Written by: Jules Samuel | Est. 6 min.
Instagram has become one of the most influential platforms for brands, influencers, and individuals looking to expand their online presence. Many people buy followers to boost their credibility and gain visibility quickly. However, it’s essential to know how to purchase followers safely and securely to avoid issues like fake followers, account suspension, or low engagement.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through the steps for evaluating a follower provider and how to avoid common pitfalls.
1. Is The Website Safe to Use?
The first thing you need to do when picking a follower provider is to ensure the supplier you choose is trustworthy. Not all services are created equal, and selecting the wrong provider can harm your account. Here are the key characteristics of a safe and reliable Instagram followers provider:
SSL Security
Always check if the website uses SSL encryption. You can spot this by looking for “https” in the URL. This security measure ensures that your personal and financial data are protected during transactions. A website without SSL encryption can expose you to potential hacks or data breaches.
Real Customer Reviews
Look for real, verifiable customer reviews before making any purchase. Third-party review sites like Trustpilot or Google Reviews are ideal because they offer more transparency. A lack of real feedback or an abundance of overly positive, generic reviews should raise red flags.
Transparent Terms of Service
A trustworthy provider will clearly explain their delivery timelines, refund policies, and whether they offer real or bot followers. If you can’t easily find this information, it’s a sign that the provider may not be reputable. It’s crucial to know what you’re getting before making a purchase.
Secure Payment Options
Only buy from providers that offer secure payment options like PayPal or credit cards. Avoid services that require cryptocurrency or bank transfers, as these methods are harder to trace if something goes wrong. Reputable services will ensure your payments are protected.
2. Common Red Flags to Watch Out For
Not every Instagram follower provider has your best interests at heart. Some services can cause more harm than good by selling you fake followers or bots. Here are some red flags to watch out for:
Instant Delivery Promises
If a provider guarantees instant delivery of thousands of followers, this is a major red flag. Real, organic growth takes time. Instant delivery often means the followers are fake or generated by bots, which can negatively impact your account in the long run.
Unrealistically Low Prices
Services offering followers at rock-bottom prices are often too good to be true. Low prices may indicate that the followers are fake, inactive, or low-quality. This can harm your engagement rate and make your account look untrustworthy.
Lack of Customer Support
Reputable services will offer responsive customer support to assist with any issues you might have. If a website doesn’t provide easy access to customer support, it’s best to avoid them. Lack of support could indicate that they don’t prioritize customer satisfaction.
No SSL Encryption
If the provider’s website does not have SSL encryption (look for “https” in the URL), your payment and personal information might not be secure. Only purchase from websites that use encryption to protect your sensitive data.
3. Make Sure Your Instagram Account is Secured
Security should be a top priority when purchasing Instagram followers. While services like Skweezer offer a safe purchasing process, there are additional steps you can take to protect your account:
Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
Two-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security to your account. Even if someone tries to access your account, they’ll need a second form of verification, such as a code sent to your phone, to gain access.
Avoid Sharing Your Password
Legitimate services will never ask for your Instagram password. If a provider requests it, consider it a red flag. Trusted services like Skweezer only require your Instagram handle to deliver followers, keeping your account secure.
Gradual Purchases
It’s better to buy followers in smaller, incremental amounts rather than making large purchases all at once. This makes your growth look more natural to Instagram’s algorithm and reduces the chances of being flagged for suspicious activity.
4. Consequences of Choosing The Wrong Provider
Buying Instagram followers isn’t just about protecting your account; there are legal implications as well. Instagram has strict rules against artificially inflating follower counts. Here’s what can happen if you break these rules:
Account Suspension
If Instagram detects that you’ve purchased fake followers or used bots to increase your follower count, they may temporarily suspend your account. This is particularly true if the followers you purchased are detected by Instagram’s algorithm as fake.
Permanent Ban
Repeated violations of Instagram’s terms of service can result in a permanent ban from the platform. This means losing all of your followers, posts, and the credibility you’ve built. Instagram takes repeated violations seriously, and buying fake followers can trigger this action.
Damage to Reputation
Beyond Instagram’s policies, purchasing fake followers can damage your credibility with real users and brands. If your follower count is artificially inflated but your engagement is low, others may see this as dishonest, which can hurt your reputation and potential business partnerships.
To avoid these risks, it’s crucial to use a legitimate service like Skweezer that complies with Instagram’s guidelines by offering real, engaged followers.
Don’t Forget To Combine Your Purchase With Organic Methods
While buying followers can give you an initial boost, it’s important to complement this with organic growth strategies. Here’s how:
- Post Consistently: Regular posting keeps your account active and helps maintain follower interest.
- Engage with Your Audience: Reply to comments, like your followers’ posts, and engage with your community to build stronger relationships.
- Use Hashtags: Hashtags can help your posts reach a wider audience. Use relevant and popular hashtags to increase visibility.
By combining these strategies with followers purchased from Skweezer, you can build a more engaged and authentic audience.
What To Do When Your Followers Drop?
It can be frustrating to find the right follower supplier only to see your numbers drop shortly afterward. Several factors can explain why you might lose followers after purchasing them:
Fake or Bot Followers
If you buy followers from a service that provides fake or bot accounts, Instagram may remove them during their regular purges. Instagram’s algorithm is designed to eliminate fake accounts, which can cause a sudden drop in your follower count.
Low-Quality Followers
Some providers may sell you real followers, but they might not be engaged or active on Instagram. These users may unfollow you soon after the purchase if they’re not genuinely interested in your content, leading to a decline in your follower count.
Instagram Algorithm Updates
Instagram is always updating its algorithm to promote authentic engagement. If your purchased followers are not engaging with your posts, Instagram may reduce your account’s visibility, leading to fewer organic followers and potentially a loss of purchased ones.
To avoid losing followers, always opt for services like Skweezer that focus on providing real, engaged users who are less likely to drop off.
Conclusion
Buying followers can be a smart strategy to boost your social proof, but it’s essential to do it safely and securely. By choosing a trusted Instagram provider like Skweezer and following the tips outlined in this guide, you can avoid the risks of buying fake followers and ensure your investment leads to real, sustainable growth.
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