Instagram Account Search by Phone Number: Read This!

In today‘s hyperconnected world, Instagram has emerged as one of the most popular social media platforms, with over 1 billion monthly active users. Given its immense userbase, many people are interested in searching for Instagram accounts in various ways, including by phone number.

While Instagram itself doesn‘t have an in-built feature to search by phone numbers, some effective workarounds using third-party tools exist. This comprehensive guide will explore how you can lookup Instagram accounts using just a phone number as your starting point.

We‘ll cover the step-by-step process, top services to use, legality and privacy aspects, tips and precautions, and even common questions people have regarding searching Instagram by phone number. By the end, you‘ll have an extensive understanding of how to harness this capability effectively whenever the need arises.

So whether you want to reconnect with an old friend, verify an account, conduct social media due diligence, or grow your network, read on to uncover the world of Instagram account search by phone number!

How To Find Instagram Accounts By Phone Number

Here‘s a step-by-step overview of how to lookup an Instagram account starting with just a phone number:

1. The User Must Have Added Their Phone Number to Instagram

For any search by phone number to work, the first requirement is that the Instagram user must have added their phone number to their personal profile settings.

This is an optional step, not mandatory for all users. According to a 2020 survey by Hyppr, around 36.2% of Instagram users connect their phone number to their profile.

So a little over a third of accounts have this prerequisite met. For the other two-thirds, searches by phone number won‘t be able to trace their accounts.

2. The User‘s Profile Must Be Public

Even if the user has added their phone number, their profile must be public to show up in phone number searches.

Private Instagram profiles with follower approvals enabled are not visible in searches by third-party tools. So if you‘re searching for someone with a private account, the lookups won‘t yield their profile.

According to Instagram, around 11% of accounts are set to private currently. So searches by phone numbers can reach the remaining 89% of accounts that are public.

3. Use a Third-Party People Search or Background Check Service

The final step is using a third-party service that offers reverse phone lookup capabilities by drawing from various public directories, records and data sources.

Popular options like Truthfinder, Instant Checkmate, Intelius and more have robust databases that can associate phone numbers with names and in turn social media accounts like on Instagram.

These services crawl through various data points to trace connections and uncover associated profiles. Instagram itself does not allow searching by phone number directly.

Step-by-Step Process for Instagram Lookup by Phone Number

Now that we‘ve covered the prerequisites, here is the typical process to search Instagram accounts by phone number using third-party sites:

1. Select a background check/people search service – Choose one with robust reverse phone lookup capabilities like Truthfinder or Spokeo. Consider credibility, reviews and pricing.
2. Enter the phone number – Input the 10-digit phone number you want to search by on the service‘s website.
3. The service searches public data – It will crawl through various public records, directories, contact lists and other data sources to find associations.
4. Results with associated names – You‘ll typically get results displaying names associated with that phone number based on the data search.
5. Results with Instagram profiles – If the associated name has a public Instagram profile connected to the same phone number, it will display in the results.
6. Open the Instagram profile – You can then click the Instagram link in the results to open the user‘s public Instagram profile for confirmation.
7. Refine search if needed – Some services let you refine the search Radius for more localised results.

And that‘s how easy it is to lookup Instagram profiles starting with just a phone number input! The entire process usually takes just a few minutes if accurate associations are found by the service used.

Top 5 Third-Party Services for Instagram Lookup by Phone Number

Here are 5 leading and trusted third-party services that enable Instagram account searches by inputting a phone number:

1. Truthfinder

With over 20 years of experience in public records access, Truthfinder is one of the top choices for Instagram lookups by phone number thanks to its robust people search capabilities.

Key Features:

• Large database of over 12 billion public records
• Unlimited reverse phone lookups
• Can find associated social media accounts like Instagram and Twitter
• Useful identity and background verification tools
• $28-$50 monthly packages available

Pros:

• High accuracy in results and reports
• Useful graphs and visualizations
• Can find related associates and family members

Cons:

• Doesn‘t offer single search without subscription
• Primarily focused on US-based searches

👉 Get TruthFinder Here

2. Instant Checkmate

A leader in online background checks and identity verification, Instant Checkmate also enables Instagram searches by inputting a phone number into their system.

Key Features:

• Access to criminal and public records
• Reverse phone lookups to find associated accounts
• Identity and credentials verification services
• Single reports from $39.78 and packages from $26/month

Pros:

• Useful risk scoring and assessment tools
• Covers wide range of public records
• Unlimited background reports with package

Cons:

• Single search is more expensive
• Mainly US focused currently

👉 Get Instant Checkmate Here

3. Intelius

With comprehensive data spanning over 20 billion public records, Intelius offers robust reverse phone lookup capabilities to uncover associated Instagram accounts.

Key Features:

• Vast public information sources
• Identity verification tools
• Packages range from $25 to $45 a month
• Unlimited background checks and phone lookups

Pros:

• Clean and easy-to-use interface
• Provides details like known addresses
• Useful for due diligence purposes

Cons:

• Doesn‘t offer single report purchases
• Mostly US-focused currently

👉 Get Intelius Here

4. Spokeo

Drawing from thousands of data sources, Spokeo offers affordable and comprehensive people search options, including reverse phone lookups for Instagram.

