What Happened to Instazood? Dead Service Still Charging Users

Looking for Instazood? Save yourself the trouble. The service is effectively dead. Features stopped working years ago, but the company continues charging customers while providing nothing in return.

Quick Answer: Instazood was an Instagram automation bot founded in 2016 that stopped working properly around 2018-2019 when Instagram cracked down on bots. The service never recovered. Today, Instazood is a zombie company: technically existing but functionally dead. Users report being charged for services that don't work, receiving no customer support, and being unable to get refunds. If you're searching for Instazood, you're better off looking elsewhere.

What Was Instazood?

Before we explain what went wrong, let's cover what Instazood actually offered.

Instazood was founded in 2016 by Patrick and Nicholas Garito in Quebec City, Canada. It started as a simple Instagram automation bot and eventually expanded to include tools for TikTok as well.

Instazood's Core Features

At its peak, Instazood offered:

Instagram Bot ($14.99/month)

• Auto-follow and auto-unfollow
• Auto-like posts
• Auto-comment on posts
• Auto-view stories
• Targeting by hashtags, accounts, and location

Auto DM ($14.99/month)

• Automatic welcome messages to new followers
• Mass direct messaging
• Custom message sequences

Post Scheduling ($9.99/month)

• Schedule posts in advance
• Auto-upload and auto-delete posts
• Content calendar management

Full Automation Package ($70/month)

• All features combined
• Multiple account management

The concept was straightforward: you'd connect your Instagram account, set up targeting parameters (hashtags, competitor accounts, locations), and the bot would automatically engage with users on your behalf. Follow people, like their posts, leave comments, view their stories. The idea was that this automated engagement would prompt users to check out your profile and follow you back.

For a while, it worked.

The Rise and Fall of Instazood: Timeline

What Happened to Instazood?

Instazood's death can be traced to one fundamental problem: Instagram got better at detecting and blocking bots.

The 2018 API Shutdown

In late 2018, Facebook (Instagram's parent company) severely restricted access to the Instagram API. This wasn't random. It was fallout from the Cambridge Analytica scandal and Facebook's subsequent tightening of data access across all its platforms.

Before 2018, third-party tools like Instazood had relatively easy access to Instagram's systems. After 2018, that access was drastically limited. Instagram implemented new detection algorithms specifically designed to identify and block automated behavior.

This was an extinction-level event for Instagram bots.

The Bot Crackdown Intensifies

Instagram didn't just change the API. They actively began hunting down bot users. Accounts that showed automated behavior patterns faced:

• Temporary action blocks
• Reduced visibility (shadowbans)
• Identity verification requirements
• Account suspension
• Permanent bans

Users who had been happily using Instazood suddenly found their accounts restricted or deleted entirely. One user reported losing an account with 6,000 followers after using Instazood briefly.

Instazood's Failed Recovery

According to user reports, Instazood told customers their team was "working on implementing a new algorithm" to circumvent Instagram's detection. This recovery never materialized.

The service limped along, partially functional at best. Users reported that automated features stopped working entirely while only the scheduling tool remained somewhat operational.

But the charges kept coming.

Is Instazood Dead?

Yes, for all practical purposes.

The official Instazood website still exists. You can still see their pricing page. But the actual service has been non-functional for years.

According to G2, no one has managed the Instazood profile for over a year. This suggests the company has essentially abandoned its public presence while maintaining just enough infrastructure to keep billing customers.

On Product Hunt, Capterra, and other software review platforms, Instazood's information is listed as outdated or unavailable. The company appears to have stopped actively marketing or developing the product years ago.

But here's the disturbing part: while the service doesn't work, the billing system apparently does.

Instazood Customer Complaints: A Pattern of Abuse

The complaints about Instazood follow a consistent pattern. Here's what former users report:

Charging for Non-Functional Services

"Nothing is working and no refunds. Don't use this service."

"Used to work fine. For months now they just steal money. I paid twice for 30 days and never got anything."

