Instagram IP Ban: How to Identify, Resolve, and Avoid Future Bans
So, you tried logging into your Instagram account to post new content. Its something you have done on countless other occasions, monetized it even. Naturally, you expect the process to flow without any hitch, as usual.
So, you follow your usual routine, starting by logging into the app. But alas! Something is definitely out of place. You can’t log in, you can’t even load the website. All you are seeing is a message that reads “Site can’t be reached.” Maybe it’s your internet connection, but upon checking, all other websites are loading just fine.
So, what could be the problem? Why now?
Chances are high that you have been IP-banned on the app. But before you start panicking, we've got your back. Take a few minutes to understand what Instagram IP bans are, how to know when you've been blacklisted, and what you can do to regain access to your account.
What Is an Instagram IP Ban?
Don't start racking your brain about what caused the block just yet. Take things one step at a time and unpack the entire situation bit by bit.
To do that, you must understand an IP address and its functions.
IP addresses are like the phone numbers of the internet, so to speak. You see, with the right phone number, you can call anyone anywhere in the world, and in the same way, using the correct IP address, platforms like Instagram communicate with user devices on the internet.
So, when you log into Instagram using Wi-Fi or mobile data on your smartphone, tablet, laptop, or computer, the app will identify your IP address and approximate geo-location, usually your city or ZIP code.
Don't worry—your Instagram IP address won't expose any personal information about you. However, the little data it contains is enough for the app to restrict accounts that violate its rules and regulations.
Therefore, if you try to log into the platform from a banned IP address, it will flat-out reject your requests. And this can happen to multiple people; when your Wi-Fi is IP banned on Instagram, anyone using that network will be barred from accessing the platform.
Understanding the Different Types of Instagram Bans
Up to this point, you know what an Instagram IP ban is. What you might not understand is how it differs from shadow bans and account suspensions. All three actions can restrict your activities on the social media platform, but they do so in somewhat different ways.
Shadow Bans
A shadow ban is an unofficial form of censorship in which Instagram limits your account's visibility in users' feeds, stories, and pages, affecting your engagement.
Instagram has never really acknowledged the existence of shadow bans. In fact, in a 2018 meeting with reporters, Adam Mosseri, the platform's CEO, said that shadow bans are not a real thing.
Make no mistake. Shadow bans are very much real, and many users have reported their experiences, often characterized by a drop in engagement and hashtag reach.
So, what are the causes of shadow bans?
First, if you violate the community guidelines by posting inappropriate content, Instagram will hit you with the shadow ban hammer. The same can happen when you purchase fake likes and followers to boost engagement. Lastly, steer clear of banned hashtags, as these too can lead to shadow bans.
Account Suspensions
As we mentioned earlier, Instagram IP bans restrict access to the platform for all users on that IP address. This is not the same for account suspensions, where only a singular account that Instagram has detected as violating its guidelines is restricted.
If this happens to your Instagram account, you will receive a notification stating so. For more information on how to regain access to your account, we've got your back.
As you can see, being Instagram IP-banned is far more complicated than suffering shadow bans and account suspensions. With the latter, you can simply open a different account to get around the restrictions, but things become quite complicated when Instagram blocks your IP.
But let's not get ahead of ourselves. Before analyzing what happens when you are the recipient of an Instagram IP ban, let us first understand the situations that can lead to these restrictions.
What Are the Causes of Instagram IP Bans?
Like all other social media platforms, Instagram has strict rules and regulations to cultivate a safe experience for everyone. If you deviate from these guidelines, it's only a matter of time before you are IP-banned from the platform.
And if you are thinking about creating a new account or trying to access the platform from a new device, that won't work because the IP address remains the same across all devices on the same network.
That being said, here are some of the top causes of Instagram IP bans:
Mass Liking and Following
As a business just starting out on Instagram, it's hard not to resist the temptation to like many posts and follow a lot of accounts to get the ball rolling.
This will likely do more harm than good. Calm your horses because Instagram is not a big fan of such activity. If you engage in such behavior, the app will temporarily block you from liking posts and following new accounts.
When that happens, just relax until you can engage as usual. But if you keep breaking this rule, Instagram will ban your IP address.
Using Bots
If you're one of those people who like to throw money at all your problems and responsibilities, you are in for a surprise. Spending money on some fancy bot to automate your Instagram activity will only get you so far.
The platform is known to employ several methods to detect automated actions, which is why Instagram bans are almost always guaranteed when you use bots.
So, what does this mean? Should you completely stay away from automated tools?
Most Instagram users should, but online businesses and influencers simply don't have the luxury because automation tools can help increase their following, engage with users, and help them stay ahead of the competition.
To avoid Instagram IP ban, use a residential proxy server to hide your IP address and automate away.
Fake Engagement
It's true that Instagram users are more likely to engage with an account that already has a substantial following. However, purchasing followers and likes will not get you there because it violates the site's policies. The app will waste no time blocking your IP address when it detects that you have bought fake engagement.
Promoting Nudity, Violence, and Abusive Behavior
Posting any content that reflects nudity, violence, or abusive behavior is one of the surest and quickest ways to get an Instagram IP ban because it goes against the app's terms and conditions.
Accessing Multiple Accounts From the Same IP Address
If you run several accounts from one IP address, an Instagram IP ban is certainly imminent. The platform limits the number of accounts you can use on the same IP.
