Being one of the top online platforms, Instagram is one of the best social media services to grow your online presence as a personal brand or business. With that said, building a successful Instagram profile is no easy task. It takes time, effort, and consistency. Growing on Instagram can often take extended amounts of time, so some people purchase followers through third-party services. But is buying Instagram followers a good idea?
Instagram now has over 2 billion monthly active users as of 2025, making it the fourth most-visited website globally. Current estimates suggest that approximately 95 million accounts on Instagram are fake, meaning roughly 10% of all accounts are bots or spam. The overall average engagement rate across all content types has declined to 0.50% in 2025, representing a 28% year-over-year decrease.
Why Buy Instagram Followers?
Instagram account owners sometimes purchase Instagram followers to create the illusion that their account is more successful than it really is. Sometimes buying followers is a way they make themselves seem more credible or trustworthy to clients and customers. Social media influencers often feel the need to purchase followers to keep up their image and online persona. Regardless of the reason, purchasing Instagram followers does the exact opposite of what the buyer hopes it will do.
The fake follower industry has become a massive underground economy, generating over $1 billion annually according to industry reports. In 2022 alone, there were over 2 million global Google searches for “buy Instagram followers,” demonstrating the widespread demand for these services. The problem is accelerating rapidly—fake followers on Instagram are predicted to increase by 60% by 2025.
What’s the Catch?
The catch is, bought Instagram followers can often cause more problems than they solve. This is due to a number of reasons. One being, bought Instagram followers are easily detectable by Instagram’s software. It can easily detect which accounts are buying followers, especially if they are buying hundreds or thousands of followers in bulk. Buying followers is spam by Instagram’s policy, so it reserves the right to temporarily block your account from certain functions or even delete your account altogether. Also, analytics tools can spot fake followers by seeing Instagram followers data.
Credibility Issues
As stated earlier, many buy followers to be considered more credible or popular on Instagram. However, that is simply not the case. This is because credible Instagram accounts usually demonstrate a high engagement rate. Engagement rate is calculated by taking the sum of the number of likes, comments, saves, and shares that your account has. And fake Instagram followers are less likely to engage with your Instagram posts and Instagram stories.
Recent data shows that 43.17% of Instagram influencers worldwide are involved in fraudulent activities to inflate their engagement and follower figures, with mega-influencers (1M+ followers) having the highest fraud rate at 58.5%. According to HypeAuditor research, 49% of all Instagram influencers globally had used fake followers at some point in 2021.
Current engagement rate benchmarks vary significantly by account size: small accounts (under 5K followers) should aim for 8-10%, mid-size accounts (5K-100K) for 5-7%, and large accounts (100K+) for 3-4%. By content type, carousels achieve 0.55% average engagement, Reels get 0.50%, and static images receive 0.45%.
Why does engagement rate matter? It matters for many reasons but in relation to the topic at hand, higher accounts with engagement rates that are proportional to their follower count are legit. For example, an account with 10k followers that receives less than 100 likes on a photo looks incredibly suspicious, not only to Instagram but to users who are on the platform. So, having a ton of followers with a disproportionate set of likes will do more harm than good.
Fabricating Engagement
Now, some reason that if they buy followers, likes, and comments that this problem should be evaded because then they can fabricate engagement. However, that approach doesn’t work either. This is because if you buy followers, likes, or comments you would be receiving engagement. Ghost accounts are accounts that are made by a third party to look active. These act as a “live” account or from spam accounts that are essentially “bot” accounts. These kinds of accounts are specifically made for fake engagement or followers. Because these accounts aren’t real people, their engagement is random and spam-like. Therefore, the engagement your account will receive isn’t authentic and instead is automated since it is fabricated by a software. It is very easy to spot a comment from an Instagram “bot” account in comparison to a real one. The reality is that your fake followers or false engagement is painfully obvious.
How Do I Buy Instagram Followers?
Despite the risks, you may still feel inclined to purchase followers, likes, and comments. If this is the route you chose, there are multiple platforms that offer such services. A quick search on the App Store leads you to hundreds of results. This includes Moon Followers for Instagram, Followers+, and Gain. Most of these services are free upon first download, but you often need to make in-app purchases to have a meaningful experience out of the app. Oftentimes the more followers you desire, the higher the price you will pay.
