In a fast-paced world increasingly reliant on technology and digital communication, being on Instagram has become more than just a hobby; it's a means to achieve success, fame, and influence.
With over 2 billion users, competing to attract followers and reach the top of your content is no easy feat. However, if you think increasing followers requires illegal or complicated methods, you're wrong.
In this guide, we'll explore proven and effective methods to help you grow your account and increase your followers in legitimate, smart, and sustainable ways. Whether you're looking to build a strong personal presence or promote your brand, here you'll find everything you need to stand out from the competition.
Get ready to discover strategies that will put you ahead of the competition and make your account an attractive destination for engaged followers.
1. Understand How Instagram Algorithms Work
To understand how to gain more followers on Instagram, you need to understand how the platform's algorithms work and how content is presented in a way that aligns with these algorithms' expectations.
I'll explain the most important factors that influence how your posts are seen by your followers, based on how users interact with the content.
a) Engagement
Instagram's algorithms focus heavily on the level of engagement with posts. The more followers engage with content (such as liking, commenting, sharing, and saving posts), the greater the chance of the content appearing at the top of their feed.
Therefore, you should encourage your followers to engage with your posts by asking questions, creating polls, or using interactive stickers in Stories.
The more engagement, the more likely your content will be shown to more of your followers and even new people.
b) User Interest
Instagram's algorithms rely on accurately understanding each user's interests by tracking their engagement with specific types of content.
If a follower tends to engage with food videos, Instagram is likely to suggest similar posts to them.
Therefore, it's essential to provide content that clearly reflects your target audience's interests. Try to improve the quality of the content your audience likes the most, whether it's photos, videos, or recurring topics they're interested in.
c) Content Freshness
Instagram prioritizes fresh content. New posts appear more frequently in the feed than older ones, ensuring users see fresh content relevant to their interests.
Therefore, it's important to post regularly but with high quality. Use Instagram analytics to determine the best times to post content based on your followers' engagement.
How to leverage these factors:
a) Constant engagement: Encourage your followers to engage with your posts by asking questions or using available engagement tools.
b) Identify audience interests: Understand what engages your audience by analyzing the most engaged posts, and focus on providing more of this type of content.
c) Consistency in posting: Maintain a regular posting schedule that aligns with your followers' peak times, and remember that freshness is crucial to boosting your content's visibility.
With this comprehensive understanding of how algorithms work, you can target your account more effectively and increase your chances of attracting more followers.
2. Make Your Homepage Attractive to Attract Followers
Any strategy I'll explain in this guide will prompt many Instagram users to click on your account link to view it, at which point they'll decide whether to follow or not.
That's why your profile page is the most important thing you should pay attention to, especially your posts. Anyone who follows your account will first look at what you post and how your account looks. Take a look at this image, for example.
This is a picture of one of the cooking accounts on Instagram. You'll find most of the photos, and even the videos, have the same theme, are of the same quality, and cover the same main topic: delicious, innovative recipes.
You too should try to have a unique style. Use the same backgrounds most of the time, if possible. Try to use the same colors. This way, your account will be very attractive.
If anyone were to look at your profile, they would find it engaging and professional, posting content relevant to the account's purpose, not just random information from the East and the West.
Instagram allows you to delete any post you want in the future to give your profile a unique style. Some people take advantage of this feature and innovate to make their accounts truly unique. See, for example, the picture below:
This is also a photo from a cooking account. Notice how the images are coordinated, making them appear as if they are all one image, even though each image is a separate post.
If you're interested in cooking and you came across this account and saw the effort and creativity, wouldn't you follow it? That's the goal of this very important step to increase your Instagram followers.
3. Harness the power of Stories to engage and increase your followers
Instagram Stories are one of the most influential forms of content on Instagram and are an effective way to attract engagement and increase your followers.
Stories give you the opportunity to connect with your followers quickly and directly, especially with content that disappears after 24 hours. For this reason, Stories are ideal for showcasing exclusive content, quick announcements, or even engaging with your audience using polls and questions.
