Instagram removes content when it breaks a specific rule or law, not because it's unflattering. Match the problem to the right route: the privacy report form for private information or images of you, the in-app report plus StopNCII.org for intimate images, Meta's intellectual property form for your photos or brand, and in-app reports for harassment. Save links and screenshots before you report anything.
Before you report: collect the evidence
- Links to every post, story highlight or profile involved.
- Screenshots with the username and date visible. Content can disappear and reappear.
- Anything that shows the content is about you, or that you own it.
Avoid arguing with the poster in public comments. It rarely helps and can spread the content further.
Private information or images of you
For photos, videos or personal details that violate your privacy, Instagram has a privacy report form (linked in the sources below).
- Instagram asks you to first contact the person who posted it and ask them to remove it, where that's safe.
- Instagram generally acts on privacy reports from the person concerned, a parent for a child, or someone legally responsible for that person.
- Information that is already published elsewhere may not be removed from Instagram.
Intimate images shared without consent
- Take a screenshot of the post for your own records, then report it in the app.
- Instagram says it uses photo-matching technology to help stop the same image from being shared again.
- StopNCII.org is a free tool that creates a digital fingerprint (a hash) of the image on your own device, so participating platforms can block it without the image itself leaving your phone.
- If you're being threatened or blackmailed, contact the police. Don't pay.
Your photos, videos or brand used without permission
- Copyright (your photos, videos, music, text): use Meta's intellectual property reporting form. Only the rights owner or someone authorised to act for them can file, and you can include up to 30 links in one report.
- Trademark (your brand name or logo): there's a separate trademark report form.
- Someone pretending to be you is impersonation, which has its own route: see how to get a fake account removed.
Harassment and bullying
Report abusive posts, comments and messages in the app from each item's menu. Reports are anonymous. While you wait, use Instagram's block and restrict tools, limit comments and turn on hidden words to filter abusive messages.
If you live in the EU
Under the Digital Services Act, platforms like Instagram must give you an easy way to report illegal content, process the notice and tell you what they decided and how to contest it. If you believe content is illegal under your country's law, say so explicitly in your report and explain which law it breaks.
Frequently asked questions
Will Instagram remove a post just because I don't like it?
No. Content is removed when it breaks Instagram's rules or the law: privacy, copyright, harassment, impersonation or other illegal content. Being unflattering isn't enough.
Can I report a privacy violation on behalf of a friend?
Generally not. Instagram acts on privacy reports from the person concerned, a parent for a child, or someone legally responsible for them. Ask your friend to report it.
What is StopNCII.org?
A free tool for adults whose intimate images have been or may be shared without consent. It creates a hash of the image on your device so participating platforms can detect and block it, without you uploading the image.
How many links can I include in a copyright report?
Meta's intellectual property form lets you report up to 30 links in one submission. Only the rights owner or an authorised representative can file it.
Not sure which route applies?
Send us the links. We'll tell you, for free, which rule or law the content breaks and which report to use.
Sources
- Report a Violation of your Privacy on Instagram or Threads (Instagram Help Center form) help.instagram.com
- Exposed Private Information (Instagram Help Center) help.instagram.com
- What should I do if someone shares an intimate photo of me without my permission? (Instagram Help Center) help.instagram.com
- Meta Intellectual Property Reporting Form (Meta Help Center) help.meta.com
- Report a post or profile on Instagram (Instagram Help Center) help.instagram.com
- StopNCII.org stopncii.org