Provides a step by step guide for Professional Investigators on how to research individuals and companies using Instagram. Shows you what information is available and provides step-by-step guide. Part 1 of a multi-part series.

1. How-to Guide to:
Instagram

2. Company Introduction
On October 6, 2010, a social media site unique from all the others was
created. Within two short months of its launch, this site grew to over one
million users, and the following year it expanded to ten million. Few were
surprised when it hit the fifty million mark less than a year later, and
although relatively new to the social media scene, Instagram has quickly
become a favorite among social media users.
Instagram hit the news stands in mid 2012 when they sold to Facebook for
an impressive $1B, even before a viable revenue stream had been
established. But with its current 150 million users posting over 55 million
photos per day, the price tag begins to seem more reasonable. Users are still
growing on the site, as is the valuable information left publically available to
those who know how to properly excavate the site.
In essence, Instagram is a photo sharing site and
app that allows users to post images and videos
instantly, add hashtags and filters, tag friends
and comment on images. Instagram’s images are
uniquely square, following technological
ancestors such as the Polaroid and Kodak, and
come with a suite of filters to give images a
“vintage” look. With just over 3 years of service,
Instagram has a lively, engaged user base that
shows no sign of letting up.
Username
Password
Value to Investigators
Instagram is valuable to Investigators because:
Instagram is one of the most useful social media sources of mobile based
photographs available. Given the sheer size of Instagram (150 million active
users sharing 55 million posts daily), investigators tasked with finding

3. identifying information can understand the immense opportunity the site
offers. Though many social media sites incorporate images and videos, none
offer these as core elements to the sharing process in the way that
Instagram manages to do.
150 million users
growing at 55 million daily
Location Based Information:
San Francisco, California
13% of Internet
Users
Geographic Distribution:
U.S. urban areas
Media Available:
Mobile Photographs
Followers & Following
Location Tags
User Comments
User Demographics by Age:
18 - 29
28%
30 - 49
14%
50 - 64
3%
65 +
2%
User Demographics by Race:
White, Non-Hispanic:
11%
Balck, Non-Hispanic:
23%
Hispanic
18%
User Demographics by Gender:
Male
10%
Female
16%
For instance, while a user might Tweet a text update on their whereabouts
or activities, on Instagram he or she would be encouraged to share an image
alongside text. Images often contain identifying information, specific
locations, associated persons and other useful pieces of information. Those
seeking to verify fraud or locations of subjects gain physical evidence which
can be useful in cases and insurance claims.
Additionally, users often link their Instagram accounts to other social media
sites such as Facebook and Twitter. Finding these links to other accounts of
the user often reveals true names, usernames, locations, whereabouts,
activities and other information essential to investigations. More often than
not, Instagram and Twitter users share the same username between both
sites.

4. Investigators are able to find a Twitter account through an Instagram and
vice versa. Combining information from multiple accounts also gives
investigators a more robust data set, as each social media site offers unique
types of information.
Using Instagram for Investigations
There are two methods of investigating on Instagram. Method 1 is for
investigators who do not have an account on Instagram, and Method 2 is for
those who do not have an account. In order to conduct successful
investigations on a regular basis, it is advised to obtain an Instagram
account.
Investigating without an Instagram
Account
A number of third party providers provide user and hashtag information
regarding Instagram. Based on SMI’s experience, iPhoneogram does the
best job locating individuals. To use iPhoneogram, go to
www.iphoneogram.com. Navigate to the bottom of the homepage and toggle
www.iphoneogram.com
selection pull-down to “username”. Enter either a full name or your best
guess at the user’s user name. You must not have spaces given the syntax of
Instagram. For example, enter MarySmith.
View the images and decide if you have located your
subject or rerun another name/user name.
Assuming you have located the appropriate individual,
you may be able to view his or her photographs via
iPhoneogram without logging into Instagram. This is a
function of the user’s privacy settings.

5. Investigating with an Instagram Account
The Instagram app currently provides better search capabilities than the
Instagram website. SMI recommends that investigators begin their search
by downloading the app to an iPhone or Android device.
To access Instagram’s website or to get the app, go to www.instagram.com to
access an iOs App or Android app or login directly to Instagram’s website.
To log-in, go to “Log-in” on Instagram site. To download the App, choose
your system and download the App.
Searching Using App
1. Download the App
Download the app from the Apple Store or
Google Play onto your phone.
2. Create an Account
Information regarding users and their photos
is not readily available to those without an account. In
order to begin the searching process, you must create an
account. Follow the prompts to create a free account and you will be able to
search the site.
3. Go to Explore Tab in App
Navigate to the Explore button at the bottom of the app. This will take you to
the ‘Explore’ screen which should be auto-populated with random images.

6. 4. Search
Navigate to the search bar and select either
‘Users’ or ‘Hashtags.’ ‘Users’ allows you to
search for individual names and usernames,
while ‘Hashtags’ allows you to search for
particular or popular themes tagged in images.
The ‘Users’ tab also allows you to search using
a first and last name, making it possible to find
individuals with unknown usernames. Profile images
are also available while searching, meaning
investigators can cross reference subjects to correctly
select the individual out of other possible matches. Companies
and organizations may also be found using the ‘Users’ tab.
Note: direct Instagram searches enable users to search with spaces. Using the previous Mary
Smith example, it can be seen that MarySmith and Mary Smith bring back different results
5. Results
Once you find your subject, the following information is available for each
profile:
Photographs and certain meta data including the date the image was
uploaded are viewable. Photographs may also have likes and comments
associated with them along with the username of the individual that made
the comments.
Followers, or lists of individuals, that “follow” your subject showing their
user ID and their profile photo are available.
The Following list, or the list of individuals or companies your subject
follows, will include their user ID and their profile photo may be viewed.
The User Name and the actual name if provided can be seen.

7. Photographs by Geotags which show the location where the images were
taken by the individual may sometimes be available.
Searching Using Web
You can log into Instagram via Instagram.com. As of October 2013,
Instagram does not offer the ability to explore users and hastags using web
access. Instagram’s web access lacks the functionality to search for
subjects via users or hastags. Therefore, SMI recommends that you search
Instagram via its App or use iPhoneogram.
Conclusion
Instagram is a powerful social networking site that focuses on sharing videos
and images uploaded by users. As a user content driven network, it offers
high value, publically available information ideal for filling in gaps in
investigations. When used properly, Instagram can offer a treasure trove of
useful, non-intrusive information as well as connections to an individual’s or
organization's accounts on other social media sites. Combined with
additional profiles, investigators can gain an understanding of an individual’s
character, location, activities, as well as helpful identifying images.
We hope that you found SMI’s How-to Guide useful for manually searching
Instagram. If you prefer to automate searching Instagram in addition to
other social media sites and the open internet, SMI’s solutions can save you
the time of searching as well as the need to learn how to search social media
sites, Google, and other open internet sites. Call or email us for a no cost
evaluation or demonstration.
SMI
700 River Avenue
Suite 323
Pittsburgh, PA 15212
info@SMIAware.com
Ph: (888) 299-9921
Fax: (888) 236-2057
© Social Media Information, LLC