: Numerous stars have been accused of inflating their numbers to boost their digital profile. Notable names linked to such practices in investigative reports include musician 50 Cent , Olympic medalist James Cracknell , and chef Michael Symon .
: Many smaller entities buy followers as a "shortcut" to social proof, hoping that a higher number will make them appear more established to potential customers or sponsors. The Risks and Reality of Buying Followers who buys twitter followers
The types of individuals and organizations linked to purchasing followers include: : Numerous stars have been accused of inflating