How to Track an Instagram Account: Complete Guide

Given the popularity of Instagram, it comes as no surprise that you might be interested in tracking an Instagram account -whether it be as a parent who wants to monitor their child or simply someone who is inquisitive about another person on the platform.

Tracking an Instagram account isn’t as complicated as it might seem, and there are several methods to do it responsibly. In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about how to track an Instagram account.

Part 1. Can You Track Instagram Account

So you might ask: Can I track an Instagram account? Yes, you can track the activity of an Instagram account and it’s easier than you might expect. There are many ways of doing this depending on your objectives.

All you have to do is use Instagram features to check if that person is active and when he or she was last online. You may likewise view their Instagram stories and any posts where they are tagged as a way of checking up on their activities of late. Another simple way is to look at their followers and followings to see who they are in touch with and who they interact with.

If you’re looking for more advanced tracking you can use an Instagram account tracker. An Instagram account tracker like Msafely can help you monitor an account in greater detail. Msafely provides insights into an account’s activity, including hidden posts and interactions. We will discuss these methods in detail below.

Part 2. How to Track an Instagram Account

Tracking an Instagram account is something you can do and is quite straightforward. Now let’s discuss some ways to track an Instagram account.

Method 1. Use Instagram’s built-in features

An effective way to monitor an Instagram account is by using the in-built features that Instagram provides. You can track a user’s account activity by using several functionalities including Activity Status, Story Highlights, Tags, and Follower lists. Here’s how to go about it:

#1. Check their Activity Status

Activity Status displays what time someone was last seen online or if they are currently online. However, this works only if you and the person have turned on Activity Status. In this way, tracking their Instagram activity becomes less difficult.

To check someone’s activity status, note the following;

Both you and the person must have Activity Status enabled in your settings.
You must either follow the person or have exchanged Direct Messages (DMs) with them in the past.

To check someone’s activity status, follow these steps;

Step 1. Launch the Instagram application and tap on the paper airplane icon located at the top right which directs you to your Direct Messages (DM) section.

Step 2. When looking for the target user, look for a green dot or a timestamp (e.g., “Active 2 hours ago”) which can be found near the profile picture of the user.

#2. Check their story highlights and tags

Stories and tagged posts provide insight into what someone is sharing or where they’ve been mentioned. If you’re following the person, this is one of the easiest ways to stay updated.

Note these requirements for this method;

You must be following the person if their profile is set to private.
If the account is public, you can access stories, highlights, and tags without following them.

Follow these steps to check someone’s story highlights and tags:

Step 1. Launch the Instagram app, then look for their profile using the search bar.

Step 2. Scroll through their tagged photos by using the tag icon (a person-shaped icon on their profile).

#3. Check their Follower and Following list

Reviewing someone’s followers and the accounts they follow can help you understand their social circle and interests. This way you can track their Instagram account.

To use this method, the following must be taken note of;

If their profile is private, you need to be one of their approved followers to view their lists.
For public accounts, anyone can access their followers and following lists.

Here is how to check someone’s Follower and Following Lists on Instagram;

Step 1. So, just head to the Instagram App, and then the profile of the person in question.

Step 2. Tap on their Followers list.

Step 3. Now you can see who follows them

Step 4. Then tap on their Following list

Step 5. Now you can see who they’re following.

Check someone’s Follower and Following Lists on Instagram.

Method 2. Use a Instagram account tracker

If you want to track what someone is doing on Instagram without them knowing, using an Instagram account tracker is a good option. An Instagram account tracker offers insight into what is happening on a targeted Instagram account, which includes the ability to view messages and posts, media, and a host of other items stealthily.

So if you don't want to alert a user and still monitor their Instagram activity, Msafely is a great ig account tracker. Msafely is a powerful and easy-to-use platform that allows users to silently spy on Instagram activities. So what about Msafely?

(1) What is Msafely

Msafely is a robust monitoring application that runs silently on a target device, allowing you to monitor a variety of actions without the user's knowledge.

Msafely is intended to function seamlessly without interfering with other apps or alerts on your phone. So, you can track someone's Instagram without their knowledge.

The control panel refreshes every few minutes to ensure timely data availability, and all data is encrypted. To use Msafely, simply create an account on the Msafely website. There are no further download requirements.

(2) Big advantages of Msafely in tracking Instagram account

Msafely offers several advantages, making it a go-to tool for tracking Instagram accounts:

Complete Instagram tracking

With Msafely, it is possible to observe every activity on Instagram including private messaging, posting, liking, commenting, and the individuals with whom the users engage most.

Stealth monitoring

Msafely operates invisibly, running in the background without interfering with apps or notifications on the target device. This ensures complete discretion during monitoring.

Real-time monitoring

Msafely’s dashboard updates every few minutes, ensuring you always have the most current information.

Regular updates for compatibility

Msafely ensures seamless performance by frequently updating to remain compatible with the latest versions of Android and iOS.

Ease to use

MSafely’s simple user interface means you won’t struggle to access the information you need, making tracking quick and stress-free.

Encrypted data security

All data on Msafely is encrypted ensuring confidentiality and no breach of privacy.

(3) Steps to use Msafely to track an Instagram account

Using Msafely to monitor an Instagram account is straightforward. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

Step 1. Registration a free account

Go to the Msafely official web page and create a free account while ensuring that a working email is provided.

