Once I had an Instagram account that I forgot its password. And since I changed both my email and phone number, I couldn’t log into my account.
And now after years, my older account is still on Instagram. And honestly, it’s been years and I had posted so many awkward posts that I am not proud of today, I mean I was just a teenager. 🤕
So I started searching, does instagram delete inactive accounts? How long does it take? Can I make Instagram to take down my old account?
If you’re also struggling with an inactive account, stay with me through this blog, I’m about to tell you the truth.
What accounts are considered inactive
Instagram doesn’t always tell us how they decide if an account is inactive and therefore we don’t know when does instagram delete inactive accounts.
Social media companies keep these details secret to stop people from misusing their systems.
But from what people notice and experience, here are some things that might make Instagram think an account is inactive:
- Not Logging In: If you don’t log into your account for a long time, Instagram might think it’s not active.
- Not Posting Much: If you hardly ever post pictures or updates, Instagram might see your account as inactive.
- Not Getting Involved: If you rarely like or comment on other people’s posts, or if you don’t interact with others much, Instagram might say your account is inactive.
- Not Changing Your Profile: If you don’t update your profile info, like your bio, profile picture, or other details, Instagram might consider your account inactive.
- Not Using Connected Apps: If your account isn’t linked to any other apps or services, Instagram might think it’s not being used and label it as inactive.
- Not Confirming Emails: If you don’t confirm or verify your account through email, Instagram might count it as inactive in some cases.
You may also like: How to remove inactive accounts on Instagram
How long does it take for inactive Instagram accounts to be deleted by Instagram?
In some sources, they say that it takes one or two years for Instagram to delete an inactive account. But with my case, it has been so many years, like 4-5 years and my account is still not deleted.
So I have come to the conclusion that Instagram may not delete accounts at all. And I think there are a couple reasons why:
Read more: how to find out who owns an instagram account?
Why Inactive accounts won’t be taken down for so long
there are many reasons for this, but I’ll tell you five of them:
Lots of Accounts
Big social media platforms like Instagram have so many accounts, like millions or even billions.
It takes a while for them to go through all the accounts and figure out which ones are not being used (inactive) and need to be deleted.
Breaking the Rules
If you do things on Instagram that are not allowed, like being mean or posting bad stuff, your account is more likely to be deleted.
They care more about removing accounts that cause problems than just the ones that haven’t been used for a while.
Read more: can you see who viewed your instagram profile?
Many Followers
On Instagram, if you have lots of people following you, Instagram might pay more attention to your account.
They might treat it differently compared to accounts with fewer followers. Having many followers could mean that Instagram has different rules or ways of looking at your account.
They Are Some Kind of Memorial
Sadly, there are people who have passed away and are not among us anymore. And just like all of us, they had IG accounts too. So their account and its pictures are kind of like a memorial.
They are inactive accounts, but boy if Instagram deleted them so many people would be furious, right?
Social Media Breaks
For any reason, some people might be taking a social media break, to focus on studies, work, mental health, etc. and when they come back after a year, Instagram can’t just say sorry you were inactive so I deleted your account. Right?
Conclusion
So considering these things, and lots of more reasons, and also based on my personal experience, I think Instagram doesn’t delete inactive accounts.
There is only one way for IG to delete and account, and that is crossing the line.
The one thing that IG insists on, is to not violate Instagram’s terms of service. Avoid leaving hateful comments, avoid spamming, etc.
If an account crosses the line and ignores the rules, IG will delete the account to protect its users. So if you are determined to take down an account, you can constantly report it. Hopefully, you’ll get results.
FAQs
Now let’s answer some frequently asked questions on this subject:
Can I delete an inactive Instagram account?
No, users can’t delete someone else’s inactive account; only the account owner or Instagram itself can delete an account.
Do inactive accounts get deleted on Instagram?
Yes, Instagram may delete inactive accounts, but the specific criteria and timeframes are not publicly disclosed. It could take years.
Can I get Instagram to delete an inactive account?
No, regular users can’t request the deletion of someone else’s account. Instagram may delete inactive accounts based on its policies. But if you constantly report an inactive account to IG, it might be deleted.
How to get inactive Instagram accounts taken down?
Users can’t directly take down inactive accounts. Instagram handles account deletions based on its own policies. But if you constantly report an inactive account to IG, you might be able to take the account down.
Does Instagram delete bot accounts?
Yes, Instagram takes actions against bot accounts as they violate the platform’s terms of service.