"I paid for the bot thingy and it worked like a charm. I had like 5 accounts going at once. But then Instagram went and did an update and the whole thing just went kaput. Now the website is down, and I lost like 70 bucks that I had left in my account."

No Customer Support

"Customer support doesn't reply."

"I've been trying to contact them about a payment issue for over 2 months now. No response to any of my 6 messages."

"Support involves filling out a ticket and waiting. Sometimes days. Sometimes no reply at all."

Refund Nightmares

"I asked for a refund for THREE weeks. Promises but no delivery. They are liars and a scam. Contact your bank or PayPal to get your money because Instazood will not give it to you."

"They claim they don't control the funds and you need to apply for a refund with another company. This is a dodgy company. Stay AWAY."

Account Damage

"I used it for a second, wasted $50, and my account is now DELETED. Gone. I had an Insta with 6,000 followers and a ton of customers. Instazood needs to shut down. You are ruining accounts."

"Instazood manages to get users more followers, but in the end most users got their accounts either temporarily blocked or permanently disabled from Instagram."

Why Instazood Failed

Understanding why Instazood failed helps explain why similar services are risky today.

1. Built on a Violation of Terms of Service

Instagram's Terms of Service explicitly prohibit automated engagement. Instazood's entire business model depended on violating these terms. This meant Instagram had every incentive to shut them down, and they eventually succeeded.

2. Dependent on a Single Platform

Instazood's fate was entirely in Instagram's hands. When Instagram changed their API and detection methods, Instazood had no leverage, no alternatives, and no recourse. The attempt to add TikTok came too late and didn't save the core business.

3. The Arms Race They Couldn't Win

Instagram has thousands of engineers and billions of dollars. Instazood had a small team and limited resources. In the arms race between bot makers and platform detection, the platform will eventually win. It's not a question of if, but when.

4. Poor Crisis Response

When the crisis hit, Instazood promised fixes that never came. They maintained silence instead of communicating with customers. They kept charging instead of suspending billing. This transformed a technical failure into what users perceive as fraud.

Instazood Review Scores: The Numbers Don't Lie

Across review platforms, Instazood's reputation has collapsed:

Trustpilot: Over 350 reviews, heavily skewed negative in recent years

Sitejabber: 99 reviews, most recent ones describing the service as a scam

G2: Profile unmanaged for over a year, outdated information

Capterra: Pricing and features listed as unavailable

The pattern across all platforms is identical: older reviews from 2017-2018 are positive, describing a service that worked. Reviews from 2019 onward describe a service that stopped working but kept charging.

A common sentiment: "A few years back I could fully recommend Instazood but now don't put your money in this service. It's 10/10 wasted."

Is Instazood a Scam?

This depends on how you define "scam."

What Instazood Isn't

Instazood wasn't a scam from the beginning. The service genuinely worked for a period. Users did gain followers. The founders weren't running a Ponzi scheme or stealing credit card numbers.

What Instazood Has Become

Today, continuing to charge customers for a service that doesn't work while ignoring support requests is, at minimum, unethical business practice. Whether it rises to the level of fraud is a legal question, but users certainly feel scammed.

The practical distinction doesn't matter much if you're the one losing money.

What You Should Do

If Instazood is still charging you:

1. Cancel immediately. Log into your account (if possible) and cancel any active subscriptions.

2. Document everything. Screenshot charges, failed login attempts, support tickets, and any communication.

3. Dispute with your bank. If you can't cancel through Instazood, contact your credit card company or PayPal to block future charges and potentially recover past payments.

4. Leave reviews. Help others avoid the same trap by documenting your experience on Trustpilot, Sitejabber, and other platforms.

Instazood Alternatives That Actually Work

If you were looking for Instazood because you want Instagram growth, here are options that actually function in 2026:

Why Automation Tools Are Risky

First, understand that any tool using automation (auto-follow, auto-like, auto-comment) carries significant risk. Instagram's detection is sophisticated now. Using these tools often results in account restrictions that hurt more than the growth helps.

