Instagram can show many valuable details for the OSINT researcher: geolocation, images, network, email, education and even daily schedule. However, all the same details can be made up by the scammer to fool gullible users. Not sure whether you are talking to the real owner behind an account? Find the name, email or location of the Instagram account owner with ease using these tips from X-Ray Contact.
Track the Owner of an Instagram
Since suspicious accounts might have different details available, there is no one only way to find someone’s true identity. It is essential for your security to know how to find who is behind a fake Instagram account. Here are steps that can help you discern a social media scammer from a genuine person:
Reverse Image Search with Google Image
The simplest strategy is the reverse search using Google Images to find out whether the account photo was stolen. It works best to learn if pictures of things or places were stolen from others. The algorithm is simple:
- Visit the Google Images website to kick off the investigation.
- Click on the camera icon in the search menu to find it.
- Select and upload an image you want to study from your device. Another option is to paste a URL of the picture from a website it’s posted on.
- Google will provide a list of the most similar images to the Instagram profile photos and their sources.
Find Other Images of the Person with X-Ray Contact
This approach is more advanced as it involves an algorithm that analyzes human faces. That’s why X-Ray Contact Reverse Image Search results are often more precise compared to Google Images since the system finds other possible photos of the account owner based on face analysis. The process goes as follows:
- Go to the X-Ray Contact website.
- Select the “Platform” tab to start the research.
- There are different search channels, like Name, Email, or Phone Number. Choose option “Image” to start the Reverse Image Search.
- Then, either upload a photo from your device or provide a link to the image.
- You can receive a Search Profile with all X-Ray Contact can be found in the database. It can be not just Reverse Image Search matches but also information about the name, email, social media profiles, location, age, etc., of people who used this picture online.
Reverse Image Search with TinEye
TinEye is often used to check where an image has appeared online in order to identify duplicates. Here’s how you can use this method to track account owner identity:
- Go to the TinEye website.
- Upload the photo of the target into the search bar.
- Click the “Search” button to kick off the investigation. Then, TinEye will scan its database for any matches and show you where the image has been used online.
Track an Instagram Account Using the IP Address
This method of finding out the account owner’s identity using an Instagram profile requires more steps and leads to fewer results. Here’s a brief breakdown:
- First, you need to use social engineering skills and persuade an account owner to visit a link to the IP lookup website. One such site is WhatIsMyIPAddress.com.
- The IP address itself will reveal the geolocation of the Instagram profile owner with an accuracy of 50 meters. You can also get information about a profile owner’s Internet service provider (ISP).
- The only way to find a name based on this information is to persuade ISPs to reveal details about the account owner.
Use a People Search Engine
Try BeenVerified to reveal the user identity. This tool combines public records and online data, so it is easier to piece together details about an account owner. Enter the Instagram handle to see if it’s linked to any other online profiles or accounts and look for Instagram accounts with similar photos or usernames.
Twitter Search
- Don’t forget to look for photos as it is the easiest way to find someone on Twitter.
- In order to track the Instagram account owner, lookup the username on Twitter.
- Check the bio and pinned tweets for clues as to whether it’s the right person.
- Scroll through their tweets, check their mentions and interactions for friends or relatives that can help to confirm their identity.
Look for an Instagram Account Owner With an Email
Identifying the email of a profile owner can be a valuable stepping stone on the way to revealing their contact details and true identity. Instagram allows users to link their business or personal emails in their profile, so here’s how you can detect it:
- Open a person’s profile.
- Tap the “Contact” tab to see phone numbers or email addresses they might have linked.
- Get access to the email.
- Then, you can use this data to find out more about the account owner via an X-Ray Contact search. In the search panel, select the “Email” tab and look for more information about the person using this channel. Moreover, in case the person has linked a corporate email, you can use knowledge about a company to inquire more about the profile owner directly.
Can You Find Out Who an Instagram Belongs to?
If you wonder whether it’s possible to reveal the real identity of a person based on Instagram alone, the answer is yes. You can investigate what little info you have to collect insights about the target. Make sure to:
Check the Bio
The person can mention their name or nickname, location, profession, interests or even links to other accounts in a bio. It’s a valuable source to track an Instagram account owner.
Scroll Through the Followers
Pay attention to the profiles of those who are tagged in the posts or regularly interact with the content of your target. Check their accounts to reveal more about network, location, interests, etc. of the profile owner you attempt to lookup.
Identify the Location
Look for posts with geotags to see if there’s a pattern. If they frequently post from a specific city or neighborhood, it can help you identify their base place.
Free Versus Paid Tools
You may wonder, can you trace an Instagram profile using only free tools? The answer is yes, but this investigation will be complicated. Check the table for all the pros and cons of free and for-pay methods to reverse image search an Instagram account.
| Free Tools (Google Image, TinEye, WhatIsMyIPAddress.com, etc.) | For-pay (X-Ray Contact, Spokeo, BeenVerified, etc.) |
| You don’t have to pay extra, but often can use only trial versions of the tools. | You pay extra, but get access to the full versions of the tools. |
| Less detailed results. | More detailed and well-organized result reports. |
| Lower credibility level. | You get cross-referenced and credible findings. |
Ethical Disclaimer
Before conducting an investigation, take into account this disclaimer about the ethical implications and potential violations of privacy. Don’t cross the line between OSINT and hacking by attempting to take control of the account of the owner. Such actions are legally punishable and ethically flawed.
The Bottom Line
Finding an Instagram account owner can be easier than it seems. Whether you use the reverse image search method, opt for IP, social media, or email lookup, always stay aware of the privacy concerns and platform policies.