Step 2. Pick the target device

Then pick the target device, whether Android or iPhone.

Step 3. Select a subscription plan

Select the subscription plan that is ideal for you whether it’s monthly or yearly. All tracking features are available in all the plans.

Step 4. Access the control panel

Log into your Msafely account via the website or app to view the Instagram activities of the target device. From the control panel, you can monitor Instagram messages, view media, track interactions, and more—all in real-time.

(4) What other phone activity can Msafely track

Msafely is also not only limited to monitoring Instagram closely. There are various other features that will allow you to supervise a person’s device on a wider scale:

Real-time GPS tracking

You can track where the target device is at any given moment. This is useful in trying to find their locations when they are using Instagram.

Internet usage monitoring

Know their past offline and online visits regarding multiple web pages, providing you with a wider spectrum of their internet usage.

Call monitoring

Know the time and length of every call made, received, or missed by the target device.

Text message monitoring

All the messages received, sent, and even deleted from the target phone can be read, therefore no important detail is left unattended.

Wi-Fi history monitoring

Check all the previous attachments of the target device to Wi-Fi networks. There’s a chance that they connect to an unsecured or unsafe network.

Geofencing

Create invisible boundaries(at geofences) around areas of interest. You can set limitations for certain geofenced areas and get notified anytime the device wears out of this set limit.

Part 3. Bonus: How to Track a Fake Instagram Account

With the rise of fake Instagram accounts, it's essential to know how to identify and track them effectively. These accounts often impersonate others or spread misinformation, sometimes leading to scams or harmful activities.

So if you're dealing with a fake account pretending to be you or trying to spot one in general, here are six methods to help you track them down.

Method 1. Analyze the account’s followers and engagement

A fake account often has an unusual follower-to-post ratio. For instance:

Few posts, many followers: If an account has thousands of followers but only one or two posts, it could be fake. Fake accounts often buy followers to appear credible.
Low engagement: Even if they have many followers, their posts might have very few likes or comments, which indicates purchased followers.

Method 2. Check the credibility of their content

Fake accounts often spread misinformation or post generic, low-quality content. Here’s what to look for: Are they posting fake news or rumors? Do their posts, reels, or videos seem rushed or copied from other accounts? Is the information they share verified and trustworthy?

Method 3. Look for repetitive or spammy content

Many fake accounts post repetitive content or send spam promotional messages. They often include links to suspicious websites or phishing attempts. Repeated images or videos across multiple posts can indicate automation. If they send you direct messages with suspicious links or offers, it’s likely a scam.

Method 4. Verify profile details

Pay close attention to the details on their profile:

Bio information: Fake accounts often have vague or overly generic bios, such as “Love life” with no further details.
Profile picture: They might use stolen images or stock photos. Use reverse image search tools like Google Images to verify if their profile picture appears on other unrelated websites.
Username: Fake accounts often use slight variations of real usernames. For example, an account impersonating someone named JohnSmith might be “JohnSmith_123” or “J0hnSmith” (using a zero instead of an O).

Method 5. Investigate their interactions

Look at the people they interact with. Are they commenting on posts with generic phrases like “Nice pic!” or “DM for collab”? These are often signs of bot behavior. Do they tag random users in irrelevant posts?

A fake account might tag dozens of people in a post promoting a product, hoping to attract attention. This behavior is rarely seen in genuine accounts.

Method 6. Use reporting and online tools

If you’ve confirmed that an account is fake, take action:

Report the account: On Instagram, you can file a report against fake accounts straight from their page. Make sure to explain everything in detail to accelerate the process of review.
Use online tools: Tools like Social Catfish are useful because they help you verify if the information pertaining to an account is associated with other fraudulent profiles.

Part 4. FAQs about Tracking Instagram Account

Q1. Is there a free online Instagram account location tracker?

Yes, but most free tools online are unreliable. Social media apps like Instagram don’t provide direct location data for privacy reasons. Msafely is highly recommended.

Q2. How to track an Instagram account location?

You can use clues like tagged locations or check-ins on posts. Advanced tools or IP tracking might be needed but require caution.

Q3. Can an Instagram account be tracked?

Yes, to some extent. Public posts, comments, and location tags can give insights, but private data requires permission or legal access.

Q4. Can anyone track my Instagram account?

Not really. Your public activity can be seen, but private data like IP or exact location is protected unless you share it.

Q5. Can you track a private Instagram account?

No, private accounts hide posts, followers, and details. Tracking is limited to what the user chooses to share publicly. But you can use an Instagram account tracker like Msafely to track private Instagram accounts.

Q6. How can I track Instagram account IP or location?

You’d need access to logs or tools that track IP, which is typically done by law enforcement or authorized entities. Instagram account trackers like Msafely can also be used.

Part 5. Conclusion

Tracking an Instagram account responsibly is all about using the right tools and methods while respecting privacy. So, if you’re leveraging Instagram’s built-in features or using advanced tools like Msafely, the key is understanding your needs and acting ethically. Msafely is highly recommended because it provides comprehensive tracking/

For parents ensuring their child’s safety or individuals investigating suspicious activities, these approaches can be invaluable. Remember, tracking fake accounts also requires vigilance—scrutinizing their content, engagement, and profile details.

There is no doubt that when you apply the insights in this guide, you’ll handle Instagram tracking with confidence and care. The goal is to stay informed and maintain a safe and transparent online experience for everyone involved.