There are now 3.6 billion active social media users, which is nearly half the globe.
With so many active users, individuals and companies are moving more of their business and marketing to social media.
Instagram is one of the largest and most influential social media platforms globally.
So, we’ve dedicated this article to teach you how to grow your Instagram following.
With 2.0 billion and 2.5 billion users respectively, Facebook and YouTube are the largest social media sites on Earth. TikTok is at the 1 billion MAU mark.
Instagram is also now at that level with 1 billion monthly active users.
Let’s take a look at some other Instagram statistics as the platform continues to develop over time.
- The average user spend 54 minutes per day are spent at Instagram, which is just under Facebook users’ 57 minutes, also making it the second-most engaged network after Facebook
- 82% of Instagram users say they find new products and services on Instagram
- 500 million users use the Instagram Stories feature every day
- More than 100 million Instagram photos and videos are put on Instagram each day
- Video posts are the most engaging form of media on Instagram, following the popularity of TikTok and YouTube
Many consider Instagram the number one social media platform, especially as it chips away from Facebook’s market share (of course, Facebook, now known as Meta, owns both along with WhatsApp).
If you’re an individual, company, or influencer looking to build your commercial or personal brand this year, we’ve got several tips below on how to grow your Instagram.
What Are the Best Ways to Grow Your Instagram?
Below are the fastest ways to grow your Instagram.
#1 Schedule Posts Ahead of Time to Increase Your Instagram Followers
If you want to get more followers on Instagram, you need to be posting regularly.
The best way to make sure you’re doing this is to schedule your posts ahead of time using a social media management tool.
With this type of tool, you can connect your Instagram account and post to Instagram from your computer.
This means you can take the time to create high-quality images and captions without having to rush through the process on your phone.
You can also use features to schedule single image posts, carousels, stories, and videos directly to Instagram.
#2 Focus on Quality of Content over Quantity
When it comes to Instagram, quality is more important than quantity. Your followers want to see content that’s engaging and visually appealing.
To make sure your content is high quality, avoid using too many filters, stick to a consistent color scheme, and use professional photos whenever possible.
If you’re posting images that are low quality or have poor lighting, you’re likely to lose followers.
It’s also important that the caption of your posts is well-written and adds value to the photo. A caption that’s simply a string of hashtags or emojis isn’t going to cut it.
Take the time to write captions that are thoughtful, funny, or provide insight into your life or business.
#3 Use Relevant Hashtags
Hashtags are a great way to get your content seen by more people, which can lead to more followers. But it’s important that you’re using relevant, targeted hashtags.
Don’t just use popular hashtags like #love or #photooftheday.
These hashtags are so general that your content is likely getting lost in the shuffle. Instead, use hashtags that are specific to your niche or industry.
For example, if you’re a fashion blogger, you might use hashtags like #ootd (outfit of the day) or #fashionblogger.
If you’re a travel photographer, you might use #travelphotography or #wanderlust.
The more specific your hashtags, the more likely you are to reach your target audience.
To find the best hashtags for your content, try using a hashtag generator tool like Hashtagify.
This tool will help you find popular, relevant hashtags that you can use to get more eyes on your content.
You can also browse through the hashtag pages of similar accounts to see which ones they’re using.
Just be sure to avoid using too many hashtags in each post (5-7 is a good number) otherwise it looks spammy.
#4 Use Instagram Stories
Instagram Stories is one of the most popular features on the platform. In fact, 500 million people use Stories every day.
So, if you’re not using Stories, you’re missing out on a huge opportunity to connect with your audience and grow your Instagram following.
There are a few different ways you can use Stories to get more followers.
First, you can post engaging content that gives your followers a behind-the-scenes look at your life or business. This helps create a connection with your audience and makes them more likely to follow you.
You can also use features like polls and quizzes to interact with your followers and get them engaged with your content.
And don’t forget to use relevant hashtags and location tags so that people outside of your existing following can find and interact with your Stories.
Finally, you can use Instagram’s “swipe up” feature to drive traffic to your website or blog.
This is a great way to get more people to visit your site and learn more about what you do.
To use the “swipe up” feature, you need to have at least 10,000 followers. If you don’t have that many yet, don’t worry.
Most importantly, just focus on creating engaging, high-quality content, and the followers will come.
#5 Run an Instagram Contest or Giveaway
Running a contest or giveaway is one of the quickest ways to grow your Instagram following.
People love free stuff, so they’re likely to follow you if they have a chance to win something.
When running a contest or giveaway, be sure to choose a prize that’s relevant to your niche or industry.
For example, if you’re a fashion blogger, you might give away a free outfit or styling session.
If you’re a well-known travel photographer, you might give away a print of one of your photos.
No matter what kind of prize you choose, make sure it’s something that people will actually want.
