Safe Daily Action Limits for Instagram Automation 2026
Based on data from 500+ accounts over 12 months, here are the exact daily limits that keep accounts safe while maximizing growth.
Why Action Limits Matter More Than Ever in 2026
Instagram's detection systems have become significantly more sophisticated. The limits that worked in 2024 will get you banned in 2026. We've tracked over 500 accounts across 12 months to identify exactly where the safe boundaries lie.
These aren't theoretical numbers—they're based on real data from accounts that maintained high trust scores while automating at scale.
Quick Reference
Follows: 100-150/day | Unfollows: 100-150/day
Likes: 300-500/day | Comments: 50-80/day
DMs: 30-50/day | Story Views: 500-1000/day
For detailed understanding of Instagram's detection methods, read our guide on how Instagram detects bots.
Follow/Unfollow Limits
| Account Type | Follows/Day | Unfollows/Day | Per Hour Max |
|---|---|---|---|
| New (0-30 days) | 20-30 | 10-20 | 5-8 |
| Young (1-3 months) | 50-80 | 40-60 | 10-15 |
| Established (3-12 months) | 100-150 | 100-150 | 15-25 |
| Mature (1+ year, high trust) | 150-200 | 150-200 | 20-30 |
- Balance follows/unfollows: Don't do all follows then all unfollows. Mix them throughout the day.
- Wait before unfollowing: Wait at least 24-48 hours after following before unfollowing non-followers.
- Hard limit: Never exceed 7,500 total following. Instagram has a hard cap and accounts near it get scrutinized.
Like Limits
| Account Type | Likes/Day | Per Hour Max | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| New (0-30 days) | 50-100 | 10-15 | Focus on feed content only |
| Young (1-3 months) | 150-250 | 20-35 | Mix feed + explore |
| Established (3-12 months) | 300-500 | 40-60 | Full content variety |
| Mature (1+ year) | 500-800 | 50-80 | High volume safe |
Engagement Quality Tip
Don't just like everything. Maintain a view-to-like ratio of 20-30%—meaning you scroll past 70-80% of content without liking. This signals genuine engagement, not automation.
DM & Story Reply Limits
| Action Type | New Account | Established | Mature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cold DMs (to non-followers) | 5-10/day | 20-30/day | 40-50/day |
| Reply DMs (to followers) | 20-30/day | 50-80/day | 100+/day |
| Story Replies | 10-20/day | 30-50/day | 50-80/day |
| Story Views | 200-500/day | 500-800/day | 800-1200/day |
For strategies on DM automation, see our guide on DM automation funnels.
Hourly vs Daily Pacing
Hourly limits matter more than daily limits. Instagram's detection triggers on burst activity, not just totals.
- Spread across 4-6 sessions: Don't do 150 follows in one hour. Do 30-40 in 5 separate sessions.
- Variable session length: Some sessions 10 minutes, some 30 minutes. See our human-like automation guide.
- Rest periods: 1-3 hour gaps between sessions minimum. No activity between midnight-6am.
Limits by Account Age
New accounts are under heavy scrutiny. The warm-up period is critical for establishing trust before scaling.
Recommended Scaling Timeline
Week 1-2: Minimal Activity
5-10 follows/day, 20-30 likes, minimal comments. Focus on consuming content naturally.
Week 3-4: Light Engagement
20-30 follows/day, 50-100 likes, 5-10 comments. Start building engagement habits.
Month 2: Moderate Growth
50-80 follows/day, 150-250 likes, 20-30 comments. Automation can begin carefully.
Month 3+: Full Limits
Gradually scale to established account limits. Monitor for any warnings.
See our full account warm-up protocol for the complete 30-day process.
Trust Score Impact on Limits
Your account's trust score determines how much leeway you have. Accounts with high trust can push limits; low trust accounts need to stay conservative.
| Trust Level | Signals | Limit Multiplier |
|---|---|---|
| Low Trust | Recent blocks, warnings, new account | 0.5x (halve all limits) |
| Medium Trust | Normal engagement, no recent issues | 1x (use standard limits) |
| High Trust | Long history, verified, high engagement | 1.3-1.5x (can push limits) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What happens if I exceed these limits?
You'll get an action block first—usually 24-48 hours. Repeated violations lead to longer blocks, then temporary bans, then permanent bans.
Q: Are these limits the same for business vs personal accounts?
Business and Creator accounts have slightly more leeway due to their expected higher activity. But don't assume immunity—the same rules apply fundamentally.
Q: Do verified accounts have higher limits?
Yes, verified accounts have higher trust and can typically operate at 1.5-2x these limits. But verification doesn't mean immunity from detection.
Q: Should I reduce limits on weekends?
Match natural behavior. Real users are often more active on weekends. Don't artificially reduce—but do shift timing to match weekend patterns (later wake time, more evening activity).
Q: What's the safest single action for building engagement?
Story views are the safest—highest volume allowed, lowest detection risk. Use them liberally to build familiarity before follows.
Q: How do I know if I'm close to hitting limits?
Track all actions. If you start seeing "Try Again Later" messages or action blocks, you've exceeded safe limits. Reduce by 30-50% immediately.
Q: Do limits reset at midnight?
Instagram uses rolling 24-hour windows, not midnight resets. An action from 3pm yesterday counts until 3pm today. Plan accordingly.
Q: What's the total combined action limit?
Instagram also tracks total actions across all types. Keep total daily actions under 1,000-1,500 for established accounts, much lower for new accounts.
Conclusion
Safe automation isn't about finding loopholes—it's about respecting Instagram's boundaries while maximizing within them. These limits represent the safe zone based on real-world data from 500+ accounts.
Start conservative, especially with new accounts. Build trust over time. And remember: consistency beats intensity. Daily modest action outperforms occasional bursts.
Key Takeaways
- Account age matters most. New accounts need 60-90 days before full limits.
- Hourly pacing beats daily totals. Spread actions across 4-6 sessions.
- Comments are highest risk. Keep them unique and contextual.
- Track everything. Know your numbers and adjust before hitting blocks.
Comment Limits
Comment Warning
Comments are the highest-risk action for detection. Instagram uses NLP to detect generic, repetitive, or template-like comments. Every comment must be unique and contextually relevant.