The practice of acquiring an audience on a prominent photo and video-sharing social networking service through purchase is a strategy employed by some individuals and organizations. This involves exchanging monetary value for a specific number of profiles to subscribe to a given account, artificially inflating its apparent popularity.
This method is often utilized to create the perception of influence and credibility, potentially attracting genuine engagement and collaborative opportunities. Early adoption stemmed from a desire to quickly establish a strong online presence in a competitive digital landscape. However, the long-term effectiveness and ethical implications of such practices have been widely debated.