One day, you log into Instagram and find that your photos do not attract attention like they should.And then, those “buy Instagram followers” websites tempt you to get more followers and exposure.But first, you must understand what followers and likes are on the popular photo sharing social network.

Followers are basically other Instagram users who follow your account and your photos.They follow you because they are interested to see your photos.They follow you because they share the same hobbies and pastimes as you do.They follow you because they are curious about who that cute babe or dashing hunk on your photo is.They follow you because of the hashtags that accompany that photo.They follow you because you represent a company they like (and companies nowadays have an increasing need for social media managers in this dog-eat-dog world of social media).But most importantly, they follow you because you have a story to tell via your photos that interests them.

Likes, meanwhile, were introduced when Facebook bought the photo sharing app and website in 2012.Facebook’s mainstay, which is represented by the quintessential white-and-blue thumbs-up, was then imported to Instagram.The essence of the “like” is the enjoyment of a certain photo and the connection the user who liked the photo is making with the user who uploaded the photo – all without making an actual comment.And since a picture is worth a thousand words, expressing that enjoyment and connection without words should be implemented on a photo-centric site – and the “like” is the perfect embodiment of that expression.

Because of the introduction of likes to Instagram, sites that simply say “buy Instagram followers” not just pop out, but also sites that simply say “buy Instagram likes”.More enterprising sites even bunch the “buy Instagram followers” and “buy Instagram likes” into one comprehensive package.The practice of providing a set number of followers and likes is neither good nor bad in itself – it is the companies running the sites who are using that practice for good or for bad.

For a considerable amount of time, Instagram has introduced video sharing, seeing as most smartphones nowadays have the capability to capture and upload videos by themselves.Another service, Vine, also provides video sharing, but the videos themselves should not last more than six seconds.And like clockwork, social media optimizers are eager to capitalize on the “instant followers and likes” phenomenon to videos as is with photos.Videos are essentially moving photos, anyway.

Knowing the true essences of followers and likes on Instagram will prevent you from doing some of the stupidest acts on the site: posting not-so-wholesome photos of yourself or indecent “selfies,” especially if you are a minor and you are faking your age by flaunting a more matured look; and sharing of photos that are in violation of common sensibilities.If you have read Instagram’s terms of service, you should know that you are not supposed to post photos that contain nudity, violence, and discrimination. You also cannot post content that is discriminatory, unlawful, infringing, hateful, pornographic or sexually suggestive photos.If you violate these terms, your account could get terminated. And if you are a minor and you want to open an Instagram account, better ask your parents first.You do not want to be the reluctant target of horny guys, or worse, pedophiles, by exposing yourself to the world via Instagram.

Everyone has a natural gut feeling to be followed and liked – and social media has served to reinforce this feeling to levels never achieved before.While many marketers will advise newbies to buy Instagram followers, this strategy should be done in tandem with good content.