The practice of purchasing individuals’ attention on a particular social media platform during real-time video broadcasts involves financial transactions intended to inflate viewership numbers. This involves engaging third-party services that promise to add to the audience count during an active live stream on Instagram, providing a seemingly larger presence. As an example, a user might contract with a vendor to provide hundreds or thousands of simulated or real accounts to watch their live video, boosting the visible viewer count.
This activity is often undertaken with the goal of creating the perception of heightened popularity and influence. Increased viewer numbers can serve as a form of social proof, potentially attracting organic viewers who are drawn to content that appears to be widely watched. Historically, the pursuit of increased social media metrics has been driven by aspirations for brand recognition, advertising revenue, and overall online visibility.