How to report copyright infringement on Instagram

If someone is using an image that you own/created/took without your permission, you can report it to Instagram as a copyright violation. Follow these steps to submit a report.

Find the image that is being used without your permission.

• On a story, post etc., tap the three dots (...) in the top-right corner.
• ‍Select ‘report’ from the menu that appears after tapping the three dots

Instagram will ask why you’re reporting the image. We suggest you select ‘unlawful’. The options you will be presented to:

• I just don’t like it
• Bullying or unwanted contact
• Suicide, self-injury or eating disorders
• Violence, hate or exploitation
• Selling or promoting restricted items 
• Nudity or sexual activity
• Scam, fraud or spam
• False information
• Report as unlawful (select this)

After choosing unlawful content, you will be presented with different options. We recommend selecting intellectual property to proceed with your copyright claim for the image.

• Intellectual property (select this)
• Defamation
• Request erase personal data under GDPR

If you select Intellectual property, you will have to be the rightful owner of the image. You’ll need to fill out a form with the following details:

Step-by-step copyright reporting process

1. You will then be presented to two options, trademark and Copyright - you should choose copyright. 
   
   • Choose ‘Continue with your copyright report’.
     
2. Describe your relationship to the rights owner
   
   • I am the rights owner (select this).
   • I am reporting on behalf of my organization or client.
   • I am reporting on behalf of someone else.

Your contact information

3. Provide personal details:
   
   • Full name
   • Postal address
   • Email address
4. Enter the name of the rights owner (enter your name).
5. Where are you asserting rights?  (select your home country from the list provided).
6. Which of these best describes the copyrighted work? 
   
   • Photo (select this)
   • Video
   • Text
   • Other
7. Provide link(s) (URL) to the original image. If no URL is available, write something like: "I originally shared this image on [platform] and can send the original file to Instagram if needed.”

Content that you want to report

8. Select the type of content you are reporting:
   
   • Photo, video, or post (this is the most common option, and what we would suggest).
   • Story
   • Ad
   • Other.
     
9. Please provide links (URLs) leading directly to the specific content that you are reporting.
   
10. Describe why you are reporting this content
    
    • This content copies my work (select this)
    • I appear in this content
    • This content uses my name
      
11. Please provide any additional information that can help us understand your report. We have this statement that you can include if you want: "I have protected this content before sharing it using SASHA signature and watermarking technology in the SASHA app. This technology shows when and how the image was originally shared. I have discovered that it has been non-consensually shared."
    
12. Declaration statement: Remember when submitting the notice you state that you have a good faith belief that the reported use described above, in the manner that you have complained of, is not authorised by the intellectual property rights owner, its agent or the law; that the information contained in this notice is accurate; and, under penalty of perjury, that you are authorised to act on behalf of the owner of the intellectual property rights at issue.
    
13.  Add an electronic signature
    
14.  Press "Submit".
    
15. Follow Instagram’s instructions

Depending on your selected category, Instagram may request additional details. 

Instagram will review your report and notify you of their decision via notifications on the platform. If your report is denied but you still believe the image violates your rights:

• Try contacting Instagram support directly.
• Report it again with more details.