If you are a social media enthusiast, Instagram has to be one of the platforms you cannot keep your eyes off for more than three seconds. It has become the go-to channel for business-minded people who aim to leverage the platform to increase sales. With its popularity on the rise, finding yourself locked out of your account due to a ban can wreak havoc on your bottom line.
Although you can still recover your account, it will be only after counting losses. Read on to learn more about how to avoid an Instagram ban and ways to recover your account when banned.
Defining an Instagram IP Ban
An IP ban occurs when you cannot access your account based on your IP (internet protocol) address. Every device connected to the internet has a unique number assigned to it — its IP address. This number is never random and it helps devices connected to the internet to transfer data between them.
Usually, this number depends on your location. Therefore, when Instagram bans your account based on your IP address, it results in you being unable to access your account from that specific internet location. Changing the device you are using to access the platform will not help.
So long as you are within the location identified with that IP address, every data request you send will be automatically rejected. As a result, you will be unable to log into your account. You can often tell that you are dealing with an IP ban because you will get a notification message telling you so.
The Consequences of an IP Ban for Businesses and Influencers
An Instagram IP ban can be devastating for businesses and influencers who rely on the platform for marketing, branding, and audience engagement. Since Instagram blocks access from a specific IP address, users may find themselves unable to log in, interact with their audience, or manage their business accounts. This sudden disruption can lead to a loss of followers, decreased engagement, and ultimately, financial losses.
For businesses, an IP ban can halt advertising campaigns, affecting visibility and sales. Brands that use Instagram for customer service and product promotions may struggle to maintain relationships with their audience. The longer the ban lasts, the more potential revenue is lost, especially for e-commerce stores that rely on Instagram traffic.
Influencers, on the other hand, risk losing sponsorship deals and collaborations. Brands expect consistent engagement, and an inability to post content can damage their reputation and credibility. Additionally, if an IP ban forces influencers to create a new account, rebuilding their follower base from scratch can be a challenging and time-consuming process.
How Do You Avoid an Instagram Ban?
Instagram prefers users who follow the rules so contravening their terms and conditions will result in banning. The only way to avoid an Instagram ban is to be in the platform’s good graces again. This means the following.
No Mass Following or Liking
You may have found yourself continuously liking different pictures and content at some point on the platform. Instagram understands you can get carried away and keep hitting the like and follow buttons. However, manual and automatic liking and following are easily detectable and easy to differentiate. Therefore, Instagram will quickly identify when you are using an automated third-party tool to carry out these tasks.
They can immediately spot such a pattern as suspicious and ban your account. Mass liking and following is unacceptable because most business people would prefer genuine interest in their products or services. Instagram sees this mass liking or following as a tactic to gain attention and in return, followers. For this reason, it has set limits for likes, comments, and follows.
Do Not Violate the Terms and Conditions
Instagram will teach you a hard lesson about the consequences of breaking the rules. The platform has strict rules regarding what content you post. For instance, its community standards are clear regarding unacceptable behavior such as bullying, graphic content, nudity, child harassment, among others. You can always remind yourself of the terms whenever you are on the fence about what to post.
Do Not Log In to Different Accounts From the Same IP Address
This rule usually affects even innocent users because you probably have roommates who will have their friends over and you will all be on Instagram. Well, as per Instagram rules, only a maximum of five accounts can access the platform from the same IP address. Anything above that attracts negative attention that could result in an IP ban.
How to Recover Your Account
Once you get the confirmation message that your account has been indeed banned, do not panic. You can still recuperate from an Instagram IP ban by modifying your IP address. By utilizing a proxy, you can route your connection through a different server in another location. This makes it appear as if you’re connecting from somewhere else.
Additionally, you can reach out to Instagram’s support and explain that you have not engaged in any suspicious activity warranting a ban. Remember to have all the details of your account at your fingertips because you will have to verify ownership of it. Failure to provide accurate information during the verification process could do more harm than good because it could lead to a disabled account.
Conclusion
An Instagram IP ban can ruin your brand, especially if you rely on the platform to reach your target audience. It does not matter how long the ban lasts, your business will be adversely affected. Luckily, with the tips above on how to avoid this scenario, you do not have to worry about your account being disabled. So, which measures are you taking today to protect your brand?