2025 Instagram Operation Manual (including registration frequently asked questions and anti-blocking guidelines)

Author of this article：Fiona

For cross-border companies, Instagram isBrand exposure, The core position of product grass-planting-whether it is individual users, brand merchants, or marketers, Instagram provides users with a wide range of interaction and communication channels. But many people are stuck in the “first step”: the mobile phone number cannot receive the verification code, the “account is restricted” is prompted as soon as the information is filled in, the identity verification fails repeatedly, and to make matters worse, the new account is blocked as soon as it is registered, which directly affects the promotion of the marketing plan.

This article starts from the risk control logic of Instagram registration, provides solutions to common registration problems, and provides a guide for the whole process from “registration preparation” to “anti-blocking of account registration”, and combines cross-border scenarios to explain how to passThird-party toolsAvoid moreAccount managementRisk, to ensure the stable operation of the account.

1. The risk control logic of Instagram registration

Before solving the problem, you must first clarify the Meta pairNew Instagram accountThe core of risk control-every step of the registration process is being evaluated by the system, and any “abnormal signal” will trigger restrictions. There are 3 core evaluation dimensions：

1. Environmental authenticity: whether the equipment, IP, and network are in compliance

Instagram will give priority to determining whether the registration environment is “like a real user”： 

• Equipment: whether it is a "clean device” (has not logged in to the blocked account, has not swiped the machine and tampered with the device information)； 
• IP: Whether it is a "native IP” (non-shared IP, non-computer room IP, and the IP attribution matches the mobile phone number attribution/target market)； 
• Network: whether it is stable (avoid switching more than 3 WiFi/traffic within 1 hour, or frequently disconnecting and reconnecting). 

If the system detects that “the device has been associated with an illegal account” and “the IP is a blacklist shared IP”, the registration will be directly intercepted, and the creation will be refused without even prompting the reason.

2. The authenticity of the information: whether the mobile phone number, email address, and identity information are valid

Meta has strengthened the “true identity verification” in 2025, and the following situations will be judged as "false information”： 

• Mobile phone number: virtual number (access code platform, one-time mobile phone number), mobile phone number that has been registered by multiple people； 
• Mailbox: Temporary mailbox (such as a 10-minute mailbox), unverified spam mailbox； 
• Identity information: When improving the information after registration, there is a “suspicion of advertising” in the avatar, nickname, and profile (such as “purchasing”, “wholesale”, “official website link”, etc.).

3. Rationality of behavior: the registration process and whether the initial operation looks like a "real person”

The system will monitor the behavior trajectory during registration. The following “mechanical operations” can easily be determined as “robot registration”.： 

• Registration speed is too fast: complete “Download APP → Fill in information → Submit registration" within 1 minute, skip all guided steps； 
• Abnormal initial behavior: immediately after registration is completed, follow and like in batches, or directly post advertising posts with contact information； 
• Multi-account association: register more than 2 accounts on the same device/IP at the same time, or switch accounts too frequently.

2. 8 common problems with Instagram Registration: Reasons + solutions

RegisteringInstagram accountAt this time, many users will encounter some common problems, these problems may cause the account to not be used normally or subsequent operations are restricted. The following are some common registration problems and solutions：

Problem 1: The verification code cannot be received for the mobile phone number

• Core reason： 

1. Used a virtual mobile phone number/access code platform； 
2. The IP does not match the place of attribution of the mobile phone number (if a Chinese mobile phone number is registered with a U.S. IP, the system will determine it as "abnormal cross-border registration”)； 
3. Operators intercept international text messages； 
4. The mobile phone number has been registered for Instagram (the same mobile phone number is bound to up to 2 Instagram accounts, if the amount is excessive, it cannot be received). 

