Compare views with followers, read the comments, and ask where the followers live. Real followers watch and reply in full sentences. Bought followers don't. A creator who has connected their account can show numbers straight from Instagram or YouTube, which a screenshot can't prove.
Five checks you can do yourself
Open the creator's last ten posts and look at these:
- Views against followers: a big following with very few views on every post is a warning sign
- Comments: real ones talk about the video. Only emojis, "nice" or the same line again and again is a bad sign
- Who is commenting: open a few profiles. Empty accounts with no photo are likely fake
- Steady numbers: one good post among many quiet ones is normal, but a sudden jump in followers with no popular video behind it is not
- Language and place: a Telugu cooking channel should mostly have Telugu comments
Don't trust a screenshot alone
A screenshot of insights is easy to change. It is better than nothing, but ask to see the insights live on a video call, or use a platform where the numbers come straight from the account.
Why it matters more for a local business
You need people who can walk into your shop. So after asking "are these followers real?", ask "are they near me?". A real following in another state does little for a salon in Vijayawada.
What ProPop shows you
A creator with the Verified badge has connected their Instagram or YouTube account, so their numbers come straight from that account. For connected creators you can also see which cities their audience is in, plus age and gender.
Every profile is reviewed by the ProPop team before brands can see it, and each card shows a quality score. Treat the score as a guide and still do the checks above.
Common questions
Is a big follower count a bad sign?
No. Compare it with the views and comments. Real creators of any size have people who watch and reply.
Does the Verified badge mean the creator is good?
It means the numbers are real, not that the work will suit you. Watch a few of their videos too.
Do small creators have fake followers?
They can. Do the same checks whatever the size.
Next steps
More guides
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