But it's important to use this feature wisely:
a) Post unique content: Fill your Stories with eye-catching content, such as high-quality photos and videos. Use text or emojis in a way that doesn't overwhelm the story, but rather captures attention.
b) Engage with your audience: Use features like polls, questions, and quizzes to engage with your followers. This engagement increases your engagement with your audience, thus increasing your chances of growing your account.
c) Fresh and Regular Display: Try to post Stories regularly, but avoid oversharing. Choose content that adds real value to your followers and encourages them to interact and share.
To get the most out of your Stories, you can use a useful tool like Insta Story View. This tool allows you to download Instagram Stories, whether yours or your competitors', allowing you to analyze their successful stories and learn from them.
You can leverage this tool to improve your Stories strategy and develop new ideas that will boost engagement with your account.
4. The Power of Videos: Your Secret to Increasing Engagement and Followers
Videos are now one of the most important types of content on Instagram, whether short clips on Reels or longer videos on IGTV.
Videos allow you to connect with your audience in a more personal and effective way and are a great way to attract new followers and increase engagement with your account.
Here's how you can harness the power of videos to grow your following:
a) Use Reels Smartly: Reels is the perfect way to quickly increase virality on Instagram. Thanks to Instagram's algorithms that push short videos to a wider audience, you can reach new users through creative and engaging clips.
Make sure your videos are full of value and fun, and use trending music and effects to make them more engaging.
b) Pay attention to video quality: Video quality plays a major role in attracting followers. Use a high-resolution camera, good lighting, and ensure clear audio. All of these small details contribute to improving the viewer experience and making your content appear professional.
c) Storytelling and Clear Messages: Use videos to tell short, impactful stories or offer specific tips in an interactive way. Audiences are more engaged with videos that offer valuable content and a clear message.
d) Leverage Live Streaming: Live streaming is an effective way to directly engage with your audience. Through live streaming, you can interact with followers instantly and answer their questions, increasing the level of connection and trust between you and your audience.
e) Use videos to promote your products or services: If you own a business, videos are a great way to promote your products in a visual and engaging way. Offer tips on how to use your products, or share customer success stories.
In short, Instagram videos are an effective tool for attracting followers, increasing engagement, and driving rapid growth for your account. The more original and creative your content is, the greater your chances of reaching a larger audience.
5. Leverage your online presence on any platform
You don't just use Instagram. You probably have a website, a YouTube channel, and most likely a Facebook account.
You need to promote your Instagram account. To do this, include a link to your Instagram account on your website pages, your contact page, and your YouTube channel page.
Not only that, ask everyone you know to follow you on Instagram, just like your friends and acquaintances. This is not shameful, and don't feel embarrassed about it. You're not asking them for anything bad. If you're embarrassed about your online business, I advise you to stop, as you won't succeed.
If your account belongs to a restaurant or company, ask your employees to follow your account and share it on various social media platforms with their friends and relatives.
This step is extremely important, especially in the beginning, because your first 1,000 Instagram followers are always the most important and difficult to achieve. So, ask everyone you know to follow you until you reach this number.
6. Write your post descriptions correctly.
The same writing style you use for any photo or video is extremely important, and unfortunately, many users ignore it, even though Instagram's algorithms rely on it for searches.
So, writing a good format for your content (e.g., powerful and expressive words, funny and lighthearted words, a simple story, or a piece of wisdom) or even a description of your purpose for the post itself would be great.
This description is called a caption, and it's often better to use emojis as they make your message stronger, clearer, and more eye-catching.
This description appears after your followers or anyone clicks on your content, so use it to clarify your message and encourage that person to engage with your content.
7. Analyze the most popular accounts in your niche
There are certainly accounts similar to you or with similar goals. You don't live alone on Instagram, or you talk about secret topics that no one else knows about. That's why you need to analyze these accounts.
Oftentimes, you may not know what to talk about, or you may want to find some inspiration or ideas to discuss or create content around. You can learn all of this from these accounts.
Look at these accounts, see what content they provide, which posts get the most engagement, how they respond to or interact with their followers, and whether they focus on videos or Instagram Stories.
This way, you'll know which topics you should focus on more, how to post them, and in what style. You can also identify the weak points in these accounts and exploit them to your advantage.
