Instagram updates for June 2026

By Matthew Dunnerstick·Founder, Heroic·June 30, 2026

Instagram deleted 50 million fake followers in a large-scale bot purge, causing many accounts to see sudden drops in follower counts this month[1]. A global outage and changes to the ranking algorithm also disrupted normal follower growth and engagement[2][3]. These updates affected both creators and brands across the platform.

Key facts

Instagram removed 50 million fake followers in a major bot purge[1].
A global outage disrupted access and follower activity[2].
Instagram updated its ranking algorithm, changing organic reach[3].
User-controlled feed algorithms were extended to the main feed[4].

The June bot purge: 50 million fake followers deleted

Instagram carried out a large-scale bot purge, removing 50 million fake followers from the platform[1]. This action impacted a wide range of accounts, including many celebrities, who saw significant drops in their follower numbers. The bot purge also led to a decrease in estimated earnings for accounts that rely on follower counts[5]. For most creators and brands, this explains any sharp follower decline seen in June.

Global Instagram outage halts access and engagement

In June, Instagram experienced a global outage that made the app and website inaccessible for many users[2]. This outage caused login errors, feed issues, and 'page not found' errors that disrupted content posting and follower interactions[6][7]. As a result, follower growth and engagement were temporarily interrupted for accounts worldwide. Follower activity may have dropped during the outage period, but this was a platform issue, not an account-specific problem.

Ranking algorithm changes affect reach and followers

Instagram updated its ranking algorithm, changing how posts are distributed and seen in the feed[3]. These updates influenced organic reach, which is the number of non-paid users who see posts[8]. The changes impacted who sees content and can lead to shifts in follower growth and engagement rates. If your reach or follower count changed, the new algorithm may be a factor.

User-controlled feed algorithms extended to main feed

Instagram expanded its 'Your Algorithm' feature, allowing users greater control over what appears in their main feed[4]. This means followers can now influence the types of posts they see, which may affect who interacts with or follows your account. The shift to more customizable feeds can change how content is discovered and who chooses to follow.

Frequently asked questions

Why did I lose so many Instagram followers in June 2026?

Instagram deleted 50 million fake followers in a major bot purge, which caused many accounts to see sudden drops in their follower counts. This affected both creators and brands.

Was Instagram down in June 2026?

Yes, Instagram experienced a global outage in June 2026. Many users could not access their accounts, post content, or interact with followers during this time.

Did Instagram change its algorithm in June 2026?

Instagram updated its ranking algorithm in June 2026, which changed how posts are shown in the feed and affected organic reach and follower growth for many accounts.

How do the new user-controlled feed features affect my followers?

The new user-controlled feed features let users influence what they see in their main feed, which can change who finds and follows your account.