We Suspect Automated Behaviour on Your Account Instagram [How to Fix]
Written by: Hrishikesh Pardeshi, Founder at Flexiple, buildd & Remote Tools.
Last updated: Sep 10, 2024
Receiving a notice about suspected automated behavior on your Instagram account can be alarming. Such alerts mean Instagram thinks your activities resemble those of bots. This could be due to excessive liking, commenting, or following in a short period. The good news is, you can resolve this issue.
To resolve the issue, start by reviewing your recent activity and slowing down any repetitive actions, such as mass liking or following. It’s also a good idea to change your password and log out of any third-party apps connected to your account, as these can sometimes trigger Instagram’s automated behavior detection. If the problem persists, you can submit an appeal to Instagram, explaining the situation and requesting a review of your account. By adjusting your activity and following Instagram’s guidelines, you can prevent future issues and keep your account safe from further restrictions. Additionally, consider managing your privacy settings if you want to control who sees your Instagram stories.
Table of Contents
Why Does Instagram Suspects Automated Behavior?
Instagram suspects automated behavior on your account when it detects actions that mimic bots rather than human users. This can trigger Instagram's security protocols designed to protect the platform from spam and abuse. Such measures ensure a genuine user experience and prevent malicious activities.
Actions flagged as automated often include excessive likes, comments, or follows in a short time. Instagram's algorithms are tuned to spot behavior that deviates from typical human patterns, which is why rapid activity can raise suspicions.
Repetitive Patterns: Continuous, identical comments or identical DMs sent to various users.
High Frequency: Exceeding the normal rate of profile interactions or content postings.
After detecting these signs, Instagram may limit certain functionalities on your account to mitigate potential threats. This is a precaution to safeguard community integrity and ensure compliance with Instagram’s usage policies.
To resolve these issues, review your activity and adjust your usage to more natural interaction patterns. Avoid third-party automation tools that promise growth or engagement, as these are often flagged by Instagram’s system. By adhering to Instagram’s guidelines, your account can return to good standing, ensuring uninterrupted social engagement.
Use of Third-Party Tools
Instagram suspects automated behavior on your IG account primarily due to the use of third-party tools. These external applications, which are not officially associated with Instagram, automate typical user interactions such as following, liking, and commenting. This pattern of behavior strongly resembles that of bot accounts, which can manipulate platform engagement and violate Instagram’s usage policies. Managing these settings correctly can also help you extend the visibility of your Instagram stories beyond the typical duration.
When such tools are detected, Instagram's algorithms are designed to intervene, flagging the account with a warning message to prevent spam and maintain the integrity of user interactions. This action is crucial to safeguarding the community against fraudulent activities and ensuring a genuine user experience.
To preserve your account's standing and prevent potential penalties, including temporary blocks or permanent bans, it is advisable to cease the use of any unauthorized third-party tools. If you've recently connected any apps or noticed suspicious login attempts, visit the Play Store to update your Instagram app and check your security settings. Remove access to these tools immediately if they prompt any error message or if you face the same problem again. Adhering strictly to Instagram’s Terms of Service is the best way to avoid these issues and maintain a healthy presence on the platform. Moreover, avoid engaging with unknown direct messages that could relate to these breaches.
Excessive Activity
Instagram suspects automated behavior on your account primarily due to excessive activity. This situation arises when there’s an unusually high frequency of actions—such as likes, follows, and comments—within a short time frame. Engaging at a rate that surpasses typical human capabilities often triggers Instagram's security algorithms, leading to suspicions of bot usage or automated tools. If you've noticed that your Instagram story disappeared before 24 hours, it could be related to these security measures.
These security measures are in place to maintain a genuine user experience and prevent spam. If your account activity suddenly spikes beyond normal usage patterns, Instagram's system might automatically apply restrictions or temporary blocks, interpreting these actions as potential threats to the platform's integrity.
To prevent such issues, it's advisable to moderate the pace of your interactions and adhere strictly to Instagram’s operational limits. Regularly reviewing and understanding Instagram's terms of service can also help ensure that your account remains in good standing, free from flags for suspected automation.
What Happens If Instagram Suspects Automated Behavior?
If Instagram detects automated behavior on your account, you may face account restrictions or even a permanent ban. Such actions include rapid, bot-like interactions or using unauthorized apps for likes and follows. These measures help maintain the platform’s authenticity and security.
Account Restrictions
If Instagram suspects automated behavior on your account, several account restrictions may apply. These restrictions are designed to prevent further suspicious activity and protect the community. Here's what you might face:
Temporary Blocking: Your ability to post, comment, or like may be temporarily disabled.
Follow and Unfollow Limits: Instagram might place limits on how many accounts you can follow or unfollow within a certain period.
Content Visibility: Posts and stories may receive reduced visibility, affecting their reach to new and existing followers.
These measures are part of Instagram's efforts to maintain a safe and authentic environment for all users. If you encounter these restrictions, review your recent activities and adjust them to comply with Instagram’s guidelines.
