What to do if Instagram bans your business account

Instagram has become an essential platform for businesses and entrepreneurs, as it allows them to connect with customers, create a brand image, promote products and services, and even make direct sales. However, in the event that an account is banned or blocked, the effects can be devastating for a business. Regaining access is possible, but it involves knowing how to handle the process and, in many cases, looking for backup alternatives. Here we explain the reasons why an account can be banned, how to try to recover it, and what preventive measures you can take to protect your business on Instagram.

Reasons why Instagram can ban a business account.

An account ban is usually related to violating Instagram's terms of use or community policies. Here are some of the most common reasons why an account may be blocked:

• Using unauthorized bots or apps: Instagram prohibits the use of third-party tools to automate interactions, such as follower, comment, or like bots. These actions may result in the account being blocked or suspended.
• Inappropriate or sensitive content: Posting content that is violent, offensive, sexually explicit, or promotes illegal activities may result in a ban as it goes against Instagram's community policies.
• Excessive activity in a short period of time: Performing many interactions (follows, likes or comments) in a short period of time can cause the Instagram system to consider you an “inauthentic user” or a “spammer”, leading to the account being blocked.
• Reporting users: If multiple users report your account, Instagram may take preventative action, such as temporarily suspending the account to review the complaints.
• Using banned or repetitive hashtags: Some hashtags are banned due to their association with sensitive or inappropriate content. Using them or repeating the same hashtags in multiple posts in a row can result in the account being detected as spam.
• Impersonation or use of false information: Representing a false identity or copying another company or individual's content and branding may be grounds for suspension.
• Copyright infringement: Uploading content that infringes the copyright or intellectual property rights of others, such as protected images or music, may also lead to a ban.

Steps to try to recover a banned account.

If your account has been banned, the most important thing is to stay calm and follow these steps to try to get it back:

Step 1: Check the type of ban.
Instagram can impose two types of bans:

• Temporary suspension: In these cases, a message is displayed saying that the account is temporarily disabled. This type of ban can be reversed, and after a few days, you will be able to regain access.
• Permanent Suspension: If your account has been permanently disabled, Instagram will likely consider serious violations of its policies.

Step 2: Log in to identify the ban message.
Trying to log in to your Instagram account is the first step. In some cases, a message is displayed explaining the reason for the deactivation and suggesting possible steps to recover it.

Step 3: Appeal Instagram’s decision.
If the ban was a mistake or you feel your account did not violate any policy, you can appeal the decision. Follow these steps:

• Go to the Instagram help page ( https://help.instagram.com ) and select the option “My account was disabled.”
• Fill out the form that appears, explaining the reasons why you believe the ban was a mistake. Provide all relevant information and be respectful in your message.
• Please provide evidence, if you have it, such as screenshots of the account before the ban.
• It can take anywhere from hours to several weeks for Instagram to respond, depending on the situation.

Step 4: Identity verification.
Instagram may ask you for additional verification, such as a photo of you holding a piece of paper with a code provided by them. This process allows Instagram to ensure that you are the owner of the account.

Step 5: Consult a digital marketing expert or agency.
If the recovery process is not going well, you can contact marketing agencies or experts who specialize in social media. Some offer account recovery services, although you should verify that they are reliable before paying for these services.

Preventive measures to avoid banning an Instagram account.

Once you manage to recover your account, or if you want to prevent possible bans in the future, consider implementing these measures:

• Comply with Instagram community policies.
• Familiarize yourself with Instagram's policies and make sure that the content you post does not violate any of them. Avoid sharing content that could be considered offensive, misleading, or infringing copyrights.

Avoid using automatic tools.
Automation tools can be helpful for managing accounts, but Instagram detects and penalizes the use of bots or unauthorized apps. Ideally, you should perform interactions manually to keep your account secure.

Moderation in interactions.
Avoid doing too much interaction in a short period of time. Limit the number of comments, likes and follows per day to avoid being considered spam by the Instagram system.

Create authentic and original content.
Authenticity is valued on Instagram, so it's recommended to create your own content and avoid plagiarism. Use your own photos, videos, and descriptions, and make sure you own the copyright for any content you share.

Vary your hashtags.
Avoid overusing the same hashtags across multiple posts. Check which hashtags are allowed and diversify your usage to avoid being flagged as spam.

Do not abuse promotions and raffles.
While contests and giveaways are helpful for increasing your account's reach, doing them frequently and aggressively can get you reported as spam by your followers. Make sure you follow Instagram's guidelines for promotions.

Create a contingency plan in case of ban.

Despite taking precautions, there is always a risk of being banned. Therefore, it is essential to have a contingency plan:

• Create a contact list: Make sure you have the contact information of your followers and customers so you can contact them in case the account is inactive.
• Use other social networks: Don't depend exclusively on Instagram; Diversify your presence on other networks such as Facebook, TikTok, YouTube or LinkedIn.
• Maintain a website or online store: Having your own website allows your customers to access your business without depending on a specific social network.
• Let your followers know: Let your followers know that they can find you on other platforms and provide links to your other networks in your Instagram bio.

Alternatives to continue your business.

If your account cannot be recovered and you need to rebuild your business's presence on Instagram, consider the following alternatives:

• Create a new account: With an engaging content strategy, promotions and marketing campaigns, you can re-engage your followers.
• Invest in paid advertising: Paid advertising can help you increase visibility for your new account.
• Explore collaborations with influencers: Influencers can help you reach a new audience and regain visibility.

Getting your Instagram business account banned can be a critical moment, but it's not the end of your business. With the right steps, there's a chance you can get your account back. Plus, implementing preventative measures and diversifying the platforms you promote yourself on reduces your reliance on a single social network and protects your business's continuity.