To prevent this, consider using a residential proxy and assigning each account a different IP address. By doing this, Instagram servers will assume the accounts belong to many users on diverse networks.
Spamming
Opening an Instagram account just to post inappropriate content and comments, otherwise known as spamming, will also cause an IP ban. As we mentioned earlier, the app tries to create a safe experience for everyone, and blatantly spamming other users violates this policy.
User Complaints
Have you ever come across an incredibly offensive or inappropriate reel on Instagram? The platform allows you to report such posts, after which they are reviewed. If found to violate the community guidelines, Instagram may ban the account's associated IP address.
As you can see, most IP bans on Instagram stem from flouting the platform's guidelines. But before the social media site delivers its judgment, it will issue a series of warnings, mostly temporary blocks that can take several hours or days to clear.
An IP ban will follow if you keep violating the guidelines. When that happens, all users in your network will be prevented from accessing the social media site.
Even then, how will you know that your address is blacklisted? Read on below to find out.
How to Know When You Are IP Banned on Instagram
Instagram does not always inform users when it has banned their IP address. Imagine waking up one day to find yourself locked out, unable to engage with your followers, unaware that your IP address is no longer welcome.
Here are some telltale signs of a possible Instagram IP ban.
Inability to Access the Website
If you try logging into the platform but keep getting an error message that reads something like "Sorry your request couldn't be processed," it's likely that you are connecting via a banned IP address.
But before you make that conclusion, try clearing your cookies. If the message persists, your account is the subject of an Instagram IP ban.
Restrictions From Opening a New Account
Now that you can't access Instagram from your primary device, your first initiative will probably be to try logging into the app from a different one.
However, as you will soon find out, an Instagram IP ban affects all devices on the same network. So, switching to a different mobile phone will also not work.
"Action Blocked" Messages
If you still have access to the website, you will find yourself unable to engage with other posts and users. Every time you try to like, comment, or follow, you will see a message that reads "Action Blocked," implying you are IP banned from the app.
How to Resolve an Instagram IP Ban
An Instagram IP ban is not the end of the world. There are several steps you can take to resolve this issue and regain access to your account, as you will see below:
Use a Proxy
The easiest and fastest way to resolve an IP ban is to start using a residential proxy server. It will facilitate connection to Instagram via a different IP address identical to a real user's, preventing detection.
Depending on the device you are using and your needs, you can also use mobile proxies, which work just as their residential counterparts but offer mobile IP addresses.
With fresh IP addresses at your disposal, you will regain access to Instagram and continue with your activities, whether connecting with friends and family or marketing your business.
Contact Instagram Support
The next option is to contact Instagram support and file an official complaint. This route will take a bit longer, but it is still worth a try, especially if you believe the IP ban was unjustified.
However, if you did indeed break the rules, customer support will likely uphold the ban.
Avoiding IP Bans on Instagram
No Instagram user ever wants to be on the receiving end of an IP ban; resolution can be complex and time-consuming. Luckily, you can employ long-term strategies to prevent such hiccups in the future. They are outlined below:
Understand the Community Guidelines
When signing up for Instagram, you must agree with the community guidelines. If you are like most people, you will probably skip to the end of the document and hit "Accept."
However, businesses and savvy social media influencers looking to get the most out of the platform should take time to read and understand these rules, forming the baseline of engagement on the app.
In short, following the rules is the simplest way to avoid an Instagram IP ban. Do not post any content that is violent, sexually inappropriate, or abusive.
Stick to the Limits
You should stay updated on the daily limits for posting, liking, and commenting on Instagram, lest you risk getting flagged as spam.
For new accounts, avoid commenting, liking, or following accounts more than 30 times every hour. But if your handle is old, the hourly limit is 60.
Sticking to these thresholds is a sure way of avoiding IP bans that can put your social media business at risk. In addition, monitor the number of accounts connected to your IP address because if they exceed five, an Instagram IP ban is almost always imminent.
When running multiple Instagram accounts, consider sourcing multiple IP addresses from a reliable proxy provider.
Use Quality Third Party Tools
As any influencer and online business will tell you, automation tools are an absolute must. They can help boost your reach and increase followers on Instagram. But the key is finding the right one.
Stick to quality, reputable tools to avoid those pesky IP bans. Better still, pair them up with a residential proxy to further reduce the risk of Instagram blocking your IP address.
Final Thoughts
Let's be honest: it's quite hard to imagine a world without Instagram, the funny and educative reels, the accounts you love, and, let's not forget, the freedom to keep your followers updated with regular content. On top of that, Instagram is the ideal platform for businesses to engage with a wider audience to boost sales.
But like every other social media platform, Instagram has its rules, and if you fail to follow them, you will be kicked off the platform. An Instagram IP ban will restrict your access to the platform even on new devices on the same network.
And if you are thinking about opening a new account, this too won't work. The best option when facing such punishment is to use a residential proxy, a tool that will reroute your Instagram traffic through a different IP address, regaining access to the platform.
You can also contact customer support if you believe you did not break any rules. Granted, the response will likely take a while, but still, it is better than nothing.
To prevent Instagram IP bans, follow the guidelines. Refrain from posting any violent, abusive, or sexually inappropriate content. If you want to use third-party tools for automation, go for the best and pair them with a residential proxy to prevent complications down the road.
