Why does Instagram remove fake followers, and what does it mean for me as an everyday user?

Instagram removes fake followers primarily to maintain trust in the platform. Fake accounts distort engagement numbers, mislead advertisers, and manipulate the algorithm. These accounts often behave like bots: posting spam, liking thousands of posts in minutes, or following users at unnatural speeds. When Instagram runs a cleanup, the goal isn’t to punish regular users but to eliminate accounts that violate the platform’s terms.

For everyday users, this usually means your follower count may drop temporarily, but it improves your overall account health. The algorithm performs better when your audience is real, engaged, and authentic. A sudden drop doesn’t hurt your standing — it simply means Instagram removed accounts that weren’t contributing anything meaningful. As long as you’re not actively using automation tools or other high-risk services, you won’t face penalties.