Some Instagram users left questioning why their follower counts are dropping

Meta has confirmed that some Instagram account-holders might see new follower counts as the platform goes about removing inactive accounts as part of its “routine process”.

Since Wednesday (May 6, 2026), both Indian and international media outlets reported that “millions” of followers had been removed from some celebrity accounts, bringing down their overall follower counts.

This, in turn, raised fears about Instagram account deletions, mass removals of bot accounts, or a possible glitch affecting a large number of people.

“As part of our routine process to remove inactive accounts, some Instagram accounts may have noticed updates to their follower counts. Active followers remain unaffected, and any restored suspended account will be added back in after verification,” a Meta spokesperson said in a statement responding to The Hindu’s query.

For many Instagram users who rely on Professional or Business account types in order to monetise their content, the threat of deletion sparked concerns about losing a huge trove of data, or large sections of their audience.