Automating was a viable option to grow until a few months ago. Instagram has developed some incredible automation detection AI that has made it difficult to use tools like MassPlanner, FollowPlanner, FollowLiker, Jarvee, GMT, etc. It’s still possible to use these tools, but an extensive, up-to-date knowledge about working proxies, working tools, optimal settings, and so on is required to make it worth it. If you have the time and knowledge to automate, then go ahead and automate, but it definitely poses an increased risk compared to manual growth. Manual growth has been much more sustainable and effective than bots and automation in the past few months.