Why You Shouldn't Buy Instagram Followers

Building a solid Instagram presence is often a marathon, not a sprint, for most small business owners. So, when you see offers to buy followers promising overnight success, it can feel tempting. But before you reach for your wallet, here’s the truth: buying followers might hurt your business more than help it.

Below, we unpack why buying Instagram followers isn’t worth it, the risks involved, and smarter ways to grow your audience organically. Let’s get into it. 

1. Fake Followers Won’t Engage

When you buy followers, you’re usually getting bots or inactive accounts, “followers” that won’t like, comment, or share your posts the way human users do. Instagram’s algorithm prioritizes engagement, so a high follower count without meaningful interaction can hurt your reach.

Why it matters:
Low engagement signals to Instagram that your content isn’t valuable, reducing its visibility in feeds and on the Explore page.

2. Damage to Credibility

When your follower count skyrockets, but likes and comments don’t, it looks suspicious. Authenticity is everything on social media, and losing credibility with your real followers can take time to recover.

Pro tip: Instead of focusing on numbers, focus on building a community that trusts you.

3. Risk of Account Penalties

Buying followers violates Instagram’s Terms of Use. If Instagram detects inauthentic activity, your account could face penalties like reduced visibility, shadowbanning, or even suspension– consequences that could potentially harm your business’ reputation as well as the customer base you’ve worked so hard to cultivate. 

Think long-term: It’s better to grow slowly and steadily than risk losing your account altogether.

4. No ROI for Your Business

If you’re using Instagram for business, fake followers won’t convert into customers. They’re not going to visit your website, sign up for your email list, or purchase your products. So, even though your follower count might technically increase, your revenue will not. 

The bottom line: Buying followers is a waste of money that doesn’t generate meaningful results.

Better Alternatives to Buying Followers

Instead of buying followers to increase your follower count, we recommend the following strategies. For more, check out our guide to proven ways to increase your Instagram followers. 

1. Create High-Quality Content

Focus on posts that resonate with your target audience, using eye-catching visuals, engaging captions, and a consistent brand voice.

2. Use Hashtags Strategically

Hashtags are a free way to get discovered. Research and use hashtags that are relevant to your niche and audience. For more on hashtags, check out our post on the subject. 

3. Collaborate with Influencers

Partnering with influencers in your industry can expose your profile to new audiences, especially if their audience aligns with your brand. We recommend forming partnerships with influencers online to promote your products authentically and build trust with a wider audience. 

4. Host Contests and Giveaways

Along the same vein, hosting contests and giveaways, especially with relevant brands, is an excellent way to grow your follower base. Encourage your audience to follow, like, and tag friends for a chance to win, growing your followers while boosting engagement at the same time.

5. Engage with Your Audience

While this might seem obvious, a foolproof way to grow your following is to engage with your audience. We recommend replying to comments, liking other posts, and interacting with your community, because genuine engagement builds long-term relationships.

Looking for more ways to grow your Instagram following in just 15 minutes per day? Learn about The Winfield Creative’s 555 Rules for Efficient Engagement– without even posting. Clients who used this method saw up to 290% growth in organic reach in the last 90 days compared to those who did not, and it only took them 15 minutes to do so. 

Sound good to you?