Summary
Read on to find out the 12 best tactics (with tools and examples) that could help you grow a bigger, more engaged audience for your business on Instagram.
You will learn
- The best practices to help you grow your Instagram audience
- The importance of a unique brand voice on Instagram
- How to post consistently and at the right times to grow your audience
You spend hours planning and creating content for Instagram. For a brief moment after you hit âShare,â all is right with the world. Youâre confident you published something great.
Then, radio silence. Or a few likes and comments from your handful of followers. But how do you get more followers on Instagram if not by publishing great content?
Thereâs no step-by-step guide for Instagram growth. But there are best practices that will help you reach a wider audience and win over new followers.
Here are 12 ways to get more followers on Instagram.
1. Optimize your bio
Make the most of those 150 characters. Your Instagram bio tells potential followers who you are, what youâre about, and what action you hope people will take after visiting your profile.
Your Instagram bio should include:
- A clear description of what you do
- Touches of your personality
- A call to action (shop, read more, contact us, etc.)
- A link
Your in-bio link is your only clickable link on Instagram, so use it wisely. Some businesses include a standard link to their website, while others change it regularly to reflect recent posts. But if you want to make it easier on yourself, take advantage of link-in-bio tools such as Start Page that allow you to turn a single link into a catalog of links.

Consider including a branded hashtag as well. For example, we encourage our fans to use #BufferLove when they talk about our products. Adding the branded hashtag to our bio tells people which hashtag to include to catch our attention. Plus, when anyone taps on the hashtag, theyâll see posts from fans who have used it.

2. Find your best time to post on Instagram
Notice how we didnât say find thebest time to post on Instagram? The truth is, there is no universal answer for when to post on Instagram to reach the highest number of people. But there are ways to figure out the ideal times for your followers.
First, use Instagram Insights to figure out when your audience is online. Tap the âInsightsâ button from your Instagram business profile, scroll to âYour Audience,â then tap âSee All.â From there, scroll to the bottom to find your audienceâs most active times.

You should also consider when your content will be most relevant. For example, a step-by-step recipe video might perform better outside of work hours because people are more likely to be cooking. A coffee shop post, on the other hand, might do well around 2 p.m. when people go through an afternoon slump. Experiment with different posting times and track engagement.
If you're looking for some extra guidance on when to post, Buffer's Answers feature provides you with three posting time suggestions for maximizing your reach on Instagram.

Find more in-depth guidance in our article, How to Find Your Best Time to Post on Instagram.
3. Post consistently
A 2021 study of 14 industries shows that businesses share four Instagram posts per week, on average. But we recommend posting at least once a day. Brands that get into a regular flow with Instagram posts tend to see the best results. According to a Tailwind study, profiles that post daily gain Instagram followers faster than those that post less frequently.