• solution：
  • Replace the "physical real-name mobile phone number”: give priority to the local mobile phone number of the target market (if you use a US entity number for the European and American markets, you can purchase it through a licensed virtual operator), or your domestic real-name mobile phone number (make sure you have not registered more than 2 Instagram accounts)； 
  • Match the IP and the place of attribution of the mobile phone number: if you register with a Chinese mobile phone number, you will use the native IP of Hong Kong/Singapore; if you register with a US mobile phone number, you will use the local IP of the United States.； 
  • Check the SMS blocking box + contact the operator: Go to the MOBILE SMS APP → blocking box, search for “Instagram” or “Meta”, some mobile phones will classify international SMS as spam; if you still can't receive it, call the operator's customer service and apply for "Unblock international SMS"”； 
  • Select "Voice verification Code”: On the verification code page, click “Did not receive the text message?" "→ "Get voice verification code”, Instagram will dial the mobile phone number and broadcast the verification code through voice (avoid SMS interception, suitable for situations where operators have strict filtering).

Question 2: Mailbox verification failed, indicating “Verification email cannot be sent”

• Core reason：
  • Used a temporary mailbox (such as temp-mail. org, etc.)； 
  • The mailbox has been associated with a blocked account (if the Instagram account previously bound to the mailbox is blocked due to violations, it will affect the new registration)； 
  • The mailbox server intercepts Meta emails (some corporate mailboxes will classify Meta verification emails as "external spam"”. 
• solution：
  • Use “Personal real-name mailbox”: priority is given to international mailboxes such as Gmail and Outlook (you need to match the IP attribution when registering, such as Gmail for U.S. IP), or domestic Netease and QQ mailboxes (make sure that the blocked account has not been associated)； 
  • Check the mailbox spam box: go to the Mailbox → "Spam" and ”Advertising Mail" folder, and find the email from “security@mail.instagram.com " Of the email, click “Non-spam" and then click the verification link again.； 
  • Change your email and try again: If the current email continues to fail, change to an email that has not been registered for Instagram (Note: 1 email is bound to a maximum of 1 Instagram account).

Question 3: Halfway through the registration, it prompts “Account creation is temporarily restricted”

• Core reason：
  • Abnormal registration environment: the device has logged in to the blocked account, and the IP is a shared blacklist IP； 
  • Registration behavior is too fast: skip the guided steps such as ”Select interest tag“ and ”Follow recommended account", and the system determines it to be "robot operation”.； 
  • The same IP/device has recently registered an account: 1 IP/device can register up to 2 Instagram accounts within 30 days, and the limit will be triggered if the amount exceeds. 
• solution：
  • Clean up the equipment environment：
    1. Mobile terminal: Uninstall Instagram → restore factory settings (pay attention to data backup), or use the ”Device Camouflage tool" to clear the device fingerprint； 
    2. Computer side: use the browser privacy mode to register, or clear the browser Cookies (Settings →Privacy and Security→ Clear browsing data)； 
  • Change to "clean IP+device": Use a mobile phone that has never registered for Instagram, match it with a new native IP, and re-register； 
  • Slow down the registration rhythm: follow the system guidance step by step, such as “Select 3 interest tags” and “Follow 5-10 recommended accounts”, each step is separated by 3-5 seconds, simulating the rhythm of real-person operation.

Question 4: Authentication fails (prompt “Your identity cannot be verified”)

• Core reason：
  • The submitted documents are not clear: the photos are blurred, the cropping is incomplete (for example, the ID card is only taken in half), and the text cannot be seen clearly due to reflection.； 
  • The type of document does not meet the requirements: Instagram only accepts "valid government-issued documents” (such as passports, driver's licenses, and ID cards, not student ID cards or work permits).； 
  • The certificate information does not match the registration information: the name and birthday on the certificate are inconsistent with the one filled in at the time of registration (if the English name is used for registration, the certificate is in Chinese and has not been translated). 
• solution：
  • Choose the correct type of document: give priority to passport for cross-border business (universal worldwide, to avoid the inability of ID cards to pass due to “regional identification issues”), and secondly, use the local driver's license in the target market.； 
  • Standardize shooting documents：
    1. Plenty of light, no reflections or shadows； 
    2. The ID is completely in the mirror, and the edges are not cropped.； 
    3. The text is clear and legible； 
  • Ensure that the information is consistent: if you register with an English name, you need to attach an “English translation" to the certificate (you can translate your name and birthday by hand to ensure that it is consistent with the registration information), or directly register with the English name on the certificate.； 
  • Multiple attempts: If one fails, resubmit after 24 hours (to avoid repeated submission in a short period of time to trigger risk control), and state in the “Remarks” column when submitting that “It is used for Instagram account registration, and the certificate is true and valid.”
  • Be patient: the authentication process may take some time to ensure that your submission is clear and meets Instagram's requirements.

