Instapy: Follow not working, even though it says so

[mateuszpokojowczyk]

Expected Behavior

Follow user and print "now following"

Current Behavior

After some time only liking and unfollowing works, even though it says "now following". I don't use comment feature. Loging in again doesn't solve this problem.

Possible Solution (optional)

Increase follow break.

InstaPy configuration

chrome driver, headless mode, running on VPS with private proxy

I've changed from .py to .txt to upload the file.

quickstart.txt

[chillz561]

I have the same problem

[mateuszpokojowczyk]

Thoughts

It actually started working when I've deleted the cookie, tried to log in, haven't confirmed by the code, but by clicking "it was me" somewhere I've been logged in and restarting the bot.

Then I logged in with a cookie and it works again.

Possible solution

Maybe we should set expire time for a cookie and try to retrieve it again after some period of time?

Possible problem with solution

We would have to confirm "it was me" or with the code (don't know which method will work) each time we set a new cookie.

Similiar problem

1143

[chillz561]

@mateuszpokojowczyk how did you delete the cookie

[mateuszpokojowczyk]

@chillz561 Manually, I've just deleted the cookie file from logs directory (username_cookie.pkl).

[chillz561]

@mateuszpokojowczyk I will try that to see if it works for me to.thank you for responding

[sekred18]

some thing here. Does anyone have a solution?

[Namaslayer]

same here

[Namaslayer]

@chillz561 I tried deleting the cookie file and let InstaPy create a new one. I seem to still be having the issue though. Script info says it follows an account, but then I'm not following it when I check it on my phone.

[Namaslayer]

@converge Any ideas? I'm running 5 bots on 5 accounts right now. Some are working, while others arent. I even created a new Digital Ocean server for one of the accounts where Follow wasn't working, and the new server won't actually follow anyone too.

[mateuszpokojowczyk]

Solution

Due to Instagram follow/unfollow web limits, you can only follow/unfollow 20 people/hour and up to 10 people fast (then you have to wait, I've set it to 30 minutes to be sure)

Just remember - if you've followed somebody in this hour, wait an hour to start the bot and also remember the delete the cookie only first time (so you make it clean).

I've tested and it works perfectly.

_Example:_

session.unfollow_users(amount=20, onlyInstapyFollowed=False, sleep_delay=1800)
time.sleep(3600)
session.unfollow_users(amount=20, onlyInstapyFollowed=False, sleep_delay=1800)
time.sleep(3600)

[ghost]

How do you delete the cookie?

I'm running it on a server from DigitalOcean

[mateuszpokojowczyk]

@stefhimself Manually, I've just deleted the cookie file from logs directory (username_cookie.pkl).

[ghost]

@mateuszpokojowczyk thanks a lot!

BUT unfortunately, this didn't change the issue..

I still see the the script running without error, but my account shows no new likes or follows..

[Namaslayer]

@stefhimself @mateuszpokojowczyk Yup. Same here. I can delete the cookie, but no changes to performance. I have my scripts running to follow 40 accounts every 2 hours, for 14 hours. Then it shuts off over night. So I don't think I'm really pushing any limits.

[mateuszpokojowczyk]

@Namaslayer @stefhimself The thing is not to follow 40 account every 2 hours, but to follow up to 20 accounts per hour. Even if you make 21, it will temporary block you from following. That's why you have to wait now - Instagram have blocked you from following temporary.

I'd wait for about 24 hours, then delete the cookie and start the bot like this: follow up to 20 accounts, wait an hour and follow again up to 20.
It works just fine.

[mateuszpokojowczyk]

I've tested that for few days on my VPS and it works as charm.

[Namaslayer]

@mateuszpokojowczyk interesting. I had not heard of the 20 limit before. I've heard 40 and 50.

Curious though, I could log into another chrome plugin I have from another developer and it followed accounts just fine. Im only have issues with InstaPy.

[mateuszpokojowczyk]

@Namaslayer I've never heard about it as well, but I've actually tested that in a web browser and it keeps blocking me every time I try to follow more than 20 people (remember to set time break at least 30 minutes after each 10 followers, because following fast makes it a red flag).

I think that the problem with this bot is that it follows too fast.
If it wouldn't we shouldn't be have to wait each 10 followers, but the 20 limit wouldn't change.

[mateuszpokojowczyk]

I've just been trying to make this settings as safe as they can be, because I want to run this bot 24/7 in the future.

[Namaslayer]

@mateuszpokojowczyk Interesting! Thanks for the information. I'll test this out.

[ghost]

But why I am still able to like, comment and follow on my smartphone? Shouldn't it be also blocked there?

I have the feeling it started to not work, since I added the blacklist function..

But I'll reprogram my shedule and try this out as you sayd, maybe you're right and it will work. (:

[ghost]

Could it be that Instagram blocks on certain IP addresses?
My server has a US or German IP I guess and my phone a swiss. And if I use the Unfollowers app to mass Unfollow, I can unfollow about 100-200 people per hour, till 1k per day.

[ghost]

Mateusz can you share with us your Config file?

Would be interessting to see the schedule and strathegy of your working script! (:

[mateuszpokojowczyk]

@stefhimself It blocks only following/unfollowing on Web, not on mobile app.

[ghost]

Ok, now I got it.
That's why also my iMacro on Chrome failed to work!

Thanks so much for your support!

[mateuszpokojowczyk]

@stefhimself No problem.

[mateuszpokojowczyk]

Here is my quickstart file.

I've added some features as well:

• delete descriptions from logs/general.log file each time bot starts again, so the file will not take that much space (it works in infinite loop)
• clear terminal window each time we start bot again (it works in infinite loop)

quickstart.py.zip

[ghost]

You're a genius! Thanks so much Mateusz!