I’ve been on Instagram since the days we were all obsessed with the Valencia filter and captioned beach photos with #nofilter. These days, I work for a content studio in San Diego helping small brands and solo creators produce Reels, clean up their strategy, and actually enjoy making content again. But even now, with years of platform experience and a blue-check client or two, I’ll still do something that used to make people roll their eyes:
Yep — sometimes I buy 20 Instagram likes. And honestly? It’s really not that deep.
Let me tell you why.
The Creator Mental Spiral Is Real
Let’s start with something nobody wants to admit: we all look at the numbers. Even the most creatively “free” people I know — the fashion girlies, the yoga moms, the DJs who never wear shirts — we all check the little heart count.
And that’s not vanity. That’s feedback.
Sometimes you post something you know deserves attention — a smooth transition, a solid hook, a quote that actually says something — and… nothing. It’s a little soul-crushing. Not because of the ego hit, but because it’s hard to keep momentum when the work isn’t moving.
That’s where the micro-boost comes in.
What 20 Likes Can Do (Yes, Really)
There’s this moment in the first 30 minutes of a post going live that I call “the window.” That’s when the algorithm decides if it’s worth testing your post with more eyeballs. And one of the things it looks at? Early engagement.
Now, 20 likes might not sound like much. But in a small account, or even a new content format, it’s just enough to shift things. Not to break the algorithm, but to signal that something is happening.
And that signal? It can make the difference between your post going nowhere… or getting that tiny first snowball of traction.
Small Accounts, Big Decisions
This especially applies to my clients who are just starting out. If you’ve got under 1,000 followers on Insta, 20 likes is a huge engagement win. And when I tell them we’re going to buy a little boost, the look on their faces is like, “Wait… we can do that?”
Of course you can. You boost a post. You buy a latte. You grab a $3 preset. You buy 20 Instagram likes if you want your work to have a fighting chance in a cluttered feed.
We don’t shame any of that. Especially not these days.
It’s All About Timing and Vibes
The other thing I’ve learned? Timing matters more than most people think. I’ve had posts that flopped on a Tuesday at 9 a.m. and popped off at 6 p.m. on a Sunday. Same content. Different vibe in the air.
So if I’m testing a new idea or trying out a niche trend, I’ll sometimes stack the deck a little by boosting that first wave of engagement. Again — it’s not a strategy I use every day. But it’s a tool I keep in the drawer.
And when you’re running a one-woman content house and trying to stay on top of trends and live your real life? You’ll take every tool you can get.
Just Be Cool About It
Here’s the thing: nobody’s impressed by 20 likes. You’re not faking fame. You’re just nudging momentum.
So if you’re going to do it, do it quietly and with purpose. You don’t need to post about it. You don’t need to explain yourself in the captions. Let the content do its thing. The likes are just air under the wings.
But Don’t Forget the Real Work
And while we’re being honest, buying likes only matters if the content’s good. You still need:
- A hook in the first 2 seconds
- Clean visuals or on-trend editing
- A caption with something to say
- Relevance to your audience
None of that can be faked with buying as little as 20 likes for an IG post. But it can be highlighted. Think of it like good lighting — you’re not changing your face, you’re just showing up better.
TL;DR? Here’s the Vibe
- I buy 20 Instagram likes sometimes.
- I do it when I think a post deserves it.
- I don’t think it makes me fake, lazy, or desperate.
- I think more people do it than admit it.
- I think it’s okay to care about what you’re building — even when it’s small.
So yeah, that’s the tea. You can judge it, or you can use it. I’m good either way.