Instagram Help Center

At Instagram, we're committed to reducing the spread of false information. Learn more about how false information is addressed through third-party fact-checkers.

At Instagram, we're committed to reducing the spread of false information.

You may come across a post on Instagram that’s been marked as false information by an independent third-party fact checker. We work with 45 third-party fact-checkers across the globe who are who are certified through the non-partisan International Fact-Checking Network to help identify, review and label false information.

When third-party fact checkers identify false information, altered content or content with missing context on Instagram, we make it harder to find by filtering it from Explore and Hashtags, and reducing its visibility in Feed and Stories. We also help people to decide for themselves what to read, trust and share by giving them more information on posts with false information warnings. Note the original content of politicians is not sent to third-party fact checkers for review. You can learn more about how Facebook and Instagram fact-check political speech.

If a post has been identified by a third-party fact checker as false information you can:

• Tap See Why to view the fact-checking organization and why they identified the post as false information.
• Tap See Post to view the post.

At Instagram, we're committed to reducing the spread of false information.

We use signals, like feedback from our community, to identify posts that may contain false information. We work with 45 third-party fact-checkers across the globe who are certified through the non-partisan International Fact-Checking Network to help identify, review and label false information. We plan to expand this process to more countries soon.

When third-party fact checkers identify false information on Instagram, we make it harder to find by filtering it from Explore and Hashtags, and reducing its visibility in Feed and Stories. We also help people to decide for themselves what to read, trust and share by giving them more information on posts with false information warnings.

As we work to limit the spread, here are some tips on what to look out for:

• Consider the photos. False information posts often contain manipulated images or videos. Sometimes the photo may be authentic, but taken out of context. You can search elsewhere for the photo or image to verify where it came from.
• Be skeptical of headlines. False information posts often have catchy text in all caps with exclamation points. If shocking claims in the headline sound unbelievable, they might be.
• Investigate the source. Ensure that the post is from a source that you trust. If the post comes from an unfamiliar account, make sure to learn more.
• Watch for unusual formatting. Many false information sites have misspellings or awkward layouts. Read carefully if you see these signs.
• Inspect the dates. False information posts may contain timelines that make no sense, or event dates that have been altered.
• Check the evidence. Check the poster’s sources to confirm that they are accurate. Lack of evidence or reliance on unnamed experts may indicate false information.
• Is the post a joke? Sometimes false information can be hard to distinguish from humor or satire. Check whether the account is known for parody, and whether the post's details and tone suggest it may be just for fun.
• Some posts are intentionally false. Think critically about the posts you see, and only share posts that you know to be credible.

Learn how to give feedback on something you think is false information.

To report a post as false information on Instagram:

1. Tap (iPhone) or(Android) above the post.
2. Tap Report.
3. Tap It`s inappropriate.
4. Scroll down and tap False information.

Keep in mind that your report is anonymous, except if you’re reporting an intellectual property infringement. The account you reported won’t see who reported them.

At Instagram, we're committed to reducing the spread of false information.

You may come across a post on Instagram that’s been marked as false information by an independent third-party fact checker. We work with 45 third-party fact-checkers across the globe who are certified through the non-partisan International Fact-Checking Network to help identify, review and label false information.

When third-party fact checkers identify false information on Instagram, we make it harder to find by filtering it from Explore and Hashtags, and reducing its visibility in Feed and Stories. We also help people to decide for themselves what to read, trust and share by giving them more information on posts with false information warnings.

Some false information ratings are eligible for appeal. If you believe the fact-checker's rating is inaccurate, you can submit an appeal:

1. Tap or your profile picture in the bottom right to go to your profile.
2. Tap in the top right.
3. Tap in the bottom right.
4. Tap the false information notification.
5. Tap Full fact-check.
6. Tap send them an email to send an email directly to the third-party fact checking organization to dispute your posts’ rating. Note: You'll only have this option if your post is eligible for appeal.

Keep in mind, to dispute a rating, you must clearly explain why the original rating was inaccurate. For the global list of third-party fact checking organizations and their contact info, please visit the Facebook Help Center.

Accounts that repeatedly share false information and their posts won't appear in certain places on Instagram. Deleting posts that contain false information won't affect these restrictions. Deleted posts can't be appealed with the independent fact-checkers.