Why You Should NEVER Buy Social Media Accounts

Today, social media success is often measured by the number of followers an account has. This metric has become so important that a market for buying followers has flourished. 

But, beneath the surface of what seems like a quick fix to boost your online presence lies a complex web of consequences that can cause more harm than good to your brand or personal image.

Why do businesses buy social media accounts?

Growing a brand organically takes a lot of effort and time. On the surface, a high follower count suggests that a brand or an individual is either popular, influential, or trustworthy. 

For this reason, businesses buy existing social media accounts. They either want to look like they’ve already established their presence on the internet, or they’ve already gained plenty of customers in a short period of time.

This perception of popularity can translate into various assumed benefits, such as increased brand trust, a better chance of actual followers joining the bandwagon, and perceived authority in a particular field. 

However, this is precisely where the illusion lies. 

Why you shouldn’t buy social media accounts

Purchased followers are often bots or inactive accounts that do not engage with your content. They are mere numbers that contribute nothing to meaningful interaction that real engagement measures, such as shares, comments, and likes.

Plus, buying followers can damage your brand in several ways:

Loss of trust

Authenticity is a cornerstone of social media interaction. When real followers realize that a brand's following isn't organic, it can result in a severe loss of trust. For businesses, this can mean a loss of customers and revenue, while for influencers, a diminished reputation.

Poor engagement and reach

Social media platforms use engagement to determine which content gets promoted. A high number of followers with low engagement results in a lower reach for your posts, making it harder to connect with genuine users.

Risk of account suspension

Social media platforms actively combat inauthentic activity. If you're caught buying followers, you could have your account suspended, or worse, permanently banned.

Potential for scams

The market for buying followers is rife with scams. There's a risk of paying for services that don't deliver or, even if they do, the followers disappear after a while because the platforms have deleted them.

Inaccurate data

Analyzing your brand's analytics is a critical practice because it provides insights into your performance, helping you pinpoint what's working and what isn't. However, when you've got fake followers in the mix, it can throw your data completely off balance.

Fake followers can lead to a stark contrast in engagement levels compared to your genuine followers. This stark difference makes it challenging to accurately gauge the impact of your efforts. It's like trying to see a clear picture through a distorted lens.

What happens if you buy an existing social media account and make it your own?

Your followers may get a bit lost in the shuffle and might not recognize your new identity, potentially leading to some unfollows. Losing followers can be counterproductive, especially if you've been working to build a large community.

That’s why when it comes to rebranding pages, especially if it involves a significant change like your name and handle, it's important to consider the potential consequences. 

Moreover, even if your follower count doesn't plummet right away, you might notice a significant drop in your engagement rates. 

This is a common occurrence during rebranding, especially on Instagram, as it often tests the waters with your content among a smaller audience. They want to ensure that what you're posting remains relevant and interesting.

If your engagement stays low, social media platforms may interpret your content as subpar and limit its reach. This means your posts will be shown to a smaller group of non-followers, which can be detrimental to your growth strategies.

To navigate a rebrand successfully, invest a good deal of time in planning your strategy to minimize confusion among your followers. 

It might be wise to continue posting within the same theme for a while before announcing the introduction of new products or changes to maintain a sense of continuity. This careful approach can help you retain your audience and keep your growth on track.

But, we still don’t advise it. For us, establishing genuine relationships is key, and here’s why.

Building authentic connections

The path to real social media influence is through authentic connections. Here's how to build a genuine following:

Quality over quantity

It's not just about how many followers you have, but how interested they are in your content. Focus on creating high-quality posts that engage and inspire your audience.

Engage interactively

Instead of one-way communication, seek to engage your followers in dialogue. Ask questions, seek opinions, and encourage your followers to interact with your content.

Understand your audience

Use analytics to gain insights into who your followers are and what they like. Tailor your content to meet their interests and needs.

Be consistent

A regular posting schedule keeps your audience engaged and helps you stay on top of mind. Consistency also signals to social media algorithms that your content is reliable, which can boost your organic reach.

Leverage social proof the right way

Instead of buying followers, focus on gaining testimonials, reviews, and user-generated content. This type of social proof is invaluable and far more effective than a high follower count.

Networking

Build relationships with other social media users, especially those in your niche. Share their content, comment on their posts, and engage with their audience.

The ethical side of social media

There's an ethical consideration to take into account as well. Buying followers perpetuates a cycle of dishonesty and artificiality in a competitive space. 

By focusing on organic growth, you contribute to a more transparent social media landscape and set a precedent for integrity.

Hence, creating a long-term growth strategy is critical. This includes:

Setting realistic goals

Define what success looks like for you beyond the number of followers. Consider engagement, website traffic, and conversion rates as part of your metrics.

Investing in ads

If you're looking to quickly boost your visibility, invest in social media advertising. It's a legitimate way to reach potential followers who are genuinely interested in what you have to offer.

Building a content strategy

Develop a content strategy that includes a variety of post types, such as videos, images, polls, and stories. Diverse and dynamic content tends to engage followers more effectively.

Community building

Consider building a community around your brand or persona. This could be in the form of groups, chats, or hashtags. A sense of community fosters loyalty and organic advocacy for your brand.

Growing organically takes time

Growing your social media presence is neither quick nor easy. But, the rewards of an engaged and loyal following are worth the effort. 

While the idea of instantly boosting your follower count through purchases may seem tempting, the risks and long-term disadvantages far outweigh any potential short-term gains. 

By committing to authentic growth strategies, you not only enhance your social media presence. You also build a foundation of trust and reliability with your audience that can't be bought.

Plus, investing in genuine growth and engagement not only elevates your social media status but also upholds the values of authenticity and trustworthiness that are increasingly important to modern consumers. 

The true power of social media doesn't lie in the numbers game. But in your ability to create real human connections and communities around shared values and interests.

In the end, quality engagement, ethical practices, and meaningful content will always carry the day over the hollow victory of inflated follower counts.

By adopting these principles and focusing on real interactions, businesses and individuals alike can achieve not just a following, but a dedicated community that will provide real value and sustain their presence on social media for the long haul.