With Instagramâs algorithmic timeline, consistency is a key element to getting your posts seen. If your posts are shared on a regular basis and picking up good engagement, Instagramâs algorithm will likely show your posts near the top of your followersâ feeds.
Of course, quality is always more important than quantity. Posting more often doesnât necessarily translate to higher engagement rates. Focus on creating content that will resonate with your target audienceâmore on that in section 9: Engage with your audience.
Instagram scheduling tools allow you to post consistently without having to worry about posting directly from the app every day. Take a look at How to Schedule Instagram Posts to Save Time and Boost Engagement to discover our favorite Instagram scheduling tools (free and paid) along with scheduling tips.
4. Learn how the Instagram algorithm works
Many Instagram users initially panicked about the switch from a chronological feed to the ranked timeline. However, since the change, the average post is seen by 50% more followers than before. So, forget about learning how to beat the Instagram algorithm. Instead, focus on learning how to use the system to your advantage.
There are six factors that determine what shows up in each personâs timeline: interest, timeliness, relationship, frequency, following, and usage.
Hereâs a quick rundown of what each of those factors refers to:
- Interest: How much Instagram thinks a person will like the post based on previous activity
- Timeliness: How recent the post is
- Relationship: Accounts a person engages with on a regular basis
- Frequency: How often a person uses the Instagram app
- Following: Posts from the accounts a person follows
- Usage: How much time a person spends on Instagram
Instagramâs algorithm aims to surface the best content for each individual user. So, while six separate factors may seem like a lot to worry about, the best thing you can do is create high-quality content consistently.
We dig into each ranking factor in more detail in How the Instagram Algorithm Works in 2021: Everything You Need to Know. We also include guidance on how to create content that caters to each factor and share tips on how to use the Instagram algorithm to your advantage.
5. Experiment with different content types
Instagram is so much more than photos. Over the years, the app has introduced many ways to share content on the platform. Mixing it up with different content types is one of the best ways to gain more followers on Instagram because it gives you the chance to reach and connect with a wider range of people.
Remember: The algorithm looks at interest and strives to show people the content types that they interact with most often. So, if one person likes and comments on Instagram Reels more often than other post types, theyâre likely to see more Reels in their Instagram feed. However, if another person interacts more frequently with carousel posts, theyâll see more of that content type in their timeline.
Each type of content has advantages. For instance, Instagram Reels have an edge because theyâre the newest content type and Instagram always pushes new features. Since launching Instagram Reels in 2020, the app has moved the Reels button to the center position in the menu bar and made Reels appear larger than photo posts on the Explore page. Considering 200 million people check the Explore page every day, that additional visual real estate can make a big difference in how many people you reach.
Instagram TV (IGTV) videos also appear 4x larger than photos on the Explore page. And, since IGTV videos can be as long as 60 minutes, this type of content is ideal for long-form video.

Instagram Stories disappear after 24 hours, but they have their benefits as well. Fifty-seven percent of brands believe thatStories have been âsomewhat effectiveâ or âvery effectiveâas a part of their social media strategy. Plus, if you have a verified account or at least 10,000 followers, you can add Instagram Swipe Up links to Stories to drive traffic to specific pages.
Meanwhile, carousel postsâa series of up to 10 images/videos in a single postâboast the highest engagement rates of all post types. Think of carousels as a mini-story or teaser to a longer-form piece of content, such as a blog. You can use text images, photos, video, or a mix of everything all in one thematic post.

Confused by all the arguments for different post types? People like what they like. So, while studies can tell you what the average engagement rate is for each content type or argue for one over the other, the best strategy is to use a variety. Mixing up your Instagram content allows you to reach people with different preferences, and that extended reach helps you boost your Instagram followers.
6. Find your brand voice and create unique content
People donât follow your business on social media so they can see sales pitches. They follow your brand because they enjoy your personality and the content you create.
What works for one business might not suit your brandingâeven when youâre in similar industries. For example, Juggling Daisies Hobby Farm and Such and Such Farm both consider themselves to be unique farms. Juggling Daises is all about fun stories, cute photos, and wholesome content. Meanwhile, Such and Such Farm has a more rough-around-the-edges style that includes curse words and humor.
Ask yourself what you want your tone to be. Funny? Informative? Playful? Cynical? Your personality should also reflect what youâre passionate about. Such and Such Farm believes in sustainably grown produce, so many of their Instagram posts talk about their farming practices. What topics do you address with your Instagram content? Everything you share on your business account should show off your brandâs personality and beliefs.

Think of your business account as a person. Design a personality for the account and create branding guidelines so you can stay consistent. Branding guidelines should include notes on tone, style, and values along with your brandâs colors and fonts.
7. Write great captions
Nice photos catch peopleâs attentionâgreat Instagram captions keep it. Captions give you a chance to provide more context or details about the photo or video youâre sharing. Plus, using keywords in captions can help you appear in search results on the app.
Instagram captions can be up to 2,200 characters. Of course, not every caption needs to read like a blog post. Play around with different lengths. Some photos pair nicely with a short, quippy caption with a couple of emojis, while others might benefit from something longer and more reflective.
The average length of Instagram captions is on the rise, but most brands still donât go anywhere near that 2,200 character limit. In 2020, the average was projected to be 405 characters, up from 142 in 2016.

