How to Report an Instagram Account (and Which Reason to Choose)

To report an Instagram account, open the profile, tap the three-dot menu, choose Report, then choose to report the account (rather than a single post) and pick the reason that matches the problem. For impersonation, a child under 13, or if you don’t have an Instagram account, Instagram’s Help Center also has report forms you can use without logging in. Instagram says reports are kept anonymous from the reported account, with the exception of intellectual property reports.

The reason you choose decides which team reviews the report and which rules they apply, so it matters more than anything else. This guide matches common problems to the right option, explains what happens after you submit, and covers what to do when Instagram decides the account can stay.

Report the account or report a post?

Instagram lets you report individual posts, comments, stories and messages, or the whole account. They’re reviewed differently.

• Report the account when the problem is who the account is or what it exists for: a fake profile pretending to be you, a scam account, an account set up to harass someone, or a user who appears to be under 13.
• Report a post or comment when the problem is a specific piece of content, such as a photo of you shared without permission or a threatening comment.

If an account exists to target you and has posted several abusive items, report the account and the worst individual posts. Each report gives reviewers another concrete example. For content about you specifically, our guide on removing an Instagram post about you goes deeper on post-level reports.

How to report an Instagram account in the app

1. Save evidence first. Screenshot the profile page (username, name, photo, bio), copy the profile link, and screenshot any posts or messages that matter. Usernames can be changed and accounts can be deleted, so don’t skip this.
2. Open the profile and tap the three dots in the top corner.
3. Tap Report, then choose the option to report the account itself rather than a specific post, story or comment.
4. Choose the reason that fits. The list changes over time, but typically includes options along the lines of posting content that shouldn’t be on Instagram, pretending to be someone else, and possibly being under 13.
5. Answer the follow-up questions. For impersonation, Instagram asks whether the account is pretending to be you, someone you know, a celebrity or public figure, or a business. Say it’s you if it is: reports from the person affected can carry more weight.
6. Submit, and consider blocking or restricting the account while the report is reviewed.

Which report reason fits which problem

Problem	Reason to choose	Extra route
A fake account using your name or photos	Pretending to be someone else, then “me”	Instagram’s impersonation form in the Help Center, which asks for a photo of your ID and works without an account
A fake account pretending to be a friend or family member	Pretending to be someone else, then “someone I know”	Ask the person being impersonated to report it too, since their report can include ID
An account harassing or bullying you	The content or behavior option, then bullying or harassment	Report the worst individual posts, comments or messages as well
Threats of violence	Violence or dangerous content	Contact the police if you feel at risk; don’t wait for Instagram
Scam or fraud account	Scam or fraud	Report the scam messages too; contact your bank if you paid
A child under 13 using Instagram	May be under the age of 13	Instagram’s Help Center form for reporting an underage account
Your photos or creative work used without permission	Intellectual property (copyright or trademark)	Instagram’s IP report forms; note these reports aren’t anonymous
A friend’s account that has been hacked	Report the scam posts or messages it sends	Tell the owner (by another channel) to use instagram.com/hacked

Impersonation

Instagram’s rules prohibit accounts that pretend to be someone else in a way that could mislead people. Parody and fan accounts that are clearly labeled usually aren’t treated as impersonation. If the account copies your photos and name to message your friends, it’s a clear case. Our guide on what to do if someone is impersonating you online covers warning contacts and escalating when impersonation turns into fraud.

Harassment and bullying

Meta generally gives private individuals more protection than public figures, and some protections only apply when the person targeted makes the report. If you’re reporting on someone else’s behalf, say so, and encourage them to report as well if they can.

Scam accounts

Fake giveaway accounts, fake investment “mentors” and fake brand support accounts are common. Report the account as a scam, and report any messages it sent you. If you’ve lost money, report it to your bank and keep records. Our guide to Instagram scams explains the patterns to watch for.

Underage accounts

Instagram requires users to be at least 13. You can report an account from the profile, or use Instagram’s Help Center form, which you can submit whether or not you have an account. If the account involves sexual content or exploitation of a minor, don’t screenshot or save any images. Report the account and the content, and report it to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) through its CyberTipline. NCMEC’s Take It Down service can also help remove images of someone who was under 18.

