Fake Instagram influencers: how to avoid them for your collaborations?

Find out how to spot and avoid fake influencers on Instagram for authentic collaborations on the social network. How to spot fake accounts.

Fake Instagram influencers: how to avoid them for your collaborations?
Emeric
Senior Content Writer @ BoostFluence
Social Media
November 12, 2023

In the burgeoning digital world, influencer marketing'on Instagram has taken off in a big way, becoming a crucial strategy for companies looking to expand their reach.

However, this digital sphere isn't without its challenges, not least the growing threat of false influencers. These imposters, artificially inflating their statistics, can undermine the effectiveness of marketing campaigns and mislead brands.

So, how do you navigate this turbulent sea and distinguish the real influencers from the imposters to avoid fake influencers?

Boostfluence, an Instagram automation tool designed for a diverse range of users, offers an effective solution. By maximizing authentic engagement and meticulously analyzing follower data, Boostfluence promises to transform your Instagram experience without even collaborating with influencers. Simply by not only increasing your visibility but also ensuring the quality and authenticity of your audience.

What'is a fake influencer on Instagram?

A fake influencer on Instagram is an account that artificially inflates its number of followers, likes, or comments.

They are sometimes called "fake influencers" or "fraudulent".

These accounts can be manipulated by people or bad bots, and they can fool brands into thinking they have a large audience and high engagement.

This can lead to wasted money and time for brands collaborating with the profiles of these false influencers.

Fake instagram influencer

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Why are fake influencers a problem?

Fake influencers pose a major problem for brands as they distort the results of influencer marketing campaigns.

In fact, if a brand works with a fake influencer, it risks spending money on a partnership that will have no impact, because the influencer's audience is actually small or non-existent.

According to a study by Influence4You and HypeAuditor, in 2019 brands spent almost $255 million unnecessarily collaborating with fake influencers on Instagram. That's why it's essential for brands to know how to spot these fake accounts.

How to detect fake influencers on Instagram

There are several methods for detecting fake influencers on Instagram. Here are some of the most effective:

1. The ratio of number of followers/number of likes

This is the most obvious criterion. A false account will generally have a large number of subscribers but few likes on its publications.

However, the number of likes isn't enough, as some influencers may have a low engagement rate for other reasons (for example, if they publish little content).

2. Comment analysis

Another method is to analyze the comments under the influencer's publications.

If the comments seem generic, repetitive, or unrelated to the publication's content, it's likely that the influencer has bought these comments.

Before any collaborations with influencers, take the time to look at the comments on their publications. It's a great indicator of audience quality.

analyze Instagram comment to assess the authenticity of an Instagram account

3. Subscriber analysis

It's also possible to analyze the influencer's subscribers. If a large proportion of his subscribers don't have a profile photo, don't have any content, or follow a large number of accounts, they are likely to be fake accounts.

4. Using detection tools

There are several tools that can help detect fake influencers.

These tools will allow you simply by pasting the link of the profile to be analyzed to know the fake subscribers it has, analyze their comments, evaluate their total reach, etc.

With just a few clicks, they'll let you analyze suspicious profiles, spot them and save you unnecessary collaboration with it.

How to avoid an influencer's fake instagram account on Instagram?

To avoid fake influencers on Instagram, here are a few checks to make:

  1. Do thorough research on the'influencer: Before collaborating with an influencer, take the time to research their account. Look at his posts, stories, website, followers, comments, and use detection tools if necessary.
  2. Be alert to red flags: A high number of subscribers with a low engagement rate, generic or unrelated comments, or an audience that seems fake or inconsistent, are all red flags that can indicate a fake influencer.
Real instagram influencer

The difference between fake influencers and virtual influencers

It's essential to distinguish between "fake influencer" accounts and "virtual influencers".

Fake influencers are real accounts using deceptive practices to inflate their stats on the social network.

Virtual influencers are entirely digitally created characters, often with credible, authentic personalities and stories. They are then considered on the same level as real content creators.

Characteristics of fake influencers:

  • Use the purchase of likes or followers to increase likes and subscribers.
  • Mostly artificial engagements and interactions. They often have many fake Instagram followers on their influencer account.
  • Lack of consistency in the quality of comments.
  • May mislead brands and potential partners.
  • Profiles often lack personality and real interactions.

Distinctive portraits of virtual influencers:

  • Entirely created by graphic designers or animators.
  • Develop real influence thanks to a fictitious but unique personality.
  • Often transparent collaborations with brands for specific campaigns.
  • Represent a new era of influencer marketing.
  • Often present on other social networks.
IA virtual influencer

Importance of'authenticity in influencer marketing

Authenticity has become a mainstay in the multi-billion-dollar influencer marketing industry.

Brands are increasingly looking for authentic collaborations with genuine influencers to guarantee a real connection with their audience. To achieve this, certain profiles are to be favored:

  • Authentic influencers: They share their real experience with the product or service, creating trust and a solid relationship with their followers.
  • Micro-influencers: Often more credible with their audience, micro-influencers offer more meaningful, personalized engagement.

Conclusion on Isntagram fake influencers

Navigating the complex world of Instagram influencer marketing can be a challenge, especially with the increasing presence of fake influencers.

However, with innovative tools like Boostfluence, brands and genuine influencers can transcend these obstacles. By providing detailed analytics and automating interactions, Boostfluence equips you to effectively spot and avoid imposters, while building a robust and authentic online presence.

Whether you're a startup, agency, or freelancer, Boostfluence is your ally to confidently navigate the Instagram ecosystem, helping you connect with real, engaged followers and propel your brand to new heights.

Wait no longer to discover how Boostfluence can revolutionize your Instagram strategy and help you attract an authentic, engaged audience.

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