So, when do you go long, and when do you keep it simple? Thereâs no hard-and-fast rule. Just like with content types, itâs best to mix it up. Take a look at these two posts from AndrĂ©a Jones of OnlineDrea. One post has a short caption, while the other specifically directs you to the caption for a longer explanation.
Weâve explored hashtags a lot on the blog, but it seems that nowhere on social media are they quite as important as on Instagram. The right hashtags can expose your image to a large and targeted audience, and Instagram users donât seem to get hashtag fatigue in the same way they might on other networks.
Start by finding hashtags that would appeal to your target audience. Free Instagram tools like Display Purposes and AutoHash help you find relevant hashtags for your Instagram posts. For instance, with Display Purposes, you simply type in a few words about your image, and it will recommend the top hashtags to use.

If you want to gain more Instagram followers, hashtags are essential. Using hashtags makes your content discoverable via search or filtering when people tap on the same hashtag from another post. People can even follow their favorite hashtags so that top content with that hashtag will show up in their Instagram timeline.
Instagram allows up to 30 hashtags per post, but donât tack on extras just to hit 30. TrackMaven recommends nine hashtags for maximum engagement. Just make sure you donât use the same nine hashtags over and over again. Instead, group your go-to hashtags by category so you can quickly add a few relevant hashtags to each post.
With Buffer Hashtag Manager, you can create and save groups of hashtags. Then, you can select from your pre-saved groups and add hashtags to your scheduled Instagram posts.

9. Engage with your audience
Engagement is crucial for growth on Instagram. Many brands make the mistake of focusing on likes and comments without considering the people behind those metrics. If you really want to get more Instagram followers, you need to engage your fans in a conversation.
Keep in mind that just because someone sees your content, that doesnât mean they currently follow you. If you have a chance to interact with a potential follower, you should take it. Every comment is an opportunity to gain a new follower (or keep a current one), so make sure you respond to each comment you receive. If your hands are already cramping at the thought of tapping away on your phone, donât worry. With the Buffer Engage tool, you can reply to comments from your desktop.

But donât just wait for your followers to start the conversation. Create engagement opportunities. Use Instagram stickers such as open-ended questions and polls in Instagram Stories. Ask questions in your photo captions. Encourage people to tag friends in the comments with prompts such as âTag your BFF who youâd invite on this cruise!â or âTag your wine-loving friend who youâd do this wine tasting with.â
Need more ideas? Take a look at our Instagram engagement tips to learn how to get more followers on Instagram by increasing engagement.
10. Collaborate with others
Another great way to gain Instagram followers is to collaborate with others through partnerships or influencer campaigns.
Our brand spotlight with Blume is a great example. Blume gets access to Bufferâs followers through the original Instagram Story and the accompanying Highlights. Meanwhile, Blume will share the spotlight with their fans, which brings their audience to Buffer. Itâs a win-win.

Influencer marketing is another way to grow your Instagram following. If you have the budget, you can pay content creators to promote your brand. But if youâre hoping to keep it simple (and low-budget), micro-influencers (1,000â10,000 followers) can be very impactful. In fact, content from micro-influencers has higher engagement rates than content from larger accounts. You can seek out micro-influencers to set up collaborations or simply re-share user-generated content (UGC).
Remember those branded hashtags we talked about in Section 1: Optimize your bio? One tap on your branded hashtag, and youâll have an entire catalog of content to choose from.
When we first launched Bufferâs Instagram, we encouraged fans to use #BufferStories and #BufferCommunity. We used those hashtags to find and re-share user-generated content. Within one year, we increased our Instagram followers from 4,250 to 21,000.

