Have fake Instagram accounts become a problem for your brand?
Tracking them on your own is time-consuming and frustrating, especially when scammers use stolen images, fake engagement, and subtle username changes to stay hidden. And while Instagram has tools to help, the sheer scale of the problem makes it hard to keep up.
At Red Points, we’ve removed over 300,000 fake accounts for our clients. We know what works, and we’re here to show you take back control of your brand.
Can fake Instagram accounts be traced?
Yes, fake Instagram accounts can be traced, but the level of detail available depends on the tools and resources used.
Instagram’s role
Instagram employs automated systems and relies on user reports to identify and take action against fake accounts. These systems monitor suspicious activity, such as bots creating multiple accounts, unusual engagement patterns, or violations of Community Guidelines. However, Instagram limits the data accessible to the public to maintain user privacy.
Limitations for the general public
General users can report suspicious accounts, but they face significant limitations. Instagram does not share personal information such as IP addresses or account owner details with the public, making it challenging for individuals to trace accounts independently or confirm their origins.
How Red Points helps
Red Points offers advanced capabilities that go beyond Instagram’s public tools, enabling businesses to tackle impersonation cases efficiently and with higher precision. Here’s how:
- Detection: Red Points uses automated bots and targeted keyword searches to identify fake profiles impersonating brands.
- Verification: It analyzes critical data points, including account creation dates, URLs, follower metrics, and activity history, to confirm whether an account is fake.
- Enforcement: By leveraging strong partnerships with Instagram, Red Points facilitates swift account takedowns with a 95% success rate.
How to track a fake Instagram account: Step-by-step
Tracking a fake Instagram account requires systematic steps to gather evidence, use the right tools, and collaborate effectively for resolution. Here’s how to do it:
On your own
1. Collect evidence
- Document details: Save the username, profile URL, bio, and post content of the fake account.
- Take screenshots: Capture the profile, messages, and any suspicious activity for reference and reporting.
- Log external links: Note down any links in the bio or posts that redirect to fraudulent websites or suspicious domains.
2. Use tools to analyze the account
- Follower growth analysis: Use tools to identify unnatural spikes in followers or other engagement anomalies.
- Username cross-check: Employ services like Namechk to trace the username across platforms, uncovering potential duplicates or linked profiles.
3. Collaborate directly with Instagram
- Report the account: Use Instagram’s reporting tools to flag the fake account for impersonation or fraud.
- Escalate to the Brand Rights Protection team: For persistent or high-impact cases, work directly with Instagram’s specialized team to expedite action.
- Monitor results: Keep track of the account’s status and watch for similar profiles that may reappear.
For brands using Red Points
With Red Points, you don’t need to lift a finger to track fake Instagram accounts. The platform does all the heavy lifting for you, using cutting-edge AI and automation to detect, analyze, and take down impersonators. Here’s how it works:
- Automated detection: Red Points scans Instagram for suspicious profiles using targeted keywords and branding elements.
- Data collection: It gathers all the critical details—URLs, follower metrics, linked profiles, and activity logs—so you don’t have to.
- Confirmation and takedown: The system verifies fake accounts with precision and ensures swift removal through its established collaboration with Instagram.
With Red Points, you can focus on your business while the platform handles impersonators seamlessly.
How quickly can Instagram remove a fake account?
Instagram typically acts on fake account reports within 24–48 hours if the case is straightforward. But for more complicated cases, like when more evidence is needed, it can take longer.
Sometimes, Instagram asks for extra proof or decides the account doesn’t violate their guidelines, which can leave brands dealing with the problem on their own.
How Red Points speeds up the process
Red Points reduces the time it takes to address fake accounts by automating detection, collecting evidence, and submitting precise reports to Instagram. While the final account removal depends on Instagram’s internal processes, Red Points ensures faster action by minimizing delays in detection and reporting.
What’s next
If you’ve ever dealt with a fake Instagram account, you know how frustrating and time-consuming it can be. These impersonators don’t just copy your brand—they steal your trust, your customers, and your hard-earned reputation. But here’s the good news: you don’t have to fight this battle alone.
At Red Points, we’ve made it our mission to help brands like yours take control. With our cutting-edge tools and proven expertise, we do the heavy lifting—tracking down fake accounts, gathering the evidence, and getting them removed quickly. You focus on growing your business; we’ll take care of protecting it.
Your brand deserves to be safe and trusted. Let’s make that happen together. Request a demo today and see how we can help you reclaim your peace of mind.
