Instagram has launched a major cleanup operation targeting bots, fake, and inactive accounts. Starting May 6, users worldwide noticed a sharp drop in follower counts, affecting not only regular bloggers but also global celebrities.
This process has been dubbed the 'Great Purge of 2026' on social media. Users reported that the platform deleted millions of 'dead souls' within hours, leading to a significant reduction in audience size for many accounts.
Among those affected is football star Lionel Messi, who is reported to have lost 6.5 million followers due to the purge. The cleanup aims to increase the authenticity of interactions on the platform, ensuring follower counts reflect genuine engagement.
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