- Where Instagram's guidelines live now
- Why the rules exist at all
- The four values behind the rules
- How each policy is laid out
- How to check if you've broken the guidelines
- How to appeal a removal
- What happens if you keep breaking them
- Guidelines and AI content
- My advice for business accounts
- Frequently asked questions
Instagram's community guidelines are now Meta's Community Standards, one set of rules covering Facebook, Instagram, Messenger and Threads. They apply to everyone, everywhere, and to every type of content, including AI-generated content.
The detail most people never notice: Meta says the US English version of the Community Standards is the most up-to-date and should be used as the primary document. If a translation seems to say something different, the US English text wins.
Below are the values the rules are built on, how each policy is laid out, how to check whether you've broken one, and what happens next. Everything comes from Meta's Transparency Center and Instagram's Help Center, read in October 2026.
Where Instagram's guidelines live now
Instagram's own Community Guidelines link now opens Meta's Community Standards in the Transparency Center. Meta describes them as outlining what is and isn't allowed on Facebook, Instagram, Messenger and Threads, built on feedback from people and advice from experts in technology, public safety and human rights.
Why the rules exist at all
Meta frames the standards around voice first. It says the goal is to create a place for expression, where people can talk openly about the issues that matter to them through comments, photos, music or other art, even if some people disagree or find it objectionable.
It also says the internet creates new and increased opportunities for abuse, which is why it limits expression in specific cases. And it says it builds the standards to include different views and beliefs, especially from people and communities that might otherwise be overlooked or marginalised.
The four values behind the rules
Meta says its goal is to give people a voice, and that when it limits expression it does so to protect one or more of four values:
| Value | What Meta says it means |
|---|---|
| Authenticity | Content people see should be authentic; people shouldn't misrepresent who they are or what they're doing |
| Safety | Content that could contribute to a risk of physical harm, or that threatens people, isn't allowed |
| Privacy | Protecting personal privacy and information so people can choose how and when to share |
| Dignity | All people are equal in dignity and rights; people shouldn't harass or degrade others |
Meta also says that in some cases it allows content that would otherwise break the rules if it's newsworthy and in the public interest, after weighing that value against the risk of harm.
How each policy is laid out
Every section of the Community Standards starts with a Policy Rationale explaining the aim of the policy. Then specific policy lines set out:
- Content that's not allowed.
- Content that needs more information or context before Meta can enforce on it.
- Content that's allowed with a warning screen.
- Content that's allowed but can only be viewed by adults aged 18 and older.
That last group surprises people. Something being restricted to adults isn't the same as it being banned.
How to check if you've broken the guidelines
Instagram's Account Status page shows whether anything you've posted went against the Community Standards and whether it could lead to restrictions:
- Go to your profile and tap Menu in the top right.
- Below More info and support, tap Account Status.
From there you can see:
- Removed content: posts, stories or comments taken down for going against the Community Standards.
- Features you can't use: any features you've lost, with options to resolve them, such as appealing a removal.
- Request a review: ask Instagram to look again if you don't think your content should have been removed.
How to appeal a removal
- Open Account Status from your profile Menu.
- Tap Removed content to see what was taken down.
- Tap Request a review if you think Instagram got it wrong.
- Check Features you can't use for any restriction you can resolve, such as appealing a removal.
Instagram says this applies to content removed for going against the Community Standards or for not following its Terms of Use, and it covers posts, stories and comments.
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What happens if you keep breaking them
Instagram says that if you repeatedly post content that's removed for going against the Community Standards, you may lose access to your account. The reassuring line: in most cases, you'll get a warning before that happens.
Copyright works on a similar principle. Under Instagram's repeat infringer policy, repeatedly posting content that infringes someone's intellectual property can limit your posting, remove features or get the account disabled.
Guidelines and AI content
Meta is explicit that the Community Standards apply to AI-generated content too. If you post AI images or videos, they're judged by the same rules as anything you'd shoot yourself, so "the AI made it" isn't a defence.
My advice for business accounts
Check Account Status once a month, even if nothing seems wrong. It's the only place Instagram tells you plainly about removals and lost features, and reach problems often start there. If a story or post disappears, my guides on why an Instagram story gets removed and why Instagram disables accounts cover the next steps. And if your reach has dropped for no obvious reason, read how to fix a shadowban on Instagram before you change anything else.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I read Instagram's community guidelines?
Instagram's Community Guidelines link now opens Meta's Community Standards in the Transparency Center, which cover Facebook, Instagram, Messenger and Threads.
Do Instagram's community guidelines apply to AI content?
Yes. Meta says its Community Standards apply to everyone, around the world, and to all types of content, including AI-generated content.
How do I know if I've broken Instagram's community guidelines?
Go to your profile, tap Menu, and under More info and support tap Account Status. It shows removed content, features you can't use, and lets you request a review.
Will Instagram delete my account without warning?
Instagram says you may lose access if you repeatedly post content that breaks the Community Standards, but in most cases you'll get a warning first.
Can I appeal if Instagram removes my post?
Yes. In Account Status you can request a review of a removal if you don't think Instagram should have taken your content down.
Does Instagram allow content that breaks the rules if it's newsworthy?
Sometimes. Meta says that in some cases it allows content that would otherwise go against its standards if it's newsworthy and in the public interest, after weighing that against the risk of harm.
Which version of the Community Standards counts?
Meta says the US English version reflects the most up-to-date policies and should be used as the primary document.