Not only that, when you tap the heart icon in the Instagram app, where you'll find your notifications, you'll find the word "following" at the top. If you tap it, Instagram will inform you of the activity of the accounts you follow.
It will tell you which posts they like and which comments they leave on each post. All of this will be very helpful in learning more about these accounts and the content they engage with, which we'll explore in the next steps.
8. Use Hashtags Correctly
Hashtags are still a powerful tool for attracting attention and increasing engagement on Instagram, but using them haphazardly or over-relying on popular hashtags is no longer as effective as it once was. Now, your choice of hashtags should be thoughtful and based on quality over quantity.
Here are some tips for using hashtags effectively:
a) Choose hashtags relevant to your content
Instead of using overly general or popular hashtags that are unrelated to your content, choose hashtags that accurately reflect the content of the post.
For example, if your post is about a healthy recipe, use hashtags like #healthyfood or #easyrecipes instead of just #food.
b) Use a mix of popular and specific hashtags
Popular hashtags may increase your post's initial visibility, but specific hashtags that are closely related to your content are the ones that truly attract engaged followers.
Try to combine medium-to-low competitive hashtags with fewer posts to ensure your content reaches a better target audience.
c) Avoid overusing hashtags
Instagram allows up to 30 hashtags per post, but that doesn't mean you should use all of them. Try to use 5 to 10 relevant, carefully selected hashtags to improve the effectiveness of your post without compromising the quality of your content.
d) Analyze Hashtag Performance
Use the analytics tools available on Instagram or external tools to monitor the performance of the hashtags you use. Learn from the data to determine which hashtags are generating the best results for you and continue using them.
e) Avoid Banned or Duplicate Hashtags
Avoid using the same hashtags in every post, as Instagram may consider this "spam," negatively impacting your post's visibility. Also, be sure to avoid banned hashtags, which could result in your account being restricted.
9. Engage with Your Competitors' Audience
You'll often find that the accounts you follow and the influencers whose accounts you analyze don't engage with comments, and you should use this to your advantage.
Discuss and respond to comments on posts from your competitors or accounts that discuss similar topics. Offer advice or ask some thoughtful questions. You can also leave a general comment on the post.
All of this draws attention to your account, and when someone clicks on your account link and sees your great, organized content (which is why this was the first step), they'll follow you, and you gain a real, engaged follower.
Not only that, but this way, you also benefit the main account owner because you increase engagement with their content, thus increasing the chances of future collaborations.
You can also engage with the same content that this influencer engages with (which I mentioned in the previous point). This way, you achieve better, faster results and put your account in front of those interested in your field.
Not only that, if you look at any profile on Instagram, you'll find a special section labeled "Tagged." This section is for posts that mention this account. Typically, these posts are for fans or people who want to engage with this influencer.
You can engage with these posts as well, especially if they're relevant to you. This way, you put your account in front of everyone who is interested and engaged in your field, which will undoubtedly increase your follower count.
10. Respond to every comment
Why do you want to gain more followers on Instagram? Isn't it to increase engagement on your content and get your followers to implement the CTA (marketing objective) you want them to follow? Then you must engage with them first.
If one of your followers leaves a comment on any post or sends you a message, you must respond to them and reply, whether their comment is a question, a compliment, or even a negative one. You must engage with them and respond to them.
Responding to your followers' comments has many benefits, the most important of which are:
It will increase engagement on your posts, and thus Instagram's algorithms will automatically promote your posts more.
This will give your followers the impression that you truly care about them and interact with them, thus increasing their trust in you.
This engagement will motivate your followers to share your content with their friends and acquaintances, thus gaining more followers.
This engagement will make you an expert in the eyes of your audience.
This way, you'll ensure that your posts get more engagement. Therefore, regardless of the number of followers you have, you should always be consistent. Even if your Instagram account represents an institution, company, or business, you can ask a specific person to manage your account and engage with your followers on a regular basis.
Sometimes, Instagram experts find it necessary to send personal messages to your followers thanking them for following you. You can also ask them to ask any questions, especially if you work in any educational field, or are a trainer or expert in health and fitness, or other fields that require ongoing follow-up and advice.
