Some Instagram accounts lost millions of followers overnight. Social media influencers are freaking out.
![Instagram](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/4RP6pRdRo3DtXYvdS2dKca-1280-80.jpg)
Popular social media users are in a tizzy after an unresolved issue with Instagram has left many accounts with thousands, and in some cases millions, fewer followers.
The glitch happened overnight, reports The Verge, and Instagram explained via Twitter on Wednesday morning that the company is trying to resolve the issue.
Media influencers took note of the massive changes in follower accounts, with many tweeting out their confusion and mild panic over the sudden change.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
![https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516-320-80.jpg)
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
James Charles, a popular influencer and model who claims he lost half a million followers, reportedly earned up to $9,750 in 2018 per each sponsored Instagram post, an amount that could go down if his perceived "influence" is diminished. Pop stars Selena Gomez and Ariana Grande lost more than 2 and 3 million followers, respectively, reports Fast Company.
Instagram announced plans to remove inauthentic bot accounts in November, per The Verge, but it's unclear if this was the reason for last night's purge.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Marianne is The Week’s Social Media Editor. She is a native Tennessean and recent graduate of Ohio University, where she studied journalism and political science. Marianne has previously written for The Daily Beast, The Crime Report, and The Moroccan Times.
-
DOGE official at Treasury resigns after racist posts
Speed Read Marko Elez's ability to access the Treasury's central government payment system has been rescinded
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Quiz of The Week: 1 - 7 February
Have you been paying attention to The Week's news?
By The Week Staff Published
-
Bianca Censori: beyond the nudity
Talking Point At the Grammys, Censori had 'nowhere to hide' – but is she ok with it?
By The Week UK Published
-
DOGE official at Treasury resigns after racist posts
Speed Read Marko Elez's ability to access the Treasury's central government payment system has been rescinded
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
'Seriously, not literally': how should the world take Donald Trump?
White House rhetoric and reality look likely to become increasingly blurred
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Trump orders ban on trans female athletes
speed read The order directs the federal government to withhold funding from schools that do not comply
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Musk's DOGE gains access to Medicare, eyes FAA
speed read The billionaire said his Department of Government Efficiency will make 'rapid safety upgrades' to our air traffic control systems
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump: US 'will take over' Gaza, without Palestinians
Speed Read President Trump has suggested the US take ownership of Gaza, permanently displacing more than two million Palestinian residents
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Democrats try to stop Trump's USAID closure
Speed Read Trump and Elon Musk are attempting to dismantle the US Agency for International Development, a move congressional Democrats say is illegal
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Trump tariffs on Canada, Mexico, China rattle markets
Speed read The tariffs on America's top three trading partners are expected to raise the prices of everything from gas and cars to tomatoes and tequila
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Elon Musk operatives access US payment system, aid
Speed Read The Trump administration has given Musk's team access to the Treasury payment system, allowing him to track and control government spending
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published