Question 5: When the new device logs in to the old account, it prompts “Identity verification is required” but the verification code cannot be received.

• Core reason：
  • Abnormal login environment: The new device is not in the Instagram “Trusted device list”, and the IP is very different from the common IP attribution (such as the commonly used U.S. IP, suddenly log in with a Chinese IP)； 
  • There are security risks in the old account: There have been records such as “remote login” and “abnormal likes” before, and the system has strengthened verification.； 
  • The bound mobile phone number/mailbox has been disabled: The mobile phone number bound to the old account has been logged out, or the mailbox cannot receive mail. 
• solution：
  • Use ”Common IP + old device" to assist in verification: if the old device can still log in, first enter “Settings → Security → Trusted Device" on the old device, add the new device as the trusted device, and then log in with the new device.； 
  • Select "Alternative verification method”: click “Other verification method” on the login page. If you have bound your email before, you can receive the verification code through your email; if you have set up a "security question”, you can verify by answering the question.； 
  • Submit an identity verification complaint: If all verification methods are invalid, click "Unable to verify?" "→ "Contact Support”, submit the registered mobile phone number/email address of the old account, the commonly used login IP, and the link to the recently published post, stating that "the login of the new device needs to be verified”, usually 1-3 working days to reply.
  • Change the network or restart the device: Sometimes network problems may cause the verification code to not be successfully received. Try to switch the network or restart the device.

Question 6: After the registration is completed, the account is directly blocked (without any prompt)

• Core reason：
  • The device/IP is a "blacklist”: the device has logged in to multiple blocked accounts, or the IP belongs to the “junk IP segment" marked by Meta (such as computer room IP, shared IP)； 
  • Violations of registration information: nicknames, avatars, and profiles contain "illegal vocabulary" (such as “pornography”“ "violence”, "purchasing"” and "highly imitated brand names”)； 
  • Associated illegal account number: The same mobile phone number/email address has been bound to an account that has been permanently blocked, and it has been “jointly and severally punished” by the system. 
• solution：
  • Completely change the registration environment: re-register with brand new equipment, brand new native IP, and brand new physical mobile phone number/email address； 
  • Optimize registration information：
    1. Nickname: Use “brand name + simple suffix" to avoid illegal words)； 
    2. Avatar: use brand logo or solid color background image (avoid blurred and infringing images)； 
    3. Introduction: In the initial stage, no contact information is filled in, only neutral content such as “Sharing brand daily” and “Product updates” are written.； 
  • Submit an unblocking complaint: If you believe that your account has been blocked by mistake, click “Learn More”→ “Appeal” on the login page, and submit your registered mobile phone number, ID photo, and registration environment description (such as “new device, native IP, and real information”).

