Is this you? Instagram Jail?You went on Instagram and got an Instagram in-app notification that says something along the lines of ?Action Blocked: This action was blocked. Please try again later. We restrict certain content and actions to protect our community. Tell us if you think we made a mistake.? or variation of this kind of message, you are not alone.
2019 and 2020 is going to change for Instagram
Removing bots and other third party apps is their priority. After recent updates to the Instagram algorithm, tens of millions of Instagram users have started seeing the action block message popping up in their Instagram app, experiencing blocks on certain in-app activities.
But don?t feel discouraged, even though action block can be a real pain, this article is for you to give you more insights into what Instagram Action Block message is and how to fix it. Read on!
So What exactly is ?Action Blocked? Instagram error?
The ?Action Blocked? message will appear when you try to follow, like, or comment on Instagram posts.
The block usually appears all of the sudden, without any warning, rendering you unable to perform actions on your IG account: ?follow? others, like or comment under the pictures, view stories or send direct messages.
Action block is done by Instagram?s anti-spam algorithm that constantly learns how to distinguish automated, spam-like actions from natural, human-made actions.
How long do you get temporarily blocked on Instagram?
Instagram action blocks are temporary ? not permanent. Blocks can last anywhere from a day to over a week. If their efficiency is super slow it can take up to 2?3 weeks.
In most cases, they disappear within 48 hours or after taking certain steps (about which you can read later in this article).
In some situations you might see a notification from Instagram with a specific date when your action block will be taken down. However, Instagram might on purpose not reveal how long you will be blocked on Instagram to prevent you from exploiting it.
Why am I seeing ?Action Blocked? Instagram error?
You are likely to receive this message when:
- trying to follow a lot of profiles in a short timeframe (est. 30?50 Per/Hr.) Normal use don?t go over board.
- trying to like a lot of pictures in a short period of time(est. 40?60 Per/Hr.) Normal use don?t go over board.
- you?ve been commenting the same thing under too many pictures (ex. like me, dm me etc. spam words)
- your actions appear to be automated with a bot (third party apps)
- you have been using 3rd party app to complete certain actions on Instagram (reposting, follow 4 follow apps etc.) Everything other than the original Instagram App.
Why am I being blocked on Instagram?
So why Instagram would want to block your activities even if you are genuinely try to , without relying on apps or bots?
Over the years, Instagram has been cracking down on ?follow for follow? abuse and the high amount of likes and comment activity happening on their platform. Read my other Article HERE on How to Grow Your Instagram in 2020. Or finish reading this article too. There will be a link at the bottom.
User Complaints
Instagram can block your account if a lot of people report your account as a threat. There are lots of reasons why people can make complaints about you, they include, mass following, mass liking, spam, posting contents that are inappropriate, insults and so on. Everything listed above can result in action block for your account.
Instagram is aware that mentioned actions work very well in growing Instagram accounts.
These methods were used heavily in the early days of Instagram as an effective means of building traction and user retention on the platform. But as Instagram matured and grew to be one of the biggest social networks on the planet, we can certainly be sure the focus has shifted.
So why is Instagram trying to restrict such activities, sacrificing its own users experience?
The answer is? money.
Instagram?s number one goal is to maximize revenue from ads. If you want to increase your number of followers on Instagram, the company wants you to spend money on their ads rather than growing your followers manually or with the help of a third-party app or service. Ads are very profitable for Instagram aka Facebook.
In the last few years, Facebook has been investing their resources heavily into building an advertising platform on Instagram. Advertising remains the main lifeblood of the service and this comes as no surprise, Facebook is trying to protect their revenue.
By the fiscal year 2020, Instagram will account for $23 billion, or 27 percent, of Facebook?s ad sales, according to a report done by analyst Youssef Squali.
However, many users are not happy with Instagram?s activity blocks and a new emphasis on ads because they are now forced to pay more for advertising to make up for the loss of organic reach, which is dwindling every year.
On top of that, as our research shows, ads don?t perform well ? increased number of ads, has a direct impact on in-app experience for an average Instagram user that often will simply ignore them.
Businesses and individual users who want to boost exposure on Instagram with paid options, prefer to spend their money on influencer marketing or other forms of non-direct marketing, often resulting in higher ROI. Such as Tik Tok / Pinterest. Also LinkedIn for more professional brand awareness.
Do I risk my account getting banned?
NO, you don?t risk a ban if you:
- do all the activity manually and just ended up doing too many actions
- use organic Instagram service or social media manager to grow your account manually. If you don?t want to spend any money just post daily 7?10 times with rich hashtags and rich content.
YES, there is a moderate to high risk of getting your account banned if:
- you purchased bulk followers. DO NOT BUY FOLLOWERS. It will halt your growth.DO NOT BUY FOLLOWERS! DO NOT BUY FOLLOWERS! DO NOT BUY FOLLOWERS! It?s that Important that I have the emphasis this 3 times.
- you use bots, software solutions that promise follower growth. Basically anything that isn?t Instagram App
How to fix ?Action Blocked? on Instagram
Since Instagram block is not going to stay on your IG account forever, there are ways to fix it.
The most important is: if you participate in any type of automation, immediately stop these activities.
