Celebrity cheats exposed in ‘fake Instagram followers’ scam

CELEBRITIES and wannabes who fake the number of their ­Instagram “followers” are about to be caught out as the social media giant cracks down.

CELEBRITIES and wannabes who fake the number of their ­Instagram “followers” are about to be caught out as the social media giant cracks down on fake accounts.

Instagram, which yesterday became even bigger than Twitter, has started deactivating and deleting accounts that are not authentic — a move that will slash the number of followers people can claim.

Kendall Jenner is rumoured to have bought followers.

Australians who will be ­affected include celebrities, bloggers, politicians and internet personalities who have bought followers in a bid to increase their social media reach.

Instagram communications chief Gabe Madway said the crackdown would provide more transparency for ­account holders and advertisers who use the site for promotional purposes.

“Follower counts will be accurate and only reflect the actual human beings or actual accounts that are following you,” Mr Madway said.

Justin Bieber

Kendall Jenner. Picture: Getty

The fake follower scandal is a global phenomenon, with Kim Kardashian’s younger sister Kendall Jenner, as well as pop superstars Katy Perry and Justin Bieber,­ ­accused of buying followers to boost their profile.

A celebrity’s brand value is measured by their social media imprint and they in turn use that to leverage endorsement details. By banning fake accounts, advertisers will now know the real reach of their clients.

Local PR supremo Roxy Jacenko told The Daily Telegraph the move was a long time coming.

JMO: THE GAME IS UP FOR THESE ONLINE PHONIES

Justin Beiber’s Instagram account.

“A simple search of google shows how easy it is to bolster your social media following by buying followers,” She said. “It needs to be done because social media is taking up a large portion of where brands are taking advertising dollars.”

Ms Jacenko expects more than a few bloggers, celebrities and business owners who are “falsely advertising” will be left red-faced in the coming weeks. “If you are buying followers, it is a stupid way of doing business,” she said.

More than a few bloggers, celebrities and business owners who are “falsely advertising” will be left red-faced in the coming weeks.

New figures reveal more than 300 million people use Instagram each month, a rise of 100 million since March.

Just like with Twitter, Instagram will now be allocating verification ticks to public figures and to product brands in order to highlight their authenticity.

MOST FOLLOWED AUSSIE STARS

î Iggy Azalea: 6 million

îMiranda Kerr: 5.5 million

î5 Seconds of Summer: 3 million

îCody Simpson: 2.5 million

îHugh Jackman: 1.3 million

îPhoebe Tonkin: 1 million

îJennifer Hawkins: 511,000

îKylie Minogue: 736,000

îLara Bingle: 426,000

îHamish and Andy: 397,000

The Telegraph does not suggest any of these celebrities have bought Instagram followers.