Let’s face it—on Instagram, numbers can be deceiving. You might come across an account with 100K followers and think, “Wow, they must be killing it!” But look closer, and you’ll notice something strange… almost no comments, barely any likes, and posts that feel like they’re talking to a wall. That’s the world of fake followers—and it’s a lot more common than you think. At DigiTech Media, we’ve worked with creators, influencers, and brands at every stage, and here’s what we’ve seen time and again: Real followers lead to real results. Fake ones? Just smoke and mirrors.
So, Why Do People Still Buy Fake Followers?
We get it. When you’re just starting out—or feeling stuck—it’s tempting. You want to boost your follower count, look more “established,” and maybe impress a few brands. And when someone offers you 5,000 followers for ?199, it’s hard not to think, “Why not?” But here’s the truth: fake followers don’t bring you engagement, growth, or business. They just pad your numbers—and make your profile look better on the surface. It’s like filling a restaurant with mannequins. Sure, it looks full… but no one’s ordering.
What’s the Deal with Real Followers?
Real followers are actual people. They follow you because they like your content, relate to your message, or trust your brand. They comment, share, reply to your stories, and—even better—some turn into customers or loyal supporters. These are the people who make Instagram worth it.
How Can You Spot Fake Followers?
Sometimes it’s obvious. Other times, not so much. But here are a few red flags: • No profile picture or generic usernames like @user_89011x • Zero or random posts that don’t match the account's vibe • Thousands of followers, but barely any likes or comments • Spammy comments like “Nice ??” or just a fire emoji on every post If an account has 20K followers but only gets 10 likes on a post… you don’t need to be Sherlock to figure it out.
The Real Problem: How Fake Followers Kill Your Reach
Here’s where things get serious. Instagram’s algorithm works like this: when you post something, it first shows it to a small chunk of your followers. If that group interacts—likes, shares, comments—Instagram thinks, “Hey, people like this!” and pushes it to more users. But if a big portion of your followers are fake? No one engages. The post flops. The algorithm backs off.
Even your real followers stop seeing your content.
That’s how fake followers quietly wreck your post reach and overall visibility. So while your numbers look good, your engagement—and actual impact—sinks.
The Other Downsides of Fake Followers
Let’s keep it real: • Your credibility takes a hit: People (and brands) can spot fake numbers. • Brands won’t work with you: Real collaborations come from real influence, not inflated stats. • No conversions: Bots don’t buy your product or read your captions. • You risk being flagged: Instagram’s smart. Too much suspicious activity? You might get restricted or shadowbanned.
So... How Do You Grow the Right Way?
Here’s what’s worked for us and our clients at DigiTech Media: • Show up consistently. Even if it’s just 3 times a week—be there. • Share content that means something. Not just what’s trending. • Use hashtags that fit your niche—not just the most popular ones. • Talk to your audience. Reply to comments. Engage in DMs. Be human. • Try collaborations, reels, and giveaways (smartly!) to reach fresh faces. And above all—be patient. Real growth takes time, but it’s so worth it.
Final Thoughts
If you take one thing from this blog, let it be this:
It’s not about how many followers you have. It’s about who they are.
1,000 engaged followers who love what you do will always beat 50,000 silent, fake ones. At DigiTech Media, we don’t believe in shortcuts. We believe in smart, honest, long-term growth. If you’re ready to grow your Instagram the right way, we’d love to help you. Drop us a message or connect with our team. Let’s build something real—together.
FAQs
Fake followers do not like, comment, or share your content. This lowers engagement rate, reduces reach, and negatively affects how the Instagram algorithm promotes your posts.
Fake accounts usually have no profile picture, random or meaningless usernames, very low activity, and often post generic or spam-like comments.
No. Brands focus on engagement rate, audience quality, and authenticity. Fake followers damage trust and can reduce your chances of getting genuine brand deals.
Post consistently, create meaningful and relevant content, engage with your audience, use proper hashtags, and focus on long-term organic growth instead of shortcuts.
