Should I Pay for Social Media Followers? (And What Really Builds Local Trust Online)
Paying for social media followers sounds like a quick win.
Spend a few pounds, and suddenly your business looks bigger online. Thousands of followers, instant credibility, and maybe a bit more attention. Right?
Not quite.
If you’re a local business trying to build real trust in your community and show up where it matters (Google, Maps, local search), buying followers isn’t just unhelpful, it can actively hurt your visibility.
Here’s why it backfires, and what to do instead if you want more of the right people to find and trust your business.
Why Businesses Buy Followers (And Why It Backfires Locally)
The appeal of buying followers is easy to understand. Big numbers look impressive. It’s social proof, and in theory, it might convince real people to follow you too.
But here’s what really happens when you buy followers:
You get bots or inactive accounts, not potential customers.
Your engagement rate tanks. Few (if any) likes, comments, or clicks.
Platforms like Instagram and Facebook notice the low interaction and show your posts to fewer people.
It makes you look less credible to actual customers, not more.
And for a local business, that’s a problem.
Because people in your area are more likely to notice when something feels off, like 5,000 followers and zero comments. It undermines trust before you've even had a chance to earn it.
Fake followers might inflate the numbers, but they deflate your reputation.
What Actually Builds Trust With Local Customers Online
If you're a small business trying to get found and chosen in your local area, you don’t need a flashy follower count, you need to show you’re real, helpful, and trusted nearby.
Here’s what actually moves the needle:
✅ A Google Business Profile That’s Fully Set Up
Claim your Google Business Profile, verify it, and keep it updated with posts, photos, services, and FAQs.
It’s often the first thing people see when they search for you, and it’s one of the strongest signals to Google that you’re relevant locally.
✅ Real Reviews (That Mention What You Do and Where)
Don’t underestimate the power of a genuine review.
Local customers trust other local voices, and reviews with details (like the service or area) can help you rank higher for nearby searches.
✅ Helpful Blog Content That Answers Local Questions
Publishing relevant blog posts that address common concerns, whether it's "how to choose a wedding cake flavour" or "why your fuse box keeps tripping", gives people value before they’ve even contacted you.
It also gives you content to share on social media that builds trust over time.
✅ Links from Local Websites
Getting mentioned (and linked) on other local business sites, blogs, or directories - ideally ones people actually read - helps Google understand that you’re part of the local network.
What to Focus On Instead of Buying Followers
Rather than chasing inflated metrics, put your energy into showing up where your actual customers already are:
On Google, searching for what you do
On Facebook, following local businesses and reading local posts
In WhatsApp chats, recommending services to their friends
On review sites, checking if you're trustworthy
That’s where the decision-making happens, not in how many followers your Instagram bio shows.
If you want more people to find your business, focus on the things that actually support that:
Optimising your website and local landing pages
Building backlinks from relevant sites (that’s exactly what Backlink – Sponsor an Example helps with)
Sharing content that answers real questions
Getting mentioned and recommended by real people
SEO and local marketing aren’t about looking big; they’re about being helpful, findable, and trusted.
So… Should You Pay for Followers?
If your goal is to build a long-term local business, the answer’s simple: No.
Fake followers might make you feel like you're making progress, but they won’t help you:
Show up in Google
Build community trust
Get real engagement
Win customers
Instead, put your time and budget into the things that grow your visibility and reputation where it counts.
Clear, useful content
Genuine reviews
Strategic backlinks
Strong SEO foundations
Because that’s how people in your area will actually find you - and stick with you.
Should I buy followers to make my business look more popular?
It might boost your numbers, but it won’t help with real engagement or local SEO - and could hurt your credibility.
Do fake followers hurt your social reach?
Yes. Platforms like Instagram and Facebook prioritise engagement. Low engagement from fake followers can reduce your visibility.
What’s more important for local SEO than social media followers?
Real reviews, Google Business updates, backlinks from local sources, and blog content targeting local searches.
What should I do instead of buying followers?
Create useful, relevant content, connect with your local community, and build backlinks that improve your Google presence.
