How to Fix Automated Behavior on Instagram

That sinking feeling when Instagram flags your account for automated behavior is genuine, but you don't need to panic. This warning means Instagram's algorithm thinks you're acting more like a bot than a human, and it has temporarily restricted your account to protect its community. This guide will walk you through exactly why this happens, the immediate steps to take, and a clear plan to restore your account's good standing for the long term.

What 'Automated Behavior' on Instagram Actually Means and Why It Happens

In simple terms, getting flagged for automated behavior means Instagram thinks you're using third-party apps, bots, or spam-like tactics to grow your account. The platform's algorithm is designed to identify and limit activity that doesn't seem natural or human. It’s not just about a single action, it’s about the pattern, speed, and volume of your activity over a short period.

Instagram does this to combat spam, fake engagement, and inauthentic growth. While your intentions might be innocent - perhaps you were just excited to connect with a bunch of new accounts - the algorithm can't tell the difference between enthusiasm and a bot running a script. This leads to an "action blocked" message, a temporary restriction, or, in repeated cases, a permanent suspension.

Common Triggers That Cause the Automated Behavior Flag

Most of the time, this warning isn't random. It’s triggered by specific behaviors that the algorithm identifies as bot-like. Understanding these triggers is the first step toward fixing the problem and avoiding it in the future.

• Rapid Following or Unfollowing: Following hundreds of accounts in an hour or doing a mass spring clean by unfollowing them just as quickly is the number one cause. Humans don't typically follow 200 accounts between meetings. This "follow/unfollow" method is an old, outdated growth hack that Instagram actively fights against.
• Excessive Liking or Commenting: Liking hundreds of posts in a few minutes or leaving the exact same generic comment (like "Great post!" or a string of fire emojis) on dozens of accounts will get you flagged. This looks like a spam bot trying to farm for engagement.
• Sending Too Many DMs: Copying and pasting the same sales pitch or message to a long list of users you don't follow is a surefire way to get restricted. Instagram sees this as unsolicited spam.
• Using Unauthorized Third-Party Apps: This is a big one. Any app that asks for your Instagram password and promises to get you more followers, find out who unfollowed you, or auto-comment on your behalf is violating Instagram's terms of service. These apps use your account to perform automated actions, which puts you directly in the line of fire.
• Reposting the Same Low-Quality Content Over Time: If you are constantly reposting identical content, with the same image or video plus the same copy and hashtags, Instagram can assume it is bot-like behavior. Good creators share original and diverse video or imagery consistently over time to connect authentically and build their community. This looks genuine versus what a bot might do.
• Using Banned or Broken Hashtags: Continuously using hashtags that Instagram has flagged or disabled can hurt your account's standing. A simple hashtag like #marketing could become overrun with spam or inappropriate content temporarily, causing Instagram to ban it. If you keep using it, the algorithm might associate your account with low-quality content.

First Steps: What to Do Immediately After Getting the Warning

When you see that “Action Blocked” or “Try Again Later” pop-up, your first instinct might be to keep trying the action or start Googling in a panic. Instead, take a deep breath and follow these precise steps to de-escalate the situation.

1. Stop All Activity Immediately

Seriously. Stop everything. Don't try to like, comment, follow, or post. The more you try to push past the restriction, the more you confirm to the algorithm that something unusual is happening, which can extend the block. The best thing you can do for the next 24 hours is simply log out and let the account cool down.

2. Change Your Instagram Password

Changing your password does two very important things. First, it serves as an immediate disconnect for any unauthorized third-party apps that may still have access or be running processes in the background that are hurting your account's health. You're cutting the cord entirely. Second, it signals to Instagram that you are taking action to secure your account and might indicate that the previous unhealthy behavior wasn't really you, but was caused by your account being hacked. Even if it wasn't hacked, this small action can do wonders to get your account back in a safe state.

3. Revoke Access to ALL Third-Party Apps

This is extremely important. Many people connect apps and forget about them, but they can continue to access your account and perform actions for years. You need to do a full audit and remove access for any app that isn't an official partner of Meta.

