Why You Should Not Buy Instagram Reel Views • Spotlight (2024)

Instagram Reels have become a powerful tool for content creators to showcase their creativity in short, engaging videos.

Due to its strong potential, brands and individuals come up with various ways to boost their reach on the platform, including buying artificial Instagram Reel views. However, is purchasing views the best way to grow your account?

In this article, we look at the negative consequences of such practices and, more importantly, uncover effective tips for growing your Instagram account organically.

The importance of Instagram Reel views

Around 2.35 billion people interacted with reels every month in 2023, making it a great platform to grow your brand. Because of that, view count has become one of the most important metrics for measuring your success on the platform.

This results in numerous services offering artificial engagement like botted followers, likes, and Instagram Reel views. This can be tempting for those who just started building their brand on the platform and want a shortcut to significant growth.

However, in the next part of the article, we will explore why buying Instagram Reel views can negatively impact your account.

Disadvantages of buying Instagram Reel views

While buying engagement might seem like a good way to boost your account growth quickly, it is not very sustainable for various reasons. Let’s take a look at five main reasons why you should avoid buying Instagram Reel views.

1. Inauthentic engagement

One of the main attractions of purchasing Instagram Reel views is the promise of instant fame. The thought of your content going viral and attracting a massive audience overnight can be captivating.

However, purchasing Instagram Reel views often means getting inauthentic engagement. The views may come from fake accounts or automated services, diminishing the real connection with your target audience.

This usually results in a lack of genuine engagement and conversion after buying views. The numbers might go up, but the authenticity of your audience could be compromised.

2. Bad algorithm performance

Instagram’s algorithm is designed to prioritize content based on genuine user engagement. When views are artificially inflated, the algorithm may incorrectly interpret the content’s popularity, leading to skewed distribution and reduced reach.

The algorithm’s purpose is to provide users with content that is relevant and engaging. When fake views disrupt this process, it diminishes the likelihood of your content being shown to the right audience.

This can result in a decline in overall visibility, limiting the organic reach that authentic engagement would otherwise facilitate.

Additionally, purchasing views will distort the information on your Instagram’s analytics tool. This will prevent you from getting clear engagement data for your long-term content planning.

Ultimately, purchasing views disrupts the algorithm’s ability to accurately assess and promote content, negatively impacting the overall performance of your Instagram Reels.

3. Damage to your credibility

It is relatively easy to spot the pattern of artificially boosted Instagram content. For example, the Reel may have thousands of views but minimal interaction in terms of likes, comments, or shares. The bad news is, your followers can also spot the sign.

Purchasing Instagram Reel views can damage credibility by creating a facade of popularity that lacks authenticity. Audiences value genuine engagement and are likely to identify inconsistencies in artificially inflated view counts.

When followers discover that views were purchased, it erodes trust and raises questions about the legitimacy of your content and brand. Credibility is crucial in maintaining a loyal and engaged audience.

Authentic growth, driven by meaningful interactions and quality content, builds a solid foundation for credibility.

In contrast, resorting to purchased views signals a shortcut that undermines the trustworthiness of your online presence, potentially leading to a decline in follower confidence and participation.

4. Risk of penalties

Purchasing Instagram Reel views might get your account penalized. Instagram’s Terms of Use states:

You can’t sell, license, or purchase any account or data obtained from us or our Service.

This includes attempts to buy, sell, or transfer any aspect of your account (including your username); solicit, collect, or use login credentials or badges of other users; or request or collect Instagram usernames, passwords, or misappropriate access tokens.

While the guidelines don’t explicitly mention “Reel views” or other specific features, the purchase of engagement, including views, is generally considered a violation. Penalties can range from reduced visibility to account suspension, jeopardizing your online presence.

The worst scenario as you build your Instagram account is getting banned by the platform. Additionally, buying views from an untrusted vendor may expose your account to various security risks.

5. Waste of resources

Purchasing Instagram Reel views can be a wasteful allocation of resources primarily due to its lack of genuine returns. Financial investments in fake views do not translate into meaningful engagement, brand visibility, or a loyal audience.

Instead, these resources could be better utilized in authentic strategies that contribute to long-term growth, such as creating high-quality content, engaging with followers, and employing targeted marketing efforts.

Authentic investments not only yield more sustainable results but also enhance the credibility of your brand or content. In contrast, buying views provides only a temporary and superficial boost, offering little to no value in building a lasting and valuable online presence.

How to get Instagram Reel views organically

If you want to boost your presence on Instagram, consider focusing on organic strategies. Here are some tips on how to get Instagram views fast without resorting to shortcuts:

• Create engaging content: Craft content that resonates with your target audience. Use storytelling, humor, or educational elements to capture their attention.
• Consistent posting: Maintain a regular posting schedule to keep your audience engaged. Consistency is key to building a loyal following.
• Utilize hashtags: Strategic use of relevant hashtags can broaden the reach of your content and attract users interested in your niche.
• Collaborate with others: Partnering with other influencers or businesses in your industry can expose your profile to a wider audience.
• Cross-promote on other platforms: Another great way to increase your account’s reach is by promoting your Instagram content on other platforms like your personal website. You can use WordPress plugins like Spotlight to showcase your Instagram content on your web page.

Spotlight makes embedding your Instagram feed hassle-free. All you have to do is connect your account with the plugin and Spotlight will automatically integrate your feed into your WordPress site.

It also offers a wide range of customization options to ensure your Instagram feed matches your site’s overall aesthetic.

Conclusion

A high view count on your Instagram Reels can be a sign of success in the platform. However, when you purchase the views for your content, it can be hard to determine if your content is performing well.

Buying Instagram Reel views may also have several negative impacts on your account, including:

• Inauthentic engagement
• Bad algorithm performance
• Damage to your credibility
• Risk of penalties from Instagram
• Waste of resources

Instead of resorting to shortcuts, we recommend focusing on building a genuine, engaged audience through organic strategies. This approach will help you find long-term success that stands the test of algorithmic scrutiny.

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