Automated systems designed to rapidly inflate an account’s follower count on a popular photo and video sharing social network are readily available. These systems often promise a large number of new followers at no monetary cost. One common application is to attempt to make an individual or organization appear more popular than they actually are, thereby potentially influencing others to follow the account.
The perceived benefits are increased social proof and potential brand enhancement. A high follower count can create an illusion of popularity and authority, which may attract genuine followers and customers. Historically, such automated methods have been employed to quickly gain influence or visibility in the social media landscape, albeit often with questionable long-term success due to platform policies.