Resources promising an increase in a user’s count of individuals subscribing to their Instagram feed, without monetary cost, exist online. These platforms typically offer services such as automated following and unfollowing, engagement groups, or the generation of artificial activity to inflate follower numbers. The perceived value lies in achieving a larger audience size on the social media platform.
The pursuit of an expanded follower base stems from its perceived correlation with increased visibility, influence, and potential monetization opportunities. Historically, rapid growth in followers has been viewed as a metric of social capital, leading individuals and businesses to seek methods, including those offered without direct payment, to expedite this process. Benefits are thought to include enhanced brand recognition and perceived credibility.