It may seem like an easy feat to build a following on popular platforms like Instagram and TikTok!
After all, these sites have an active user base that exceeds billions. However, it is not that easy to get noticed and recognized on social media. You may be making stellar content, but if it does not have an audience, all efforts may go in vain.
It is the intense competition on Instagram and Tiktok that usually makes it hard to establish a presence. This is why many businesses and influencers feel pressured to grow their following and engagement quickly. In such an instance, buying followers may seem like an attractive shortcut. But is it the right move for you? Let’s explore the pros and cons of paid followers on Instagram and TikTok so you can make an informed decision.
The Pros of Buying Followers
Instant Credibility
One of the foremost benefits of buying followers is the immediate boost in your credibility! If someone sees an account with a high follower count, they may perceive it as popular and trustworthy. It is because numbers really matter on social media regardless of the platform. This can, in turn, create a snowball effect, as when people see you are popular, they may be inclined to follow you, too.
Boost in Visibility
Another obvious advantage of paid followers is an increase in your visibility. With a larger follower count, your content has a higher chance of appearing in feeds, Instagram’s Explore page, and For You pages of TikTok, respectively! This increase in your visibility can lead to more engagement, comments, and likes, which can further amplify your outreach.
Get Collaboration Opportunities
If you are an influencer, a high follower count makes you more attractive to brands! Businesses usually look for accounts with a substantial following for sponsored content, partnerships, and influencer marketing. Thus, having a wide audience can open doors to new opportunities that may not be available otherwise!
Quick Results
Organic growth can take months or even years at times! But when you invest in paid followers, the results are immediate! So, if you want to kick-start your social media presence, buying followers may be a viable option.
Cost-effective Marketing
Marketing constitutes a major portion of your budget! Since social media is an important component of your marketing, you may be spending considerably on paid campaigns and advertisements. Even then, you may not be getting the desired results. In such a case, buying followers can prove to be cost-effective.
While you are required to invest upfront, it may still give a better return on investment as compared to conventional advertising methods. This is particularly true for new accounts that are trying to establish themselves.
The Cons of Buying Followers
Low Engagement
One concerning downside of buying followers is the risk of low engagement. In many cases, accounts end up purchasing followers or likes from SMMs that provide bots or inactive accounts. This implies that these added followers will not be interacting with your content. This may lead to a discrepancy between your follower count and actual engagement.
Platforms like TikTok and Instagram give high value to engagement. So, if your engagement is low, it can hurt your visibility over time.
Risk of Spam
Buying followers from a low-quality service can also lead to an increased influx of spam accounts. These accounts not only fail to engage with your content but can also clutter your notifications. This may make it harder for genuine engagement to take place.
Unsustainable Growth
When you purchase followers, you may notice an instant boost in your count and visibility. However, in some cases, this growth may not be sustainable. As mentioned earlier, sites often provide inactive or fake accounts. Over time, these accounts will drop off, which will then lead to a decrease in your follower count.
Risk to Your Account
Fake followers or engagement from bots is considered a violation of the terms of service of social media platforms, including Instagram and TikTok. This may lead to account penalties, shadow banning, or even account suspension. If your account is for your business or brand, losing access to your account can have severely negative consequences.
What to Consider When Buying Followers
As you can see, there are benefits as well as cons of buying followers. However, buying followers can have negative implications when you opt for a poor-quality service provider. This is why you must ensure to choose a provider that has a reputable service! Do your research and ensure that the service offers genuine accounts and does not make claims only.
When it comes to placing your order for followers or engagement, ensure that the service provides a gradual delivery to make the growth appear natural and organic. It is because an instant boost in your follower account can raise red flags and make your account activity look suspicious.
Also, always remember that reliable service providers do not ask for your account passwords and provide effective after-sales customer support.
You can then choose a package based on your needs. Packages usually tend to range from a few hundred to thousands so that you can pick according to your growth objectives.
Final Thoughts
The decision to purchase followers for your Instagram or TikTok account would ultimately depend on your growth goals. If you are looking for a quick boost and are aware of the potential pitfalls of purchased engagement, it can be a viable option.
At the same time, you must keep in mind that success on social media does not come from numbers only. You must invest time and effort in making valuable content and building a genuine connection with your audience. This will lead to a more sustainable and rewarding social media presence!
