Should You Buy Instagram Followers? Why You Should Say No to This Temptation

Have you ever thought about buying followers on Instagram? It can be a tempting thought we’ll admit – increasing your follower count by thousands in a flash giving you credibility and putting you up there with bigger influencers and brands? Sounds pretty good! But hold the phone! Before you reach for your credit card, all is not as rosy as it seems when it comes to buying followers on Instagram and it isn’t something we’d recommend. Let's dive into why buying Instagram followers might not be the best idea and explore smarter ways to boost your Insta game.

The Temptation: Why People Consider Buying Followers

A quick Google of “how to buy followers on Instagram” will bring up a host of websites promising anything from 100 to 20,000+ followers with prices starting from just a few pounds. You may even have had companies slide into your DMs promising you followers in minutes. We have to admit, that the idea of instantly boosting your follower count is tempting. Who wouldn’t want to wake up to thousands of new followers overnight? The allure is strong, especially if you’re trying to grow your personal brand or capitalize on being “Insta-famous”. Here’s why people consider it:

1. Instant Credibility: More followers can make you look more popular and influential.
2. Brand Deals: Brands often look at follower count when choosing influencers to work with.
3. Skip the hard work: Growing a large following is hard work! People often think buying followers will save them the hassle of growing organically.

The Reality Check: What Are You Actually Buying?

Okay, let’s hit the brakes for a second. When you buy followers, what are you actually getting? The reality is that when purchasing Instagram followers, you’re buying either bots or inactive accounts. In other words, these followers are fake, won’t engage with your content and have no interest in what you are selling. This brings with it a host of problems including;

1. Low engagement: Instagram’s algorithm loves engagement – likes, comments, shares. Bought followers don’t interact, giving you a low engagement rate and making your high follower count look suspicious.
2. Risk of Penalties: Instagram’s terms of service strictly prohibit buying followers. If they catch you, your account could be penalized or even banned.
3. Instagram deletes fake accounts: Instagram puts a lot of work into spotting and removing fake and bot accounts.
4. Brand Reputation: Savvy brands can spot fake followers a mile away. Instead of looking impressive, you might come off as inauthentic.

The Smart Move: Growing Your Followers Organically

So our advice is to avoid buying followers on Instagram and build your following the old-fashioned way. Been grafting away trying to grow your following and getting nowhere? Don’t worry, there are plenty of effective ways to grow your Instagram following organically. It might take a bit more time and effort, but trust us, the payoff is worth it.

1. Have a social strategy: always start with building a solid strategy for your business and revisit it regularly to revise and set new goals. Find out more about how to create a killer strategy here.
2. Post consistently: This isn't always the advice people want to hear but posting consistently does work! All the successful accounts and brands on Instagram post regularly without taking long breaks in their posting schedule.For help on staying consistent, try an online platform like rapidely.
3. Post Quality Content: This one’s a no-brainer. Share high-quality, engaging content that resonates with your audience. Think about what makes you stop scrolling and aim to create that kind of content.
4. Use Hashtags Wisely: Hashtags can expose your content to a broader audience. Use relevant and trending hashtags, but don’t overdo it – Instagram recommends using 3-5 per post.
5. Engage with Others: Like, comment, and share other people’s content. Be genuine. The more you engage, the more visible you become.
6. Collaborate: Partner with other influencers or brands. Cross-promotion can help you tap into new follower pools. Read our step-by-step guide to collaborating here.
7. Create Reels: Instagram Reels are unique in that the Instagram algorithm shows them predominantly to users who don’t follow you already, allowing you to reach new people!

Final Verdict - Say No to Buying Followers

So, if you find yourself asking the question "Should I buy Instagram followers?", remember the answer is a resounding "No!". While the immediate boost might be appealing and gratifying, the long-term consequences and lack of genuine engagement make it a risky move for creators. Instead, focus on growing your audience the right way. It may take more time and effort, but the results, a loyal, engaged follower base that values your content, will be much more beneficial to your business in the long term!

So, roll up your sleeves, start creating amazing content, and watch those followers roll in – the organic way. Remember, in the world of Instagram, slow and steady wins the race. For a platform that helps you to plan, manage and schedule all your social content in one place, try rapidely – your new social media bestie! Happy posting everyone!