Social media influencers are known for having huge followings and generating viral content. But how much of their success is authentic, versus manufactured by purchasing followers and engagement? This issue has come into focus recently with the rise of TikTok.
TikTok is a short-form video app that has exploded in popularity over the past few years. It was the most downloaded app of 2020 and currently has over 1 billion monthly active users worldwide (https://www.businessofapps.com/data/tik-tok-statistics/). With its huge user base and powerful algorithm that can make videos go viral, TikTok has become an extremely competitive platform.
In this article, we’ll explore the world of buying TikTok likes and followers. We’ll cover the reasons people do it, the potential benefits and risks, and whether it’s ultimately worth it. We’ll also provide tips for how to safely purchase followers if you decide to go that route. By the end, you’ll understand the pros and cons of buying engagement on TikTok so you can make an informed decision.
What Are TikTok Likes and Followers?
TikTok likes and followers are key metrics that measure an account’s popularity and engagement on the platform. When other users like or follow your account, it signals to the TikTok algorithm that your content resonates with the audience. This in turn boosts your visibility and reach.
On TikTok, likes are represented by a heart icon that users can tap to show appreciation for a video. The number of likes on a video indicates how many times it has been liked. More likes generally means a video is entertaining, informative, or striking a chord with viewers.
Followers are users who subscribe to your account to receive updates whenever you post new videos. Having more followers means more people will see your content on their For You feed. Follower count is important because it demonstrates your ability to consistently create content that makes users want to see more from you.
In summary, TikTok likes and followers signal your content’s quality and appeal. Higher engagement stats will improve your account’s authority in the eyes of the TikTok algorithm. This makes it more likely for your videos to go viral and be shown to new viewers who will like and follow you in return.
Why Do People Buy TikTok Likes and Followers?
Many TikTok users buy likes and followers to appear more popular and increase their chances of getting featured on the platform’s “For You” page, which surfaces viral and trending videos. According to one Reddit user’s experience buying TikTok engagement, buying followers and likes can boost your visibility on the For You page by making the algorithm think your content is resonating with viewers.
Influencers and creators may also buy TikTok likes and followers to seem more influential and attract real, organic followers. As noted by SeoDesignChicago.com, purchased engagement can make an account look popular and established, which inspires real users to follow and interact with that account. This is especially useful when trying to get a new TikTok profile off the ground.
Finally, some users buy engagement simply for clout and social validation. Having an impressive like and follower count satisfies people’s desire for popularity and status on social media. The perceived influencer credibility gained from bought TikTok stats may also bring a sense of accomplishment.
Benefits of Buying TikTok Likes and Followers
There are some potential benefits to buying TikTok likes and followers, especially when just starting out on the platform. One major benefit is the ability to quickly boost your popularity and perception of influence. When an account has a high number of likes and followers, it signals to the TikTok algorithm that the content is resonating with viewers.
This can lead to a quick boost in views and engagement in the beginning as the algorithm starts recommending the videos more due to their initial traction. As one article states, “When users see a video with a high number of likes, they’re more inclined to check it out and engage with it as well, thinking that it must be good quality content if so many people have liked it already” (Source).
Having more likes and followers makes an account appear more established and influential. This perception can help attract real followers who want to engage with popular creators. According to one source, “If you’re worried about making genuine connections with your followers, purchasing followers can help you build real relationships with your audience. If you already have a decent following, real users will be more inclined to follow you and watch your content.” (Source).
So in summary, buying some likes and followers early on can jumpstart growth and credibility on TikTok. However, the benefits are generally short-lived, and there are risks involved as well.
Risks of Buying TikTok Likes and Followers
While some may be tempted to take short-cuts and buy likes and followers, there are notable risks involved with this approach. First and foremost, purchasing followers or likes is against TikTok’s terms of service. As stated in TikTok’s Community Guidelines (https://www.tiktok.com/community-guidelines?lang=en), artificially inflating popularity via third-party services is strictly prohibited.
In addition to violating TikTok’s rules, bought likes and followers often drop off quickly after being added. Services providing fake engagement typically rely on fake accounts and bots to deliver likes and followers. These inauthentic accounts are regularly deleted by TikTok, resulting in sharp drops in follower counts. Any temporary vanity metrics boost will soon disappear.
Having significant numbers of fake followers also hurts your overall engagement rate, since bought accounts do not actually watch or interact with your content. This reduced engagement rate means your real content will not perform as well in TikTok’s algorithm. Your videos are less likely to be promoted by TikTok if your viewer retention and likes per video count are low.
