If you’re wondering how to get more followers on Instagram, you’re probably not alone. With over 2 billion monthly users and an ever-changing algorithm, building an audience can feel like a full-time job. But don’t worry, because growing your following is still possible! And you don’t need to buy bots or spend a fortune on ads to do it either.
The key is properly understanding how Instagram works, and we have a practical guide on how to gain followers organically.
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Before anyone clicks the “Follow” button, they’ll probably check out your profile, so it is important to make it a good, clear representation of you. “With just seconds to introduce yourself and convey your value, a compelling Instagram aesthetic could be the difference between a visitor hitting ‘Follow’ or tapping away,” Amanda Demeku writes for influencer agency Later. “This doesn’t mean your IG needs to be overly curated, but it does mean taking the time to figure out an aesthetic that works.”
Start with a clear, high-quality profile picture; a short and punchy bio that says who you are and what you post; and a link to your website, TikTok, or YouTube if you have them and they’re relevant. It is also helpful to think about the style and colours in the photos you post. “From a business perspective, having a cohesive feed that is attracting to the eye is important when it comes to drawing attention from brands and attracting the right audience,” says influencer Allysa Larson.
Social media marketing site Metricool offers similar advice: “Whether you’re a business, influencer, or just trying to build your personal brand, the way you design your profile and posts can make all the difference. A great design helps you grab attention, build trust, and keep people engaged.”
Last but not least, ensure that your profile is open. It’s hard to build a substantial following with a private account.
Instagram rewards consistency. The algorithm prioritises accounts that post regularly. A Buffer survey found that posting three or four times a week is the perfect amount for gaining followers without sacrificing quality. Posting that much can also “more than double follower growth rate, compared to posting one or two times weekly,” according to the survey.
You can also plan to post content when people are actually using Instagram. In the UK, the best day to post is Sunday, while the worst is Saturday. Also try looking at Instagram Insights, which is available on Creator or Business accounts, to analyse when your followers are active. Remember: “Instagram rewards higher levels of engagement from your followers,” Jake Adam Davey writes for the Female CEO.
If you want more Instagram followers, short-form video is your secret weapon. Reels are still the most discoverable format on the app, and Instagram actively pushes them to users who don’t already follow you. “Instagram Reels have their own feed within the Instagram app and are a big focus for Instagram at the moment due to them trying to compete with TikTok,” says ByRosanna, a designer and content marketing specialist who increased her followers by 1,000 in a week.
Use trending audio, jump on relevant challenges, or share tips, tutorials, and behind-the-scenes clips that show your personality. Keep them short and make sure the first two seconds hook your audience. Travel influencer Kelsey Heinrichs advises using apps like CapCut to edit reels. Remember to include captions if you’re making Instagram Reels featuring someone talking. “Not only do captions increase the overall viewing experience for users, but they also ensure your content is available to the masses,” according to content creation platform Slate. “Over 5% of the world’s population (430 million people) requires some form of aid or rehabilitation for their hearing.”
Engaging with your followers like a real human is key to gaining more of them. Comment on other creators’ posts, reply to DMs or comments, and take the time to build genuine connections with your community. “Social media is meant to be social!” writes branding agency Going Bold. “And no matter what your marketing goals are for the platform, chances are they involve growing your community and getting others interested in the content you’re creating.”
Instagram favours engagement-driven accounts, and so do people. If someone leaves you a thoughtful comment, respond. It shows you’re really there behind the grid and stories. “I like to spend between 10 and 30 minutes a day commenting on other peoples’ posts on Instagram, just before I plan to post on my own grid,” ByRosanna says.
Credit: Shift Drive/Shutterstock
“Hashtags are an essential asset in your digital marketing toolbox,” according to social media branding firm Sprout Social. They will make your profile’s reach broader and your content more searchable. Influencer agency Later found that using around 20 hashtags per post received the highest reach rate. Make sure the hashtags you pick are relevant to your audience and content.
“Hashtag research can be as simple as using your Instagram search bar,” according to Adobe. “Start typing in terms and see what suggestions pop up, then use the ones that have between 5,000 and 500,000 associated posts – the perfect range to generate a decent amount of interest without getting lost in the crowd.”
Collabs are one of the fastest ways to gain Instagram followers. Use the collaborative post feature to share content between two accounts; it will appear on both feeds, doubling your exposure. “[Collabs] help influencers reach new audiences, build authentic relationships, and increase their overall engagement and visibility,” according to digital marketing company AsClique.
A good way to find people to collaborate with is to search for other creators in your niche. You may want to start a joint series, host a giveaway, or do a challenge together.
And don’t forget about brands! Many small businesses and startups are eager to partner with micro-influencers who have loyal, engaged audiences, even if your follower count isn’t huge. “If you have less than 2,000 or 3,000 followers, you will have to reach out to brands,” says creator Nidhi Gandhi. “I did the same thing and it worked pretty well for me.”
Tag brands you genuinely use, comment on their posts, and respond to calls for user-generated content. Over time, you may build relationships that can lead to paid collaborations and steady audience growth.
Stories and Lives may not be the first thing potential followers see when they look at your profile, but they definitely build intimacy and keep people around. Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri describes them as “a way to reach your most passionate audience.”
Use Stories to share pictures, polls, and extra content. Go live to answer questions, announce news, or reach out for immediate responses.
Both formats sit high in the algorithm’s ranking because they encourage direct interaction. The more your followers reply to your Stories, the more likely your future posts are to appear in their feeds.
It sounds obvious, but one of the easiest ways to get and keep more Instagram followers is to be yourself. “It is refreshing to come across real people doing cool things online while being authentic,” writes creator Kelly Helsinger.
People connect with a personality that feels real, so avoid filtering your personality out of your posts. “Literally be yourself, do you, be organic, be authentic,” says influencer Bree Vaughn.
Building an Instagram following can take a lot of hard work and effort, so buying followers may seem tempting. Try to resist, though, because buying followers isn’t a shortcut to sustaining a community.
“One of the primary drawbacks of purchasing Instagram followers is the lack of genuine engagement,” according to social media consultancy Social Progress. Fake followers don’t engage, which means your posts will perform worse – and people will notice.
Organic followers, on the other hand, actually want to connect with you! They’re the kind of community that interacts, and that’s what sustains a career. It may take a little longer, but they’re the kind of followers worth waiting for.