Fake Followers

Bots or fake followers are a huge issue and can cause a big problem with commercial value and accurate representation. Those with millions of followers are more popular, especially on the likes of platforms such as TikTok, but who's legit, and who's faking it until they make it?

Global brands have gotten better at spotting fake followers, usually by calculating a celebrity's engagement rates. Some celebrities are not only buying followers but also buying likes to boost their engagement. In doing this, celebrities can make themselves more attractive to potential brand partners.

By using InBeat and Collabstr data, we will highlight the brands, celebrities, and influencers with the highest percentage of fake followers. We will determine which accounts are owned by a real person and which profiles have been created solely to boost a celebrity's follower count or engagement rate.

By looking at influencers and celebrities across different industries, including movies, TV, and sports, we will reveal profiles that are not as genuine as they might appear on the surface!

Jump to Results:

• Instagram Celebrities - Most Fake Followers
• Instagram Celebrities - Most Authentic Followers
• Instagram Celebrities - 100% Real Followers
• Tiktok Celebrities - Most Fake Followers
• Tiktok Celebrities - Most Authentic Followers

Instagram celebrities with the most fake followers

Ariana Grande and Khloe Kardashian top the rankings with the most bot

• 1. Ariana Grande and Khloe Kardashian

  Percentage of fake followers: 91%

  With 91% bots, Ariana Grande and Khloe Kardashian are the Instagrammers with the most fake followers. Ariana and Khloe have a colossal following of 380.3 million and 310.6 million, but 91% of them are estimated to be bots. Although Ariana may not be aware of this, over 346 million of her followers could be bots.

  Ariana's Instagram often showcases content from her latest music videos and photoshoots and promotes her makeup brand, 'r.e.m. beauty'. Khloe Kardashian's profile shows off her latest fashion collaborations, family photos, and paid posts with big brands.

• 3. Drake

  Percentage of fake followers: 84%

  In close second is Toronto's biggest rapper Drake's Instagram, with 84% alleged fake followers. Drake's Instagram has a following of 146.2 million, and 84%(122 million), are estimated to be bot followers. Drake's Instagram profile often features tour announcements and photos from his concerts. He has also posted content with his 6-year-old son, Adonis.

• 4. Selena Gomez

  Percentage of fake followers: 82%

  Selena Gomez had the third-highest number of fake followers on Instagram, as bots inflated her follower count by 82%. Selena has a mass following of 429.6 million, and on estimation, over 352 million are bot followers. Selena sparked controversy in December 2023 when she announced her break from social media, only to be back on platforms one day later, following criticism from her fans.

• 5. Kylie Jenner

  Percentage of fake followers: 80%

  Kylie Jenner placed fourth with an 80% fake followers ratio. The American socialite and businesswoman has amassed a following of 400.5 million, but over 320.4 million are expected to be bots or spam accounts. Kylie Jenner's posts consist of brand advertisements and selfies. She also regularly posts her makeup brand, 'Kylie Cosmetics', and her signature fragrance, Cosmic.

• 6. Kourtney Kardashian

  Percentage of fake followers: 73%

  Kourtney Kardashian concludes our top five accounts with the most fake followers, as 73% of her followers are estimated to be bots or spam accounts. Collectively, the Kardashian-Jenner family members have garnered more than 1.2 billion followers. Kourtney often posts photos with her husband, Travis Barker, and her children. She is often seen flaunting new looks and posing in brand collaboration posts.

Instagram celebrities with the most authentic followers

Jlo's Instagram account is one of the most authentic celebrity accounts in the world

• 1. Jennifer Lopez

  Percentage of real followers: 100%

  Jennifer Lopez has accumulated one of the most authentic Instagram profiles in the celebrity world, with 100% of her followers belonging to a real person. Other celebrities also achieved the golden ratio, but as JLo also records the highest honest following of 253.3 million, she scores first place in this category.

• 2. Chris Brown

  Percentage of real followers: 94%

  The American R&B superstar places second with 94% authentic Instagram followers. Chris Brown is known to have a particularly vocal fanbase known as "Team Breezy". They are fiercely loyal and go to great lengths to defend their idol. Chris Brown's Instagram showcases his hip-hop style and often posts his tour dates and album art.

• 3. Narendra Modi

  Percentage of real followers: 93%

  Narendra Modi placed third with 93% authentic followers. Narendra Modi is an Indian politician and the 14th Prime Minister of India. He is the most-followed world leader, head of government, and politician on Instagram, with 88.1 million followers. Narendra Modi's posts consist of event appearances and political messages.

• 4. Cardi B

  Percentage of real followers: 88%

  Cardi B has a following of 168.8 million, and it's estimated that 88% of them are genuine followers. Cardi B has gained popularity among her fans for her honesty and blunt attitude. After filing for her divorce from Offset in 2020, Cardi B recently announced that she is "single" on Instagram Live. She has since released new music and is focused on her career.

