Does Buying Instagram Likes Work? A Guide for 2025

In 2025, the Instagram algorithm continues to prioritize strong, early engagement signals on posted content. That is quite a mouthful, but what does it mean?

Plainly stated, the algorithm wants you to increase the Instagram engagement you get around your content. When you get a lot of likes, views, comments, and shares, the algorithm will promote your posts to other active users.

Instagram likes, in particular, are valuable not only for activating the algorithm but also for building social proof on the platform.

The reality, however, is that likes are not that easy to come by. Some content creators post content faithfully every day, only to get zero engagement.

For this reason, many of them (including influencers) use services that allow them to buy real Instagram likes or even Instagram followers.

But does this still work in 2025?

Common Questions About Purchasing Instagram Likes

Those who want to buy likes on Instagram often wonder, do purchased likes come from real accounts, or are they all fake accounts?

The answer is two-fold. Some websites will sell you only spam or bots for incredibly low prices. Then, some websites genuinely want to help Instagram creators thrive. These websites only offer and deliver real Instagram likes.

What Happens If You Buy Fake Likes?

If you fall for the fake likes scam, your metrics will inflate briefly on Instagram. Shortly after they inflate, they will drop back down, alerting the Instagram algorithm to the fake likes you bought.

When you buy from a legit Instagram likes provider, this won't happen. You will receive only real likes provided by real Instagram users with real Instagram accounts.

What About Going Viral on Instagram?

Another burning question is, will buying likes make me go viral? The answer is the same as the above.

If you get your posts boosted with bought likes, they must come from a reputable platform. If you buy from a dodgy website, you will inevitably get dodgy bots and spam accounts.

Buying from a legit platform will give you the boost you need to potentially go viral on Instagram. However, keep in mind that you must also have high-quality content, creative captions, and incorporate a few trending sounds and viral elements.

If you don't put in the effort with your Instagram posts, boosting them will be pointless.

How Safe Is It to Buy Instagram Likes?

Buying from a fly-by-night platform using your personal card or banking details is a terrible idea. A trustworthy provider provides secure payment gateways, like any other online platform you buy services or products from. These include options like Apple Pay.

Also, you should never buy from a platform that requests your Instagram password. Legit Instagram growth websites need only your Instagram username to deliver the purchased likes to your posts.

Pros and Cons of Buying Instagram Likes

Now that you know how to get real likes on Instagram in 2025, let's examine the pros and cons.

Pros

Buying likes gives your post an edge in terms of engagement on Instagram. It also enhances your social proof as a social media content creator. Furthermore, if you buy high-quality likes from a reputable website, your content may be promoted on Instagram Explore.

If you buy from a website that offers a guaranteed instant delivery option, you can time your paid boosts with new Instagram posts.

Some websites offer auto-likes or split likes across multiple posts. These features can mimic organic growth until your account starts to actually grow organically.

Cons

Unfortunately, as mentioned above, not all likes are of the same quality. Many websites promise real likes but provide fraudulent or inactive accounts.

Fake likes will undermine your credibility on Instagram, which is not easy to undo. If your engagement rate is low (lots of likes with no comments or shares), you may also be penalized by Instagram's algorithm.

This is why it is crucial to buy genuine accounts only from a trustworthy growth platform. If you don't, the likes you buy will drop off abruptly, leaving you back where you started, or worse off.

How to Choose an Instagram Likes Provider in 2025

If you'd like to buy real Instagram likes, follow these next steps carefully. As you do, always remember that not all Instagram services are trustworthy. You must conduct thorough research before making any purchase.

Check the Provider's Reputation

Begin your research by checking the provider's reviews on reputable platforms, such as Trustpilot. You can even take it one step further and examine Reddit threads that discuss the provider's services.

If you find a lot of comments about disappearing likes or metrics, or if people report that they buy incubated likes that drop off, think twice about spending your money on that provider.

Also, look for comments or complaints about the provider's customer support team. If many people complain about poor support after purchasing from the provider, take that as a red flag.

At the same time, try to find success stories. Look for comments that confirm high-quality likes and real engagement. Balance these with the negative comments to see which wins out.

Look for Quality Assurance

The best Instagram likes providers will highlight high-quality Instagram likes from real Instagram users. Check whether they offer a guaranteed instant delivery option with refunds or refills if some likes drop off.

Does the Provider Have Delivery Speed Options?

Ideally, you want to find an Instagram likes provider that offers instant and staggered delivery. You also want to steer clear of huge, overnight spikes because they simply don't look authentic.

Choose a provider that allows you to split likes across multiple pictures or posts. You can also opt for a gradual delivery on one or more posts. You want to boost engagement while also encouraging organic growth. You can only do that if other users trust your account and your content.

Never Ignore Privacy and Security

As stated above, never give your Instagram password to any growth provider. If the website cannot sell or deliver likes without your password, give it a skip.

Also, avoid platforms that only accept wire transfers or crypto payments. If you cannot use Apple Pay, Visa, or Mastercard and there is no device-level encryption, it's best to stay away.

