Guide to Identifying Fake Followers of Instagram

Hello, friend. Welcome to the Nisha Infotech blog. Today, we’re talking about an important issue. In today’s world, social media is a big part of our lives. It’s great for staying connected, but it has a downside, especially for job seekers. When we’re looking for a job, we often check how many followers a company has on social media. But some companies cheat by getting fake followers.

The same goes for small businesses. They might work with influencers who have a lot of followers, but many of these followers are fake. Today, we’re going to learn how to spot these fake followers on Instagram to protect ourselves from scams.

How can these tools tell if Instagram followers are real or fake?

This question is important because many companies and influencers work hard to build their follower counts. However, it’s crucial to clarify that most Instagram follower checker and fake follower detector tools can’t accurately identify fake followers. These tools typically only count active users.

For example, let’s say User A has 500 real followers, but 100 of them deactivated their accounts, and 50 more haven’t been active on Instagram for a month. These tools might incorrectly identify that User A only has 350 followers and label the remaining 150 as fake.

In such cases, it’s more reliable to assess the authority and credibility of the account rather than relying solely on the follower count.

Where Fake Instagram Followers Come From

Fake followers on Instagram can come from a few places:

Buying Followers: Some people pay for fake followers from online sellers. These fake followers might be made by robots or paid people who follow your account for money.

Follow-to-Get-Followed: In this scheme, users follow lots of people, hoping they’ll follow back, and then unfollow later. These followers often aren’t really interested in your posts.

Bots and Tools: Some use computer programs (bots) or tools to fake following others. But be careful, Instagram doesn’t like this, and it can get you in trouble.

Spam Accounts: Fake Instagram accounts are made for spamming. They might post annoying comments, messages, or links. Sometimes, they follow others to get more followers.

Why Fake Followers Are Bad

Fake followers can harm your Instagram in these ways:

Low Likes and Comments: Fake followers don’t usually like or comment on your posts. This means your posts won’t get many likes and comments. Instagram likes popular posts, so yours won’t show to many people.

Looks Untrustworthy: Having lots of fake followers can make you look untrustworthy. Real followers can often tell fake accounts, and they might think you’re cheating to get followers.

Risk of Losing Your Account: Instagram doesn’t like fake followers. If they catch you buying them or using tools, they might ban your account. You could lose all your followers and posts.

Brands Won’t Like It: If you want to work with brands, they usually want real followers. Fake ones won’t impress them, and they might not want to work with you.

Account authority: When you have many fake followers on Instagram, your account’s authority goes down each day.

In short, having fake followers might seem like a quick way to look popular, but it can hurt your Instagram in the long run. It’s better to grow a real and engaged following.

Here are several tools on the list that can help identify fake followers on Instagram.

IG Audit: It gives a score based on follower quality and spots possible fake or inactive followers.

HypeAuditor: This tool digs deep into Instagram accounts, finding fake followers, checking engagement, and judging audience quality.

Social Blade: While it mainly shows follower and engagement stats, it can also hint at fake followers.

FollowerAudit: Made for identifying fake and inactive Instagram followers by studying your audience.

Audiense Connect: Previously called SocialBro, this tool offers insights, including spotting fake or spam accounts.

inbeat

We will use Inbeat.co. This is one of my favorite sites to identify my followers. I’ve used this tool to determine my account authority and the number of active users on my Instagram account. By the way, you can follow me on Instagram at @fixbynishainfotech. You can follow me to get the latest technology updates, trending news, and gadget reviews.

Now, let’s dive into the topic. This tool has been extremely helpful in analyzing my Instagram followers and posts.

To access the site, click on Inbeat.co. In the search field, type the Instagram username of the account you want to check, adding the “@” symbol before the username. For example, enter “@xyz” to check that user’s account.

Remember, no tool is perfect, and they can make mistakes. Instagram’s rules can change, affecting these tools’ accuracy. While they can help, always use your judgment to assess your followers’ authenticity.

FAQs:

#1. Why do people purchase fake Instagram followers?

People buy fake Instagram followers to create the appearance of popularity and social influence. A higher follower count may attract genuine followers, likes, and comments, enhancing their online visibility and credibility. Some individuals may also purchase fake followers with the intention of monetizing their accounts or deceiving brands into collaborating with them for sponsored content. It’s essential to note that this practice violates Instagram’s terms of service and can result in account suspension or termination.

#2. What percentage of Instagram followers are fake?

The percentage of fake Instagram followers can vary depending on the study and methodology used for analysis. However, a recent study conducted by the Institute of Contemporary Music Performance found that 51% of influencers had fake followers or had used automation tools to artificially inflate their follower counts. This study examined over 2,000 influencers and celebrities with a minimum of 10,000 followers. These findings highlight the prevalence of fake followers, emphasizing the importance for brands to exercise caution when selecting influencers for partnerships.

#3. How can I identify fake followers on my Instagram account?

Identifying fake followers can be challenging, but some signs include profiles with no profile picture, little or no activity, generic usernames, and unusual or repetitive comments. You can also use third-party tools to analyze your followers for authenticity, although they may not always be completely accurate.

#4. Can I remove fake followers from my Instagram account?

Yes, you can manually remove fake or unwanted followers from your Instagram account. To do this, visit the follower’s profile, tap the three dots (…) next to their name, and select “Remove.” This action will unfollow and block that user.

#5. How can I recover my Instagram account if it gets suspended or banned due to fake followers?

If your Instagram account is suspended or banned due to fake followers or other violations, you can appeal to Instagram’s support team. Visit Instagram’s Help Center for guidance on how to submit an appeal. Be prepared to provide evidence that you’ve addressed the issue and removed any fake followers.

#6. What is the long-term impact of fake followers on my Instagram account?

The long-term impact of fake followers on your Instagram account can be damaging. It can lead to reduced engagement, decreased credibility, account suspension, and difficulties in collaborating with brands. Building a genuine and engaged following is a more sustainable approach for long-term success on the platform.

Originally published at https://nishainfotech.co.in on September 4, 2023.