Music stars reportedly buying Twitter followers & YouTube views

Music stars are allegedly paying to increase their social media presence, according to a new report.

A number of artists are suspected of purchasing Twitter followers, YouTube views and Facebook likes to get into the charts.

A data monitoring company in America has revealed that it has a list of artists who they believe are paying for the services to increase their popularity with radio bosses and record labels.

The organisation – called Next Big Sound – says it plans to release the information later this year to unearth the stars who have paid for their online statistics.

In a statement, Twitter recounted that using a computer programme or company to generate new followers is against its rules.

“Twitter reserves the right to immediately terminate your account without further notice [if] you violate these rules,” they said.

Facebook stated that purchasing likes on its site from people who aren’t interested in the artists’ music is “no good for anyone”.

They added: “If you run a Facebook page and someone offers you a boost in your fan count in return for money; walk away.

“Not least because it is against our rules and there is a good chance those Likes will be deleted by our automatic systems.”

YouTube reiterated its stance on fake views, reminding users that it is against their rules and that if they find out it has been done, they could end up terminating that account altogether.

Online companies sell around 10,000 YouTube views for as little as £30, according to BBC Newsbeat.

There are also means of purchasing comments to go underneath the clip in order to help authenticate the surge of new views.