Why is UGC so popular? "It relays authentic experiences about a brandâs products or services from previous customers, which boosts brand credibility," says Ramon Berrios of Trend.
Collaborations are also a chance to show off your values and personality through association. The businesses and people you align with and support say a lot about your own brand. Partnerships can be especially powerful for local businesses, too. Consider partnering with your neighbors so you can reach a hyper-targeted audience.
11. Link to your Instagram from elsewhere
Make it easy for people to find your Instagram. No one should have to hunt through pages of your website to find your Instagram profile.

Add your Instagram account link to:
- Email footers
- Your websiteâs footer and/or sidebar
- Bios on other social media platforms
- Social media posts from team members
12. Analyze your results
One way to figure out how to get more followers on Instagram is to look into what your current fans respond to. You can monitor several Instagram metrics directly in the app with Instagram Insights or through third-party analytics tools such as Buffer.
Donât obsess over vanity metrics such as likes and comments. Instead, think about what the metrics tell you. For example, if youâre testing out a new hashtag, metrics such as new followers and reach will tell you more about the value of that hashtag than likes from your current followers will. However, if youâre experimenting with different posting times, impressions can give you an idea of when your content is most likely to be seen. Your end goal will determine which metrics matter the most.

Watch for trends. Does a specific type of image get more impressions or engagement? Post more of those images and see how your followers respond. Do certain hashtags result in more likes from people who donât follow you? Use those hashtags more often and keep an eye on new followers.
Read our Instagram Analytics guide to learn more about Instagram metrics and how to use them to fuel your marketing strategy.
How do you manage your Instagram marketing?
If you want steady Instagram growth, you have to give your target audience quality content on a regular basis. While piecemeal social media is fine for personal accounts, businesses need to be more strategic. All of the tactics we covered will help you gain more Instagram followers, but theyâre not boxes you can check off once. Staying on top of your social media content strategy is crucial.
It takes time to plan and schedule posts. And managing engagement can be a challenge as well. With Buffer, you can manage every aspect of your Instagram marketing strategy, from scheduling through analytics, right in one platform. Get started for free.
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FAQs
Why is my Instagram not growing? âș
YOU'RE MISUSING HASHTAGS.
If you aren't using hashtags at all, then that might be a major reason why your Instagram account isn't growing. Hashtags are a necessary part of getting noticed on the platform. If you aren't using them, then your content will never appear on any search results.
- Collect the foundation followers. ...
- Make your posts outstanding. ...
- Benefit from similar content of the most successful competitors. ...
- Schedule your posting. ...
- Keep your audience constantly engaged. ...
- Use Instagram Followers Apps to your benefit. ...
- Cooperate with bloggers and other influencers.
- Optimise your Instagram profile. ...
- Create content for your target audience. ...
- Get friendly with other small businesses. ...
- Learn to use the Instagram algorithm. ...
- Up your hashtag game. ...
- Set engagement targets. ...
- Reach out to influential accounts.
- Go to your profile.
- Tap Ad tools.
- Tap Choose a post.
- Choose a post you'd like to boost.
- Tap Next (iOS) or (Android) at the upper-right corner.
- Product photos.
- Behind-the-scenes photos.
- Instagram Reels.
- User-generated content.
- Instagram contests.
- Video tutorials.
- Influencer content.
- Product announcements.
Yes! There's never been a better time to put some relevant hashtags in your social media posts. Whether it's LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, hashtags play an important role in connecting potential customers with your business.
How can I get daily followers? âș- Optimize your bio. ...
- Find your best time to post on Instagram. ...
- Post consistently. ...
- Learn how the Instagram algorithm works. ...
- Experiment with different content types. ...
- Find your brand voice and create unique content. ...
- Write great captions. ...
- Research and use hashtags.
