Most brands spend 2–4 hours per applicant manually checking follower counts, engagement rates, and fake follower red flags. This template fetches real metrics, detects fraud, generates an objective score, and emails your team a verdict — all before you finish your coffee.
The workflow fires the moment an influencer submits their application form. Here is the exact process:
Works with Typeform, Tally, JotForm, or any form that sends a webhook POST. Required fields: name, email, platform, handle (no @ prefix), self-reported follower count, and niche. The webhook triggers n8n or Make.com immediately on submission.
The raw application data is appended to your Applications tracker with Status = Processing. A row number is captured so the row can be updated with scored metrics after verification runs.
An HTTP Request node calls the Instagram Basic Display API with the applicant's handle and retrieves their real follower count and media count. This is compared against the self-reported number to detect inflation. The API is free — setup takes about 10 minutes (guide included).
A Code node runs the scoring logic: engagement rate estimate (based on follower tier benchmarks), fraud risk (LOW/MEDIUM/HIGH from follower discrepancy), and a follower tier bonus for the micro-influencer sweet spot (10K–500K). Final score 0–100 with APPROVE, REVIEW, or REJECT verdict.
APPROVE and REVIEW applicants trigger a detailed profile email with all metrics and the recommendation. REJECT applicants trigger a brief summary email for your records. The Google Sheets row is updated with real followers, fraud risk, score, and recommendation.
| n8n workflow | 8-node workflow — Webhook Trigger, Google Sheets (log), HTTP Request (Instagram API), Code (scoring), IF (route), Gmail x2 (approve/review alert, reject summary), Google Sheets (update score) |
| Make.com blueprint | Same logic in Make.com module format — Custom Webhook, Google Sheets, HTTP, scoring variables, Gmail, update row |
| PDF setup guide | Step-by-step guide including Instagram API token setup, field mapping, scoring customisation, and troubleshooting |
| Markdown guide | Same guide in .md format |
| Licence | Personal commercial licence — use on your own business, unlimited applications |
When an influencer submits an application, the workflow fetches their real follower count from the Instagram API, calculates fraud risk and engagement score, generates a 0–100 score, and emails your team an APPROVE, REVIEW, or REJECT recommendation — all in under 30 seconds.
Fraud detection compares the self-reported follower count against the real count from the Instagram API. If self-reported is more than 40% higher than real, fraud risk is MEDIUM. More than 2x higher is flagged HIGH. High engagement but very low engagement rate for their tier also contributes to a lower score.
Yes — it uses the free Instagram Basic Display API (free developer app, takes about 10 minutes to set up). The setup guide walks through every step. Tokens expire every 60 days — the guide explains the refresh process. You can also run scoring without the API by using self-reported data only.
For the initial vetting and scoring use case, yes. Grin starts at $999/month. This template automates the verification step — the biggest time sink — for a one-time $69. If you need full campaign management with CRM integrations, those platforms still make sense. But for automated first-pass vetting, this covers it.
Yes. The entire scoring logic is in one Code node. Edit the point weights for engagement rate, fraud risk, and follower tier. Change APPROVE/REVIEW/REJECT thresholds. Add extra factors like minimum follower count or platform filter. Changes take effect immediately — no redeployment needed.
Any tool that sends a webhook POST — Typeform, Tally, JotForm, Google Forms (via AppScript), or a custom HTML form. Required fields: name, email, platform, handle (no @ prefix), follower count, niche. The setup guide includes the full field mapping reference.
Import the workflow, connect your form and API token, and every new application gets verified and scored in 30 seconds — no manual checking required.
Get the Template — $69