Some Instagram fake followers will seem like real followers or active users. However, once you have followed them back, they will send you a direct message or comment with an offer to buy additional fake followers. This shows that the account is automated.

You can use Instagram insights to learn more about your account's followers and performance. You can also view insights on your audience's engagement with specific posts, Stories, videos, Reels and Live videos. If applicable, insights and metrics about your account include paid activity as well.

Using Google image reverse search will reveal a potential red flag. The best way to find out if someone has bought their audience and has fake followers is to use a fake follower audit tool such as ours. It's a great way to find out instantly the follower quality score of an influencer's audience.