Here is a great formula that will help you determine how many posts you should really be creating per day: 1-1000 followers, 1-2 posts a day. 1,000-10,000, 2-3 posts a day, 10,000-50,000, three to four posts a day, 100,000-500,000, five to six posts a day, 500,000 to 1 million, eight to 10 posts a day.
How do you get first 100 followers? âșTo get 100 followers on Instagram, create an interesting profile and post unique, quality photos and videos consistently. Remember to attach relevant and trending hashtags to your posts to increase your visibility. When users comment on your posts, be sure to respond to their comments directly to keep them engaged.
Why my followers are not increasing? âșYou receive notifications when people follow you, but not when users 'unfollow' you. This means in the same time that people follow you (which you're notified for), other followers may have un-followed you, which would lead your followers count not increasing by the amount that you were notified for.
How often should I post on Instagram? âș
He said there was no set formula, but an ideal strategy is to share a couple of in-feed posts per week and a couple of stories per day. A recent HubSpot Blog Survey asked the same question, and here are the responses collected from 500+ global B2B and B2C Instagram marketers.
Why is it so hard to gain followers on Instagram? âșGaining organic followers on Instagram isn't easy anymore. There are a lot of accounts that still follow you and unfollow you later and a lot of bots that comment just to gain attention. With all the competition around, you need to make sure that you're consistent, you stand out and are authentic.
How much can Instagram pay you? âșThey can earn anywhere from a few dollars to a million dollars per post. The amount you make depends on a few factors: Number of followers. Engagement rates.
How can I increase Instagram followers for free? âș- Use apps like GetInsFollowers. ...
- Follow other users with similar interests. ...
- Respond to the comments of others. ...
- Get your family and friends to support your account. ...
- Ask people to follow you in your posts. ...
- Have accounts with lots of followers tag you in their posts.
- Incorporate Reels into your content mix.
- Cross promote content.
- Curate your profile grid.
- Work with brand ambassadors.
- Get follows from your loyalty program.
- Market through your personal Instagram account.
- Get on feature accounts.
- Use the right hashtags.
Yes, you can buy followers on Instagram from a wide range of sites at different price points, such as $10 for 1,000 followers. However, these followers typically aren't real, and they're either bots or inactive accounts that won't actually engage with your profile.
Who has the most followers on Instagram? âșCristiano Ronaldo has one of the most popular Instagram accounts as of June 2022. The Portuguese footballer is the most-followed person on the photo sharing app platform with 455 million followers, up from 440 million in April 2022.
Does Instagram boost work? âșInstagram boosts and promoted posts are a type of Instagram advertising. You'll have the ability to target your audience by interest, location, and more. The benefit of promoting your post is that you can reach a larger audience and get more engagement on your posts, which can lead to more followers.
How do I increase Instagram reels? âș- Go to your profile.
- Tap the reel you'd like to boost.
- Below the reel, tap Boost.
If you're having trouble boosting posts and stories on Instagram, it may be caused by the following: You're not using a professional account. To create ads on Instagram, you must convert your personal profile to a professional account. You're not a Page admin.
What is IG growth pro? âș
We help people to grow their instagram followers account. Turn your passion into vocation. Make money online, become Instagram influencer.
What is organic Instagram growth? âșIn a nutshell, an Instagram organic growth strategy is a way of boosting your follower count without dipping into your marketing budget. It involves using organic (a.k.a. unpaid) marketing strategies on Instagram that increase the number of followers your business has.
How do Instagram growth companies work? âșThese services basically automate the process of Instagram growth by engaging with other accounts on your behalf, leading to a more prominent presence of your profile on the platform. Their primary purpose is to follow, like, and comment so that other accounts do the same to you.
What should you not post? âș- Overly promotional content. ...
- Political or religious content. ...
- Irrelevant viral posts. ...
- Negative or derogatory content. ...
