The average Instagram account has 150 followers.
This means every follower counts and seeing your numbers drop randomly is upsetting. You might not understand what’s going on or what led to the Instagram followers getting removed on their own.
This is why you will wonder, does Instagram remove followers?
Instagram does not remove followers from your account. Instead, Instagram removes accounts based on their terms and services not being followed. If this happens, the follower is automatically removed from your followers’ list too.
This can make you feel as if Instagram purposely removed the follower from your account when that is not the case. It is Instagram keeping its platform running smoothly and taking out spammy or hateful accounts.
This article will highlight some of the factors to account for when it comes to Instagram followers being removed.
Factors To Consider With Instagram Followers Getting Removed
1. Anti-Spam Or Hateful Speech
The reason Instagram is removing followers is due to anti-spam or hateful speech filters.
This happens when that specific follower was breaking the terms and services they agreed to when joining Instagram. If the platform’s algorithm picks up on this, it will remove the account.
If the account is inactive, it will automatically be removed from your followers’ list too.
You should not be worried if it is one or two followers being removed from your Instagram account. This is natural.
Such issues can arise especially if you have a large followers list on Instagram. The more followers you have, the easier it is to start losing followers. It’s also a lot easier to gain followers with a big list too!

2. The Account Unfollowed You
You might have a situation where the account simply unfollowed you on Instagram.
It’s common for Instagram followers to prune their list from time to time. This might be because you are not posting enough or they are not intrigued by your posts any longer.
This is natural as each follower has a unique personality and tastes.
If you are not matching their needs, they will unfollow you.
It’s also best to go back and look at some of your recent Instagram posts/stories. Perhaps, you posted something controversial?
It is best to keep tabs on your actions too when it comes to issues such as this.
3. Shadow Ban
This is not common but it is a possible issue that can lead to you losing followers.
What happens is you are going to be “shadow” banned on Instagram.
This means anything you post is not going to be shown to others. While the Instagram account is still going to be active, any new updates won’t go through for a set period.
This might be temporary or it might be permanent.
You have to reach out to Instagram to figure out if this is the issue.
When this happens, you will begin to lose Instagram followers as time goes on. The account will seem inactive and that is going to make them want to get rid of you.

Why Did Instagram Remove My Followers?
Instagram removes followers when that specific account has been spamming or using hate speech. It’s also possible for followers to unfollow your account because they find it inactive, boring, or not in line with their requirements any longer.
This is why you have to look at patterns.
Pay attention to how many Instagram followers are being removed from your list. Is it a few? Is it a lot?
If it is a lot then you have to start considering a greater issue at hand. If it is one or two then it might just be those Instagram followers not being interested in what you are posting anymore.
Final Thoughts
Does Instagram remove followers?
Instagram does remove followers for hateful speech or spammy activity. It’s also possible for an Instagram follower to unfollow your account if it is inactive or not in line with their requirements. In rare cases, your account might have been shadowbanned, which means anything you post does not show up. This will cause followers to unfollow you.
In a situation such as this, you will want to take a step back and diagnose the issue at hand.
If you don’t do this, you might assume the followers are disappearing or Instagram is doing something that is targeting you. It does not always have to be the case.
The followers’ list is updated on its own.
If the account is closed or suspended, it will be removed from your followers’ list too.
This is why it’s best to continue to diagnose the issue and pinpoint what is leading to this type of problem on your Instagram account. If you have quite a few followers then it’s natural to lose a few.
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