Instagram bots: how they work and how to use them
Instagram bots are becoming increasingly popular, but they also raise some questions: Do they deliver what they promise? Are they more cost-effective to use than manual efforts? Are they approved? In this article, we look at the pros and cons of Instagram bots.
“Quickly gaining tens of thousands of Instagram followers”
Our experience with Instagram bots
We have carried out a number of test projects on Instagram in recent months. Of course, the topics of Like and Follow Instagram bots also play a role here. The idea of bots is quickly explained: social bots automatically comment, like and follow other users on Instagram 24/7 after selecting certain hashtags. This brings accounts a lot of interaction with relevant content and users. This interaction then generates lots of new likes and subscribers for your own Instagram profile.
Are Instagram bots allowed?
No, Instagram’s terms and conditions do not allow automated bots. This is understandable, as they have a negative impact on the platform in the long term. The API, which is used by all bots to interact with Instagram, is an interface that is not officially documented – and therefore cannot actually be used – and is used by the Instagram app to interact with the platform.
Risks of Instagram bots
The biggest risk is the complete blocking of the Instagram account. Out of 30 accounts that tested bots, we only noticed 2 bans. And that’s with quite aggressive bot settings (a new follow every second). Other risks include a lack of knowledge about what content the bots like. This leads to considerable problems, especially for people and brands in the public eye. Instagram is also trying to close all Instagram bots; in our test phase, for example, Instagress was closed.
Possibilities of Instagram bots
In addition to interacting with the platform, Instagram bots can also be used to send messages to new followers. This makes perfect sense, as users reward a personal welcome message with increased interaction. The fully automated publishing of content is also only possible via Instagram bot. However, the official app and Api do not offer this option.
How do you get Instragram followers faster?
Bots are a variant that involve a lot of risk, but at the same time enable extremely rapid growth in followers and likes. Fully automatic account boosts are convenient and provide a reach that you can turn into money as an influencer. In addition to purchased ads, you can also play the “bot” yourself and simply like everything and follow everyone. This allows your reach to grow quickly and Instagram will most likely not sanction this behavior.
Do Instagram bots bring more likes and subscribers?
We have seen new accounts with only stock photos that had over 10,000 subscribers within 10 weeks – without any advertising. The accounts’ high interaction rate of around 16 hours a day clearly speaks in favor of bots.
How can you recognize Instagram bots?
The incentive to use bots is particularly high for influencers who earn their money via Instagram. It is therefore important for companies to check at an early stage whether potential Instagram influencers are using bots or not. This is done by monitoring Instagram statistics and data. These enable automatic analysis and show indications of bots or other “tricks”. One of the best free services for this analysis is Socialblade. However, the data and the automatic ranking should be critically scrutinized. If you notice abnormal fluctuations in the number of followers and likes, you should bear in mind that these can also be generated by campaigns and newsletters. However, Socialblade is well suited as an initial indicator. For companies, we offer to analyze social media profiles and make a recommendation based on the statistical data. If you are interested, simply get in touch with us.
Case study 1: Fashion company on customer interaction
Background
An up-and-coming fashion company uses an Instagram bot to automate interaction with its followers and strengthen customer loyalty.
Use
The bot automatically responds to frequently asked questions about products, sizes and availability, which takes the pressure off customer service. In addition, the bot sends personalized messages to followers who have visited the profile or interacted with posts to inform them about new collections and special offers.
Result
The company recorded a 40% increase in interactions and a 25% increase in the conversion rate. Customers appreciate the fast response time and the personalized approach.
Case study 2: Travel blogger on community interaction
Background
A travel blogger uses an Instagram bot with an auto-comment function to encourage interaction with the community.
Use
The bot searches posts for specific travel hashtags and leaves comments such as “Have you visited this place? I love it!” or “Great tips! I need to try this too!” This triggers a conversation with other travelers and arouses interest in its profile.
Result
The travel blogger recorded a 35% increase in followers and increased interaction with his posts. Thanks to the automated comments, he was able to quickly get in touch with other users and grow his community.
Case study 3: E-commerce company to increase reach
Background: An e-commerce company that sells clothing and accessories uses an Instagram bot with an autolike function.
Use: The bot automatically interacts with relevant hashtags and posts in the fashion industry by liking the posts of potential customers and influencers. In addition, the bot automatically leaves comments such as “Great look!” or “I love this style!” to attract attention and encourage interaction.
Result: Within three months, the company was able to increase its number of followers by 50% and significantly boost its engagement rate. The automation allowed the team to focus on creating new content, while the bot increased the brand’s visibility.
Some of the tools we have tested
Here are some of the Instagram bot platforms we tested that offer chatbot functionality as well as autolike and auto-comment features
Jarvee
Description: Jarvee is a powerful automation software that supports a variety of social media, including Instagram. It offers features for automated liking, commenting and following as well as chatbot options.Features:
Instazood
Description: Instazood is a popular Instagram bot that offers a variety of automation features. It enables liking, commenting, following and also sending automated direct messages.
Features:
SocialBee
Description: SocialBee is a comprehensive social media management platform that offers Instagram automation features. This includes scheduling posts, liking and commenting.
Features:
MobileMonkey
Description: MobileMonkey is a platform that offers chatbot solutions for various social media, including Instagram. It focuses on the automation of customer interaction.
Features:
Combin
Description: Combin is an Instagram growth tool that focuses on automating actions such as liking, commenting and following. It also provides analytics on performance.
Features:
Phantombuster
Description: Phantombuster is an automation tool that offers a variety of features for social networks, including Instagram. It can be used for liking, commenting and scraping data.Features:
Chatfuel
Description: Chatfuel is a platform for creating chatbots and supports Instagram. It allows companies to configure automated messages and responses.Features:
Automated bots can provide valuable support for companies, especially when it comes to automating routine tasks and increasing efficiency. However, we need to keep in mind the potential risks and challenges. The use of bots, especially in the social sphere, can easily dehumanize interactions and jeopardize customer trust.
Till Neitzke
Conclusion: The best alternative to risky, fully automated Instagram bots
We advise brands not to use fully automated bots, as this entails considerable risks for the brand. However, there is an alternative that enables excellent growth rates and involves no risk:
Semi-automatic Instagram bots
Semi-automated Instagram bots generate suggestions for likes and follows, which are then checked and implemented by a social media team. Combined with good content, suitable hashtags and sufficient interaction, this is the best alternative to the risky fully automated bots.
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