banned from buying followers on Instagram
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In the digital age, social media presence is crucial for individuals and businesses alike. Instagram, one of the leading platforms, has seen a surge in users looking to boost their visibility through various means, including the controversial practice of purchasing followers. 

But does buying followers on Instagram get you banned? The short answer is yes. Instagram’s policies are stringent when it comes to maintaining the authenticity of its community, and buying followers can have significant repercussions. Let’s delve deeper into the specifics.

Can Buying Followers on Instagram Get You Shadowbanned?

Instagram employs a practice known as shadowbanning to penalize accounts that engage in behavior against their guidelines, including buying followers. A shadowban restricts the visibility of your posts, making them less likely to appear in your followers’ feeds and in search results. 

This can severely impact your engagement and reach, essentially nullifying any perceived benefits of buying followers. 

Shadowbanned accounts may find that their posts do not appear under hashtags or in the Explore section, effectively reducing their presence on the platform without an outright ban.

Can Buying Followers Lead to Your Instagram Account Being Deleted?

While shadowbanning is a common consequence, Instagram also reserves the right to delete accounts that repeatedly violate its terms of service. Buying followers is considered a violation because it undermines the platform’s integrity and the trust of its users. 

If Instagram detects that an account has consistently engaged in purchasing fake followers, they may issue warnings or temporary suspensions. In severe cases where an account shows a pattern of persistent violations, Instagram can permanently delete the account. This step is usually a last resort, but it is a real possibility for those who continually flout the rules.

Has Anyone Been Banned For Buying Followers On Instagram?

Yes, there have been instances where users have faced severe penalties for buying followers. While Instagram does not typically publicize these actions, anecdotal evidence and user testimonials suggest that accounts with large volumes of purchased followers have been penalized. 

These penalties range from reduced reach due to shadowbanning to complete account suspension or deletion. Influencers, brands, and even regular users have reported experiencing these consequences after engaging in the purchase of followers.

Is Buying Followers Legal?

From a legal standpoint, buying Instagram followers is not illegal. There are no laws that specifically prohibit the purchase of followers. However, it is a clear violation of Instagram’s terms of service. This distinction is crucial: while you won’t face legal repercussions from a government or court, Instagram has full authority to penalize or ban your account. 

Essentially, it’s a breach of contract between you and the platform. Users should weigh the risks and understand that while they might not be breaking the law, they are still engaging in activity that could have serious consequences for their social media presence. 

Therefore, it is much safer to grow followers organically. Organic growth ensures compliance with Instagram’s policies, protects your account from potential penalties, and builds a genuine, engaged audience.

What Are the Benefits And Risks Of Buying Instagram Followers?

The allure of buying followers is easy to understand. Here are some of the most common benefits:

  • Appearance of popularity and influence: A high follower count can create a perception of being influential or popular.
  • Attracting real followers: The appearance of a large follower base might attract genuine followers who are more likely to engage with your content.
  • Brand deals and sponsorships: Brands may be more likely to collaborate with accounts that appear to have a large following.
  • Quick boost in visibility: An immediate increase in followers can enhance your profile’s visibility and perceived credibility.

However, the risks far outweigh these short-term benefits. These include: 

  • Low engagement rates: Purchased followers, often fake accounts or bots, do not interact with your content, leading to low engagement rates.
  • Damage to reputation: A low engagement rate despite a high follower count can harm your account’s reputation and make it obvious that you have fake followers.
  • Reduced reach: Low engagement can lead to reduced reach, as Instagram’s algorithm favors content that generates genuine interactions.
  • Detection by Instagram: Instagram’s algorithm can detect unusual activity patterns associated with fake followers, resulting in penalties.
  • Shadowbanning: Accounts identified as buying followers can be shadowbanned, reducing their posts’ visibility in followers’ feeds and search results.
  • Account suspension or deletion: In severe cases, Instagram may suspend or permanently delete accounts that repeatedly violate its terms of service by purchasing followers.

How To Identify Fake Followers

Identifying fake followers is essential to maintaining the integrity of your Instagram account. Fake followers typically exhibit certain characteristics:

  1. Low engagement: They rarely like or comment on posts.
  2. Incomplete profiles: Fake accounts often lack profile pictures, bios, or a reasonable number of posts.
  3. Unusual follower-to-following ratio: These accounts often follow a large number of users while having very few followers themselves.
  4. Generic or spammy usernames: They often have usernames with random letters and numbers.
  5. Irrelevant comments: When they do comment, it’s usually generic or unrelated to the post content.

The Bottom Line

While the temptation to buy followers on Instagram may be strong, the potential consequences make it a risky endeavor. 

Instagram’s commitment to authentic engagement means that users who buy followers can face shadowbanning, account suspension, or even deletion. Understanding the risks and maintaining a genuine follower base is crucial for long-term success on the platform.

The most sustainable and effective strategy to increase Instagram followers is organic growth. At SimplyGram, we use advanced techniques to target real, engaged users who are genuinely interested in your content. This approach not only boosts your follower count but also enhances your engagement rates, creating a more authentic and active community around your brand. Check out our 3-day free trial and see the difference for yourself!

Maddie Schultz
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