Like many other major internet services, Instagram does not appreciate parasitic load on its servers. Therefore, the company actively combats automated traffic and attempts to artificially boost activity in profiles and communities. Even regular users whose behavior deviates from predetermined typical patterns and actions can frequently get caught by these protection mechanisms.
In this case, it is quite challenging to prove to the system that you are the same person. Let's delve into the origins and reasons behind Instagram blocks and ways to circumvent them.
It's important to note that the internet is more complex than many people may imagine. Users connect to the required network resources via available paths, but these paths are unstable. These can be long chains of various communication channels: radio relay, satellite, fiber optic, through backbone channels, without them etc. The internet is a network of networks.
A target resource, especially one as large as Instagram, can be spread across multiple servers and data centers. Some information is stored in one place, while other data is in another.
Issues can arise at any segment, whether on Instagram's side, your internet service provider's side, or somewhere in between (along the request path).
Below, we'll discuss the most common types of Instagram blocks along with popular Instagram unblock proxy options.
This is a typical mid-path block that neither depends on the end user nor on Instagram. Requests to the target site or internet service are usually blocked at the level of backbone providers while geo-blocking. Different countries may have varying mechanisms and reasons for blocks.
On a technical level, the IP addresses of Instagram servers are added to a special blacklist and the network equipment of backbone operators blocks requests to and from Instagram.
To combat procrastination (distraction from main responsibilities), many employers analyze the traffic in their corporate networks and block websites and requests that do not align with internal policies and rules.
Social networks like Instagram can significantly reduce productivity and are often blacklisted in corporate networks.
Similarly, Instagram can be blocked in other local networks like those of campuses or educational institutions (schools, universities, lyceums etc.).
Technically, these are blocks at the level of the local internet service provider, which is closest to the end user.
Additionally, if a user is a pupil and indicates an age under 13, they may be denied account registration due to Instagram's usage policies. This isn't technically a block but rather a service denial.
Instagram closely monitors user activity to detect and prevent unauthorized actions and spam. The platform analyzes various parameters and behavior algorithms, including the frequency of likes, the number of posts created within a certain period, the number and frequency of comments, follows and unfollows, user location, the list of active devices on which the same profile is used as well as the frequency of logins or device changes.
If a user's activity appears suspicious and does not comply with fair use policies, Instagram may activate its protection mechanisms. For example, if there are very frequent requests from the same IP address, that address may be blacklisted, making it impossible to connect to Instagram servers.
If abnormal activity is detected on a specific account, the system may first prompt the user to re-authenticate (restore access to their account) and then temporarily or permanently block the account. In such cases, the user will not be able to access the account from any other IP address or device.
For New Accounts (less than 3 months old):
These limits may gradually increase over time.
For Older Accounts (over a year):
These actions should not be performed simultaneously. Instead, they should be evenly distributed throughout the day.
Instagram closely monitors the frequency of logins from different IP addresses and the frequency of adding the same hashtags. It also pays close attention to repeated messages in Direct, which are considered obvious spam.
Whatever the blockage is, it is always bad, especially for business owners who rely on their Instagram accounts for advertising and promoting services. No wonder, the platform is so popular - it currently encompasses over 1.6 billion users worldwide. It would be weird to ignore such an audience.
Geo-blockages usually last until the relevant government authority of a specific country lifts the ban. This process can take years.
Blockages in local networks of schools and campuses are generally a part of the internal policy of these institutions. Firewalls are mostly permanent here.
It just makes sense to specify the duration of activity-based Instagram blockages and common blockages:
Everything related to geo-blocking or placing IP addresses on blacklists/spam databases can be easily circumvented using alternative routes to Instagram servers.
The most convenient means to establish these alternative routes are proxy servers like Froxy.
The wider the proxy network coverage and the more precise the targeting (address selection) is, the better.
You can find these service conditions in rotating mobile and residential proxy rental services.
