Possible to follow via api instagram?
- Thread starter bigvision
- Start date
Possible? Yes. Will it be safe? That'll be the correct question to ask.
Osaka Klabis
Newbie
- Jan 30, 2026
- 17
- 3
If you successfully like and comment but cannot follow someone, it's often due to the platform's rate limit or the algorithm automatically blocking spam. Sometimes, it's also a technical error from the system.
primekinksolution
BANNED
- Jun 21, 2026
- 37
- 2
As far as I know, the official Instagram API doesn't allow you to follow or unfollow users. It's mainly designed for business features like publishing content, comments, insights, and messaging.
If you're trying to automate follows, you'll usually need to use Instagram's private endpoints or browser automation tools like Playwright or Puppeteer. Just keep in mind that these methods are much more likely to trigger rate limits or account restrictions if you do them at scale
- Apr 21, 2025
- 390
- 101
You can do it but not through the official API. they killed that years ago. Your options are private API, browser automation with Puppeteer/Playwright, or a third party service that handles all this for you. Each comes with risks. They will flag you if you move too fast. You need residential proxies and random delays. You can test on burners first through separated browser profiles. Good luck.
I was reverse engineering the api to leave comments/likes. but couldnt do follow/unfollow.
Jerryabode
Newbie
- Jun 14, 2026
- 19
- 5
Following via the official Instagram API isn't supported, so you'll likely need browser automation like Playwright or Puppeteer.
- Jun 30, 2026
- 107
- 23
The official API won't let you follow, that endpoint isn't exposed, so what you're really doing is hitting the private/internal endpoints the app itself uses. Following is one of the most watched actions on those, which is why it breaks while likes and comments still go through. From what I've seen people usually automate it through the mobile app flow with proper device headers and tokens rather than puppeteer, since browser automation on IG gets detected fast. Whichever route you take, follows need to be slow and spaced out or the account gets action blocked quickly.