The Risks of Buying Followers: Why It Could Harm Your Instagram Account

Hey there, social media enthusiasts!

When starting a fresh Instagram account, building a follower base might feel like you’re stuck in the slow lane. So, to speed things up, it might seem like a good idea to buy followers to boost that number on your profile.

But before you click that “Buy Now” button, let’s explore why buying followers might not be the golden ticket you were hoping for.

Why Do Brands and Creators Find Buying Followers on Instagram Appealing?

In the excitement of getting your good idea or product out there, it’s easy to see why buying followers for Instagram might seem tempting. Who wouldn't be intrigued by a shortcut?

Here are a couple of reasons creators and brands buy followers for their Instagram accounts:

• Perception of a successful business: The maths is quite simple - more followers equals more people satisfied and interested, which adds up to a more successful business - at least in the eyes of an outsider.
• Keeping up with other creators: We all want to shine in front of our competitors. Making the follower base equal or bigger is one of the tactics.
• Content validation: In the context of social media, numbers are equated with value; buying followers for Instagram can feel like instant validation of the content.

Although the intention behind buying followers for Instagram is often genuine and quite understandable, there are certain risks and consequences you should be aware of.

What Are the Risks and Long-Term Consequences of Buying Followers for Instagram?

Thousands of guaranteed followers at a lower cost than paying for ads, which offer no guarantee of followers? It sounds like a great deal!

Or does it…?

Here are things you can expect when buying followers on Instagram:

1. Being banned by Instagram:Instagram wants to keep users on the app, so it uses an algorithm to suggest accounts that match their interests (on feed, discovery, ads, etc.).

If you have more bought followers than organic ones, you might seem like a spam account, which offers no real value to users with specific preferences. This can lead to a shadow ban at best, and an account suspension or deletion at worst.

2. Skewed analytics:Imagine this: you walk up to a stage, greet the crowd, and expect an enthusiastic response, but you only hear the echo of your own voice. This is what happens when you buy followers on Instagram - the engagement rate will be low or non-existent, resulting in no visibility in Instagram’s algorithmic recommendations.

On the other hand, if you already have an engagement and your only goal is to make your following number look better, keep in mind you can’t create a growth strategy due to distorted performance metrics - there is no way to be sure which data is accurate and which is inflated, making it impossible to plan for the future and grow your account effectively. 

3. Damaged reputation:If you’re a creator working with brands and partners, they might use tools like HypeAuditor, Social Blade, or Kolsquare to detect fake followers. This will irreversibly damage your online reputation and cause your partnership opportunities to hit a wall. In addition, your true followers can easily spot unrealistic spikes in your numbers, leading to a loss of trust and possible negative social media chatter. 

4. Financial and security risks:Scammers thrive on platforms that sell followers.

By exposing your financial details and often giving them full access to your Instagram account, you risk having it hacked and your bank funds compromised.

Is Buying Engagement Metrics (Likes, Comments, and Views) Different from Buying Followers for Instagram?

Yes - it is really the same as buying followers - the same risks and consequences apply.

Buying engagement metrics is similar to a café paying people to sit at the tables without ordering anything. It might look cool from the outside since there are a lot of people in, but in reality, you’ve lost money, and the hollow facade will be quickly exposed.

Additionally, more likes, comments, and views don’t mean more sales or leads, especially when these are the only metrics considered.

Alternatives to Buying Followers on Instagram: Organic Account Growth

If you decide to grow your account organically, you’ll attract people who resonate with your content fully and honestly. 

Here are ways to do it:

• Work on your engagement skills: If your goal is to grow your account, there is no room for shyness. If you like a post, tell the creator why in the comments. Engage with people, get to know them, share your perspectives, and grow your community in a mutually beneficial way.
• Host giveaways: Everyone loves a good contest and a chance to win a prize. Statistics show that a profile with 2,500 followers can enjoy a 3.19% growth rate from one giveaway. Participants will spread the word, which means more followers.
• Post quality content and do it consistently: Quality content on a consistent basis is the ultimate way to gain followers. Post interactive carousels, videos, and stories, and make sure they align with your core values and enjoy genuine buzz from your target audience.
• Spend money on ads (rather than followers): Ads are a great way to get that desired following - especially lately, with a 12.2% increase in reach year on year. Invest slowly and carefully with a plan, and adjust your campaigns over time. 

And last but not least…

• Try Instagram Reels: Recently, Instagram users have thrived due to the popularity of reels. In fact, 74% of Instagram users engage with reels, and 2.5 billion people will engage with the reels in the future. With the rising popularity of reels, there's plenty of room at the table for everyone - so pull up a chair and enjoy your slice of the pie.

To create a high impact, post in both short and long formats, check the trends, and have a strategy in place. 

One of the key elements that keeps viewers engaged with your reel is music. ProTunes One has a huge library of background music tracks and a smart AI search to help you find the right vibe for your project. 

You can get started now and find the perfect track for your project within seconds, and enjoy reaching more people and followers who will genuinely interact with your content.