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In the digital age, social media presence is more than just vanity—it’s a business strategy. Instagram, with over 2.4 billion active users globally and over 350 million users in India, is a powerful platform for branding, influence, and sales. But with fierce competition, many are tempted to take shortcuts, like buying followers.
In this article, we take an honest and comprehensive look at the reality behind “Instagram followers buy” practices. Should you do it? Does it work? What are the risks and alternatives?
What Does “Instagram Followers Buy” Mean?
It refers to the practice of paying third-party services to increase your follower count artificially on Instagram.
These services usually offer:
- Packages (e.g., ₹500 for 1,000 followers)
- Delivery time (instant or over a few days)
- Followers that are:
- Bots (automated fake accounts)
- Inactive real accounts
- Or rarely, genuine active users (via promotions or incentives)
ALSO READ – How to Get 1k Followers on Instagram in 5 Minutes? Easy Hacks & Tips
Why Do People Buy Instagram Followers?
Especially in India, small businesses and creators try this method to:
- Appear popular instantly
- Gain social proof (more followers = more credibility)
- Attract real followers organically (due to herd mentality)
- Secure brand deals or sponsorships
Pros of Buying Instagram Followers
Use caution – the benefits are mostly superficial.
- Quick Visibility Boost: Instantly increases numbers, which may attract some real followers.
- Social Proof: New users tend to trust accounts with high follower counts.
- Brand Attractiveness: Brands often prefer working with influencers who have 10k+ followers.
Cons of Buying Instagram Followers
These disadvantages often outweigh the short-term benefits.
Low or Zero Engagement
- Fake or inactive followers don’t like, comment, or share posts.
Hurts Credibility
- A page with 50,000 followers and only 10 likes per post looks suspicious.
Instagram’s Algorithm Penalises It
- Instagram’s AI can detect bot activity and reduce your reach, or even shadowban your account.
No Sales Conversion
- Bought followers are not your target audience, so they won’t buy from you.
Risk of Account Suspension
- Instagram’s policies strictly prohibit fake engagement.
Wasted Money
- Even a ₹300 package is money down the drain if it doesn’t help your goals.
How Instagram Detects Fake Followers
Instagram uses smart algorithms to spot fake engagement:
- Follower-to-engagement ratio
- Activity patterns (bot-like behaviour)
- Suspicious IPs or mass-created accounts
- Spammy comments (like “Nice post 👍” on every image)
Action Taken:
- Shadowbanning
- Removing fake followers
- Blocking promotional posts
- Reducing discoverability via hashtags or Explore
ALSO READ – How to Get Your First 1,000 Free Instagram Followers? (2025)
Real Examples from India
- Local Boutiques in Delhi & Mumbai: Many initially bought followers but saw zero increase in footfall or online orders. Eventually shifted to influencer tie-ups instead.
- A Chennai-based Food Blogger Lost a ₹1 lakh brand deal when the company discovered 70% of their followers were bots.
Alternatives to Buying Followers (That Actually Work!)
1. Instagram Ads
Run geo-targeted, interest-based ad campaigns starting from ₹80/day.
2. Collaborations with Influencers
Partner with micro-influencers (5k–50k real followers) to reach real audiences.
3. Run Contests & Giveaways
Encourage real users to follow, tag, and share to enter.
4. Reels & Trending Audio
Reels with high watch time get pushed more use trending sounds smartly.
Key Takeaways
- Buying Instagram followers can inflate numbers, but not necessarily boost engagement or sales.
- There are two types of purchased followers: real (but inactive) and fake (bots).
- Instagram’s algorithm now actively detects and penalises fake engagement.
- Alternatives like influencer partnerships, contests, and ads offer better ROI.
- Long-term growth always comes from authenticity and value-driven content.
Learn more about social media skills here to unlock new growth opportunities
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Conclusion
Buying Instagram followers may seem like a quick win, but it’s often a hollow strategy. If you’re serious about building a brand, focus on real engagement, community building, and value creation.
Shortcuts may offer a bump in numbers, but authenticity is what wins long term. Use digital tools wisely, and invest in learning how to grow organically.
Explore more blogs to learn more about Digital skills
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is it legal to buy Instagram followers in India?
- It’s not illegal, but it’s against Instagram’s policies.
2. Will Instagram ban my account for buying followers?
- Not always, but your reach may be limited or your account shadowbanned.
3. How much does it cost to buy Instagram followers?
- It ranges from ₹100 to ₹5,000 depending on the number and quality.
4. Do bought followers unfollow you?
- Yes, especially fake ones. Many drop off within a few days.
5. Can I get real followers through paid services?
- Rarely. Most services provide bots or inactive accounts.
6. Does buying followers increase likes and comments?
- No, unless you also buy a fake engagement, which is riskier.
7. How to check if someone has fake followers?
- Look for a poor engagement ratio, spammy comments, and sudden spikes in followers.
8. Is it better to buy likes or followers?
- Neither is recommended. Focus on building a real audience.
9. Can businesses benefit from high follower counts?
- Yes, but only if the engagement is real and targeted.
10. How do I grow followers organically?
- Use reels, consistent posting, hashtag strategies, and collaborate with others.