Safer Approaches to Instagram Growth

Why HCLOUT Is Different

No Automation Means No Automation Bans

HCLOUT doesn't log into your account. We don't perform automated follows, likes, or comments. This means Instagram has nothing to detect and nothing to punish. Your account stays safe.

Actually Responsive Support

When you need help, you get help. Our 24/7 live chat connects you with real people who can actually resolve issues. No ticket systems that go unanswered for months.

Working Features

Our service works. Not "worked five years ago," not "might work if you're lucky." Works today, works reliably, works for you.

Risk-Free Trial

Try HCLOUT free without a credit card. Test everything before you commit a single dollar. If you're skeptical after the Instazood experience, we understand. That's why we let you verify everything first.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened to Instazood?

Instazood was an Instagram automation bot that stopped working around 2018-2019 when Instagram implemented stricter bot detection and API restrictions. The service never recovered. Today, Instazood exists as a zombie company: the website remains up and users report ongoing charges, but the actual features don't work and customer support doesn't respond.

Is Instazood dead?

Effectively, yes. While the website still exists, the core Instagram automation features stopped working years ago. The company appears to have abandoned active development and support. Users report paying for services that provide nothing in return.

Why is Instazood not working?

Instazood stopped working because Instagram cracked down on automation bots. In late 2018, Instagram changed their API and implemented sophisticated detection algorithms that identify and block automated behavior. Instazood's bot-based approach became non-functional, and the company never successfully adapted.

Is Instazood still charging customers?

According to user reports, yes. Multiple customers claim Instazood continues charging for subscriptions despite the service not working. Many report being unable to get refunds or even contact customer support. If you're being charged, contact your bank or payment provider to block future charges.

Can Instazood get my Instagram account banned?

Yes. Instazood's automation methods violate Instagram's Terms of Service. Users have reported account restrictions, shadowbans, identity verification requirements, and permanent bans after using Instazood. Even when the service was functional, it carried significant account risk.

Is there a working Instazood alternative?

HCLOUT offers Instagram growth without the automation risks that destroyed Instazood. Since HCLOUT doesn't access your account or perform automated actions, you avoid both the functionality issues and the ban risks. We offer a free tier and 30-day refill guarantee so you can try before committing.

How do I cancel Instazood?

If you can still access your Instazood account, log in and cancel through your subscription settings. If you cannot access your account or the cancellation doesn't work, contact your credit card company or PayPal directly to block future charges. Document all attempts to cancel in case you need to dispute charges.

How do I get a refund from Instazood?

Based on user reports, getting refunds directly from Instazood is extremely difficult. The company reportedly doesn't respond to support requests. Your best option is to dispute charges with your credit card company or PayPal, providing documentation of the non-functional service and ignored support requests.

The Bottom Line on Instazood

Instazood is a cautionary tale about Instagram automation tools.

The service rode the wave of Instagram bot popularity in the mid-2010s. It worked for a while, and users saw real follower growth. Then Instagram changed the rules, and Instazood couldn't adapt.

What makes Instazood's story particularly troubling isn't just the failure. Services fail. Technology changes. That's business.

The troubling part is what happened after: continuing to charge customers for years while providing nothing, ignoring support requests, refusing refunds, and maintaining just enough infrastructure to keep the billing system running while abandoning everything else.

If you came here searching for Instazood, hoping to use the service, you now know the truth. It doesn't work. It hasn't worked for years. Save your money and your Instagram account.

If you're being charged by Instazood right now, take action. Cancel through your bank if necessary. Don't wait for support that will never come.

And if you want Instagram growth that actually works in 2026, consider approaches that don't rely on automation. Instagram has won the war against bots. The smart move is to stop fighting that battle.

Ready for Instagram Growth That Actually Works?

HCLOUT delivers results without the automation risks that killed Instazood.

• No bots to get detected
• No account access required
• No subscription traps
• Real support that responds
• 30-day refill guarantee

Try HCLOUT Free - No credit card required. See results before you pay anything.

Last updated: January 2026. This article will be updated if Instazood's status changes or new information becomes available.