There’s something oddly taboo about admitting you’ve bought likes or Buying Likes. It’s like saying out loud that you used training wheels when everyone else pretended to be born riding a bike. But in 2025, with algorithms as unpredictable as airport delays, more and more creators are quietly turning to outside tools to give their posts a fighting chance. So I asked around. Twelve creators. Different sizes, different niches, different goals. I didn’t judge. I just listened.
What I heard was not scandalous. It was nuanced. Strategic. Sometimes conflicted. And very human. Some creators use services regularly. Others have tried it once or twice. A few say they never would. But all of them, in some way, are impacted by the culture of performance. And by the pressure to stay visible.
In the middle of those conversations, one platform kept coming up. Goread. Not in whispers. Not as a secret weapon. Just as a tool. Some called it their “little visibility nudge.” Others mentioned it casually, like ordering an extra coffee when you know your morning will be long. According to most, it worked best when used intentionally — especially for increasing Instagram likes on content they believed in but knew might not hit the algorithm jackpot.
Expand your knowledge with this handpicked companion read.
“Everyone’s Doing It, Some Just Hide It Better”
That’s what Maya told me. She runs a sustainable fashion page with about 38K followers. “You can tell when someone’s growth isn’t natural. But honestly? Most of us boost posts now and then. Likes or Buying Likes are a language. You need a few before people stop and listen.”
She started buying likes in 2023, mostly for sponsored content. “It helps with brand credibility. If I’m charging $500 for a post, the client expects engagement. It’s part of the package now.”
Others echoed this. For sponsored content, the stakes are higher. You’re not just posting for your audience. You’re posting for a brand that’s watching. Sam, a food blogger with 70K followers, said, “Sometimes I just know a photo won’t perform, even if it’s good. Lighting, timing, whatever. Boosting it gives me peace of mind.”
“It’s Not Cheating, It’s Strategy”
I’ll admit, I thought someone would describe it as dishonest. But no one did. Instead, they framed it as adaptive. Making peace with a system that often rewards speed, volume, and trend-chasing over substance.
“I see it like boosting a post,” said Talia, a micro-influencer who focuses on wellness content. “When you use Meta’s ads, you’re paying for reach. When you use Goread, you’re giving the post some traction first. It’s just a different shape of the same thing.”
Still, she had limits. “I only use it on posts I care about. If I’m just filling the grid, I let it sit. But if I’m launching something, I want that early lift.”
That sentiment came up a lot. Likes or Buying Likes, when used wisely, are more than vanity. They help position content so that it’s seen by the right people. And sometimes, all it takes is getting over the first 200.
“You Have to Watch the Quality”
There were cautions, too. Leo, a digital artist, said he’s tried several services over the past two years. “Some of them flood you with likes in a minute. You can feel it’s fake. The post gets 600 likes but no comments, no saves. It looks weird.”
When he switched to Goread, things felt different. “The likes came in gradually. And I think some of them were from actual accounts. Or at least they looked real. It didn’t feel like an attack of bots.”
He now uses it sparingly. “If a reel’s doing okay, I might give it a small push. But I always make sure it looks believable. You can’t buy trust. You can only earn it.”
“Some People Still See It as Selling Out”
Of course, not everyone’s convinced. Alex, who runs a mental health education page, said he’s never bought likes and doesn’t plan to. “It’s not about ethics. It’s just that I want to know what’s working without outside interference. If I boost a post and it does well, I’ll never know if it was the content or the push.”
He believes in slow growth. “But I get why people do it. Especially in visual niches. If you’re a model or a designer, numbers matter more upfront.”
Even he admitted that if his page were revenue-driven, his position might be different. “We all want to be seen. I just think there’s more than one way to get there.”
Where Goread Stands
Among all the services people mentioned, Goread was the most common. Not because it’s loud. Because it works. Several creators noted the platform’s transparency. The prices were clear. The delivery felt human. And the results, while subtle, had real ripple effects.
You can start with small packages. You don’t need a subscription. The interface is clean, and orders are quick to set up. Most importantly, the engagement looks like it belongs. And for creators trying to build something meaningful, that matters more than numbers alone.
It’s not about faking virality. It’s about increasing Instagram likes in a way that supports your message.
Final Thoughts: Likes Are a Signal, Not the Story
The takeaway from these conversations wasn’t about tactics. It was about intent. Creators aren’t buying likes to trick their audience. They’re doing it to test, to learn, to position their work. And maybe, to give themselves a little room to breathe.
Likes are social signals. They tell us what people pause for. But they don’t tell us why. That part is still up to the content itself. A good post will always matter more than the number under it. But in a feed that moves this fast, sometimes the best thing you can do for your work is help it stand still long enough to be seen.
If a few extra likes create that pause — and do it without compromising your values — then maybe it’s not about manipulation. Maybe it’s just momentum. And maybe, in 2025, that’s worth a lot more than we used to think.
If you enjoyed this post, you’ll love what’s featured on Management Works Media.
