Instagram Account With 500K Followers Suspended Due to False Copyright Strikes — Need Advice

I run an Instagram celebrity news/blog page with over 500K followers. I earned a blue check and was successfully monetizing through Instagram Bonuses, making it a solid side income. Unfortunately, the account was suspended due to what I believe were false copyright claims.

Two of the strikes came from an IP company that submitted back-to-back claims on a Reel that continues to be widely reposted by both large and small accounts. The original uploads date back nearly three years, and the claims were only made recently. The original content owners were properly credited and tagged, and they had approved the usage.

The third strike came from an individual who claimed copyright ownership of a celebrity family photo taken during Christmas. The photo was clearly taken on an iPhone, and I strongly doubt the claimant was the original photographer, yet Instagram still allowed the claim to go through.

I submitted an appeal on January 3rd. At this point, would it make sense to pursue this through LegalShield or another legal service? If so, how would that process work? I’m also open to any other suggestions

Posted Jan 10, 2026, 12:30 AM UTC

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