We all have our reasons for being curious.
Maybe you want to check what your ex is up to.
Maybe you want to research a competitor’s marketing strategy without them knowing.
Or maybe you just want to browse Instagram without the algorithm tracking your every move.
The problem is that Instagram is very strict.
You cannot view much content without logging in.
And if you log in with your main account people can see that you viewed their Stories.
They can see you liked their posts.
Your activity is never truly private.
I used to struggle with this.
I wanted to see content but I did not want my name attached to it.
That is when I learned the trick of using a temp Email to create a “Finsta” or a burner account.
It is the perfect way to browse anonymously.
In this guide I will show you exactly how I do it using Zep Temp Mail.
Why you need a Burner Account
A burner account is simply a secondary Instagram account that has no ties to your real life.
It has a fake name. It has no photos of you. And most importantly it is not linked to your real phone number or email.
If you use your real email Instagram might suggest your account to your friends.
That defeats the purpose of being anonymous.
By using a fake address from a service like Zep Temp Mail you ensure that this new account is completely isolated.
You can watch Stories.
You can read comments.
And nobody will ever know it is you.
Step-by-Step Guide to Creating an Anonymous Account
Creating this setup takes less than five minutes.
Here is the exact process I follow.
Step 1: Get your Temporary Email
First open a new browser tab and go to Zep Temp Mail.
You will instantly see a new email address.
Click the copy button.
Keep this tab open because you will need it for the verification code.
Step 2: Open Instagram in Incognito Mode
This is a crucial step.
Do not use your main Instagram app.
Open your browser’s “Incognito” or “Private” window.
Go to Instagram.com.
This ensures that Instagram does not link this new account to your existing login cookies.
Step 3: Sign Up with Email
Click on “Sign Up.”
It will ask for a phone number or email.
Select “Email.”
Paste the address you copied from Zep Temp Mail.
Enter a generic name and a password.
Do not use your real birthday or name.
Step 4: Verify the Account
Instagram will send a confirmation code to check if the email is real.
Switch back to your Zep Temp Mail tab.
Refresh the inbox if you need to.
You should see the code from Instagram appear within seconds.
Copy the code and paste it into Instagram.
Step 5: Browse Anonymously
Once you are in you can skip the steps about finding friends.
You now have a fully functional Instagram account.
You can search for any public profile.
You can view their Stories and it will just show up as a random user viewing it.
Your identity is safe.
Why Zep Temp Mail is better than others for Instagram
I have tried doing this with many different services.
Instagram has become very smart at detecting burner mail.
If you use a low quality service like mail tm or tmep Instagram often blocks the signup immediately.
They flag the domain as spam.
I have found that Zep Temp Mail works much better.
We use high quality domains that look like real business addresses.
This helps you bypass the aggressive spam filters that Instagram uses.
The problem with AdGuard Temp Mail
I tried using adguard temp mail once for this.
While it is good for blocking ads I found the email delivery was a bit slow.
Instagram codes expire quickly.
If you do not enter the code in a few minutes you have to start over.
Zep Temp Mail is instant.
This speed is essential when you are trying to set up an account quickly.
Comparing with Email on Deck
Email on deck is another option people talk about.
It is very secure but sometimes it requires you to solve difficult CAPTCHAs just to get an email.
It adds friction to the process.
When I want to check a profile quickly I do not want to solve puzzles.
I just want an address.
That is why I stick with Zep Temp Mail.
Staying safe while browsing
Even with a burner account you should follow some rules.
Do not follow your real friends with your burner account.
Instagram’s algorithm is scary good.
If your burner account follows the same people as your real account Instagram might connect the dots.
Keep this account purely for anonymous viewing.
Also remember that this is a disposable email.
If you lose the password you might not be able to recover the account later if the email session expires.
So treat this account as temporary.
If you lose access just create a new one.
That is the beauty of anonymous email.
You have an unlimited supply of identities.
What about Gmailnator?
Some users prefer gmailnator because it creates Gmail aliases.
This does have a high success rate.
However the inboxes are often public.
Since Instagram sends sensitive login links having a public inbox can be risky if someone else accesses it.
Zep Temp Mail gives you a private session so your signup data stays with you.
Conclusion
Privacy on social media is hard to come by.
But with the right tools you can take back control.
You do not have to expose your identity just to view a post.
By combining a burner Instagram account with Zep Temp Mail you create a perfect shield.
It is fast. It is free. And it keeps your curiosity completely private.
Next time you want to browse without being seen try this method.
It works like a charm.
Create a quick burner account using Zep Temp Mail and explore social media completely undercover.
