Inactive or fake accounts that follow a user on the Instagram platform are entities commonly referred to as non-genuine followers. These accounts generally do not engage with content, contributing neither likes, comments, nor views to a user’s posts or stories. An example includes an account with no profile picture, a string of random characters as a username, and no posts of its own, yet it follows hundreds or thousands of other accounts.
The presence of these accounts can skew engagement metrics, providing a misleading representation of an account’s true reach and influence. Historically, inflated follower counts were perceived as a marker of popularity and credibility. However, contemporary understanding recognizes that authentic engagement holds greater value for building a genuine online presence and achieving business objectives. A large number of these followers can negatively impact an account’s perceived authenticity and algorithmic performance.