Here are known ways to unblock ?Action Blocked? Instagram message:
- stop running bot/software solutions (if you do)
- give yourself a break from ?follow? and ?like? activities for at least 72 hours
- change your IP address
- link your Instagram account with Facebook
- switch devices
- report action block to Instagram
Let?s go into more details for each method.
1. Stop automation
If you aggressively automate your Instagram actions, then Instagram can easily detect your actions, which will result in an action block.
If you are running any third-party app or bot to automate your Instagram. Stop it! Instagram is aware of the bot activity, which, after many Instagram updates introduced to app algorithm, is easier to detect nowadays.
Either invest the time to grow your account manually or delegate it to a dedicated growth service that does not rely on software solutions, keeping your account safe and sound.
2. Take a break
Since overdoing activity on your Instagram account is the most common reason why you would receive the ?Action Blocked? message, it might be a good idea to take a break from following, liking, and commenting, in order to avoid seeing the unwelcome Instagram error.
I recommend stopping all activities for at least 72 hours although in some cases, the block might last longer, up to 5?7 days.
3. Change your IP address
If you log into your Instagram account from a different IP address or device, and you can?t confirm your identity via SMS or email. Then the system may think your account has been hijacked by hackers. The reaction to this is that the system immediately blocks your account to protect your privacy and safety.
Try to change your IP address. If you are currently on your WiFi, switch to a mobile network (4G/5G). If you are using data plan already, select your home WiFi instead.
Likely, Instagram flagged or banned your home or work IP, so switching the source of Internet connection, might help to unblock actions on Instagram.
4. Link Instagram with Facebook
If you haven?t done so yet, try to connect your personal or business Instagram account with your or your brand?s Facebook account.
This way, you are showing Instagram more credibility that indeed you are a real person using an account and not a bot. Often, Instagram accounts that were machine-made or are machine-maintained are not associated with any Facebook accounts, and Instagram might see it as a trust issue.
See [how to link your Instagram with Facebook][3] guide to learn how to do it efficiently.
5. Switch devices
If everything above fails and you are still experiencing Instagram action block, as a last resort option you might simply try to change the device you are logging in to your Instagram account.
6. Report it to Instagram
Something I wouldn?t exclude is reaching out to Instagram support and reporting the issue. Report the problem and send to their support email address a message that you don?t see the reason why your activities are being restricted. In certain situations, your action block could be simply a glitch, making you one of many unfortunate users who are taking the hit. If you feel you have done nothing to warrant an action block on Instagram, then you need to fight it. Simply send an honest report to Instagram?s support detailing everything about an action block. (To be honest? They don?t normally reply and don?t tell you what you did wrong) Read below to avoid future ?Action Blocked?
How to avoid getting blocked by Instagram Dos and Don?ts
As Instagram?s algorithm constantly changes with each update, both the causes why you are getting blocked and the ways to avoid might change.
However, as of today, there are few confirmed ways to prevent getting ?Action Blocked? on Instagram:
1. Don?t use automation
If you have been using third-party apps available on AppStore or Google play as well as bots you found online, make sure to stop using them and UNINSTALL them. Also change your password too because the third party Apps have your email and password.
2. DON?T complete too many actions
If you are on a follow or like spree, slow down. Although it might be tempting to do many actions at once, this way you are more likely to get your actions blocked on Instagram.
NEW ACCOUNTS/USERS : It is important to avoid liking or commenting on people?s Instagram post immediately after you create a new account. This is usually done by bot accounts.
EX. Avoid mass following and unfollowing of people. The Instagram system is configured to consider such action as a bot and spammy-like behavior. Follow/Unfollow actions per account are around 6,000 per month.
3. DON?T Pos Sexual, Inappropriate images or video.
Action Block can be placed on your account if you post photos and videos exposing sexual content, violence, or nudes. Instagram does not care about the objectives for posting inappropriate content, as it earns you an action block or ban.
4. DON?T Spam Comments and Direct Messages.
Your account can be blocked when you send unwanted direct messages, comments, likes, and other spam activities to any user on Instagram.
5. DON?T Post Copy Infringement
Copyright Infringement on Instagram is a very big deal. All images or videos posted on your account have to either be yours or authorized by the owner. If you want to share the content of a particular user, then you need to tag the user and give credit to the user in the description.
6. DO complete your Profile
Complete your Instagram profile by writing a short bio and uploading a profile picture. This will show Instagram?s system that your profile is authentic.
7. DO read Instagram Guidelines
Read Instagram?s community guidelines! There are several other actions that can earn you a block on Instagram that I might not be familiar with. That?s why it?s important to read and try to follow the rules stated in Instagram?s community guideline.
Action Blocked Instagram: Final Thoughts
I hope this article has been able to address what Action Block means, its reasons, and how to avoid those Instagram ?Action Blocked? error messages. Carefully read the article to keep your Instagram account safe from punishments.
I know how frustrating it can be to run into issues with your social media profile you poured so much time and energy to. Having an Instagram action block is like having a car and being unable to drive it.
However, with a bit of planning and careful selection of activities as well as third-party apps you are going to use, you can enjoy steady and safe growth of your Instagram account.
Read my other Article HERE on How to Grow Your Instagram in 2020.
Thank you for reading so far! Comment below your thoughts and questions.