Instagram places a strong emphasis on session stability and dislikes frequent password resets with logins on different devices. Therefore, the primary choice should include proxies with maximum IP retention (known as sticky sessions).
To remain undetected, proxies must be anonymous, meaning they should not add any extra information to requests while still masking the original sender's IP information.
Speaking about address types, here are the two best options:
Due to the dynamic nature of rotation specifications and mobile IP allocation (where users can move around the city and their IP addresses will constantly change), mobile IPs have a higher trust level. Consequently, the probability of getting banned for IP rotation is significantly lower here.
Therefore, we recommend working with Instagram profiles primarily through mobile rotating proxies. When selecting IPs, it is best to set the targeting to ASN number or specific mobile operators to reduce suspicion.
Suppose, you have chosen Froxy for this purpose. To circumvent IP ban and to find the best Instagram unblocked proxy option, you have to complete the following steps:
Proxies are great for business tasks, when it comes to multiple repeated actions like mass liking or mass following as well as to multi accounts and spins. Only proxies can ensure effective rotation of IP addresses and their distribution between active samples of anti-detect browsers.
In addition to proxy servers, there are other tools (all proxy alternatives) like VPNs and Tor networks that can help bypass IP-based blocks for activities on platforms like Instagram. Let’s discuss them below.
Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) create a secure, encrypted tunnel that masks your IP address from local internet providers, which can be beneficial for bypassing restrictions without leaving a trace of your local IP. This makes VPNs a viable option for casual Instagram users or those managing a single account. Such an approach offers a number of advantages.
If you have only one Instagram account used not quite often, VPN can work well to bypass blockage.
The pros of using VPN include: opportunity to select a specific server location (output country point) and use connection speed that is sufficient to watch stream videos. VPNs additionally provide a layer of security, especially useful in public Wi-Fi networks, by encrypting your data.
Demerits are also available. The range of IP addresses is limited, and often you cannot rotate IPs easily within a specific region or city. VPN IP addresses often belong to data centers or hosting providers, which might already be flagged or easily blocked by platforms like Instagram if they detect suspicious activities (they are initially in the risk group).
Reputable VPN providers typically operate on a subscription basis, offering reliable and secure services. However, if you're willing to take a risk with your personal data, there are free VPN options available.
Overlay routing networks, designed to enhance privacy and anonymity on public networks, introduce complex entry and exit node structures that heavily obscure user activities from trackers. This makes Tor networks adept at circumventing local and geographic restrictions.
However, due to extensive encryption and weaker infrastructural connections, Tor networks often suffer from low connection speeds and frequent disconnections.
Tor's exit nodes may already be on blacklists, which security systems like Instagram's use to block access. These nodes cannot be easily replaced or relocated at the user's discretion.
Each new request through Tor changes the IP address, which Instagram may quickly flag, potentially leading to permanent account-linked bans rather than mere IP blocks.
As you could notice, proxies for Instagram remain the most effective tools, especially when it comes to mass actions or certain business tasks. Scraping the pages of Instagram communities and profiles is one of such tasks.
To scrape Instagram accounts without facing account blocks, consider the following key strategies:
Here are the detailed general recommendations for scraping without getting blocked.
If you wish to find out how to get Instagram blocked and how to solve the problem, you should know that most Instagram blocks can be bypassed using proxies. However, some account-specific bans, particularly those issued for excessive activity or policy violations, won't be resolved by proxy changes alone.
For those managing a single business account on Instagram or conducting basic parsing activities, using the platform's official API is a practical choice.
However, handling numerous accounts or complex automation scripts often requires crafting custom parsers or utilizing specialized software, which invariably relies on rotating proxies.
Quality mobile and residential rotating proxies suitable for Instagram can be found through services like Froxy, boasting a network spanning over 200 countries, with access to more than 10 million IP addresses. These services offer precise location targeting down to the city and ISP level. Additionally, some services allow subscription pauses to ensure that unused traffic does not expire unnecessarily by the end of the month, optimizing resource utilization.