Otherwise, you’re likely to get a lot of followers who are only interested in the prize and not your content.
To run a successful contest or giveaway, be sure to promote it across all of your social media channels (not just Instagram) and use relevant hashtags.
You should also consider partnering with another account in your niche to help promote the contest and reach a larger audience.
Contests and giveaways are a great way to grow your Instagram following, but they shouldn’t be the only way you’re growing your account.
Be sure to use a mix of strategies so that you’re attracting quality followers who are interested in your content.
#6 Socialize and Engage with Other Accounts
This is an easy one to let other people know you exist.
If you can comment early on a popular account in your niche, it will provide you more exposure.
Try to be one of the first ten comments. You can also engage with people who comment on your photos.
Thank them for their compliment and visit their account. Like a few pictures and leave a comment. Now you’re on their radar, and they might start following you too.
When socializing, don’t be spammy!
No one likes someone who only talks about themselves or leaves generic comments like “great pic!”
Take the time to read through the other person’s bio and recent posts so that you can leave a thoughtful, genuine comment.
People can tell when you’re being sincere, and they’ll appreciate the effort you’ve made to connect with them.
If you take the time to build relationships with other accounts in your niche, you’ll not only grow your following but also build a network of people who can help promote your content.
#7 Add Value (Give People A Reason to Follow You)
The people who are most likely to follow you are those who see value in your content. That means you need to give them a reason to follow you.
There are a few ways to add value to your content. First, you can provide helpful tips and advice that your target audience will find useful. This could be anything from fashion tips to relationship advice.
You can also share behind-the-scenes looks at your life or business. This helps create a connection with your audience and makes them more likely to follow you.
Finally, you can use features like polls and quizzes to interact with your followers and get them engaged with your content.
And don’t forget to use relevant hashtags and location tags so that people can find your content.
When adding value to your content, it’s important to focus on quality over quantity.
It’s better to post one helpful, engaging piece of content per day than to post 10 pieces of content that are low-quality or irrelevant to your audience.
If you’re not sure how to add value to your content, take a look at what other accounts in your niche are doing.
See what kind of content they’re posting and how they’re interacting with their followers. Then, use that information to come up with ideas for how you can add value to your own content.
#8 Have a Unique, Visually Appealing Grid
Lots of people will follow you based on whether the grid on your Instagram profile is visually attractive. If your grid is messy or not appealing, people are less likely to follow you.
A visually appealing grid is one that is cohesive and has a consistent theme. That doesn’t mean every photo needs to be the same, but there should be some sort of thread that ties them all together.
For example, if you’re a fashion blogger, you might want to have a grid with photos of you in different outfits. Or if you’re a travel blogger, you might want to have a grid with photos from all the different places you’ve been.
The key to having a visually appealing grid is to plan ahead. Take a look at your recent photos and see if there’s a common theme. If not, start brainstorming ideas for how you can make your grid more cohesive.
Once you have a general idea of what you want your grid to look like, start planning your posts accordingly.
That way, you can ensure that each photo fits into the overall aesthetic of your profile.
#9 Use Engaging Captions
Your captions are just as important as your photos when it comes to getting people to follow you on Instagram.
If you have boring or unengaging captions, people are less likely to be interested in following you.
There are a few things you can do to make your captions more engaging.
First, try to tell a story with your caption. This could be anything from a funny anecdote to a relatable experience.
You can also use questions and fill-in-the-blank statements to get people engaged with your caption.
And don’t forget to use emojis, which can help make your caption more visually appealing.
Finally, make sure your caption is relevant to the photo you’re posting.
Don’t post a random photo with an unrelated caption just for the sake of getting likes and followers.
If you’re not sure how to write engaging captions, take a look at what other accounts in your niche are doing. See how they’re interacting with their followers and see what kind of captions they’re using. Then, use that information to come up with ideas for how you can improve your own captions.
#10 Geotag Your Pictures
Geotagging is another way you can get exposure.
When someone geotags a picture, people can click on that location to find other posts taken there. If your picture is also found there, people may check out your feed and follow you as well.
To geotag your pictures, all you need to do is add the location when you’re posting the picture. Instagram will then automatically add it to the map.
If you’re not sure how to geotag a picture, you can check out this tutorial.
Geotagging is especially useful if you’re trying to reach people in a specific city or region.
For example, if you’re a travel blogger, you can geotag all of your photos with the locations you visit.
That way, when people search for that location on Instagram, your pictures will come up and they may decide to follow you.
#11 Work with Instagram Influencers
Instagram influencers are people with a large following who have the ability to impact the purchasing decisions of their followers.
If you can partner with an influencer in your niche, you’ll be able to reach a larger audience and grow your following more quickly.
There are a few things you need to keep in mind when working with Instagram influencers.
First, make sure the influencer is relevant to your niche. There’s no point in working with an influencer who doesn’t have an engaged following that’s interested in what you’re selling.
