It all started with curiosity and maybe a little bit of suspicion.
A while back, I came across an Instagram profile that looked too good to be true. Every photo was perfectly curated, the captions were clever, the feed had this polished, influencer-level aesthetic, and the stories felt like they belonged to someone who’d been doing this forever.
But something just didn’t add up. I double-tapped a few too many times, scrolled through their posts, and still… one annoying question wouldn’t go away:
When was this account actually created?
That tiny detail was eating at me. Maybe it was for peace of mind, maybe it was for safety but I had to know.
So I dove in to find out how to see an Instagram account’s creation date, and what I discovered turned into a deep dive filled with a few cool tools, some sketchy options I definitely regret trying, and a surprisingly helpful feature hidden in plain sight.
I Tried the Instagram Mobile App First (Because, Well, It’s Easy)
Let’s be real most of us check Instagram on our phones. Whether you’re team iPhone or Android, it’s just more convenient. I launched the Instagram app, tapped my profile icon in the bottom-right corner, then hit the three-line hamburger menu in the upper-right.
From there, I selected “Your Activity”, then tapped “Account History”, and boom there it was. Scrolling down revealed the “Account Created” column.
I’ll admit, seeing that date felt weirdly satisfying. There’s something about knowing when someone (or even myself) joined the platform that feels like peeling back a digital curtain. It’s not just about the date it’s about context, credibility, and a bit of online privacy awareness too.
I Checked on Desktop… But Here’s the Catch
Out of habit, I also tried finding the creation date on my laptop. Instagram online does give you some basic details, especially when you click your profile photo in the top-right corner and then your profile name.
But unlike the mobile app, there’s no obvious “creation date” field. You might find it if it pops up in a new window or under certain settings but for me, it felt limited. The mobile app definitely has more functions than the desktop version, and when you’re trying to get something specific like account history, the phone wins hands-down.
One Annoying Thing I Didn’t Expect: The Security Risk
Here’s where it got sketchy. Out of desperation, I Googled how to find when an Instagram account was created, and of course, a bunch of third-party tools popped up promising to deliver the exact date instantly.
Some of them asked for my login credentials, others redirected me to untrustworthy websites, and one even triggered a tracker blocker warning.
Honestly, I got worried. I didn’t want to risk malware, data theft, or worse compromising my own Instagram just to satisfy curiosity. I hate how easily some of these sites disguise themselves as legitimate software while being anything but.
So here’s my advice: Don’t risk your account. Stick to Instagram’s own tools or trusted features. There’s no need to compromise your digital safety for a tiny piece of info.
I Still Love the “About This Account” Feature… When It’s Available
There’s this cool built-in feature on some profiles called “About This Account”. It shows when the account was created, the country it’s based in, any former usernames, and whether it’s running ads.
But yep, here’s the catch it’s not available on every profile. Usually, it only shows up for accounts with a big following or a certain level of activity. When I viewed smaller or private accounts, this option just wasn’t there.
Still, it’s a great tool when it is visible, especially if you’re trying to figure out the authenticity of an influencer, brand, or even a random account that just followed you.
Why Bother? Here’s the Real Reason I Wanted to Know
So why did I go through all this? Well, sometimes you just want to verify if an account is legit. Maybe it’s for work. Maybe it’s someone you’re messaging. Or maybe it’s just personal curiosity.
Here are a few reasons why knowing the Instagram creation date matters:
- Spotting fake or spam accounts (especially if they were created recently but have tons of followers)
- Understanding behavior patterns (like how often they post or how long they’ve been active)
- Tracking user history (helpful for businesses or content creators)
- Checking for consistency in usernames, brand names, or location tags
Final Thoughts: Don’t Let Curiosity Compromise Security
At the end of the day, I love that Instagram gives us tools to check our own data. Features like “Your Activity”, “Account History”, and even the option to view account creation dates are super useful but only if you know where to look.
Just remember: not every answer is worth a security risk. Don’t share your login info. Don’t download sketchy apps. And always trust your gut if a website feels off, it probably is.
Have you ever wondered when someone joined Instagram? Drop your thoughts below I’d love to hear if this rabbit hole is just me or something more people are curious about.
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