Question 7: Prompt “This mobile phone number cannot be used for registration”

• Core reason：
  • The mobile phone number has been permanently blocked: The Instagram account previously bound to the mobile phone number has been permanently blocked due to serious violations (such as spreading pornography and fraud), and the mobile phone number has entered the Meta blacklist.； 
  • Mobile phone numbers belong to the “high-risk number segment”: the number segments of some virtual operators (such as some domestic Internet of Things card number segments) are marked as “high-risk” by Meta, and registration is prohibited.； 
  • The number of mobile phone number registrations exceeds the upper limit: up to 2 Instagram accounts can be registered with the same mobile phone number, and if the number exceeds, it will not be able to continue to be used. 
• solution：
  • Replace the "physical mobile phone number that has not been associated with Instagram”: Give priority to the new mobile phone number in my real name, or the local mobile phone number of the target market.； 
  • Instead of registering with email: select “Register with Email" on the registration page and skip the verification of your mobile phone number (note: the email must have not been registered for Instagram and is a real verifiable email address)； 
  • Appeal to lift the restriction on mobile phone number: If the mobile phone number is misjudged in the blacklist, you can passMeta account support pageSubmit a complaint, provide a real-name certificate of the mobile phone number, and promise not to violate the law. The review period is about 7 working days.

Question 8: “Please check the network connection” is prompted when registering, but the network is normal.

• Core reason：
  • The VPN node is unstable: the VPN connection is frequently disconnected, or the node is detected and blocked by Meta； 
  • Limited network type: Some corporate WiFi and campus networks will intercept Instagram registration requests (port blocked)； 
  • The App version is too old: the downloaded version of Instagram is an old version, there is a compatibility issue, and the registration data cannot be submitted normally. 
• solution：
  • Replace stable VPN nodes: select “dedicated line node” and avoid using “free node” (poor stability, easy to be blocked)； 
  • Switch network type: switch from WiFi to mobile phone 4G/5G data (personal data is usually not blocked by the port), or use a personal hotspot； 
  • Update the Instagram version: download the latest version on the official website or regular app store, uninstall the old version and re-register.
  •   Before registration: prepare a "clean operating environment”
  • IP: Use “native IP” (non-shared IP) and match the target market (for example, Indonesia and Malaysia IPS are used for Southeast Asian markets)； 
  • Information: Prepare “non-illegal registration information” (physical mobile phone number/email address, clear ID, neutral nickname avatar) in advance; Instagram hopes that every user on its platform is real, and the account information used must also be accurate. The use of false personal information, especially providing untrue information during account registration and identity verification, may result in the account being blocked.
    2.   Registration: simulating the "rhythm of real human behavior”
  • Do not skip the guided steps: follow the system prompts to complete the “Select interest”, “Follow the recommended account" and “Complete the information", each step interval is 3-5 seconds； 
  • Do not bind to multiple platforms immediately: After registration is complete, do not bind to Facebook, Twitter and other accounts, and then gradually bind after 7 days.； 
  • Do not turn on “automatic login”: Avoid turning on “automatic login” on multiple devices to prevent the system from determining that it is “multi-account association”.
    3.   7 days after registration (the critical period for maintaining the account): only do "normal user behavior”
  • Daily operation rhythm：
  • Prohibited operations: do not follow/like in bulk, do not post content with contact information, do not privately message strangers, and avoid frequent operations.
    4.   Perfect information: avoid "advertising suspicion”
  • Introduction: Do not fill in the URL, email address, and mobile phone number in the initial stage, and then add the “brand official website” after 7 days of raising the number (it must be a regular website that has been filed)； 
  • Posts: The first 10 posts post “non-marketing content” (such as product detail pictures, brand stories, and user scene pictures), not “hard advertising" (such as "limited-time discounts” and “scan code to buy")； 
  • Tags: There are no more than 10 tags for each post, and priority is given to precise long-tail tags (such as “#OrganicSkincareUS”, avoid “#Skincare 1m” and other large-traffic tags).
    5.   Multi-account management: avoid "associated risks”
  • 1 device and 1 account: only 1 Instagram account is logged in for 1 device, and it is not switched frequently (if you need to manage multiple accounts, use a backup machine)； 
  • 1 IP corresponds to 1 account: avoid “1 IP log in to multiple accounts” (VPN nodes of different IP segments can be used to distinguish)； 
  • Differentiated operation: The nicknames, avatars, and profiles of multiple accounts should be avoided from being highly similar, and the content of the posts should not be published repeatedly (to prevent the system from determining that it is a “matrix spam").
    6.   Compliance operations: stay away from “high-risk violations”
  • Content compliance: Comply with Instagram community norms and do not post pornographic, violent, infringing, or false propaganda content (such as “absolutely valid” and “the lowest on the whole network”)； 
  • Interactive compliance: no private messages, mass advertisements, no comments on screen swiping (for example, every comment has a “plus V”), no malicious reporting to others; no third-party software is used to increase the interaction rate. Instagram is very sensitive to this behavior and can easily be detected and accounts blocked.
  • Information compliance: Do not modify nicknames, avatars, and profiles frequently (no more than 2 changes per month), and do not use “highly imitated brand names” (such as “Nike_Official”).
    7.   Protect the security of your account
  • If the Instagram account is hacked or obtained by an unauthorized third party, the account may be blocked or other problems may occur. Therefore, it is essential to protect the security of your account.
  • Enable two-factor authentication (2FA): Increase the security of your account through two-factor authentication to prevent unauthorized login.
  • Use a strong password: Make sure that the account password is complex and unique, and avoid using the same password as other accounts.
  • Check account activity regularly: Through Instagram's account activity options, check regularly for abnormal login records.

