Instagram has become a hub for celebrities and influencers to build their brands and connect with followers. However, not all followers are real. Fake followers, including bots and inactive accounts, are rampant on the platform, inflating follower counts without contributing to genuine engagement. Several global and Indian celebrities have been identified as having significant numbers of fake followers. Here’s a detailed look at who tops the list.
1. Ellen DeGeneres (49% Fake Followers)
According to a report by the Institute of Contemporary Music Performance (ICMP), talk show host Ellen DeGeneres has the highest percentage of fake followers on Instagram, with 49% of her audience being classified as fake.
Ellen’s profile, which boasts millions of followers, is susceptible to fake accounts that distort her actual influence.
See also: Who Has the Most Fake Followers on Instagram in India?
2. BTS (47% Fake Followers)
The globally popular South Korean boy band BTS also has a significant portion of fake followers, with around 47% of their total Instagram followers being identified as fake.
Despite their massive and highly engaged fanbase known as the “ARMY,” the sheer scale of their following inevitably includes a large number of fake or inactive accounts.
3. Kourtney Kardashian and Taylor Swift (46% Fake Followers)
Both Kourtney Kardashian and Taylor Swift are tied with 46% fake followers.
As two of the biggest influencers on social media, these celebrities have millions of followers, but nearly half of them are not actively engaging with their content.
4. Ariana Grande (46% Fake Followers)
Pop star Ariana Grande is also reported to have 46% fake followers. Despite being one of the most followed people on Instagram, a large percentage of her followers are either bots or inactive users
Indian Celebrities with the Most Fake Followers
While many global stars are plagued by fake followers, Indian celebrities are no exception. Here’s a look at the top Indian personalities with inflated follower counts:
1. Deepika Padukone (45% Fake Followers)
Among Indian celebrities, Bollywood actress Deepika Padukone leads the list with 45% of her Instagram followers being fake
Despite her global presence and real fan base, a significant portion of her followers are not actively engaging with her content.
2. Priyanka Chopra (43% Fake Followers)
Another Bollywood icon, Priyanka Chopra, has 43% fake followers.
Her international fame from her crossover into Hollywood has contributed to a large, yet inflated, follower count on Instagram.
3. Virat Kohli (43% Fake Followers)
Cricket legend Virat Kohli also shares the 43% mark for fake followers. As one of the most followed sports figures globally, Kohli’s profile is home to millions of followers, though a substantial number are fake
Why Are Fake Followers a Problem?
Fake followers distort the reality of an influencer’s reach and engagement. While follower count is often seen as a measure of influence, fake followers contribute nothing to meaningful interactions such as likes, comments, or shares. This lack of engagement can negatively affect how content is prioritized by Instagram’s algorithm, leading to fewer people seeing posts in their feeds.
For brands and advertisers, fake followers can be problematic because they lead to wasted marketing efforts. When followers don’t engage with content, sponsored posts and endorsements don’t reach the intended audience, reducing the value of influencer marketing campaigns.
How Fake Followers Are Identified
Studies such as those by the ICMP use a combination of tools and analytics to identify fake followers. These tools scan for patterns such as unusually low engagement rates, accounts with incomplete profiles, and users who follow thousands of accounts but have very few followers themselves. Through these methods, they can estimate the percentage of fake followers for any given account.
Conclusion
Instagram is a powerful platform for influencers, but fake followers are an issue that even the biggest stars face. Ellen DeGeneres, BTS, Deepika Padukone, and others have millions of followers, yet a significant proportion of their audiences are not real. For brands and advertisers, it’s important to look beyond follower counts and focus on engagement and authenticity when partnering with influencers.
