How do you increase your Instagram followers? If so, you're not alone. With over 1.4 billion active users, growing your audience and standing out on the platform can be challenging.
Fortunately, there are Instagram best practices and specialized tools you can utilize to gain more followers quickly. In this article, we'll provide you with over 30 tips, tricks, and hacks that you can implement to attract real Instagram followers.
Are you ready to learn how to get more followers on Instagram? Let's dive into the list.
Optimal Approaches for Gaining Instagram Followers
1. Increase Your Content Output
In social media, numbers matter, and Instagram is no exception. Consistent posting is critical to gaining traction and increasing your following.
However, constantly creating and posting content can take time and effort. To alleviate this, you can plan your content using an Instagram scheduling tool like Pallyy. This tool allows you to schedule your posts in batches and automatically publish them at specific dates and times.
By scheduling your content, you can post as frequently as you desire while freeing time to create additional content for Stories and Reels without feeling chained to your mobile device. With this strategy, you can effortlessly improve your posting frequency and gain instant traction on Instagram.
2. Organize an Instagram Giveaway Campaign
Instagram giveaways are proven to enhance engagement and draw new followers to your account. Maximizing the benefits of your Instagram giveaway relies heavily on transparency with your followers concerning the entry criteria.
If you want to expand your reach to new followers, consider implementing one of the following giveaway types:
- Like-and-share giveaways – require followers to like and share your post to enter
- Tag-a-friend giveaways – require followers to tag a friend to enter
- Follow-to-win giveaways – require users to follow your account to be entered into the giveaway
To maximize the potential of Instagram giveaways, consider creating content-based giveaways such as caption or photo contests. This approach encourages user-generated content that can be repurposed and shared to your account's benefit.
Once you've selected a prize and crafted your giveaway content, promoting it as much as possible is crucial. Choosing an appropriate hashtag is essential to reach a broader audience on Instagram. Share your giveaway on all your social media channels, and consider embedding a giveaway widget on your website or blog using a tool like Sweep Widget to boost engagement.
To learn more about running successful Instagram giveaways, explore our comprehensive guide or check out our article on Instagram giveaway ideas.
3. Identify High-Performing Content and Increase its Frequency
You can make informed decisions regarding the type of content to create by leveraging robust analytics insights rather than relying on guesswork. You can access profile insights directly via the app with an Instagram business account. However, for a deeper understanding of your content's performance, it's advisable to use an Instagram analytics tool such as Pallyy or Agorapulse.
These tools can help you gain insights to refine your content strategy continually. You can experiment with different types of posts, including captions that resonate most with your audience, and examine how they perform.
4. Maximize Your Bio and Profile for Better Results on Instagram
The Importance of Optimizing Your Instagram Bio and Profile
Your Instagram bio is the first impression you make on new visitors to your profile. It's crucial to create an eye-catching and informative bio that encourages them to follow you.
In your limited bio space, you should convey your brand's message and identity. Additionally, you can enhance your bio's visual appeal by adding relevant emojis.
To make the most of the link in your bio, you should make it neat and concise to avoid confusing users with long and complicated URLs. One solution is to use a link in bio tool to shorten and optimize links. This will make it easier for users to click on your link and explore your content.
5. Trying different posting times to improve engagement on Instagram
Timing is crucial in maximizing your Instagram posts' reach and engagement. However, determining the ideal time to post can be a daunting task.
Despite numerous online “studies” claiming to know the best posting times, the reality is that it varies for each account, depending on their followers' location and active hours.
Nevertheless, by conducting experiments and analyzing your Instagram insights, you can discover the optimal posting times for your account. Utilizing tools like Pallyy, you can track post-performance and run tests to determine the best times to post feed posts, stories, and other content.
6. Promote your Instagram on other social media platforms through cross-promotion
If you have an established following on other social platforms like Facebook or Twitter, don't hesitate to promote your Instagram account to these followers. Even if your following is small, it's still worth regularly sharing links to your Instagram profile.
Consider providing incentives such as exclusive coupon codes or running Instagram-specific giveaways to encourage your followers to check out your Instagram.
7. Incorporate Trending Hashtags in Your Posts
Hashtags are crucial in making your profile easily discoverable to new users. Including famous and relevant hashtags can increase the likelihood of your content reaching Instagram users in your target audience and getting featured on the Explore page.
To find the most effective hashtags for your content, you can use the Instagram app's search feature to explore which ones are gaining much traction. However, a more strategic approach is to research the hashtags other Instagram users in your niche use. This will help you identify the most relevant and popular hashtags your target audience will likely search for.
8. Ensure Your Instagram Grid Looks Appealing
When a potential new follower visits your Instagram profile, they will likely scroll down and view your post grid. Therefore, your grid must be well-organized, visually appealing, and reflective of your brand.
Many Instagram users spend a lot of time planning their grid to ensure that all the images are consistent in color schemes and phototypes. Like the above examples, some profiles go above and beyond to make their grids visually stunning. As a creator, you should create a visually appealing and consistent grid to attract new followers.