Some apps offer package deals which can help you get a discount. Be wary that you do not make large in-app purchases on apps such as these. Some apps may deliver your followers in exchange for your ad watch time instead of money. However, if you were hoping to buy followers in bulk, most apps require in-app purchases.
The cost of fake followers varies widely, ranging from a few dollars to thousands depending on quantity and frequency. However, the true cost extends far beyond the purchase price when factoring in potential account penalties, lost partnerships, and damaged credibility. Many services operate despite violating Instagram’s terms of service, creating ongoing legal and platform risks for users.
Legal and Regulatory Risks
Beyond app-related risks, there are now serious legal implications. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) prohibits purchasing fake followers to misrepresent influence, with violations potentially resulting in significant fines and penalties. The FTC recently banned brands and creators from purchasing fake reviews and followers, providing stronger enforcement mechanisms to hold violators accountable and secure monetary relief for violations. The $2.5 million Devumi settlement demonstrates the serious financial consequences brands can face for fake follower practices.
What Are the Risks?
When buying Instagram followers, there are a few risks involved, starting with the purchase and or download of Instagram follower apps. Make sure to thoroughly and carefully read reviews to avoid scams. Some apps will make you purchase followers, but they are only temporary and they end up unfollowing after 24 or 48 hours. The developers of these services are often looking to make a quick buck, and those who are desperate for a larger following are vulnerable to making rookie mistakes. You surely do not want to be one of them!
Fake Reviews
A trick that many app developers use is creating fake reviews for their apps to deceive you into purchasing. To find reviews that are trustworthy, spend a solid amount of time skimming through the first fifty or so. Pay attention to the language used and the length. Short and choppy reviews are usually false. In addition, if an app has a suspiciously high number of five star ratings in conjunction with suspicious looking reviews, it is most likely fake. These apps are not well maintained. Their software is sometimes defective and riddled with digital “bugs” and “viruses” which disrupt your account and even your phone as a whole.
Glitches
These apps are also prone to glitches, ads, and in some cases can log you out of your Instagram account or even delete it with your permission. To prevent this, try not to open the app too many times in one sitting and keep your phone on airplane mode to avoid ads. As far as logging you out or deleting your Instagram account, reading through reviews before downloading can be a great preventive measure.
Negative Effects
Buying Instagram followers creates negative effects on your instagram account’s reputation and even your personal reputation. Bought Instagram followers are usually bot or ghost accounts that are specifically made for manipulation to act as active followers. However, it is often obvious that these accounts are fake, as they will often be followers of thousands of accounts with no followers of their own. They often do not even have profile pictures and are devoid of content. If they do have photos, they may be stock images with barely any likes. These fake accounts will get your account deleted because they are against Instagram’s guidelines. They also look unappealing to your potential followers which can hurt the success of your account and brand.
Research analyzing over 10,000 commercial influencer posts found that high-performing influencers (generating 10+ conversions per post) had a median engagement rate of 1.2%, while low-performing influencers had just 0.7%. Influencers with audience credibility above 73.17% consistently saw enhanced conversion rates, while those with high fake follower percentages underperformed significantly.
How Do I Gain Real Instagram Followers?
So if you have considered the risks and have decided that you want to stay clear of Instagram follower services, it is time to create an organic following! There are multiple ways to increase your growth rate of Instagram followers over time who are in your target audience. This is a much better tactic than buying fake followers. SEO Design Chicago can surely help you with this process, but some simple tips are great help as well.
Stay Credible
First, stay clear of Instagram followers and or engagement services. Show Instagram that your account is trustworthy! Second, consistently post high quality content. If your follower count is lower than you’d like or you are just starting out, quality content is what brings followers to you. Instagram rewards consistency by pushing your content into the algorithm more often. Third, keep things authentic by creating meaningful connections with your current followers. Your community may be small at the moment, but that does not mean it is a weak one.
Instagram’s sophisticated algorithms can now detect most fake followers, with advanced detection tools achieving accuracy rates above 80%. In a review of over 1,000 Instagram audits, accounts with 25% or more suspicious followers consistently saw engagement rates below 1.5%, even when content quality was high. Fake followers above 25% is typically considered a clear sign of fraud by brands and marketing agencies.
Keep the connection between you and your followers strong through:
- being a present and active user.
- interacting with content your followers create.
- asking them questions on stories.
- getting personal.
- responding to comments.
The more authentic you are to the small group that currently follows you, the more likely you will continue to cultivate this online culture as your following grows. You might even end up on the Explore page!