Key Features:

• Single searches available from $8.95
• Offers packages starting $19.86 a month
• Vast data spanning 12 billion records
• Useful identity verification tools

Pros:

• Offers single search without subscription
• More affordable than competitors
• Useful address history search

Cons:

• Data not always up to date
• Mainly US searches currently

👉 Get Spokeo Here

5. Social Catfish

Specialized in online identity verification, Social Catfish uses phone number searches to uncover associated Instagram accounts.

Key Features:

• Reverse phone lookups to find social media profiles
• Identity and relationship verification services
• Packages from $28-$80 a month
• Single searches available from $2.95

Pros:

• Specialized specifically for finding online profiles
• Easy-to-use interface
• Fast turnaround time

Cons:

• Limited to US phone numbers currently
• Doesn‘t provide extensive reports

👉 Get Social Catfish Here

Legality of Searching Instagram by Phone Number

A common concern is whether it‘s legal to search Instagram by phone number using these third-party services. In most cases, it is legal with some reasonable conditions:

• The services use publicly available data, not unauthorized hacking.
• It‘s for lawful personal use, like finding old friends or verifying accounts.
• You don‘t harass, stalk or threaten anyone based on the information.
• You respect Instagram‘s Terms of Service.
• You comply with relevant privacy and data protection laws.

Essentially, searching Instagram accounts by phone number is legal for personal use given due diligence and responsible practices. But malicious doxxing, stalking, identity theft and similar misuse cases would be illegal.

It‘s a good idea to consult your state laws and Instagram‘s terms before using the third-party services. As long as you use the information responsibly, it‘s generally lawful.

Privacy Considerations for Phone Number Lookups

While phone number lookups for Instagram accounts are legal in most cases, some privacy aspects to consider:

• User consent – Users may not realize their accounts can be found via their linked phone number. But profiles are public.
• Data protection laws – Services should comply with regulations like GDPR, CCPA etc. based on jurisdictions.
• Removing personal info – You could mask phone numbers or personal details in screenshots before sharing as a courtesy.
• Responsible usage – Don‘t misuse any information found for harassment, discrimination or causing harm.
• Data minimization – Only search when you have a legitimate need and refrain from excess data collection.

So in summary, while third-party searches utilize publicly available data, using the tools and information judiciously is vital – don‘t misuse or overuse it.

Tips for Effective Instagram Lookups by Phone Number

Here are some tips to ensure successful Instagram account searches by phone numbers:

• Use reputable services – Vet third-party tools carefully as some sites may have inaccurate data or engage in unethical practices.
• Try free trials first – Test free trials before purchasing subscriptions to gauge the capabilities of different services.
• Search recent numbers – Searching newer connected phone numbers has a higher chance of returning associated Instagram accounts.
• Double check results – Cross-verify that any profiles found match the person‘s name and details.
• Refine your search – Use filters like location radius, gender, age etc to fine-tune your search results.
• Mask personal details – Avoid sharing unmasked sensitive personal information found through lookups.
• Report fakes – If you find fake or imposter accounts, consider reporting them to Instagram for removal.
• Stay compliant – Ensure your usage complies with Instagram‘s terms and relevant privacy laws.

By following these tips, you can conduct phone number searches effectively while staying ethical.

Common Questions about Instagram Lookup by Phone Number

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about searching for Instagram accounts by phone number:

Is it legal to search Instagram by phone number?

Yes, it is generally legal when using third-party people search services ethically for lawful personal reasons. The services use public data sources. Stalking or harassment would be illegal.

Can I find any Instagram profile with just a phone number?

No, it only works if the user has specifically added that phone number to their public Instagram profile. Private accounts also won‘t be searchable.

Are these third-party services free to use?

Most services offer limited basic searches for free but full reports require paid subscriptions. Some have single report purchases. Their pricing page will have details.

Is my data secure when using these sites?

Reputable services prioritize data privacy and security. But it‘s good practice to review their privacy policy before using any platform or providing personal details.

Can phone number changes prevent this?

Yes, if the user changes their connected phone number on Instagram, it breaks the connection that allows old phone numbers to lookup their profile.

Are deleted Instagram accounts searchable?

No, deleted Instagram accounts are removed from third-party databases as well. But deactivated accounts may still be searchable in some cases.

Can private Instagram profiles be found?

No, private Instagram accounts do not appear in search results, even if the user has connected their phone number. Only public profiles with linked numbers can be searched.

I hope these answers help address some common doubts regarding Instagram account searches by phone number. Feel free to reach out if you have any other questions!

Conclusion

I hope this comprehensive guide offered you extensive insights into searching and finding Instagram accounts using just a phone number with third-party tools.

While Instagram itself doesn‘t have an in-built phone search feature, alternatives exist by leveraging data enrichment sites with reverse phone lookup capacities powered by billions of public records.

However, remember to use these capabilities ethically and legally, avoiding misuse. When used responsibly, searching Instagram by phone number can be valuable for personal and professional goals within lawful boundaries.

So now that you‘re equipped with a deep understanding of how Instagram profile lookup by number works and the tools available, you can harness this as a handy resource when the need arises! Just be sure to prioritize privacy, compliance and ethical usage as you put your knowledge into practice.