Here’s how to do it on desktop:

1. Go to your Instagram profile and click the hamburger menu (three lines) in the top-right corner, then select Settings.
2. Click on See more in Accounts Center, located under the Meta Accounts Center heading.
3. From the menu on the left, click on Your information and permissions, then select Apps and Websites.
4. This screen will show you a list of apps connected to your account, usually sorted into tabs like "Active," "Expired," and "Removed."
5. Carefully review the "Active" list. Remove access for any app that you don't recognize, don't use anymore, or that seems suspicious. Anything that promises followers, unfollower tracking, or automated likes should be removed immediately. Be ruthless here and remove anything that is not 100% vital and from a very trusted vendor.

The 7-Day Fix: Your Plan to Restore and Rebuild Trust

Once you've completed the immediate damage control, it’s time to show Instagram that you intend to follow all community guidelines. You'll accomplish this by reintroducing your account to the platform and behaving like a human from this point forward. This gradual 7-day approach is the safest roadmap toward a full recovery.

Days 1–2: The Cool-Down Period

As mentioned before, this period is about showing Instagram that all previous automated patterns have stopped. After completing the steps above, log out of your Instagram account for 24-48 consecutive hours. Give the platform a 'hard reset' when it comes to your account's activity. The algorithm needs to see that a new, more thoughtful pattern of behavior has started. We recommend not getting anxious about "losing" visibility during these very short 48 hours, because the long-term health of your social media presence is worth it. Simply let everything sit. No liking Stories or checking DMs - zero activity.

Days 3–5: Gradual and Gentle Re-Engagement

After your cool-down period, it's time to gently ease back into your routine. Start by sharing a single, high-quality post, like a Reel, to help regain some visibility. Instead of trying to catch up by liking every post in your feed, focus on leaving two or three genuine, thoughtful comments that are more meaningful than "nice photo!" Respond to a few DMs at a slow pace. Most importantly, do not start following or unfollowing other accounts in large numbers. Abusing the follow/unfollow strategy at this stage would be extremely detrimental to your account's recovery.

Days 6 and 7: Returning to "Human" Behavior

By the end of the week, you can return to more regular usage. Focus on interacting in ways that build authentic connections, which are far more valuable for your business in the long run. Don't worry about creating perfect, overly polished content. Posts that feel raw and genuine can signal that you're not a bot. To maintain your account's good standing, use a diverse set of hashtags for each post instead of repeating the same ones, and take the time to write unique, creative captions.

How to Prevent Getting Flagged Again: Long-Term Strategies

The great news is that if you've learned your lesson, you can prevent this from ever happening again. Keeping your Instagram account in good standing is simple if you stick to a healthy strategy. Follow the gentle re-engagement plan outlined above and make a conscious effort to avoid your past mistakes. Focus on improving your content and building a genuine community.

Focus on Building Community, Not "Hacking" Growth

Instead of spending hours on ineffective follow/unfollow strategies, invest that time in creating unique short-form video content. Use fresh, authentic hashtags. Take the time to reply to comments and DMs with human responses like "Thank you!" instead of just using a quick reaction.

Do an Immediate Audit of Your Third-Party Apps

We're not saying you should avoid all third-party apps, but be extremely selective. Scrutinize any app that promises to "hack" your growth or get you thousands of followers overnight. Stick to official Meta Business Partners or well-regarded tools that help you manage your content responsibly, without performing automated actions on your behalf.

Final Thoughts

Fixing an "automated behavior" flag comes down to stopping the activities that triggered it and slowly re-introducing your account to the platform with healthy, human-like usage. Preventing these issues on platforms like Instagram and TikTok requires a commitment to building a truly engaged community instead of taking dangerous shortcuts. That's what social media is all about, isn't it?

At Postbase, our goal has been to build a simple, modern platform that marketers, businesses, and content creators will actually use. With Postbase, you can plan, engage, and analyze your content in just a few clicks, because we know social media management doesn't have to be overpriced, confusing, or unreliable. Our platform helps you stay connected with your social media accounts so you can get your time back to focus on business growth.