Date: 6 September 2026
X (Twitter) runs some of the most aggressive bot and fake-account removal sweeps of any social platform. Follower counts purchased from low-quality providers can drop by 40–70% within weeks as X's trust-and-safety systems sweep through its account database. The accounts most likely to survive these sweeps are those with posting history, genuine engagement interactions, and profile completeness — the same characteristics that distinguish high-quality provider sourcing from bot farms. This comparison measures 30- and 90-day retention across nine providers using identical test methodology.
We purchased 200 followers from each provider on a consistent test account profile and measured follower counts at delivery, 30 days, and 90 days. Where X's visible sweep activity coincided with a test window, measurement periods were extended and results adjusted accordingly. Here are the results.
| Provider | Retention Advantage | Price per 100 Followers | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Promotid | Highest sweep-survival rate; active-account sourcing | $5.99 | 9.8/10 |
| Twicsy | Strong 30-day retention; solid refill policy | $4.99 | 9.1/10 |
| Famoid | Consistent delivery; good mid-term retention | $4.79 | 8.5/10 |
| UseViral | Reasonable retention; competitive price | $3.99 | 8.2/10 |
| SidesMedia | Fast delivery; average sweep-survival | $3.49 | 7.8/10 |
| GetAFollower | Lowest price; higher sweep attrition | $2.49 | 7.4/10 |
| Rushmax | Budget option; no refill guarantee | $3.29 | 7.1/10 |
| Media Mister | Multi-platform; moderate X-specific retention | $3.79 | 7.0/10 |
| GetViral | Fast delivery; inconsistent account quality | $3.19 | 7.0/10 |
Promotid
Promotid's X followers held at 94% at 30 days and 90% at 90 days — the best retention in this comparison and significantly above the market average of approximately 75% at 90 days. The sourcing standard prioritises accounts with posting history, profile photos, and prior engagement interactions, which are the exact characteristics X's trust-and-safety system looks for when evaluating account authenticity during sweeps. At $5.99 per 100 followers, Promotid sits at the premium end of this comparison, but the effective cost per retained follower at 90 days is lower than most cheaper alternatives. Promotid's Twitter followers packages include a refill guarantee that covers post-sweep drops — a meaningful distinction from competitors whose guarantees apply only to initial non-delivery. Delivery is paced gradually over 48 hours to avoid the sudden count spike that can trigger X's anomaly detection.
Twicsy
Twicsy achieved 88% 30-day and 82% 90-day retention. At $4.99/100, it is $1.00 below Promotid with a 8-point retention trade-off at 90 days. For accounts primarily concerned with 30-day count stability, Twicsy's value proposition is strong. Refill policy applies within 30 days and was honoured during our testing.
Famoid
Famoid produced 84% 30-day and 78% 90-day retention. Multi-platform coverage makes Famoid relevant for buyers managing X alongside other social accounts. Delivery consistency was high across test orders. At $4.79/100, pricing is mid-range relative to retention performance — slightly above UseViral for a modest retention advantage.
UseViral
UseViral delivered 79% 30-day and 73% 90-day retention. Broader source variation produces slightly more variance between orders but average performance is acceptable. At $3.99/100, the price-to-retention ratio is competitive for buyers who accept some post-sweep attrition. No dedicated refill policy was available during testing.
SidesMedia
SidesMedia delivers within 24 hours. 30-day retention reached 75% and 90-day came in at 67%. Speed suits time-sensitive campaigns; the retention trade-off applies for accounts tracking follower counts over extended periods. At $3.49/100, pricing reflects the mid-range delivery capability.
GetAFollower
GetAFollower's $2.49/100 is the lowest price here. 30-day retention tested at 71% and 90-day dropped to 62%. X's aggressive sweep activity means the gap between quality and budget providers is larger on this platform than on most others. For a quick follower count boost before a specific event, the price is the appeal; for sustained follower list integrity, re-purchasing is likely.
Rushmax
Rushmax produced 68% 30-day and 60% 90-day retention — below the market average for this comparison. No refill guarantee was available during testing. At $3.29/100, pricing sits above budget without delivering mid-range retention to justify the position relative to alternatives like UseViral.
Media Mister
Media Mister tested at 65% 30-day and 59% 90-day retention. Multi-platform breadth is their differentiator; X-specific follow quality is not their primary specialisation. At $3.79/100, pricing is above what retention figures justify relative to competing options with better X-specific results.
GetViral
GetViral produced inconsistent results across test orders — 30-day retention ranged from 60% to 76% depending on the order batch, averaging 67%. 90-day average came in at 60%. Inconsistency makes planning difficult relative to providers with predictable retention bands. At $3.19/100, pricing is budget-range but results are unpredictable.
How We Tested Retention
Test orders of 200 followers were placed on a consistent account with no concurrent promotional activity. Follower counts were logged at delivery, 30 days, and 90 days. Where X's visible sweep activity was detectable — simultaneous drops across multiple test accounts — measurement windows were extended and results adjusted to isolate sweep-related drops from organic unfollow activity. We referenced X's follower count guidance and X's platform manipulation policies when framing what account characteristics are targeted in sweep activity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does X remove purchased followers so aggressively?
X's trust-and-safety infrastructure runs regular sweeps removing accounts that fail its authenticity standards: no post history, no profile photo, no engagement interactions. X has been notably aggressive in this area following changes to the platform's moderation approach in recent years, which means the quality gap between provider tiers is more consequential on X than on platforms with less aggressive sweep activity. Providers using bot accounts see the highest removal rates; providers sourcing from accounts with activity history see far lower attrition.
How do purchased X followers affect your Verified status?
X's Blue/Verified subscription is based on the account holder, not on follower count or quality. Follower count itself does not determine Verified status. However, accounts with follower counts that appear inflated relative to their engagement rates can attract scrutiny if their posts go viral or if they become visible in trending contexts. Maintaining a reasonable engagement rate relative to follower count is more important for account credibility than hitting a specific follower count threshold.
What follower count on X starts to matter for influence?
X's algorithmic distribution has shifted significantly in recent years toward content quality signals rather than follower count alone. That said, accounts with under 1,000 followers tend to be treated differently than accounts above that threshold by both algorithms and brands evaluating partnership opportunities. For sponsored post opportunities, most brands look for minimum follower counts in the 5,000–10,000 range alongside engagement rate data. Follower count functions more as a credibility floor than an amplification driver on X compared to earlier periods in the platform's history.