When Instagram users scroll through their feed, any post with a large number of likes grabs their attention. But some content makes them question why people even consider liking it, which often indicates that the engagement is generated by bots. The psychological impact can undermine the perceived credibility of the creator’s content. That’s why influencers now prefer gaining real Instagram likes over bot-driven metrics.
Real Likes vs. Bot Likes: Key Differences for Influencers
Bots are infamous for being the automated accounts that add to the meaningless interactions on an account. They, being robots, have no interest in what the content is about. The real likes come from the human users who actually see and judge before they engage. It matters a lot because Instagram really notices and rewards the content that sparks meaningful interactions.
Influencers frequently observe this pattern. A profile with 50,000 followers but just a few dozen likes per post raises red flags. At the same time, accounts with fewer followers having unusually high like counts may raise concerns about authenticity. Brands check these ratios, and if the likes are too low or high relative to followers, the engagement looks fake.
Risks of Bot Likes: What Could Go Wrong
Besides the ethical point of view, using bots is quite risky. Instagram has systems in place to detect suspicious activity, such as sudden spikes in engagement, generic comments, or excessive likes from inactive or low-quality accounts. Accounts flagged for such behavior may face shadow-bans (posts don’t show up under hashtags), limited reach, or even permanent account suspension.
One misstep can damage trust with both followers and brands. Reputation takes considerable time to build but can be quickly damaged.
Why Real Likes Bring Long-Term Value
When influencers have real Instagram likes, new visitors see posts with genuine interaction. So, they’re more likely to stick around and follow. Brands value that and offer better contracts to influencers with authentic audience engagement, as these posts are more likely to result in measurable outcomes such as sales, sign-ups, or website traffic.
A study by Influencer Hero found that accounts with lower rates of fake followers had higher conversion performance. Influencers with a real follower base saw more consistent results.
How Influencers Use Real Likes Wisely
Real likes alone do not guarantee growth; they require consistent, high-quality content to be effective. Smart influencers pair them with:
- High-quality content, like a clear message with visuals and strong captions
- Regular posting because showing up is the key in 2025
- Holding meaningful interactions by asking questions and prompting discussions
- Balancing bought real likes with organic growth
For example, a fashion micro-influencer may purchase likes for an initial launch post, but back it up with behind-the-scenes content, personal stories, and active comments.
AfterWord
For sustainable Instagram growth, both brands and influencers benefit from building or buying real Instagram likes as part of a broader engagement strategy. But if the goal is just a temporary hype before your Instagram presence goes up in smoke, relying on bot-boosted engagement will be enough.