However, if your content is more diverse, it may be challenging to maintain a perfect grid at all times. As a general guideline, try to avoid posting unedited posts in a prominent position on your grid and strive for consistency to keep it visually appealing.
9. Maximize the potential of your Instagram captions
While the visual elements of your Instagram post are essential, the written captions play a significant role in determining the success of your post. By crafting engaging and informative captions, you can encourage your followers to interact with your post and help increase your reach on the platform. Here are some ways you can use your caption to increase engagement:
- Start with a hook: Use the first few words of your caption to grab your audience's attention and entice them to read on.
- Tell a story: People love a good story, so try incorporating a narrative into your caption that relates to your post and your brand.
- Ask questions: Asking questions is a great way to spark conversations and encourage your followers to leave comments.
- Use calls-to-action (CTAs): CTAs like “double tap if you agree” or “tag a friend who needs to see this” can increase engagement and help spread your message beyond your followers.
10. Utilize Instagram's Location Tagging Options
Adding location tags to your posts on Instagram is an important strategy to increase your content's discoverability, mainly if you're promoting a specific place or event. You can tag your location for a range of posts, from sharing a scenic hiking trail to promoting your favorite store or announcing an upcoming event.
By including a location tag, you can reach a wider audience than just your followers, potentially attracting new followers interested in content related to that area. If you want to attract local customers, adding location tags to your posts can help users quickly find your products or services.
Overall, utilizing Instagram's location tagging feature is a smart way to boost your reach and attract new followers interested in your sharing content.
11. Participate in popular discussions on Instagram
If you want to boost your visibility on Instagram, it's essential to participate in ongoing conversations and hot topics. Whether it's related to politics or the latest fashion trend, don't hesitate to voice your opinion and share your thoughts with the IG community.
Joining the discussion by commenting on posts, sharing relevant Stories, or creating original content can help increase your chances of getting featured on the Explore page. Moreover, if your contributions are engaging and insightful, you might attract the attention of high-profile influencers, who might share your content with their followers.
To increase your posts' visibility, use relevant hashtags associated with the trend you're talking about. This will make it easier for users to discover your content and engage with your posts.
12. Boost engagement by pinning comments
Pinning comments is a valuable but often overlooked feature that can boost engagement on your Instagram posts. You can select up to three words to pin, keeping them at the top of the comment thread.
We suggest pinning comments from your followers that spark conversations or debates. When new users come across your post, they'll see the pinned comment thread and be more inclined to engage.
Increased engagement can lead to greater post visibility and more followers. You can also use pinned comments to extend your post caption by pinning your comment. If your followers engage more with extended captions, this feature can help increase engagement on your posts.
13. Follow Accounts in Your Niche for Instagram Growth
If you want to grow your Instagram following, it's crucial to take an active approach by engaging with other users and creators within your niche. Waiting for people to stumble upon your profile won't do the trick. Instead, focus on immersing yourself in communities that are interested in your content.
A proven tactic is to follow other accounts in your niche. By observing successful creators in your place, you can connect with followers who share a passion for your content, and you might even come across potential influencers for future collaborations.
To get started, follow five established creators in your niche, and engage with them by leaving comments, interacting with other followers, and sharing your content. As you engage with more users, you'll see an increase in followers who are genuinely interested in what you offer.
14. Partner with fellow Instagram creators for collaborations
More followers. It is essential to connect with other influencers in your niche by engaging with their content and building a rapport before discussing collaboration ideas.
When pitching your collaboration idea, suggest specific concepts and content ideas that align with your audiences. Collaboration can benefit both of your accounts if you and the other influencer have similar followings.
Popular types of Instagram collaborations include story takeovers and funny reels, but the possibilities are endless. Remember to tag each other in the posts to ensure proper credit and exposure.
15. Think About Hosting a Live Broadcast on Instagram
If you want to increase engagement with your followers and reach a broader audience on Instagram, consider using the platform's live video feature. It lets you connect easily with your followers in real time and attract new ones.
To start a live video, tap the “Create” tab and select “Live.” You can give your video a title and schedule it in advance to let your followers know when to tune in. You can even use fundraising tools to raise money during your stream.
Going live can be nerve-wracking, so it's a good idea to plan content, such as games, quizzes, or a Q&A session, to keep your audience engaged. This way, new and old followers can learn more about you and your brand.
16. Consider creating Reels on Instagram
Reels, Instagram's version of TikTok, have become increasingly popular among creators since its launch. They are also an effective tool to make your account more visible and discoverable on the platform. Many creators have noticed that Instagram's algorithm favors Reels, so if you're trying to grow your following, it's worth considering incorporating them into your strategy.
If you need help getting started, take some time to browse through the Reels feed to see what's trending. Using trending sounds and filters is a great way to make your content more visible and increase its reach.
17. Utilize Your Instagram QR Code
The Instagram QR code feature can help you gain more followers by promoting your account offline if you have a brick-and-mortar store or restaurant.
