The Dark Side of Instagram Through the Eyes of a Bot Creator

Today, we will delve into the darker side of Instagram, examining the role of bots and why so many people—including businesses—utilize them. Since the end of 2016, I have tested various tools to automate promotion on social media platforms like Instagram. Over this time, I have gathered a wealth of experience, which I would like to share with you.

What are Instagram bots, and who uses them?

Bots are tools that automate many actions on the app, such as following, sending direct messages (DMs), liking, or commenting on posts. From my experience with over 10,000 users, the most frequent clients of such solutions are companies and individuals involved in MLM networks. Many corporate accounts use bots to quickly reach potential customers and multiply the effects of marketing efforts. A bot can increase the profile’s reach, draw attention to a specific product or service, and ultimately convert rising interest into sales.

However, before you decide to use such a tool, consider your main goal: do you only care about the number of followers, or are you aiming for real customers and a valuable community?

How do bots acquire followers?

The mechanism of bots, which relies on a method called scraping, somewhat resembles the once-popular Facebook Ads tools (scraper ID). A bot “pulls” users who follow a competing profile or use specific hashtags. As a result, the tool directs actions (e.g., follow, DM) to people with specified interests or belonging to a particular audience group. This way, a company gains followers with a high potential to purchase its product or service.

The average follower increase can range from 50 to even 400 daily, depending on settings and the profile’s theme.

Can you protect yourself from competitors ‘stealing’ your followers?

Competitors can also use scraping tools and thus attempt to take some of your followers through automated actions. However, there are several ways to make such practices more difficult:

1. Buying followers to fill your profile – Accounts created solely to inflate numbers may be ineffective for those looking to attract real audiences. If a bot sees only “empty” accounts, the automation effects may seem negligible, often discouraging further data extraction from your profile.
2. Switching your account to private – This makes it harder for competitors to access your follower list.
3. Creating sentinel accounts – These accounts monitor your profile, and when a bot begins to scrape their activity, a warning signal is sent. However, this method can be ineffective if most of your followers have already been extracted before the “sentinels” can act.

Why are there so many ‘exotic’ followers?

If an automation tool is misconfigured (for example, focusing on very popular, international hashtags), it might gather people from various parts of the world, including the Middle East. The result? A low share of genuinely interested users from your target region. Therefore, it is crucial to set filters and select tags accurately for the target region.

It’s important to remember that Instagram does not directly provide information about the country of origin of a profile (business profiles are an exception), making language filtration or other indicators vital for identifying a specific region.

Do bots create ‘like-for-like’ circles?

Some bots operate by creating fake traffic, liking, and following each other—this does not translate into real marketing results. There is also the possibility of purchasing likes from users of such a bot. This has little to do with genuine promotion, as it often leads to having the same inactive accounts instead of thoughtfully reaching new audiences.

Different types of bots and their safety

There are many solutions on the market, based on different technologies and libraries. It is worth understanding their characteristics, advantages, and potential risks.

Scripts using reverse engineering – MGP25 (e.g., Nextpost, GramEasy, Stackpost)

• Often available on pirate sites, making them lack official support and updates.
• May not have appropriate filters to prevent account blocking.
• The service administrator providing them has access to your cookies and password, posing a risk of account or data theft.
• Bots often establish short-term connections with Instagram (only a few seconds), potentially raising the platform’s suspicions.

Mobile applications (e.g., Captivate, Cleaner)

• Operate based on Instagram’s mobile API.
• Can log in without major issues, but Instagram notices unnatural activity patterns if they are massive or intense.

Browser extensions (Chrome, Firefox)

• Use Instagram’s official web API, making their activities resemble normal user behaviors (logging in from a desktop or laptop).
• With proper settings and moderate action tempo, they are hard to detect.
• Typically, the administrator of such an extension does not store your password, as operations occur on your computer and your IP address.

The risk of account blocking and IP issues

Many bots use the same IP addresses (from DataCenters). Such IP groups can be easily blocked by Instagram, especially when increased, automated activity is visible from specific locations. To relatively safely achieve significant effects, it is necessary to use well-configured proxy servers or authentic addresses (e.g., LTE with a SIM card). However, cheaper services often lack such infrastructure.

Why does Instagram still tolerate bots and fake accounts?

According to various sources, there are hundreds of millions of fake profiles on Instagram. Blocking all of them simultaneously would drastically reduce the number of users, potentially damaging the platform’s image and performance. Additionally, bots and fake accounts generate extra ad views, from which Meta (Instagram’s owner) indirectly profits. Officially, Instagram declares a fight against fake accounts, but in practice, it is gradual and selective.

Bots and account longevity

From my observations, well-configured accounts using a bot can function for many years without being blocked. In the past, it was possible to gain up to 600 new followers daily. Today, due to greater user awareness and numerous Instagram updates, the standard is an increase of 40 to 400 followers per day. The key is to be cautious and adhere to activity limits (number of follows, unfollows, likes, etc.).

Experiment: The impact of a bot on account growth

I conducted a test where I managed an account by regularly posting with carefully selected hashtags but without using a bot. Then, I activated an automation tool and quickly noticed an increase in followers. Statistics became visible in Instagram’s analytics panel, showing a clear daily growth in followers and interactions.

Companies managing Instagram accounts

There are more and more marketing agencies specializing in comprehensive Instagram account management, combining creative work with automation. Such companies can efficiently set up a bot and ensure account security. However, remember to:

• Ensure they use authorized login methods (e.g., two-factor authentication).
• Check if they require you to disable any security features on your account.
• Learn how your passwords are stored or if they use secure browser extensions.

Summary and Conclusions

• Bots can support Instagram profile growth, reach potential customers, and increase reach, especially when used thoughtfully.
• Incorrect settings result in acquiring unwanted followers from random places worldwide.
• Misguided tool or service choices, especially those based on outdated or flawed scripts, can lead to account loss.
• Instagram still tolerates bots because blocking millions of fake or automated accounts would cause significant upheaval on the platform.
• If you aim to build a valuable community, a bot can be just an addition. A “clean” and carefully managed account (with good content) grows slower but offers real engagement and long-term benefits.

Whether or not to use a bot remains an individual decision for each user. There are examples of companies and creators who effectively use automation while safeguarding against blocks. On the other hand, many influencers focus solely on creative content and consistent profile work without any automation. The key is to consider what goal you genuinely want to achieve on Instagram and choose the path that allows you to do so most safely and ethically.