In December 2019 Instagram introduced a captcha to verify your profile. What is it? A new verification method? Why does the message "Help us confirm you own this account" appear?
Some say it's a new verification method. In a way, yes and no. Instagram had similar phone verification before when a profile disappeared. Now we see the same form with two changes:
- First you need to complete a captcha (e.g. puzzle or image challenge)
- After entering your phone number, Instagram's systems decide: restore immediately or run an extra check
The second point matters because history is analyzed. If you bought the profile or it was created automatically, your profile may not be unblocked. There are exceptions. If you registered the profile yourself, it may verify at once. If you see "We'll review your information within 24 hours" – don't worry. Instagram will email you and may ask for a photo with a code on paper (a selfie with the code).
Why does this happen?
To promote real profiles over bots, fakes and bought accounts. This was one of Instagram's 2019 measures.
What to do? How to restore your profile?
- Open the Instagram app on the phone linked to your profile. You'll see the captcha page.
- Your linked phone number will be filled in. If you can receive SMS, tap "Next" or "Confirm".
- You'll get an SMS with a code. Enter it. Instagram will then decide as described above.
- After restoring, change your Instagram account password.
Summary
Profile verification is usually nothing to fear; in most cases the profile is restored. Don't panic. Go through profile restoration; if you're stuck, contact our support and we'll try to help.