11. Focus on quality content and optimal posting timing.
Consistent posting is an important element in building a strong presence on Instagram, but even more important is focusing on the quality of your content and choosing the right times to post to ensure it reaches the largest number of followers.
Instead of focusing on posting three posts per day, focus on posting high-quality content that your audience will engage with more.
Here are some practical tips:
a) Choosing the best times to post: Use Instagram Insights to understand when your followers are most active. These times vary from account to account, so you should continuously monitor the data to determine the times that generate the best engagement.
b) Balancing consistency and quality: Don't over-post if it affects the quality of your content. Posting engaging and useful content 3-5 times per week may be more effective than posting too often without added value.
c) Leverage diverse content: Don't rely solely on traditional posts; try incorporating different types of content, such as short videos, Stories, and live broadcasts. This diversity makes your account more engaging and allows you to engage with your audience in different ways.
d) Preparing ahead: Prepare and schedule content in advance using Instagram-compatible scheduling tools, which will save you time and effort. This way, you can focus on improving the quality of each post without worrying about the time and effort required for daily posting.
12. Use reliable content scheduling tools that comply with Instagram policies
Preparing high-quality content for posting on Instagram can be a daunting process, especially if you want to post regularly. Fortunately, you can save time and effort by using reliable content scheduling tools that comply with Instagram policies.
These tools help you schedule your posts, including videos and photos, so they automatically post at the optimal times you choose. Additionally, you can manage your account via your phone or computer, giving you greater flexibility in controlling your content.
Here are some recommended tools that are fully compliant with Instagram policies:
a) Meta Business Suite
This tool is completely free and managed by Meta itself, making it the most reliable and convenient option for scheduling posts on Instagram.
It allows you to schedule photos, videos, and even Stories. It also provides detailed analytics to help you improve your posting strategies.
Among its advantages:
Completely free.
Officially supported by Instagram and Facebook.
The ability to schedule stories and posts with built-in analytics.
Disadvantages:
The user interface can be a bit complex for some new users.
b) Later
Later is an official Instagram partner and one of the best tools available for scheduling content. It allows you to easily schedule Instagram posts, including photos and videos, with a drag-and-drop feature to organize posts into a timeline. The tool is available in both free and paid versions.
Advantages:
An official Instagram partner.
A simple and intuitive user interface.
Provides a visual preview of how your account will look after posting.
Disadvantages:
Some advanced features, such as scheduling stories and analytics reports, require a paid subscription.
13. Invest in Instagram Ads Smartly
Instagram ads are one of the most effective ways to increase your followers and engagement with your content, especially if you have the right budget.
Whether you're aiming to increase your follower count, boost engagement on your posts, or even sell a specific product, Instagram ads can be a powerful way to reach a new audience.
Here's how to use ads effectively to achieve your goals on Instagram:
a) Set a clear goal for your advertising campaign
Before starting any advertising campaign, define your primary goal. Do you want to increase your number of followers? Boost engagement? Increase your sales? Clearly defining your goal helps you design the right ad and choose the optimal strategy to achieve it.
b) Target the right audience with advanced tools
Instagram offers precise targeting options that allow you to reach your ideal audience. You can target:
Lookalike Audience: People similar to your existing followers based on their interests and engagement.
Retargeting: Reach people who have interacted with your content or visited your website.
Interest-based targeting: You can choose precise interest categories that align with the type of content or products you offer.
c) Use engaging visual content
High-quality images and videos are the foundation of any successful Instagram ad. Make sure the content you use in your ad is eye-catching and represents your brand in a professional and engaging way.
Try using short videos or creative images that convey a clear message that engages viewers.
d) Utilize Reels and Stories Ads
Story ads and short videos like Reels have become some of the most engaging ad formats. Take advantage of these formats to deliver quick, short content that showcases your product or service in an engaging and easy-to-understand way.
e) Monitor performance and improve your campaigns regularly
After launching your ad campaign, use analytics tools to monitor its performance. Monitor engagement, click-through rates, and conversions generated by your ads. Use this data to continuously improve your campaigns and adjust targeting or ad messages as necessary.
You now have a wealth of information and strategies at your disposal that will enable you to easily increase your Instagram followers, provided you put in the necessary effort.