Usually 24 hours to several days. More serious violations can trigger blocks lasting up to 30 days. Shadowbans typically last 2–4 weeks if you don't address the cause. The exact duration depends on the type and severity of the violation.
Yes. Any app that automates Instagram actions violates the platform's terms and commonly triggers restrictions or permanent bans. This includes apps for auto-following, auto-liking, scheduling tools that post on your behalf, and any "growth hacking" services. Remove all third-party app access immediately if you suspect this is the cause.
No. Submitting a genuine appeal through official channels is safe and sometimes speeds up the review process. However, do not submit multiple appeals for the same issue — this won't help and may delay your case. Submit one clear, honest appeal and wait for a response.
Yes, you can still use Instagram with some limitations. You can view content, browse your feed, and watch stories. However, certain actions like following, liking, commenting, or sending DMs may be temporarily blocked depending on the type of restriction. You can still post content, but it may reach fewer people.
A simple test: create a new post using a niche hashtag (not a top-10 one) that you've never used before. Then search for that hashtag and see if your post appears in the results. If it doesn't appear within a few minutes, you may be shadowbanned. Shadowbans typically resolve on their own after 2–4 weeks of normal behavior.
Your followers and existing posts remain intact. Your followers can still see your content, but new posts may reach fewer people due to reduced visibility in hashtags and the Explore page. Your follower count won't drop because of a restriction, but growth may slow down significantly.