Permanent Bans
If Instagram suspects automated behavior on your account, permanent bans can be a severe consequence. Here's what you need to know:
Automated activities such as likes, follows, and comments generated by bots can trigger Instagram's security algorithms.
Instagram enforces strict policies against these practices to maintain platform integrity and user trust.
A permanent ban means losing access to your account indefinitely, without the possibility of recovery.
Such bans are not just disruptive but also prevent any form of re-engagement with the Instagram community using the same account details.
Always ensure your interactions on Instagram are genuine and manual to avoid these severe penalties.
How to Fix We Suspect Automated Behavior Warning?
To fix the We Suspect Automated Behavior warning on your Instagram account, start by taking immediate actions. First, stop using third-party apps that automate posting, liking, or commenting behaviors. These apps often violate Instagram's terms of service and can trigger such warnings. Next, slow down your activity on the platform. Rapid, repetitive actions can mimic bots and cause suspicion. Lastly, change your password. This can secure your account from unauthorized automation tools that may have gained access. These steps are essential first measures to regain normal access to your account and ensure its security.
Stop Using Third-Party Apps
To fix the "We Suspect Automated Behavior on Your Account" warning on Instagram, stop using third-party apps. These applications often perform actions that mimic bots, leading to such warnings. Here’s how you can address this:
Immediately disconnect and uninstall any third-party apps linked to your Instagram.
Change your password to secure your account from unauthorized automated access.
Monitor your account for any continued unusual activity that does not align with normal usage patterns.
Ceasing the use of these apps should resolve the warning as your account returns to normal user behavior.
Slow Down Activity
To fix the "We Suspect Automated Behavior" warning on Instagram, it's essential to slow down your activity. Here’s how you can start:
Reduce Frequency: Immediately decrease the number of actions—likes, follows, and comments—you perform in an hour. Aim for actions that mirror human speed rather than rapid, repetitive behavior.
Space Out Engagements: Spread out your interactions throughout the day instead of conducting them in quick successions.
Use Your Account Manually: Avoid using third-party apps or services that automate activity on your account. Stick to manual, authentic engagement.
By implementing these steps, you signal to Instagram that your actions are genuine, helping lift the automated behavior warning.
Change Your Password
To address the "We Suspect Automated Behavior" warning on Instagram, change your password immediately. Here’s how to do it effectively:
Access Settings: Open the Instagram app, tap on your profile icon, then tap the menu in the top right corner. Select 'Settings.'
Select Security: From the settings menu, tap on 'Security' and then 'Password.'
Update Your Password: Enter your current password followed by a new, strong password. Mix letters, numbers, and symbols to increase security.
Confirm the Change: Save your new password by tapping 'Save' or 'Change Password.'
Updating your password is a critical step in verifying your identity and halting any alerts about automated behaviors on your account.
How to Avoid Automated Behaviour Warnings
You can avoid automated behavior warnings on Instagram by understanding and adhering to the platform's limits on likes, comments, and follows. Ensure you stay within these boundaries to prevent triggering spam alerts. Additionally, promptly report any suspicious activities or security warnings to safeguard your account.
Be Aware of Instagram Limits
To avoid automated behavior warnings on Instagram, it's essential to be aware of the platform's limits. Here's what you need to know:
Instagram restricts the number of posts you can like, with a ceiling of about 350 likes per hour.
Comments should be capped at around 60 per hour to avoid triggering spam filters.
Follow or unfollow actions are limited to a combined total of 200 per hour.
Exceeding these limits can signal to Instagram's monitoring systems that your account is engaging in spam-like activity. Stick within these guidelines to keep your account running smoothly and free from warnings.
Report Suspicious Activity
To avoid automated behavior warnings on Instagram, it's crucial to report suspicious activity immediately. By staying vigilant and reporting unusual interactions, you help maintain your account's integrity.
Key Steps to Report Suspicious Activity:
Identify any messages, follows, or likes that seem automated or out of character.
Use the "Report" button directly on posts, profiles, or messages that seem suspicious.
Choose the most appropriate option for why you're reporting the activity to help Instagram take accurate action.
Monitoring your account for signs of unauthorized access and consistently reporting dubious activities are effective strategies for preventing warnings about automated behavior.
FAQs On We Suspect Automated Behaviour Warning
1. Why does Instagram suspect automated behavior on my account?
Instagram suspects automated behavior on your account when it detects actions that mimic bots, such as rapid likes, comments, or follows.
2. What happens if Instagram flags my account for automated behavior?
If flagged, your account may face temporary restrictions, such as limitations on engaging with content or posting, to prevent potential spam activities.
3. How can I fix the issue of suspected automated behavior on Instagram?
To fix this issue, slow down your activity, use the platform like a regular human user, and avoid any third-party apps that automate Instagram interactions.
4. Will Instagram permanently ban my account for suspected automated behavior?
Instagram does not typically permanently ban accounts for first-time automated behavior suspicions; they usually issue temporary restrictions to ensure user compliance with their guidelines.