Full 2024 Guide to Fix Instagram Search Ban [Working]

Why Am I Search Banned on Instagram?

If you check whether you are search banned on Instagram or not, and it turns out that you are indeed banned, then worry not – we’ll fix that for you.

But why are you search banned on Instagram? Did you do anything wrong? These are the three main reasons behind Instagram search bans.

1. You Have Used Forbidden Instagram Hashtags or NSFW Words / Emojis

Forbidden hashtags on Instagram and certain Not Safe for Work (NSFW) words and Emojis might cause Instagram shadowban and search bans without further notice.

If you use words related to explicit content on your Instagram Bio, or if you have used spammy hashtags on your content, then Instagram will deboost your appearance in search results.

2. You Have Used Bots or Third-Party Tools to Boost Your Instagram Engagement

The use of bots and third-party tools to improve your Instagram engagement is entirely prohibited by Meta.

Although Instagram typically imposes temporary or permanent bans if they discover that you are using bots or certain tools, there are instances where the algorithm may choose to employ search banning instead.

3. You Have Engaged Into Spammy, Bot-Like, or NSFW Behavior

Sometimes, it’s hard to define “Spammy Behavior” on Instagram. I’m sure that you have seen hundreds of bots commenting on recently uploaded photos on the platform.

Well, in order to prevent these bots from ruining Instagram, the platform has implemented certain security measures, such as asking users to confirm their emails and phone numbers.

Likewise, if you have indeed posted explicit or spammy content and multiple users report your posts, then you will first get search banned before getting temporarily or permanently banned. 

3 Instagram Search Ban Statistics and Facts

Instagram search bans are a thing – there are no official resources by Instagram that show us why or when search bans appear, but they have been affecting Instagram users for several years now. 

There are three statistics and resources that prove the existence of Instagram search bans:

1. A study conducted by Refinery29 shows that Instagram reduces the visibility of accounts that use NSFW words or emojis, such as the Eggplant Emoji. 
2. Instagram Help Center says that using forbidden hashtags consistently on Instagram can make it more difficult for accounts to appear in search bar features.
3. Instagram constantly fights against bots on their platforms – accounts that use third-party tools or act as bots get banned from search results, as shown by HT Tech.

How to Fix Instagram Search Ban: 7 Methods

Now, the most important part of this guide: how do we fix Instagram search ban?

If you are 100% sure that your Instagram account is not showing up on search results inside the app, then try any of the following 7 methods progressively to fix Instagram search ban.

Fix #1: Verify Your Instagram Email Address and Phone Number

The first thing that you must do to get rid of Instagram search ban is to verify your Instagram email address and phone number.

In order to prevent bots from flooding Instagram posts, the platform asks all their users to confirm their email and personal info. This is how you do this:

• To verify your email, go to your email inbox and search for Instagram’s verification email. Click on the verification link, and that’s it.
• To verify your phone number, add the number to your Instagram profile, wait for the verification code, and type it in on Instagram.

Fix #2: Link Instagram to Your Facebook Profile

Instagram and Facebook both belong to Meta, and they have similar enforcement options. 

To create a more trustworthy profile, it is recommended to link both Facebook and Instagram accounts together through the Accounts Center:

• Log into your Instagram account on the app for iOS or Android devices, and go to Settings.
• On Settings and Privacy, look for “Accounts Center” and tap on it.
• Select “Add Facebook account,” and you will be redirected to the Facebook app.
• Follow the on-screen steps, and finish the IG-FB linking process.

Fix #3: Improve Your Instagram Profile

It has been proven that Instagram search bans accounts with little to no value or information on their profile. 

If you want to get rid of IG search ban, then improving your profile is necessary. You must do the following:

• Upload a nice, real, and quality profile picture.
• Add your real name to your profile and get rid of Emojis if you use them.
• Write a meaningful biography – avoid having no bio or spammy bios on Instagram.

Fix #4: Use Instagram Naturally

By this point, you have already verified your email and improved your profile. Now, you must use Instagram in a natural way – Instagram must identify that you are not a bot or a spammy profile.

To do this, follow these recommendations:

• Engage with other Instagram users: Send useful messages to others, reply to their comments, like their posts, and try to get mutual followers on Instagram.
• Improve your following ratio: It is not a secret to anyone that most spammy IG accounts have way fewer followers than the people they follow. To improve your Following Ratio on Instagram, you must follow around the same number of people that follow you. For example, if you follow 200 accounts, then try to earn 100 or 120 followers instead of 10 or 20.
• Interact with relevant content: Like relevant posts on Instagram – avoid liking or sharing NSFW or spammy content on the platform. Go to your Explore Page and check out featured content to Like it or share it if it makes sense. 

Fix #5: Post Relevant and Useful Instagram Content

The problem with most search banned accounts on Instagram is that they have no relevant content to offer to the platform.

We all have seen those bot NSFW accounts or spammy accounts whose only purpose is to promote a product on the platform – don’t be like them.

Instead, upload useful posts, create engaging content, make useful Stories, and provide value to your followers.

By uploading meaningful content, people will Like your posts, which will send signs to Instagram telling them that you are not a bot, which will contribute to lifting the search ban.

Fix #6: Delete All Spammy Trash Content on Instagram

Delete all content with spammy nature on the platform – this step is crucial to fix Instagram search ban and shadowban. You must get rid of the following:

• Instagram posts with spammy or forbidden hashtags.
• NSFW content with weird or explicit Emojis.
• Spammy comments posted on others’ profiles.
• Instagram Stories that don’t provide anything to your audience.
• Strange or weird outbound links on your Instagram biography.

Fix #7: Report the Issue to Instagram Support

The last step is to contact Instagram support regarding the search ban issue. Keep in mind that Instagram doesn’t officially acknowledge search banning accounts.

However, if you have tried everything and nothing works, go to IG Support Page, and use the following template to send them a message:

“Dear Instagram Support,

I need your help with a search ban issue affecting my Instagram account. My account is not appearing in search results, limiting my ability to connect with others.

Please investigate and resolve this issue promptly. I have followed Instagram’s guidelines and terms of service, so I believe this ban may be a mistake.

Kindly review my account settings and ensure it is set to public. Your swift assistance in lifting the search ban would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

[Your Instagram Username]”

Modify this template with your personal information and any additional info that you can include in it before submitting it. 

Why Am I Still Search Banned On Instagram?

All the aforementioned fixes take time to take effect. After making all the required changes to your Instagram account, you need to wait from 3 to 15 days.

This means that you need to be patient – reverting Instagram search bans is not always easy, but if you follow our recommendations, finding your account on Instagram’s search bar will be possible within a few days.