as liking, commenting, posting, or messaging, will not be available during that time.
• A shadow ban is described by users as a significant drop in engagement and reach because your visibility on Instagram is being limited. There are no official notifications or communications, but users report seeing such effects from at least two weeks to several months, usually caused by violating the community guidelines.
• Full account suspension forbids you from logging in to your account, showing you a message with suspension details. It lasts for up to 180 days, during which you must make an appeal, or your account will be permanently disabled. Common reasons for suspension include violating Community Guidelines, copyright infringement, or using automated tools.
• A permanent ban means your Instagram account is deleted and inaccessible without a chance for appeal. It’s caused by continuous and severe violations of the platform’s rules, such as mass following, mass liking, or spamming.
• An IP ban is rarely lifted and applied to users who continuously violate Instagram’s rules from multiple accounts. It’s the most severe restriction Instagram uses, as it limits access to Instagram and usually other Meta services for a particular IP address.

How Do You Know If Your IP Is Banned from Instagram?

Instagram doesn’t always notify you that your IP address or account was banned. Still, there are signs that indicate a possible IP ban, but it must first be differentiated from an Instagram account ban.

Clear the cookies from your browser and the cache from your app. If you can see the sign-in screen, it’s only your account that has been banned. If you can’t access Instagram altogether, it means you’ve received an Instagram IP ban. Other common signs also signal an Instagram IP ban.

Inability to Open a New Account

If you can’t create a new account on the platform using the same device or network, you’re most likely IP-banned. In that case, you won’t succeed even if you use different login credentials. Instagram has blocked your IP address, so attempts to create a new account from that IP address will be unsuccessful.

Inability to Log In

If you can’t log into your account, you’re probably banned from Instagram. An IP ban differs because no matter how many times you enter different usernames and passwords, you’re still redirected back to the login page or get an error message.

“Action Blocked” Messages

If you keep seeing “Action Blocked” messages when trying to follow, comment, like, or do any other action on Instagram across different accounts, it can mean your IP address is banned. Instagram might have flagged your IP address as suspicious, preventing further actions from that IP.

Consistent Problems Across Multiple Accounts

If you’re unable to access different accounts from the same network or device, you might have an Instagram IP ban. That’s because the ban applies to all accounts linked to the banned IP, not just the one that has caused the ban. Often, the same ban applies to other Meta services, such as Facebook.

The Best Strategies to Bypass an Instagram IP Ban

Whatever the reason your IP address is banned on Instagram, there’s a way to get around it. Here are a few things you can try to bypass the ban and continue using the platform.

Use Proxies or VPNs

The best way to get around an Instagram IP ban is to modify or change your IP address. You can easily do that with residential proxies . Using a proxy server means connecting to Instagram via a different IP address, solving your problem within seconds.

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High-quality residential proxies or mobile proxies won’t reveal your original IP address or that you’re using a proxy in the first place. Instead, they will make you look like another user when you access Instagram, resembling someone using another device in another location.

Residential proxies carry IP addresses assigned to genuine users by ISPs, and mobile proxies carry genuine mobile IP addresses. And that’s exactly what you need to regain access to Instagram without triggering any alarms.

A VPN is another option to change your IP address, but it works on a system level, as opposed to residential proxies, which work on the app level. Additionally, proxies often use better quality IP addresses that are less detectable.

Whether you go with an Instagram proxy or VPN, make sure you use a trustworthy provider, as Instagram keeps getting better at detecting these tools.

Use Another Device

Once again, the goal is to change your IP, which, except for proxies, only your internet service provider can do. However, that may cost you a lot if you have a static IP. If you have a dynamic IP address, you can try using another device, restarting the current device, or restarting the router.

ISPs typically reassign dynamic IP addresses within a certain timeframe or when they connect. By the time you power on your device again, you’ll likely have a new IP address assigned to you.

Contact Customer Care

Here’s another option to reaccess Instagram, provided you haven’t done anything to deserve the ban. Reach out to their customer care service and file a complaint about your unsuccessful attempts to access your account. Expect a response and follow the instructions. While this can take a while, it’s still an option to consider.

How to Automate Instagram Without Getting Banned

If you don’t adhere to Instagram content guidelines, you’ll probably end up getting banned. But if you need to complete bulk tasks, there’s something you can do to automate them without getting your accounts banned.

Of course, you can do it manually, but it’ll take too much time. Most social media managers use automation tools or bots to boost engagement on their multiple accounts to be more efficient.

Automation tools work well with Instagram and similar platforms, but only if you use them with proxies. With proxies, you basically get a fake IP address by rerouting your connection through them.

So, if you use different proxies for your accounts, you’ll prevent Instagram from discovering that all of them belong to you. This way, you can own and automate as many accounts as you want and still avoid detection and bans.

Tips for Avoiding Instagram IP Bans

The easiest way to avoid an Instagram IP ban is to not violate the platform’s terms of service. It’s the only sure way you won’t have to worry about getting an IP or account ban. Unfortunately, that’s not always that easy, so here are a few suggestions on how to stay away from an Instagram IP ban:

• Show Instagram you’re a genuine user. Post gradually on your own account instead of first liking, sharing, and commenting on other users’ posts.
• Ensure your Instagram content is aligned with the community guidelines. The platform allows anyone 13 and above to register, so your content should be appropriate for a diverse audience. No nudity or any type of sexual content.
• Don’t post violent or gory content. This violates the rules, even if your goal is credible, such as raising awareness.
• Post original content. If you must repost or share someone else’s creations, make sure to give them credit or ask for permission beforehand.
• Ensure the number of your likes and comments stays within the daily limit to avoid being flagged as spam. It’s often recommended not to share, like, comment, message, or follow other accounts more than 30 times each per hour. For older accounts, this limit is 60.
• Avoid posing too frequently. Instagram doesn’t provide official guidelines, but you should stay within the reasonable activity of one person.
• Use proxy servers to avoid such IP restrictions. If you have more than five accounts related to one IP address, you’ll get banned. Use quality residential proxies to reduce the chances of restrictions.
• Use quality automation software. If you must use automation, choose quality software that includes settings for avoiding Instagram bans.

Conclusion

No matter how you want to use Instagram, you must adhere to its rules. Try to avoid the possible triggers, but since it’s easier said than done, consider the strategies we offered to help you bypass and avoid an Instagram IP ban. Only in this way can you use the platform to the fullest!