Instagram influences everything. There are over 1 billion active Instagram users each month. Posting captivating content on Instagram enables influencers to promote brands, land sponsorships, and even make entire careers.
Pitfalls of buying fake instagram followers
It is tempting to take the easy route and buy thousands of followers to seem more influential overnight. However, most followers for sale are fake accounts – bots or inactive users who will not engage with your content. There are several downsides to inflating your follower count with an army of fake accounts:
- Your engagement rate will decrease drastically. Even if you have 100k followers, but only a few hundred likes per post, it’s obvious that your audience isn’t real. You look bad to current and potential brand sponsors evaluating your influence.
- You get banned or shadowbanned by Instagram for violating their Terms of Service. Getting caught buying followers often leads to accounts being disabled.
- It’s unethical and inauthentic. Buying fake followers misleads brands and deceives real users who follow you under pretenses.
how to buy instagram followers? While it’s certainly faster to purchase followers, studies have found that only 18% of those accounts remain active after just one year. The quick boost you gain does more harm than good in the long run.
Growing your influence the right way
Gaining a highly engaged following takes time and consistency, but you’ll gain credibility with your audience. If your content strategy aligns with your target demographic’s interests, you organically captivate an audience that brings more value than any bot ever could. Here are our top 7 tips for growing your Instagram influence ethically:
- Find your niche
The accounts that rise to influencer status all have one thing in common – they occupy a specific niche and dominate their category. Determine a focus area that you’re knowledgeable and passionate about. Based on your profession, unique hobbies, talents, or interests. Brands want to partner with niche experts that resonate with their target customers.
- Optimize hashtags strategically
Hashtags help more users discover your content based on topics they’re interested in. Using maximum allowed hashtags help, but make sure to include a mix of popular generic hashtags (#foodporn) and specific ones (#Dallasfoodtrucks) most relevant to your niche. Also, track which hashtags perform best in driving engagement and repeat the ones that resonate most.
- Post high-quality photos + videos
Visually appealing, eye-catching content will always perform better than grainy, low-effort posts – especially in such a visual platform. Invest in a great camera and lighting equipment if you have the budget. Use editing apps to add filters and play with colors/contrasts. Spend time setting up aesthetic scenes and backdrops for #OOTD fashion shoots.
- Interact frequently and authentically
Don’t see your account as a one-way broadcasting channel – have natural conversations with your audience. Reply to comments, ask questions in captions, and actively engage with hashtags/topics related to your niche. Being approachable helps foster real connections and loyalty.