The practice of trading Instagram accounts, some boasting a million Instagram followers, has increasingly become a widespread phenomenon, turning into a lucrative business for many.
A few years ago, Market Watch published an article featuring a man who had successfully flipped more than 1000 Instagram accounts, ultimately making it his full-time profession. Nowadays, numerous individuals engage in buying and selling Instagram accounts across various marketplaces.
The grounds for this are varied. For the seller, the rewards are obvious, cash gains. For the buyer of Instagram accounts, the story can be a little different. There is more than one reason to buy existing Instagram accounts, and you can read about these further below.
Do people really buy and sell Instagram accounts?
It may seem slightly surprising, but there is a healthy market for Instagram accounts and for other social media platforms too. Some of these accounts are firmly established and have many followers. Perhaps somewhere in the tens of thousands for some Instagram accounts.
Other accounts for sale are often sold with the most basic profile or bio information. They may have nothing more than one or two photos in place. Sometimes, Instagram accounts like this are sold in batches very cheaply. Although they command less money than a firmly established account, they can be sold in bulk and still make it worthwhile for the seller to keep creating more.
Why would you buy an Instagram account?
One of the reasons for buying Instagram accounts is simply to flip them. Just as the property gets flipped, so do Instagram accounts. Someone can simply search for accounts from a vendor that they believe is undervaluing them, and then sell them on for a quick profit.
Some individuals will buy an Instagram account, grow it a bit more, and then sell it on. Others buy accounts for the followers. Anyone on this platform will want to know how to take action to gain more followers on Instagram. And this is one method.
A business could buy several established Instagram accounts and then use them to promote their own products to the thousands of followers they have suddenly gained. This in turn would lead the genuine account to gain some of the followers from the purchased accounts. And also increase revenue and sales.
Is it ethical and legal to buy Instagram followers?
While buying accounts can certainly lead to more followers, and also perhaps more income, it may not be a wise thing to do.
One of the mistakes when promoting a small business on Instagram that is often made is to cut corners on gaining followers. It should be made clear that purchasing Instagram followers in any way is not illegal, nor is it illegal to buy accounts.
However, there are certain ethical issues with faking a following, and potentially misleading people with fake accounts. There is also the matter of the Instagram terms of service. This states that bots, fake accounts, and the purchasing and selling of accounts are prohibited. So, while it isn’t illegal, you could find yourself kicked off the very platform you wish to make money from.
Another method for growing an audience is to use a growth service. This is an alternative to buying an account, but is it just another form of buying followers?
Are Instagram growth services a legitimate way to gain more followers?
There are different forms of growth services. One type is very much in the camp that Instagram frowns upon. The bad type of growth service simply bloats out accounts with fake followers, and at worst, bots.
These use automated software to send out favorites and posts. Many of which are clearly generated automatically, and can be spotted by other followers, and by Instagram administrators.
Yet, there are also far more professional growth services available. A legitimate Instagram growth service works to generate a genuinely organic following. This is possible because someone else will work as your account manager and spend time reaching out to other brands and individuals who appear to follow your interests.
These individuals are far more likely then to follow you in return, and interact with your posts. Bots and fake accounts are pointless because there will be no real engagement, and they can’t help you to generate more income or brand awareness.
How do you choose an Instagram growth service?
If you choose to go down the route of using a growth service, it is crucial to find one that is reputable. This is because you will have to be willing to give your login credentials to them.
This is a serious consideration when you factor in that you are handing over sensitive data to an unknown entity. Another factor is making sure that the growth service only looks to increase your following organically.
Investopedia defines organic growth as increasing output and sales internally, without making mergers or acquisitions. The term applies equally to gaining followers. They should follow you naturally rather than being purchased. A good growth service will only attempt to gain genuine followers and will avoid bots or other methods that go against the terms of service of Instagram.
What may happen with your Instagram account if you break the rules
All the social networking platforms are in a constant battle to remove fake accounts. Millions of accounts are removed each year from Instagram and other networking sites. On the subject of Facebook, it is more like billions of accounts.
If you are caught using Instagram accounts that you have purchased, or if you have been buying fake followers or have many bots on your account, you could get banned. This will severely hamper your ability to market yourself online.
You may suffer a temporary suspension, get shadowbanned which will restrict your effectiveness on Instagram, or get a complete ban.
Summary
Acquiring Instagram accounts can be a strategic method for amassing followers on a platform where Instagram has 2.35 billion users. Nevertheless, this tactic is accompanied by numerous hazards. Additionally, relying on fake accounts and bots is filled with potential pitfalls, as Instagram has honed its ability to detect and handle such devious practices.
If you can, put the time and work in to gain followers organically. If you can’t do this, then perhaps you can use an account manager. One who works for a legitimate organic growth service will manage your account and your followers for you, leaving you to concentrate on posting interesting content, and engaging with your audience.