Ethan Brooks
How To Prevent Automatic Following on Instagram
If you’ve noticed your Instagram account somehow starts following random accounts or seems out of your control, it’s super frustrating. Sometimes it’s a sign your account has been hacked or there’s some rogue app lurking around with access. This guide covers what might cause it, how to check if your account’s been compromised, and steps to secure your profile so this stops happening. Honestly, just messing with your follow list like that isn’t normal — but don’t worry, fixing it isn’t too complicated once you get a handle on it.
How to Fix Unwanted Autopilot Follows on Instagram
Check if your account’s been hacked or compromised
This is kinda the first thing to do because if someone else got into your account, they could be controlling your follow actions. On some setups, this also helps catch weird login activity you didn’t authorize.
- Open the Instagram app from your device.
- Tap your profile picture in the bottom right to go to Your Profile.
- Hit the three lines (top right) to open the menu.
- Click on Settings.
- Go into Security > Login Activity. Here, you’ll see all places your account is logged in. Look out for anything suspicious — IP addresses or locations you don’t recognize.
On some weird days, this list might be hefty or show logins from countries you’ve never been to. That’s a red flag. If you see that, it’s time to change your password and maybe even do a full security reset.
Review and revoke access for shady third-party apps
This is often the culprit. Some third-party apps or websites ask for your login, then go rogue doing things in the background, including following random accounts. Checking this is quick and can save you headaches down the line.
- Head to Settings > Security > Apps and Websites (or sometimes called Connected Apps). On desktop, you can do this via the web version too.
- Look for apps or websites listed there. If you spot any weird ones or stuff you don’t recall authorizing, choose to remove or revoke access.
Note: On Instagram’s web interface, this might be under Settings > Security > Apps and Websites. Sometimes, these sections are buried, but it’s worth the hunt.
Change your password — yeah, really
If you think someone’s been controlling your account, changing your password is the obvious move. Make it complicated, mix uppercase/lowercase, numbers, and symbols — don’t use ‘password123’ or your pet’s name.
- From Settings > Security, tap Password.
- Type your current password, then create a new one. If you forgot your old password, use the Forgot password link to reset it.
- Save, and consider logging out everywhere else (via Login Activity) to get rid of any sneaky sessions still active.
This can help cut off access for anyone who might have gotten hold of your credentials.
Enable two-factor authentication (2FA)
This is a super simple step but really effective. It’s like adding a second lock on your door. Even if someone steals your password, they’re not getting into your account without that extra verification.
- In Settings, go to Security, select Two-Factor Authentication.
- Pick your preferred method — SMS or an authenticator app like Google Authenticator or Authy.
- Follow the prompts and turn it on. That way, every login needs a one-time code — way harder for hackers.
Discovered that on some devices, it’s kinda flaky at first, but once it’s set, it’s a nice security buffer.
Keep an eye on your account activity regularly
This is more of a proactive approach. Log in frequently and review your Login Activity and your recent follows or unfollows. Sometimes, even after fixing things, weird followers show up — it’s good to catch these early.
- Check Login Activity for any unusual sessions.
- Watch your Recent Activity or followers list for anything odd or out of place.
On one setup it worked fine; on another, it didn’t flag everything immediately, but doing this semi-regularly is just smart.
Other Suggestions & Common Mishaps
This isn’t foolproof, but a few extras help lock things down:
- Don’t use the same password on multiple sites. Ever.
- Be cautious about granting app permissions — check these frequently.
- Stay updated with Instagram’s latest security features and follow those security prompts whenever they pop up.
Wrap-up
Getting your account back on track and stopping those crazy follow actions isn’t rocket science, but it does require some due diligence. Reset your passwords, revoke suspect app access, turn on two-factor authentication, and keep an eye on account activity. If it’s still acting weird after, you might have to contact Instagram support or even consider temporarily disabling the account. Sometimes, this whole fiasco is just a glitch, but more often, someone’s been meddling.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I still see weird follows after these steps?
If that happens, consider temporarily deactivating your account or reaching out to Instagram support. Sometimes, they can help clear things up or investigate further.
How do I keep this from happening again?
Regularly review your connected apps, change your password periodically, and keep two-factor authentication on. Being cautious about what third-party apps have access is key.
Is enabling two-factor authentication really worth it?
Absolutely. It might be a little extra hassle, but it seriously ratchets up your account security since even someone with your password can’t get in without the code.
Summary
- Check login activity for suspicious signs.
- Revoke access for unrecognized apps.
- Change your password to something strong.
- Turn on two-factor authentication.
- Regularly monitor account activity.
Final thoughts
Hopefully, this shaves off a few hours of stress and helps keep your Instagram just how you like it — in your control. Because, honestly, it’s a pain when things get out of hand, but fixing it isn’t impossible.