- Posts with spelling or grammatical errors. ...
- Brand-inconsistent content. ...
- The same message across social networks. ...
- Unaccredited content.
- Life is the biggest party you'll ever be at.
- An apple a day will keep anyone away if you throw it hard enough.
- Give second chances but not for the same mistake.
- Never sacrifice three things: family, love, and or yourself.
- I'm an original and that's perfection in itself.
- You can't dull my sparkle âš
A recent feed post by the official Instagram @creators account specifically recommends using three to five hashtags instead of adding 10 or 20. So which suggestion should your team follow? It's probably best to use the official advice from Instagram and keep hashtag usage to a minimum.
Should I use 30 hashtags on Instagram? âșLater's data report shows that adding 20-30 hashtags to your Instagram posts is the best way to increase your reach and engagement rates.
How much does 1k followers make on Instagram? âșMicro-influencers (between 1,000 and 10,000 followers) make an average $1,420 per month. Mega-influencers (more than one million followers) make $15,356 per month.
How can I get 5000 followers on Instagram? âș- Call to action.
- Promote your account using SFS.
- Do not offer money as a prize.
- Create posts that are worth sharing.
- Start challenges.
- Run mutual PR campaigns.
Once you have 10k followers, Instagram will make it easier for you to get people to your website via Stories with the swipe up to link feature. Swipe up is the only way to get a direct link from your Instagram to your other web properties. And, it's available in STORIES, if you have 10k followers.
How do I make quick money? âș
- Become a Ride-Share Driver. Average income of up to $377 per month. ...
- Make Deliveries for Amazon or Uber Eats. ...
- Become a Pet Sitter or Dog Walker. ...
- Get a Babysitting Gig. ...
- Install Christmas Lights for the Holidays. ...
- Become a Home Organizer. ...
- Help With Home Gardening. ...
- Assist With Deliveries or Moving.
Instagram allows you to earn money with the help of IGTV Ads, Branded Content, Badges, Shopping, and Affiliate Marketing. But creators can also earn from sponsored content, fan membership, licensing the content they produce, and also by becoming a consultant.
Who pays an influencer? âșPaid influencers on Instagram set sponsorship deals, depending on their following, niche, and engagement metrics. While some influencers negotiate the price, others charge a fixed amount, such as $100 per post for every 10,000 followers. Micro-influencers earn about $50 to $60 per sponsored post.
How do I grow my Instagram organically? âș- How to Grow Your Instagram Account Organically.
- Optimise Your Posts.
- Keep Your Followers Engaged.
- Use Instagram Shoutouts.
- Regram Content.
- Hobnob with Influencers.
- Post Consistently, But Not Too Much. ...
- Don't Pay for Engagement. ...
- Post at the Right Times. ...
- Post Content That's Significant for Your Target Audience. ...
- Include CTAs in Your Captions for Social Media Marketing. ...
- Host an Instagram Contest. ...
- Use a Consistent Filter on Photos.
Our advice? Don't do it. While third-party growth services aren't illegal, they are against Instagram's Terms of Use. But more importantly, they don't generate authentic interaction between a target audience and an influencer's content â even if the interaction gained from them is ârealâ.
Are there any real Instagram growth services? âșAnother genuine Instagram growth service is Growthsilo, which also works through manual engagements to gain you targeted results and followers. No bots, no fake followersâ just real, organic Instagram growth. Growthsilo provides you with an account manager that will take over your Instagram growth.
How many followers is considered famous? âșMost professional Instagram influencers believe that you need at least 30,000 followers before you can be considered an authority in your niche. If you want to be famous, then 100,000 followers should be your goal.
Do Instagram pay you for followers? âșInfluencers with a million followers can earn somewhere around $670 per post, the search marketing website says. A content creator on Instagram with 100,000 followers can earn about $200 per post, while someone with 10,000 followers can make about $88 per post.
Is it hard to get Instagram verified? âșIn fact, it can be incredibly difficult to get verified on Instagram. Most of the other social networks have comparable verification or status symbols. It should be no surprise that Facebook, Instagram's owner, operates a similar verification scheme, also using a white tick on a blue background as its symbol.