Instagram rate limits: 403, 400, and 429 errors explained
Instagram limits how many actions (follows, unfollows, likes) you can perform in a given time period. When you hit a limit, Growbot pauses automatically and waits.
Why
Instagram enforces rate limits to prevent spam. The exact thresholds are not published and can vary between accounts, but hitting them is normal when using any automation tool. Understanding the different error codes helps you know whether to wait a few minutes or a few hours.
How to use it
- 403 (Soft limit): Instagram temporarily blocks the action. Growbot detects this and waits before retrying. This usually resolves within 5 to 30 minutes. You do not need to do anything.
- 400 (Hard limit): A stricter block, often triggered by too many actions in a short window. Growbot will pause for a longer period (typically 1 to 4 hours). Avoid restarting or retrying manually during this time.
- 429 (Too Many Requests): The strictest limit. This can last several hours. Growbot will wait it out automatically. If you see this frequently, reduce your daily action count in the Settings tab.
- Check the Log tab in Growbot to see exactly which error occurred and when Growbot plans to resume.
- Adjust the delay settings under the Settings tab to add more time between actions. Slower is safer.
Tips
- New Instagram accounts hit rate limits sooner than established ones. Start with lower daily targets (50 to 100 actions per day) for new accounts.
- If you see repeated 429 errors, increase delays between actions in Settings. Even small increases help.
- Growbot handles rate limits automatically. The worst thing you can do is restart Growbot and retry immediately, as that can make the block last longer.
- Check the Log tab for timestamps. Growbot logs when it hit a limit and when it plans to resume.