4. Cross-border scenario upgrade: How Mixdesk can help companies stably operate Instagram accounts

For cross-border companies, Instagram accounts are not only a "grass-planting tool”, but also a “customer communication channel”-but problems such as multi-account management, untimely message response, and difficult cross-channel coordination often lead to low account operation efficiency, and even trigger risk control due to improper operation.MixdeskPass“Multi-channel integration+ Compliance management” to solve these pain points：

1. Unified workbench: avoid multi-account switching to trigger risk control

MixdeskInstagram messages can be integrated into the same workbench with messages from WhatsApp, Facebook, independent station chat and other channels. Customer service does not need to frequently switch Instagram accounts to log in (to avoid “multiple account switching on the same device” is determined to be abnormal by the system), you can reply to all channel messages in one stop. Multiple accounts can be classified according to the “Account label” (such as “European and American Account 1” and “Southeast Asian Account 2”). Customer service manages different accounts through hierarchical permissions to avoid misoperation.

2. Customer labeling and compliance interaction: improve operational efficiency and reduce the risk of violations

MixdeskSupport automatic labeling of customers based on dialogue keywords (such as “high/low intent”, “from Instagram/WhatsApp”, etc.), which can help companies classify customers more accurately and avoid violations caused by blind mass advertising. Through these tags, companies can push content that is more in line with their expectations and improve interaction according to their customers' needs and interests. Backstage“Proactive marketing”The function allows enterprises to push event notifications, new product information or exclusive benefits in a targeted and regular manner, without the need to use other marketing tools, and directly complete the activation and relationship maintenance of potential customers in the customer service scenario. This precisemarketingIn this way, it can not only avoid excessive advertising harassment, but also improve customer acceptance and participation.

5. Summary: The core of Instagram's operations-compliance + authenticity

As a global social platform, Instagram is not only a social tool for individuals to share their lives, but also for businesses to carry outBrand marketingAn important channel for interacting with customers. In the process of registering an account and operating, it is essential to follow the rules and norms of the platform. Through reasonable anti-sealing strategies, compliance with operating practices, and the use of appropriate smart tools such as Mixdesk, Brands can achieve sustainable growth on the Instagram platform and avoid account bans due to violations.

I hope that through the introduction of this article, you can better understand the common problems of Instagram account registration, and use effective anti-blocking strategies to ensure account security and long-term operation. If you are looking for a solution that can provide comprehensive customer service, improve operational efficiency, and ensure compliance，MixdeskIt is undoubtedly an option worth considering.

Mixdesk is an overseas multi-channel intelligent customer communication platform that can unify multiple channels such as Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Line, Telegram, and Email to help companies communicate and serve customers. Mixdesk also supports AI employee functions, allowing enterprises to achieve more efficient automated customer service.

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