Second, make sure the influencer is someone you can trust. There have been cases of influencers scamming businesses by promising results they can’t deliver.
Do your research and only work with influencers who have a good reputation.
Finally, make sure you’re clear about what you want from the partnership.
What kind of results are you expecting? How will you measure success?
Once you’ve answered these questions, you’ll be able to find an influencer who can help you achieve your goals.
#12 Have a Descriptive Instagram Bio
Your Instagram bio is one of the first things people will see when they visit your profile, so it’s important to make a good impression.
Your bio should be descriptive and give people an idea of what they can expect from your account.
You should also include a link to your website or blog in your bio. This is especially important if you’re trying to grow your following for business purposes.
When people see that you have a website, they’ll be more likely to follow you because they’ll know there’s more content they can consume.
Finally, don’t forget to use keywords in your bio so people can find you more easily.
How to Grow Your Instagram Followers Organically! Tips to Actually Gain A Following
How to Grow Your Instagram – FAQs
Q: How often should I post on Instagram?
A: There’s no magic number when it comes to how often you should post on Instagram.
However, the general consensus is that you should post 1-2 times per day for optimal results (i.e., gaining the most followers).
Q: What time of day should I post on Instagram?
A: The best time to post on Instagram depends on your audience.
If you’re not sure when your audience is most active, you can use a tool like Iconosquare to find out.
Q: How do I get more followers on Instagram?
A: There are a number of things you can do to get more followers on Instagram.
We’ve listed some of the most effective methods above.
Q: Is it worth paying for Instagram followers?
A: No, it’s not worth paying for Instagram followers. There are a number of reasons why you shouldn’t do this, but the most important one is that it won’t help you build a lasting relationship with your audience.
Paying for followers also puts you at risk of being banned from Instagram.
If you’re looking to grow your following organically, we recommend using the methods listed above.
Q: What should I post on Instagram?
A: The best thing to post on Instagram is content that is interesting and engaging to your audience.
However, you should also mix in some promotional content from time to time.
If you’re not sure what to post, you can use a tool like Later to help you come up with ideas.
Q: How do I get more likes on Instagram?
A: The best way to get more likes on Instagram is to post high-quality content that is interesting and engaging.
You should also use hashtags and post at times when your audience is most active.
Q: Should I use filters on my photos?
A: There’s no right or wrong answer to this question.
Some people prefer to use filters, while others prefer not to.
Ultimately, it’s up to you and what you think looks best for your photos.
Q: What should I do if I’m not getting any likes on my photos?
A: If you’re not getting any likes on your photos, it could be because your content isn’t interesting or engaging.
It could also be because you’re not using hashtags or posting at the right times.
If you’re still not seeing results, we recommend trying out some of the methods listed above.
Q: Should I post videos or photos?
A: Both! Videos and photos are both great ways to engage with your audience.
We recommend posting a mix of both to keep things interesting.
Q: How do I get more views on my Instagram videos?
A: The best way to get more views on your Instagram videos is to post high-quality content that is interesting and engaging.
You should also use hashtags and post at times when your audience is most active.
Q: What’s the best length for an Instagram video?
A: There’s no magic number when it comes to the length of an Instagram video.
However, we recommend keeping your videos under 1 minute to ensure that people don’t lose interest.
Q: Should I post live videos?
A: Yes! Live videos are a great way to engage with your audience in real-time.
They’re also more likely to be seen by people who are following you, as they’ll get a notification when you go live.
Q: How do I get more comments on my Instagram posts?
A: The best way to get more comments on your Instagram posts is to post high-quality content that is interesting and engaging.
You should also use hashtags and post at times when your audience is most active.
Q: What should I say in my comments?
A: When commenting on someone else’s photo or video, make sure to say something that is genuine and heartfelt.
Avoid leaving generic comments like “great pic!” or “nice video.”
Q: Should I tag people in my photos?
A: Tagging people in your photos is a great way to get more views and engagement.
Just make sure that you’re only tagging people who are actually in the photo.
If I Had 0 Instagram Followers, This Is What I’d Do
Summary – How to Grow Your Instagram
There are a number of methods you can use to grow your Instagram following:
Some of the most effective include posting high-quality content, using hashtags, engaging with other audiences, and posting at times when your audience is most active. You can also try out paid promotions or influencer marketing.
However, it’s important to note that these methods should be used in addition to organic growth tactics. If you’re only relying on one method, you’re likely to see less success.
When it comes to what to post on Instagram, the best thing is interesting and engaging content. However, you should also mix in some promotional content from time to time.
If you’re not sure what to post, you can use a tool like Later to help you come up with ideas.
No matter what methods you use to grow your Instagram following, remember that consistency is key.
The more consistent you are with your posting, the more likely you are to see results.