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Detecting Fake Followers: A Guide to Choosing Authentic Influencers

N

Nyakundi Report

Newsroom 2 min read

This archive report was first published on 18 May 2020.

With the power of Instagram influencer partnerships proven to impact brand sales, selecting the right influencer is crucial. However, even on this platform, fake followers can be purchased, making it challenging to choose a genuine partner.

Published on May 18, 2020, a study revealed that a simple post featuring a product and a few carefully chosen words and hashtags can lead to thousands of sales overnight.

So, how do you detect fake followers?

Methods to Identify Fake Followers

  • Examine individual followers: Look for minimal activity on their pages, such as no pictures, posts, or followers. These are known as 'dead accounts.'
  • Engagement ratio: Check the 'likes' to 'follows' ratio. A low engagement rate may indicate fake followers.
  • Comment quality: Evaluate the comments on a post. Spam comments that make no sense can be a red flag.
  • Use a tool: Utilize tools like Instacheck to detect fake followers. While accuracy may vary, these tools can provide valuable insights.

When selecting an influencer, consider their past successes, engagement rates, and the quality of their content. Be sure to ask their agents about their experiences working with other brands and the percentage of people who used their links or codes.

By being aware of these methods and taking the time to research potential influencers, you can make informed decisions and choose authentic partners for your brand.

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