- Categories
- Computers and Electronics
- Internet
- Social Media
Download Article
Explore this Article
Sections
1Ask them directly.
2Investigate the profile.
3Use a people search engine.
4Use Google's Reverse Image Search.
5Cross-check other social media.
+Show 2 more...
-Show less...
Other Sections
Related Articles
References
Co-authored byDarlene Antonelli, MAReviewed byCandace Gasper
Last Updated: September 4, 2023Fact Checked
Download Article
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.
Section 1 of 5:
Ask them directly.
Download Article
Section 2 of 5:
Investigate the profile.
Download Article
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.[2]
- Fake profiles tend to have little to no followers and follow lots of other accounts.
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.[3]
- A fake profile tends to lack pictures with more than one picture of someone.
Advertisem*nt
Section 3 of 5:
Use a people search engine.
Download Article
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.
Download Article
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.[4]
- 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.
Advertisem*nt
Section 5 of 5:
Cross-check other social media.
Download Article
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.[5]
- 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
Search
Question
Someone is requesting to follow me on Instagram, but I don't know who they are. I have a private account. What should I do?
Community Answer
When in doubt, don't accept. You made your account private for a reason, so why would you let a complete stranger (possibly with bad intentions) view your private photos?
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 wikiHowYesNo
Not Helpful 3Helpful 16
Question
How do I find the user's name if the account uses a fake name?
Community Answer
If they use a fake name, you won't be able to know their real name unless other info they post can lead you to it. A lot of people use fake names online to protect their identity.
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 wikiHowYesNo
Not Helpful 0Helpful 1
Question
How do you find the person behind a decade Instagram ID if it has no profile picture and no posts, but the same username has 2 or 3 IDs, and my girlfriend follows them. So how do I know?
Community Answer
First, ask your girlfriend why she is following a seemingly empty profile. If she is loyal to you, she may tell you the real reason. They may be a non-mutual friend who trusts her but not you, or they used to have content but later deleted it, and she didn't want to remove a follow who may come back. They may only talk via private messages, or they may have commented on other profiles. It may even be her secret/alt account. Check their followers as well as your girlfriend's. You might find some comments or info on them. Also, some people just follow random, lesser-known accounts in hopes that they post and know they will gain a follower right away. It isn't always suspicious.
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 wikiHowYesNo
Not Helpful 2Helpful 6
See more answers
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Advertisem*nt
Tips
Submit a Tip
All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
Submit
Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
You Might Also Like
Advertisem*nt
References
- ↑ https://help.instagram.com/789331971130837
- ↑ https://help.instagram.com/192435014247952
- ↑ https://help.instagram.com/514187739359208
- ↑ https://support.google.com/websearch/answer/1325808?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform%3DDesktop
- ↑ https://transparency.fb.com/enforcement/detecting-violations/reviewing-high-visibility-content-accurately/
About This Article
Reviewed by:
Candace Gasper
Social Media & Digital Marketing Consultant
This article was reviewed by Candace Gasper and by wikiHow staff writer, Darlene Antonelli, MA. Candace Gasper is a Social Media & Digital Marketing Consultant and the Owner of Digital Candy, a social media agency. With over seven years of professional experience, Candace is an expert in social media and content creation, specializing in working with local businesses to share their narratives and help them expand their reach. Candace received her Bachelor of Science in Merchandising, Apparels, and Textiles from the University of Kentucky. This article has been viewed 380,248 times.
How helpful is this?
Co-authors: 3
Updated: September 4, 2023
Views:380,248
Categories: Social Media
In other languages
- Send fan mail to authors
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 380,248 times.
Is this article up to date?
Advertisem*nt
)
