Thinking to buy Instagram followers in Australia: The hidden risks and smarter alternatives

Gaining followers on Instagram can take time. For many creators, small businesses, and local brands in Australia, slow growth can feel discouraging, especially when visibility often depends on follower count. It’s no surprise that some are tempted to buy Instagram followers in Australia to boost their numbers quickly.

A report from Hypetap found that 13.3% of Australian Instagram influencers have purchased followers. This shows how common the practice has become. The idea is simple: higher numbers attract attention, and more attention can lead to real opportunities.

But buying followers comes with consequences and several hidden risks. Instagram also monitors account activity closely and may take action if it detects unusual patterns.

This blog outlines the risks involved in buying followers and offers practical ways to grow your account with real people who are interested in your content.

Why does follower count matter on Instagram

Followers are more than a number; they influence how your profile is seen and how widely your content is shared. Here are some reasons why followers matter:

• Social proof: A larger follower count can make your profile look popular and credible, encouraging more people to follow and engage. Further, for businesses, a large follower count can influence purchase decisions.
• Greater visibility: More followers can increase early engagement. This helps your posts appear in search results, suggested feeds, and the Explore section.

• More engagement: A larger audience may result in more Instagram likes, comments, saves, and shares, especially if those followers are real.
• Brand partnerships and monetisation: Many brands vet follower count before offering collaborations, sponsorships, or influencer deals. Higher follower numbers can lead to better opportunities and bigger payouts.
• Authority in your niche: A solid follower base positions you as a thought leader or influencer within your industry or interest area, helping you build trust faster.
• Boosted organic growth: People tend to follow those who already have a following. It’s a psychological bias called “the bandwagon effect.” So, having a good number of followers can help you gain more, organically.

This way, follower count plays a key role in shaping perception, expanding reach, and discovering real opportunities on Instagram, especially when those followers are genuine.

Can you buy Instagram followers in Australia?

Buying Instagram followers in Australia is possible. Several services offer follower packages aimed at Australian accounts, often promising quick increases in numbers. Many influencers and businesses turn to these services hoping to boost their profiles’ appearance and reach.

Most followers purchased through these services are inactive accounts or bots, which means engagement on posts tends to be very low. This can reduce the overall interaction rate on your profile and may raise flags within Instagram’s monitoring system. Access to followers does not guarantee meaningful growth or lasting benefits.

The appeal and risks of buying Instagram followers

Buying cheap Instagram followers can seem like an easy way to grow, but it’s important to consider both the benefits and the possible problems.

Benefits of buying followers

Here are some reasons why people buy IG followers:

• Quick credibility: Your profile looks established, which may attract real followers.
• Faster growth: Buying followers can help increase your numbers more quickly.
• Better reach: Higher follower counts can increase your content’s exposure.
• More brand attention: Some influencers or small brands hope high follower counts will help them attract sponsorships or collaborations.

Despite these benefits, there are important risks to keep in mind.

The real risks of buying followers

• Fake or inactive accounts: Many services use bots or ghost accounts that don’t engage, which can lower your engagement rate.
• Instagram’s policy violations: The platform regularly removes fake Instagram followers and may reduce your account’s visibility or restrict it.
• Damage to your reputation: If people notice fake followers, they might question your authenticity.
• Little real interaction: Purchased followers usually don’t like, comment, or share your posts, limiting your ability to build a loyal audience.
• Zero return on investment: Fake followers won’t buy from you, click your links, or help your business grow. That means no leads, no sales, no real value.
• Long-term clean-up and damage control: Removing fake followers manually is time-consuming, and it can take months to rebuild trust with your audience and the algorithm.

While the appeal of fast follower growth is real, the risks of buying Instagram followers far outweigh the benefits. Therefore, it’s important to weigh these factors carefully before deciding.

Understanding Instagram’s Terms of Service Policy

Instagram’s Terms of Service provide clear rules to keep the community safe and authentic. The official policy by Meta Platforms, Inc. states that buying or selling followers violates platform guidelines because it misrepresents real engagement and harms trust.

The policy prohibits activities such as creating fake accounts, using automation to collect data, and purchasing followers or likes. These actions interfere with Instagram’s goal of connecting people through genuine content and honest interactions.

Accounts showing signs of purchased followers, such as sudden spikes or low engagement, risk being restricted, suspended, or permanently disabled. Fake followers also reduce the reach of posts and damage the credibility of the account over time.

