# Verified views and fraud checks

A verified view comes from Instagram's own data for a registered account and passes our fraud checks. Signals such as sudden spikes, very low engagement or duplicated content send a reel to a person for review. Bought views mean a permanent ban.

## What counts as a verified view

- It is read from Instagram's official data for a creator's registered, public account.
- It is on an approved reel, during its tracking period.
- It passes our fraud checks.

Screenshots and scraped numbers never count.

## What our checks look for

- A sudden jump in views far beyond the reel's normal pattern.
- Very low likes, comments, shares and saves for the number of views.
- Views far out of line with the account's followers.
- An audience that is mostly outside India.
- Accounts that share payout details or sign-up details with others.
- The same video posted again, by the same or other people.

A reel that trips these checks is reviewed by a person while its money is still in the hold. If a dispute or review is open on it, its earnings in hold are frozen until it is resolved.

## Consequences

Bought views, bots, fake accounts and stolen content mean an immediate, permanent ban, and unpaid earnings are voided. Lesser problems lead to warnings or strikes. See [Strikes and warnings](/help/strikes).

Brands are protected twice: by these checks, and by their right to dispute while money is in hold. See [Dispute a reel](/help/disputing-a-reel).