How to Find Out Who Owns an Instagram Account

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Co-authored by Darlene Antonelli, MA Reviewed by Candace Gasper

Last Updated: September 16, 2025 Fact Checked

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• Ask them directly.
|
• Investigate the profile.
|
• Use a people search engine.
|
• Use Google's Reverse Image Search.
|
• Cross-check other social media.
|
• Q&A

|Show more |Show less

Who owns that Instagram account? You may need to figure out if that profile is fake or trustworthy, and this wikiHow article will teach you how to find out who owns an Instagram account.

Steps

Section 1 of 5:

Ask them directly.

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1. 
   Perhaps the easiest way to go about this is asking the Instagram profile who they are. In some cases, like if you're wondering if that shop page is legit or not, you'll get a misleading answer, so you'll have to do more digging.
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Section 2 of 5:

Investigate the profile.

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1. 
   1
   Looking at their follows, followers, comments, and mentions might give you a lead to who they are. You might recognize some of the names that they follow and who follow them, so you can then determine who they might be.

   • Fake profiles tend to have little to no followers and follow lots of other accounts.
2. 
   2
   Checking out their photos should show you a consistent identity. For example, if the profile has friends from Russia and is all about Russia, but features a profile image that looks tropical, this profile may not be honest.

   • A fake profile tends to lack pictures with more than one picture of someone.
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Section 3 of 5:

Use a people search engine.

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1. 
   Resources like BeenVerified, Spokeo, and PeopleLooker claim to search social media usernames. To find out who owns the Instagram account you're looking at, go to the people search engine website, enter the Instagram username you want to look up, and check out the results. They gather information regarding age, physical and email address, phone number, email, criminal records, and profile photos.

   • Many of these services require payment to work.

Section 4 of 5:

Use Google's Reverse Image Search.

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1. 
   If you have their profile picture or any picture that they've posted, you'll be able to enter that in Google and find out information regarding that image. It's a free method that may or may not give you results.

   • The search results may instead lead you to other social media websites that may give you a hint as to the owner of the account.
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Section 5 of 5:

Cross-check other social media.

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1. 
   Since many users change their names over platforms, checking other social media accounts may tell you more about an account, including who the account owner is.

   • For example, if their Instagram account links to a Twitter profile, you may be able to get their email address from their Twitter profile.

Community Q&A

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• Question

  How can I find out who owns an Instagram account that has no followers, followings, or posts?

  

  Community Answer

  If their username, bio, or profile picture is distinctive, it might give you a clue about their identity. Searching for the username on other platforms might reveal additional profiles. You can try following them and sending a direct message to see if they reply. However, if they remain unresponsive and you lack specific details, it's likely the owner's identity will remain unknown, as many people choose to stay anonymous online.

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  Not Helpful 12 Helpful 65
• Question

  How do I create a fake Instagram account?

  

  Community Answer

  To create a fake Instagram account, sign up as you would normally, but use a fictitious name and other details. You might do this for roleplaying or sharing anonymous content. Avoid impersonating others maliciously, as this can result in account suspension.

  Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
  Thank you for your feedback.
  If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow

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  Not Helpful 3 Helpful 58
• Question

  How can I find a user on Instagram if I can't locate their account?

  

  Community Answer

  If you can't find a user on Instagram, they might have changed their username, blocked you, deleted their account, or never had an Instagram profile.

  Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
  Thank you for your feedback.
  If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow

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  Not Helpful 8 Helpful 76

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