In the world of Instagram, follower counts are often seen as a measure of success and influence. However, not all followers are real or engaged users. Fake followers—comprised of bots, inactive accounts, or fake profiles—often inflate these numbers. In India, some of the country’s biggest celebrities are reported to have significant percentages of fake followers.
Here are the top Indian celebrities with the highest proportions of fake followers on Instagram:
1. Deepika Padukone (45% Fake Followers)
Deepika Padukone, one of the biggest names in Bollywood, has the highest percentage of fake followers among Indian celebrities. According to a study by the Institute of Contemporary Music Performance (ICMP), 45% of her followers on Instagram are classified as fake.
Despite her massive international following, which includes fans from her Bollywood films and global endorsements, a significant chunk of her follower base includes inactive or bot accounts.
See also: How to Hide Your Followers on Instagram Without Making Your Account Private
2. Priyanka Chopra (43% Fake Followers)
Close behind Deepika is Priyanka Chopra, another global Bollywood icon. With a reported 43% of her Instagram followers being fake, Priyanka ranks among the top in the world for inflated follower counts(
Like Deepika, Priyanka has a massive international presence, thanks to her Bollywood and Hollywood careers, but the prevalence of fake followers is an issue affecting even the most famous profiles.
3. Virat Kohli (43% Fake Followers)
India’s cricket superstar Virat Kohli also has about 43% fake followers on Instagram
Kohli is one of the most followed athletes in the world, but even his immense popularity has not shielded him from the widespread issue of fake followers that plagues the platform.
The Issue of Fake Followers on Instagram
Fake followers are a common issue on Instagram and other social media platforms. These accounts are either bots—automated accounts that follow profiles without engaging with the content—or inactive users who no longer interact with the platform. While they inflate follower numbers, they contribute little to engagement, making the account seem more influential than it really is.
Why Do Fake Followers Matter?
Having a high number of fake followers can damage a celebrity’s or brand’s credibility. It also affects engagement metrics, as these followers do not comment, like, or share posts. This means that despite having a large follower base, actual engagement could be much lower than expected, which in turn could impact a brand’s ability to market effectively.