A key statement from Instagram’s policy says:

“You can’t sell, license, or purchase any account or data obtained from us or our Service, regardless of whether such data was obtained while logged in to an Instagram account.” (Instagram Terms of Use)

Following Instagram’s rules protects your account and helps you build an audience made up of real people who care about your content.

How to grow your Instagram organically and effectively

For results that last, focus on real growth by using these strategies:

Post high-quality content consistently

Share visually appealing, relevant, and valuable posts regularly. Consistency helps maintain audience interest and signals Instagram’s algorithm to favor your content.

Find the best time to post for maximum engagement

Analyze when your followers are most active using Instagram Insights or other analytics tools. Posting during peak activity hours increases the chance your content will be seen and engaged with.

Use relevant and targeted hashtags

Incorporate a mix of popular and niche-specific hashtags to increase discoverability. This helps attract users genuinely interested in your content or niche.

Diversify content formats

Experiment with various content types such as carousels, reels, stories, IGTV, and live videos. Different formats engage Instagram users differently, so monitor performance to identify what resonates best with your audience.

Engage actively with your community

Respond promptly to comments, DMs, and mentions. Meaningful interaction builds stronger relationships and encourages followers to stay connected and engage more.

Leverage influencer marketing

Partner with micro or macro influencers who align with your brand values and budget. Influencers can introduce your profile to a broader and more targeted audience, boosting credibility and reach.

Run contests and giveaways

Organize contests or giveaways that encourage followers to interact with your content, share it, and attract new followers who are genuinely interested in your brand.

Cross-promote your Instagram profile

Share your Instagram handle on other social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, TikTok, and your website. Cross-promotion helps drive traffic from multiple channels to your Instagram page.

Regularly monitor Instagram analytics

Use Instagram Insights or third-party tools to track key metrics such as engagement rates, follower growth, reach, and content performance. Use these insights to refine and optimize your content strategy.

Use a reliable social media management tool

Simplify content scheduling, performance tracking, and audience engagement with a social media management platform. Tools like Birdeye Social AI offer automation and in-depth analytics, helping you save time and make data-driven decisions for consistent growth.

Following these steps regularly will help build an engaged and authentic audience.

How Birdeye helped Fireman Hospitality Group grow Instagram followers the right way

Fireman Hospitality Group successfully grew its Instagram following organically by leveraging Birdeye Social to share authentic guest reviews. Key highlights include:

• Shared genuine 5-star reviews combined with engaging visuals to attract new followers
• Gained 63,000+ Instagram followers through consistent, authentic content
• Automated review sharing simplified social media management across 13 locations
• Ensured brand consistency with customizable templates for every post
• Increased engagement and built a trusted community without relying on purchased followers

This strategy strengthened their online presence and helped them stand out in a competitive dining market.

Note: Birdeye does not sell followers. We support businesses in growing their Instagram accounts through authentic engagement, content automation, and AI tools.

Real growth comes from real engagement

Buying Instagram followers may increase your numbers, but it does little to foster genuine interest or connection. Low-quality followers often lead to low engagement, and relying on artificial growth can erode your credibility over time.

If you want to grow in a way that lasts, focus on consistency, interaction, and tools that support real progress. Birdeye Social AI helps you plan, publish, and manage content across accounts, all while staying aligned with your audience’s interests.

Success on Instagram is built through steady effort and honest communication. When your followers are real, your results are too.

Frequently asked questions on buying Instagram followers in Australia

How Birdeye Social AI helps you grow on Instagram

Buying followers can give your account a quick lift, but long-term success on Instagram comes from consistent content and regular engagement. Birdeye Social AI helps you stay active, on-brand, and efficient.

Here’s how it supports your Instagram growth:

Create brand-consistent content with AI

Generate posts that match your brand voice, content style, and audience needs using smart automation.

Post at the best times to reach more people

Get AI-based recommendations on when to publish to improve reach and engagement.

Manage multiple accounts and locations efficiently

Create and publish personalized content across different profiles while maintaining a consistent message.

Use content suggestions based on your goals

Get relevant caption ideas and image recommendations that align with your audience and industry.

Simplify approvals and team workflows

Build a shared post library, manage content rules, and streamline approvals to save time and stay consistent.

Birdeye Social AI supports your content efforts, helping you build an Instagram presence that keeps followers interested and helps you grow steadily.