In summary, any perceived benefits from purchasing likes or followers are short-lived and outweighed by the risks of violating TikTok’s rules and hurting your account’s integrity. Authentic growth takes more work but pays off in the long run with real fans.
How to Safely Buy TikTok Likes and Followers
While buying TikTok likes and followers can help grow your account, the process comes with some risks if not done properly. Here are some tips for buying likes and followers safely:
Choose an established provider with good reviews – Stick to reputable sites that have been around for a while and have many positive customer reviews. Avoid any providers that seem sketchy or too good to be true. According to the Times-Standard, “The best site for buying TikTok likes is UseViral.com”.
Start slowly and stagger delivery – Don’t buy thousands of likes and followers all at once. Start with smaller orders delivered over a few weeks. Natural-looking growth takes time.
Focus on quality over quantity – The legitimacy of the accounts matters more than the sheer number. High-quality likes and followers from real users will be more beneficial for your account.
Signs of Fake TikTok Likes and Followers
There are a few telltale signs that someone’s TikTok likes and followers may be fake or purchased. Some key things to look out for include:
Massive spikes in likes/followers – A sudden influx of likes or followers over a short period that seems unnatural could indicate bought engagement. According to Sociality, look for accounts whose likes and followers suddenly shoot up without explanation.
Followers from unrelated regions – An account with a large portion of followers from countries unrelated to their target audience or content is suspicious. This signals the likes/followers were randomly generated rather than organically gained.
Low engagement rate – Engagement rate compares likes and comments to follower count. Fakers tend to have an extremely low rate since the followers are not real. Check if the number of likes per post is only a fraction of their follower count.
Alternatives to Buying Likes and Followers
While buying likes and followers may seem like a quick fix, there are better and safer ways to grow your TikTok following organically. Here are some effective alternatives to avoid the risks of buying fake engagement:
Use relevant hashtags and trends – Leverage popular hashtags and trending sounds that are relevant to your niche. This helps put your content in front of target audiences that are more likely to engage with your profile. You can find trending hashtags and sounds using TikTok’s own discovery tabs.
Collaborate with other creators – Team up with complementary creators to cross-promote each other’s content. This is a mutually beneficial way to tap into each other’s existing follower bases. You can do shoutout exchanges, guest features in videos, etc.
Run promotions and contests – Contests, giveaways and other interactive campaigns are a proven way to generate more followers. They incentivize users to follow you in order to participate. Make sure the prizes align with your target audience.
Is Buying Likes and Followers Worth It?
When considering whether buying TikTok likes and followers is worth it, you’ll want to weigh the potential rewards against the risks. While an influx of likes and followers may provide a short-term boost, the gains are often fleeting and could end up doing more harm than good if not done carefully.
Purchased likes and followers are not likely to translate into true engagement or a long-lasting audience. Many of the services providing fake likes use bots or inactive accounts. This means the interactions won’t represent real people truly interested in your content.
There’s also the risk that platforms like TikTok may detect the inauthentic activity and penalize your account. At best, bought likes and followers will vanish quickly. At worst, your account could get shadowbanned or suspended.
Instead of buying popularity, it’s better to focus on creating high-quality, shareable content that resonates with your target audience. Let your content speak for itself and attract real followers naturally over time. Patience and persistence tend to pay off much better than quick fixes.
While buying TikTok likes and followers may be tempting, it’s difficult to know which services you can actually trust. And the potential downsides usually outweigh the temporary boost. Ultimately, it’s smarter to grow your account and following organically.
Conclusion
In summary, buying TikTok likes and followers can seem tempting as a shortcut to grow your account. While it may provide an initial boost, the benefits are short-lived and come with significant risks. Fake engagement from bots and inactive accounts can actually hurt your reach. Plus, buying likes goes against TikTok’s terms of service and can get your account banned.
The safest approach is to grow your TikTok account organically. Focus on creating high-quality, engaging content, using relevant hashtags, collaborating with others, and participating in trends. Engage genuinely with your audience by liking, commenting and building relationships. Patience and consistency are key – real growth takes time, but pays off in the long run with an authentic, active follower base.
While buying likes is risky and unsustainable, services that connect you with real human users interested in your niche can be worthwhile. Just be sure to vet providers carefully. At the end of the day, buying engagement should be seen as a supplement to, not a replacement for, organic growth strategies.
