Check Instagram Account Age: Find When an Account Was Created

So, You Want to Know When an Instagram Account Was Born?

Ever get that little itch of curiosity, wondering when someone really joined the Instagram party? Or maybe you want to take a trip down memory lane and find your own account's creation date. Let's be honest, sometimes you're just trying to figure out if that hot new influencer account is legit or a bot that sprung into existence yesterday.

Whatever your reason, there's a slick, built-in way to find out. Let's get into it.

The "About This Account" Feature is Your Best Friend

To check an Instagram account's age, you'll use the native Instagram "About This Account" feature. This little-known section is a goldmine of information, giving you a peek behind the curtain at details like:

• Date Joined (This is the one we're after!)
• The country where the account is based
• Any former usernames (Hello, embarrassing high school handles)
• Active ads the account is running
• Followers you share in common

The "Date Joined" field tells you exactly how to find when an Instagram account was created. Now, the common wisdom is that this feature is only available on the Instagram mobile app. While that's the easiest way, it's not the only way. For you power users, you can use the mobile device emulation feature in your desktop browser's developer tools to access the same info. Sneaky, right?

But for most of us, the mobile app is the way to go. Here’s how to do it.

Step 1: Visit Their Profile

Your advanced strategy for Instagram insights? Step one: Go to the profile. Yes, really. On the app. Mind blown, right?

Step 2: Tap the Three Dots

Once you're on their profile page, look to the top right corner and tap the “triple dots” menu icon. A menu will pop up from the bottom of your screen.

Scroll down. See that "About" option in 'More info and support' section? That's your target. Tap it.

Then tap 'About your account'. This is where you'll find all the juicy details to check the Instagram join date.

Right there, next to “Date Joined,” you’ll see the month and year the account came into being. This is also a great way to tell if an Instagram account is fake; if an account claiming to be an established brand was only created last week, you've found a major red flag.

As you can see, you can also check out their location, past usernames, and more. Now you know.

But Wait, What If the "About This Account" Feature is Missing?

So you crept on a profile, tapped the three dots, and… nothing. The Instagram "About This Account" feature isn't there. What gives?

Well, not every account gets this transparency badge. Instagram rolled this feature out primarily for accounts with a large audience. The bigger the voice, the more important it is to prove you're the real deal. It’s a tool designed to crack down on fake users and help you judge the authenticity of an account before you follow or, you know, unfollow someone on Instagram.

It's also a lifesaver for businesses doing background checks before collaborating with influencers.

But what about the little guys? How do you check the Instagram join date for an account that doesn't have the feature?

Well, you have to put on your detective hat. You have two options:

1. Become an Archaeologist. Start scrolling. And scrolling. And scrolling. Go all the way back to their very first post to get an idea of their start date. It’s not exact, but it’s a decent estimate. You just have to be willing to dig through their entire digital life.
2. Just Ask. If you’re feeling bold, you could slide into their DMs and just ask them directly. It’s the quickest way to get an answer, assuming they don’t find it weird that you’re asking, "So, when did this all begin?"

How to Find Your Own Instagram Anniversary

Every journey begins with a single, often forgotten, step. To check your own Instagram join date, you'll need to dive into your private data settings. It's a quiet way to look back at the day it all began.

Don't worry, it's easier than it sounds. Just head to your profile on the Instagram app and follow this path:

1. Tap the three-line menu icon in the top right corner.
2. Go to Settings.
3. Select Security.
4. Tap on Access Data.

Instagram might ask you to re-enter your login details just to prove it's really you. Once you're in, you'll find a section called “Account Info.” This is your personal treasure trove of data, showing everything from past usernames to, most importantly, the exact date you joined.

If you want a permanent souvenir of your digital life, you can download a copy of all your information. Just visit the Instagram Help Centre, follow the steps for "Data Access," and they'll email you a file.

It’s mostly just a digital receipt for all the time you spent curating a life you didn’t live, neatly filed away for the next data breach.

The TL;DR for Your Inner Stalker

So, there you have it. You're now equipped with the knowledge to check an Instagram account's creation date, whether you're doing some serious vetting or just satisfying a fleeting curiosity.

Here’s the quick and dirty recap:

• To check someone else's join date: Go to their profile, tap the three-dot icon, and select “About This Account.” This is your best tool to evaluate the authenticity of popular accounts. For the millions of us who aren't influencers, Instagram doesn't seem to care as much about our "authenticity."
• To find your own join date: Sometimes, the most important discovery is looking back at your own beginning. For this, go to your profile and navigate to Settings > Security > Access Data. It's not merely a date you'll find, but the echo of a first step, a silent genesis from which your own digital story unwound.

Now go forth and use your new powers wisely.