Hard Work Pays Off
While purchasing Instagram followers may be tempting, it poses more harm than good. The potential of your account getting temporarily banned or deleted altogether, the inauthentic and disproportionate engagement, the potential of getting scammed from a Instagram follower service, and the risk of getting viruses or bugs on your computer due to the download of these app services are not worth a temporary and tacky boost in followers.
If you really want to grow on Instagram, stick to the organic methods and hard will pay off in the end. In fact, buying social media followers on any social media platforms is a bad idea. Instead, invest in a real Instagram marketing strategy.
Free Detection Tools
If you suspect your account or an influencer’s account has fake followers, several free tools can help you analyze follower quality:
- Modash Instagram Fake Follower Checker – Analyzes follower count, engagement rate, and fake follower percentage
- Collabstr Instagram Fake Follower Checker – Detects bot accounts and provides audience quality scores
- InsightIQ Fake Follower Check – AI-powered tool for identifying fake followers and engagement patterns
- Upfluence Instagram Fake Follower Checker – Quick analysis without sign-up required
These tools can help you audit your own account or verify influencers before potential partnerships.
FAQ:
- How are bot accounts made? Bot accounts are typically created using automated software that generates fake profiles with stolen or stock images, generic usernames (often random letters and numbers), and minimal profile information. These accounts are programmed to follow large numbers of users, rarely post content, and when they do engage, leave generic comments like “Great post!” or simple emojis. Advanced bots can even mimic human behavior patterns to avoid detection, but they typically have telltale signs like following thousands of accounts while having very few followers themselves, no profile pictures, and irregular posting activity.
- Can I monetize my Instagram? Yes, you can monetize your Instagram account through several legitimate methods: sponsored posts and brand partnerships, affiliate marketing, selling your own products or services, Instagram’s Creator Fund, live shopping features, and offering paid content or courses. However, successful monetization requires genuine engagement and authentic followers. Brands increasingly use sophisticated tools to verify follower authenticity before partnerships, so having real, engaged followers is essential for long-term monetization success.
- How to organically get followers on Instagram? Organic growth focuses on attracting real, engaged followers through quality content and authentic interactions. Key strategies include: posting high-quality, consistent content that provides value to your target audience; using relevant hashtags to increase discoverability; engaging genuinely with your current followers and others in your niche; collaborating with other creators in your space; posting at optimal times when your audience is most active; utilizing Instagram Stories, Reels, and other features to maximize reach; and focusing on building meaningful connections rather than chasing follower counts. Remember that authentic content and consistent posting are rewarded by Instagram’s algorithm.
- Can I use apps to get followers? While there are apps that claim to help you get followers, most violate Instagram’s terms of service and should be avoided. Many of these apps are poorly maintained, contain bugs and viruses, and can compromise your account security. Some may temporarily log you out or even delete your account without permission. Instead of follower-buying apps, focus on legitimate social media management tools that help you schedule posts, analyze your performance, and engage with your audience authentically. These tools support organic growth without violating platform policies.
- Are there risks when buying Instagram followers? Yes, there are significant risks including: Account penalties – Instagram can suspend or permanently delete your account for violating terms of service; Legal consequences – The FTC now prohibits purchasing fake followers, with potential fines and penalties; Damaged credibility – Brands and agencies use sophisticated tools to detect fake followers, and accounts with over 25% fake followers are considered fraudulent; Poor engagement rates – Fake followers don’t interact with content, leading to low engagement that hurts algorithm performance; Wasted money – Fake followers provide no business value and don’t convert to sales or meaningful engagement; Security risks – Many follower-buying services require account access, potentially compromising your security; and Spam and inappropriate content – Bot accounts often post irrelevant or harmful comments that damage your brand reputation.
- What are the legal consequences of buying fake followers? The FTC now prohibits purchasing fake followers to misrepresent influence, with potential fines and penalties for violations.
- How can I check if an account has fake followers? Use free tools like Modash, Collabstr, or InsightIQ to analyze follower quality and detect suspicious patterns.
- What percentage of fake followers is considered problematic? Generally, fake followers above 25% is considered a clear sign of fraud by brands and agencies.
- Do celebrities buy fake followers? Studies show that some celebrities like Katy Perry, Kourtney Kardashian, and others have over 28% fake followers, though this doesn’t necessarily mean they purchased them.
Contact Us today!