The Truth Behind Buying Followers
We all of this idea of how brands and influencers have bought, or at least considered buying Instagram followers. From the SME next door to the BRW rich list, the rumours are true. Companies are using AI bots and third-party platforms to increase that magic number. It’s not uncommon for account holders to spend anywhere between $5 and $100+ in return for a few hundreds, to even a few thousands of followers. Curious? Head over to our friends at Google and literally hit “Buy Instagram followers” to reveal your options (Stormlikes, iDigic and Buzzoid to name a few). But for the sake of a popularity contest, is it the be-all and end-all of having a drool-worthy IG account? Let’s dig up the dirt on Instagram followers.
1. You will gain visibility & credibility
In short, yes…The Insta algorithm tells us that more followers and likes equal higher post visibility. And whether IG-ers will admit to it or not, it does have an effect on social proof and brand perception. Especially when you hit that golden 10k mark and you open up a world of swipe-up story features.
2. You will save a sh*t load of time
Growing an account organically is a full-time job! Constant engagement, content planning, daily stories, checking analytics, responding to DMs, sending DMs…you get it – who really has that much time on their hands to be on their phones, doing all the nitty gritty in order to get just a small handful of followers. Buying followers will increase your magic number in a matter of minutes…but do warned…
3. You will be living in la-la land
In most cases, “purchased” followers are made up of fake accounts. In other words, your thousands of followers won’t necessarily engage with your posts. Although it’s getting harder to spot fake accounts, only real, genuine, fans are likely to pay attention to your latest product shot or your recent update.
4. You will run the risk of getting your account banned
We gotta hand it to ’em – Instagram are getting better at identifying B-Grade third-party platforms. It’s a grey area, but cheating your way to false followers is against the Terms of Service. Your account can get suspended, or worse, banned fo’ life. Talk about severely damaging your business!
5. You do have alternatives
In short, buying followers can build or break your business. It’s only a temporary solution, unless you carry it out with a strategy that promotes best-practice content generation, engagement and ease of searchability. If you’re looking for a way to legitimately grow your page without doing wrong by the Instagram police, go for trusted growth service. Combin or Ugro are a great place to start.
Felisha Mendoza Mina is a multidisciplinary creative, teaming up with brands across Australia, North America and Europe. With 7+ years of experience across Graphic Design, Creative Direction, Videography, Photography and Marketing, she takes a highly integrated approach to media and communications that uses a breadth of technical and analytical skills to help industry leaders look better, work smarter, and create with efficiency.