What happens after you report an Instagram account

1. Review. Instagram reviews reports using a mix of automated systems and human reviewers. It doesn’t publish a set response time.
2. Decision. Instagram may remove the account, remove specific content, limit the account’s features or reach, add a warning, or decide there’s no violation.
3. Notification. Instagram typically lets you know the outcome. You can usually check the status of reports you’ve made in the help or support requests section of your settings.
4. Review request. If Instagram decides not to act, you may be offered an option to request another review. For some decisions, Meta also offers a route to appeal to the Oversight Board, an independent body that reviews a limited number of cases.

A removal isn’t always permanent. Some people create new accounts after a ban. Keep your evidence log so you can show a pattern if that happens.

A worked example

This is an illustrative scenario, not a real client. A yoga instructor, call him Marcus, hears from two students that “he” has been messaging them about a discounted private class paid by gift card. He finds an account using his name with an extra underscore and his profile photos.

1. Evidence: he screenshots the fake profile and copies its link, and asks the students for screenshots of the messages.
2. Warning: he posts a story on his real account saying he never asks for payment by direct message or gift card.
3. Report: he reports the account as pretending to be him, and also submits Instagram’s impersonation form with a photo of his ID.
4. Scam reports: the students report the messages as scams and block the account.
5. Follow-up: the account is removed. Two weeks later a near-identical one appears; he repeats the report and references the earlier case in his notes.

Not every report works first time. Clear evidence, the right reason and a report from the person affected give the best chance.

What to do if Instagram doesn’t remove the account

Instagram rejecting a report means the reviewer didn’t find a violation of the rule you picked, based on what they saw. It doesn’t always mean the account is fine.

• Request another review if the option is offered, and add any context you can.
• Check you chose the right reason. A fake account reported as “spam” may be judged differently than one reported as impersonation.
• Use the Help Center forms. The impersonation form with ID is often more effective than an in-app report for fake accounts.
• Report individual content. Specific abusive posts or messages can be removed even if the account stays.
• Protect yourself anyway. Block the account, and consider whether to restrict related accounts, make your profile private, or tighten comment and message controls.
• Escalate outside the platform when it’s serious: threats, stalking, extortion, fraud and exploitation of minors are matters for the police, and some cases are worth discussing with a lawyer.

Common mistakes

• Organizing a mass-report campaign. Getting dozens of people to report an account won’t force a removal, and reporting accounts that haven’t broken the rules can itself breach Instagram’s rules. One accurate report with evidence is better.
• Picking a vague reason. Choose the most specific option that’s true.
• Messaging the account. Confronting an impersonator or harasser often escalates things or prompts them to delete evidence.
• Paying someone to get an account removed. Services that promise to take down any account for a fee are frequently scams, and legitimate firms can’t override Instagram’s review.
• Not saving evidence. If the account disappears and comes back, you’ll want proof of the first one.

When to get more help

If you’re being targeted by threats, stalking, sextortion or a coordinated campaign, you don’t have to handle it alone. Our help and support resources list free hotlines and organizations. If fake or hostile accounts are damaging how you appear when people search for you, our social media reputation management service can help with reporting, documentation and the wider cleanup.

Frequently asked questions

Will the person know I reported their Instagram account?

Instagram says it doesn’t tell people who reported them, except for intellectual property reports. The person may still guess if only a few people could have reported them.

How many reports does it take to delete an Instagram account?

There’s no set number. Instagram says it reviews reports against its rules, so one accurate report with clear evidence can be enough, and many reports about an account that hasn’t broken the rules won’t get it removed.

Can I report an Instagram account without having an account?

Yes, for some problems. Instagram’s Help Center has forms for impersonation, underage users and intellectual property that you can submit without logging in.

How long does Instagram take to review a report?

Instagram doesn’t publish a set timeframe. Some reports are handled quickly and others take longer, depending on the issue and how much review it needs.

What if the account I reported comes back under a new name?

Report the new account the same way, mention the earlier report in any free-text field, and block it. Blocking on Instagram can include an option to block new accounts the person may create.