• 5. Nicki Minaj

  Percentage of real followers: 76%

  The Trinidadian rapper and singer Nicki Minaj concludes this section with 76% estimated authentic followers on Instagram. Nicki has attracted a following of 229.5 million on the platform, and over three quarters are estimated to be from real accounts. Often referred to as the "Queen of Rap", she is known for her musical versatility, animated rap flow, and alter egos. She first gained recognition after releasing three mixtapes between 2007 and 2009.

Instagram celebrities with 100% real followers

Gal Gadot, Snoop Dogg, and Salman Khan are the celebrities with the 'realest' accounts on Instagram

Many other celebrities alongside JLO achieved the golden ratio on Instagram with 100% authentic followers, including Gal Gadot, Shraddha Kapoor, Snoop Dogg, Jennie, Jisoo, Rose, and Salman Khan.

TikTok celebrities with the most fake followers

Turkish chef Burak Özdemir tops the ranking with the most bot followers

• 1. Burak Özdemir

  Percentage of fake followers: 31.3%

  With 31.3% bots, the Turkish chef and restaurateur Burak Özdemir is the TikToker with the most fake followers. Burak has amassed a massive following of 74.9 million, but 31.3% are estimated to be bot accounts. Known for his entrepreneurship, Burak Özdemir, known as CZN Burak, owns the Hatay Civilizations Table chain of restaurants, which consists of five branches: Taksim, Aksaray, and Etiler in Turkey, and overseas branches in Dubai, Dushanbe and Doha.

• 2. Carlos Feria

  Percentage of fake followers: 29.1%

  Carlos Feria is the TikToker with the second-highest percentage of fake followers, as 29.1% of his followers are estimated to be bots. The 27-year-old Youtuber has accumulated over 46 million fans and more than 1.5 billion likes on TikTok and is known for his comedy and dance videos.

• 3. Willie Salim

  Percentage of fake followers: 29%

  Willie Salim ranks third, with 29% of his followers estimated to be bot accounts. Willie Salim is a 21-year-old digital creator known for his 'williesalim' TikTok account. Willie's comedic content includes sketches, pranks, experiments, and viral challenges. He also discusses his music and celebrity interests. His content has helped him earn 52.6 million fans, but 29% are estimated to be spam or fake accounts.

• 4. Younes Zarou

  Percentage of fake followers: 28.9%

  TikTok star Younes Zarou is third, with 28.9% bot followers on the platform. Younes Zarou is a 26-year-old web star best known for his illusion videos and tutorials on TikTok. He has gained over 54.5 million followers on his account, although over a quarter are estimated to be bot accounts.

• 5. Khabane Lame

  Percentage of fake followers: 28.7%

  Khabane Lame places fifth in this category, with 28.7% of his TikTok followers estimated to be bots. Khabane Lame is a Senegal-born media personality best known for his TikTok content, in which he silently mocks overly complicated "life hack" videos. In 2022, Khabane was listed in Forbes' 30 Under 30. He has built a following of 161.8 million followers on the platform.

TikTok celebrities with the most authentic followers

Charli D'Amelio's TikTok account is one of the most authentic celebrity accounts in the world

• 1. Charli D'Amelio

  Percentage of real followers: 91%

  Charli D'Amelio has accumulated one of the most authentic TikTok accounts in the celebrity world, with 91% of her followers belonging to a real person. Charli is an American social media personality who began her career in 2019 by posting dance videos on TikTok. With a following of 152.3 million, she has become one of the top creators on the platform and has an estimated net worth of $20 million.

• 2. Billie Eilish

  Percentage of real followers: 89%

  American singer and songwriter Billie Eilish places second with 89% authentic TikTok followers. She first gained public attention in 2015 with her debut single "Ocean Eyes" and gained more than 51 million admirers on TikTok. In February 2024, her fans praised Billie's 'real' comments about influencers and TikTok creators after attending the 2024 People's Choice Awards.

• 3. BTS

  Percentage of real followers: 83%

  BTS, also known as the Bangtan Boys, is a South Korean boy band formed in 2010. The band has amassed a cult following of 64.3 million followers on TikTok, and 83% are estimated to be authentic accounts. Although the entertainment company Big Hit manages their account, their personalised videos have made a big hit on the platform, with 1.3 billion likes.

• 4. Dixie D'Amelio

  Percentage of real followers: 80%

  Dixie Jane D'Amelio is an American singer and social media personality known for her videos on TikTok. She is the elder sister of Charli D'Amelio and has built a following of 56.3 million followers, with 80% estimated to be authentic accounts. Dixie posts dance videos often alongside other TikTok creators like Bryce Hall, Daisy Keech, and her sister Charli D'Amelio.

• 5. Jack Black

  Percentage of real followers: 77%

  American actor and comedian Jack Black concludes our research of the TikTok stars with the most authentic followers, with 77% of his following belonging to real people. Jack Black has become a hit on the platform thanks to his hilarious sketches and dances. In the year 2020 amid the pandemic, the Hollywood star joined the platform and gifted his 18.6 million fans with a viral video of himself dancing to pop music wearing cowboy boots and short shorts.