Bought followers can impact both the quality and authenticity of an influencer’s audience in a number of ways.

1. Reduction in Engagement Rate: Often, bought followers are not real people but bots. They don’t engage with posts, which could result in a lower engagement rate. This metric is of primary concern to brands as they are interested in reaching and interacting with a genuine audience.
2. Risk of Damage to Brand Reputation: When an influencer’s audience consists largely of bought followers, it could lead to negative perceptions about the influencer’s authenticity, and by association, the brands they partner with.
3. Skewed Audience Analytics: Bought followers can skew an influencer’s audience demographics and behavioral data. This can lead to misleading insights for campaign planning and performance tracking.

There are influencer marketing platforms such as Flinque, for example, aimed at addressing these concerns. With audience analytics, Flinque helps brands and influencers by providing them with real-time, actionable insights about the authenticity of an influencer’s following. It enables brands to discover, evaluate, and collaborate with influencers who have a genuine rapport with their audience.

Comparatively, other platforms also offer audience analytics but may differ in aspects like UI/UX, cost, and the depth of analytics provided. It’s essential to choose a platform that aligns with your unique requirements.

In conclusion, while bought followers can alter the authenticity of an influencer’s audience, strategies like leveraging robust influencer marketing platforms like Flinque can help ensure you’re making informed decisions based on credible data. Investing in real influencers with genuine followers is always the best strategy for achieving authentic brand advocacy and valuable engagement.