A new article by CIO  describes using the web tool “Fake Follower Checker” by StatusPeople to find that some high profile twitter handles have a staggering amount of fake followers. 70% of the 19 million @BarackObama followers are fake.   Customparadigm.com outlines how this technique can be related to SEO tactics.  In the wake of recent changes in the Google search algorithms, social engagement now plays a sizeable roll in SEO ranking.  Out of these new changes was born the shady practice of selling Twitter followers.  For an average price of $18, you can boost your twitter following by 1,000.

So if we know that this practice has positive effects on search engine ranking, why aren’t all companies buying twitter followers?  Well it all depends on the color of your hat.  Black hat SEO tactics are tactics that seek to “game the system”.   The problem with these tactics is that they are frequently targeted by Google updates.  Those who had questionable link-building strategies learned this the hard way in the wake of the penguin update.  So although the strategy might have immediate positive effects, down the road it could be very detrimental to a sites’ SEO health.

Another desirable effect of purchasing Twitter followers is to win people over emotionally.   As both the above articles mention, politicians may buy Twitter followers to create the illusion of a huge surge in support.  Those who see the surge are then more likely to throw their own support behind something or someone that appears to have popular appeal.  However this too has a downside.  With the use of tools like “Fake Follower Checker”, these tactics can be laid bare, and when constituents see that campaigns are trying to game the people, it does not bode well for their political endeavors.

The bottom line: although you might see an immediate bump in rank or a surge in appeal from buying Twitter followers, the practice is short sided.  The ramifications of buying Twitter followers may cause serious problems down the road.  You’re better off doing the hard work and earning followers organically.