Ask About Customer Support

Reliable services typically have highly responsive customer support teams. Look for a platform that provides 24/7 support via chat or email. Good support can help you resolve issues, including stuck orders, likes drop-off, or technical glitches.

Reviewing Stormlikes and Blastup in 2025

Stormlikes and Blastup are two of the most trusted and reliable Instagram likes providers in 2025.

Stormlikes

Stormlikes is very popular, with a 4.9-star rating based on over 700 site-collected reviews. Users consistently praise the quality of the likes they buy from the Stormlikes website.

They are also very impressed with Stormlikes' features, including instant delivery, flexible split likes, and several payment options.

Stormlikes' services include auto-likes and auto-views. These allow you to set recurring boosts every time you upload new content to Instagram.

Many Stormlikes customers confirm that buying genuine likes from the website has helped them reach Explore, as well as convert more organic viewers to organic followers. 

Blastup

Formerly Gramblast, Blastup rebranded a few years ago to refocus on premium quality 100% Instagram and TikTok followers, active likes, and views.

Blastup also offers instant delivery and automatic likes. The site features several flexible packages starting at under $2. You also get the option of a free trial (10 free likes).

Blastup's Trustpilot rating is 4.9 out of 700+ reviews, with users mentioning fast growth and real results.

Choosing Between Stormlikes and Blastup

If you're undecided about which is the best site to buy from, consider the following. Both platforms offer instant likes packages, auto-likes, and affordable prices.

Stormlikes is well-known for its verified user likes and customizable delivery. Blastup has an entire legacy backing it up and a team that knows everything there is to know about social media growth.

With Stormlikes, you can split likes and still get consistent results. You have various payment options, and refund policies are in place.

Blastup promises guaranteed delivery of traditional and automatic likes. The website offers excellent customer support and a refill option.

The best approach is to test small packages first. Monitor the quality of likes you receive and track your Instagram growth after buying. Once you start getting the engagement you want, alternate your paid boosts with organic growth strategies.

How to Maximize Paid Engagement

You should never rely solely on buying likes, regardless of their quality. If you want to get the most value from paid boosts, you must pair them with organic growth strategies.

First, the best boost site in the world cannot grow an account with weak Instagram content. If you want people to engage with your posts, you must create incredible content.

When you’re confident about the content you produce, time your boost with your first new upload. The aim is to get a surge of attention on that post, which will lead to more likes, shares, and comments.

If that works with the initial post, try to split likes on your next uploads. By doing this, you raise your average engagement instead of focusing on one post only. It also increases your chances of going viral.

If buying likes works for you, try the auto-likes and auto-views feature. Don't do it for every post, but try the feature for promotional product or service posts.

As you go along, track your retention rate. If your new viewers stick around after liking your initial post, your next batch will likely do the same.

As mentioned, alternate paid engagement with organic growth. Chat to your followers, respond to their messages and complaints, and answer their DMs.

Additional Tips for Buying Instagram Likes

Here are a few more tips to consider when buying Instagram likes.

Plan your goals first before you buy Instagram likes. For instance, if you want to create hype around a marketing campaign, product release, or promotion, buy the number of likes that coincide with the engagement you are aiming for.

You can use video views packages in conjunction with likes packages to improve retention. Video views will work well for Instagram reels and videos. (Some platforms offer free video views as a trial.) 

If you find a provider that offers them, invest in premium likes. These are more likely to provide you with a high level of engagement on your Instagram page.

Ask about geo-targeting for bought likes. If you can buy country or region-specific Instagram likes, it will enhance audience relevance.

Analyze each post's performance and compare the success of boosted vs. organic posts. This is the best way to determine the return on investment.

Lastly, if a boost helps your posts trend, channel any earnings you may receive on Instagram back into your content strategy. This involves enhancing visuals, creating targeted ads, or pursuing influencer partnerships.

At the end of the day, you want your paid likes to be only one element in a wide mix of strategies.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do purchased likes improve engagement rate?

Buying Instagram likes is the same as buying Instagram followers. Both will instantly increase your engagement rate. But they can only do this if you buy from a reputable platform. Real engagement comes from real users, which you will only get from a legitimate platform.

Can I get banned for buying likes?

Instagram does penalize fake or automated activity, not just metric boosts. Always choose reputable providers that offer real users and, by default, real engagement.

How many likes should I buy?

It is always good to start small. Between 100 and 500 likes from real users can be sufficient to influence the algorithm positively and get you more Instagram exposure. Larger likes packages could be useful for big promotions or launches.

Is it better to buy Instagram followers, too?

You can purchase Instagram likes and buy real followers at the same time. However, this strategy will only be effective if you purchase from a trusted platform.

Is Buying Likes Worth It for Small Businesses?

If used strategically, small businesses can enhance their visibility on Instagram, particularly during campaigns or announcements. However, buying likes should be combined with a comprehensive social media marketing strategy and content plan.

Final Verdict

Buying high-quality likes for Instagram posts is effective in 2025, but only when done correctly. Keep in mind that buying likes is not a magic solution; it is only meant to enhance organic strategies so you can build a social media presence.

Use the option to buy real Instagram likes as motivation to grow your Instagram account organically, not as a substitute.