- Reporting an Instagram post from your feed on a phone
- Reporting an Instagram post on a computer
- The reasons Instagram lets you choose for a reported post
- Will the person know you reported their Instagram post
- Reporting a whole Instagram profile instead of one post
- Reporting an Instagram comment or direct message
- What reporting an Instagram post can and can't do
- If someone's threatening you or you feel unsafe on Instagram
- If you can't find the Instagram report button
- Frequently asked questions
To report a post on Instagram, tap Options (the three dots) above the post, tap Report and follow the on-screen instructions. On a computer, click Options in the top right of the post. Instagram says your report is anonymous, except for intellectual property reports.
Most of us scroll past things we don't like and carry on. But every so often a post crosses a line, whether it's a scam aimed at your followers, someone impersonating a brand you work with or something that simply shouldn't be on the platform. When that happens, reporting it takes about ten seconds, and it's worth knowing exactly where the button lives.
I've written this from Instagram's Help Centre, so the steps and the wording match what Instagram itself says. Where the help pages stay quiet, for example on how quickly Instagram acts, I'll say so rather than guess.
Reporting an Instagram post from your feed on a phone
This is the route Instagram describes for the app on iPhone and Android:
- Find the post in your feed or on someone's profile.
- Tap Options above the post. It's the three dots.
- Tap Report.
- Follow the on-screen instructions and pick the reason that fits best.
Reporting an Instagram post on a computer
- Open the post on Instagram.com.
- Click Options in the top right of the post.
- Select Report and follow the on-screen instructions.
The reasons Instagram lets you choose for a reported post
Instagram says you can currently report a post for any of these reasons:
- I just don't like it
- Bullying or unwanted contact
- Suicide, self-injury or eating disorders
- Violence, hate or exploitation
- Selling or promoting restricted items
- Nudity or sexual activity
- Scam, fraud or spam
- False information
- Intellectual property
Pick the closest match. The reports are meant for content that doesn't follow Instagram's Community Standards, so choosing the most accurate reason gives Instagram the clearest picture of what you saw. If your reason is simply that the post isn't to your taste, the quieter fix is usually to mute or unfollow rather than report.
Will the person know you reported their Instagram post
Instagram's answer is reassuring. It says your report is anonymous, and the account you reported won't see who reported them. There's one exception, and it matters if you run a business: if you're reporting an intellectual property infringement, your report isn't anonymous in the same way.
That's worth knowing if you're a photographer, designer or shop owner reporting someone for using your work. You can still do it, but the other side may be able to tell who raised it.
Reporting a whole Instagram profile instead of one post
Sometimes the problem is the account, not a single post. Instagram says you can report a profile for posting content it shouldn't be, for pretending to be someone else, or for being a child under the age of 13. On a phone, Instagram's steps are:
- Tap the person's username from your feed or from your chat with them. You can also tap Explore and search for the username.
- Tap Options in the top right of their profile.
- Tap Report.
- Follow the on-screen instructions.
On a computer, you click Options next to the username on their profile, select Report, then choose the type of account you want to report and follow the instructions.
Reporting an Instagram comment or direct message
Posts aren't the only thing you can flag. Instagram's Help Centre has separate steps for comments and messages.
Comments
On a computer, click Comments below the post, hover over the comment, click Options below it, then click Report and choose why it's abusive. Instagram points out something helpful here: after you report a comment you'll no longer see it, but that doesn't mean Instagram removed it. You can also restrict or block the person afterwards.
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If the comment is on your own post, you can delete it yourself. If you run a page and want to keep the helpful comments at the top while you deal with the rest, my guide to pinning a comment on Instagram covers what pinning does and doesn't do.
Messages and chats
To report one message, open the conversation, find the message, click Options next to it, click Report, choose a reason and submit. You can also report a whole one-to-one conversation from the More information option at the top right of the chat.
Wondering what happens next? My explainer on how long Instagram takes to review a report covers the waiting part. Instagram says it reviews up to 30 of the most recent messages sent in a reported conversation. It also says you can't report an entire group chat, only the individual messages, photos, videos and people inside it. Deleted, unsent or edited messages could still be included in a report if the whole chat or a nearby message is reported.
What reporting an Instagram post can and can't do
| What you report | Where to find it | What Instagram says |
|---|---|---|
| A post | Options above the post, then Report | Anonymous, except for intellectual property reports |
| A profile | Options on their profile, then Report | Can be reported for impersonation or being under the age of 13 |
| A comment | Options below the comment | You stop seeing it, but it may not be removed |
| A message | Options next to the message | Up to 30 recent messages reviewed in a reported chat |
If someone's threatening you or you feel unsafe on Instagram
A report is the right first step for harassment, threats or unwanted contact, and you can also block the person so they can't message you. But reporting to Instagram isn't an emergency service. If you're in danger or someone is threatening you, contact the police straight away, then report the content to Instagram as well.
If you block someone, you might wonder what happens to your chat, which I cover in whether messages disappear when you block someone on Instagram. Please don't confront the person in the comments. Take a note of what you saw, report it inside the app and let the platform deal with it.
If you can't find the Instagram report button
- Tap the three dots above the post rather than the post itself.
- Update the app, because older versions can show different menus.
- If you don't have an Instagram account, Instagram says you can still report abuse, spam or anything else that doesn't follow its Community Standards.
- Menus can vary slightly between app versions, so look for Options or the three dots first.
Frequently asked questions
How do I report a post on Instagram?
Tap Options, the three dots, above the post, tap Report and follow the on-screen instructions. On a computer, click Options in the top right of the post, then select Report.
Does Instagram tell someone when I report their post?
No. Instagram says your report is anonymous and the account you reported won't see who reported them. The exception is an intellectual property report.
Can I report an Instagram post without an account?
Instagram says that if you don't have an account, you can still report abuse, spam or anything else that doesn't follow its Community Standards.
Does reporting a comment remove it?
Not necessarily. Instagram says you'll no longer see the comment after you report it, but that doesn't mean Instagram removed it.
What if the post is threatening me?
Report it in the app and block the person, and if you're in danger, contact the police.