People can instantly access your Instagram account and hit follow by simply scanning the QR code on their smartphones. You can display the QR code in your physical locations, add it to your business cards, or present it on your phone to be scanned by new connections at networking events and conferences.
Finding your Instagram QR code is easy. Click the three lines at the top of your profile page and select “QR code.” You can also send it to your phone contacts and share it on other social networks to increase your reach.
18. Avoid buying fake followers on Instagram
Although it may seem like an easy shortcut to success, purchasing followers from websites that promise thousands of followers in no time is a terrible idea. Not only is it a waste of money, but it can also damage your account's credibility and harm your long-term growth.
The followers you purchase will likely have no genuine interest in your content and won't engage with your posts. This can negatively affect your account's engagement rate and hurt your reach. Furthermore, buying followers goes against Instagram's community guidelines, and if detected, it could lead to a penalty or even account suspension. So, it's always best to grow your followers organically, even if it takes more time and effort.
19. How to Effectively Mention and Tag Other Users in Your Instagram Posts
Tagging other users in your Instagram posts can help increase the post's reach and encourage engagement. If you have collaborated with a brand or influencer, received products from a company, or want to connect with specific followers, tagging can help link them to relevant posts.
Once you tag someone, they receive a notification and are likelier to engage with your post, such as leaving a comment or sharing it with their followers.
However, it's essential to only tag people relevant to your post. Tagging random people or multiple people in the same position is considered bad etiquette on Instagram, and it's best to avoid doing so.
20. Encouraging Your Followers to Tag Your Instagram Account
If we're discussing tagging, another effective strategy to gain genuine Instagram followers is to motivate your existing followers to tag you in their posts. This can significantly increase your visibility as it exposes your profile to the followers of those who have ordered from you.
Organizing contests or competitions like photo contests is an excellent approach to encourage your followers to tag you in their posts or stories.
Moreover, by encouraging users to tag you in their content, you can also share their posts on your Stories, saving you some time to create new content.
21. Engage with Other Posts by Liking and Commenting
Interacting with people and promoting your content to them directly is one of the most authentic ways to increase your follower count. To achieve this, you can engage with other users' posts by liking and commenting.
Make it a habit to like and comment on posts from your favorite creators daily and actively participate in discussions in the comment section.
When relevant, don't hesitate to mention your account, but avoid leaving spammy or irrelevant comments. To gain followers through this approach, you only need to engage with other users naturally and authentically.
22. Maximize the Potential of Instagram Stories
Instagram Stories are a powerful tool for connecting with your audience more authentically. They can drive engagement on your account and attract more followers when utilized effectively.
Your Stories don't have to be elaborate or heavily edited. Instead, they can be used to share updates and initiate conversations with your followers.
I use Stories as an alternative to Instagram posts, particularly when I need to share a quick update with my followers.
To enhance engagement through your Stories, you can use polls or “ask me anything” stickers to encourage your followers to participate and communicate with you directly. You can also include hashtags and location tags in your Stories to increase their discoverability among users who still need to follow you.
23. Design Unique AR Filters of Your Own
Instagram's AR filters are immensely popular and an effective way to gain exposure for your profile. You can utilize Spark AR Studio, a tool that lets you design and publish your own Instagram filters for others to use on the platform.
When you upload a filter, it will be associated with your profile name, attracting potential followers to check out your page and hit the follow button.
While creating a filter, focus on making it entertaining and interactive. This will increase its chances of going viral, and if a trend starts around your filter, you can gain a significant number of followers in a short time.
Additionally, designing your own AR filters will allow you to add some artistic creativity to your Instagram Stories.
24. Craft Your Own Story Highlights
Instagram Stories are temporary and vanish after 24 hours. You can create Story highlights to keep your content available for a longer duration.
Placed between your bio and post feed, Story highlights are among the first things a potential new follower will notice when visiting your profile. They are an excellent way to introduce your account and showcase your content to new followers. While creating highlights, select only the best and most relevant content from your archives.
You can create as many highlights as you desire, so organize your Stories into distinct categories, making it easier for new users and your existing followers to find exactly what they're searching for.
25. Think About Launching an Ad Campaign on Instagram
Investing in an Instagram ad campaign is an excellent way to promote your Instagram account if you have money to spare.
Unlike purchasing fake followers from unreliable sources, Instagram ads are a legitimate and secure way to boost your following through monetary investments.
Instagram offers an extensive ad structure that enables you to target your ads to specific users based on their demographic information and location. You can also select where you want your ads to appear, such as on the Explore page or in Stories.
While ads are ideal for businesses selling products or services, they can also be used to showcase your content and persuade people to follow your account.
26. Promote Your Instagram Profile on Your Blog
If your blog receives regular visitors, you can use it to gain more Instagram followers by advertising your Instagram profile. There are various methods to promote your Instagram page on your blog, such as:
- Links to your social accounts in your blog’s footer
- Embedding images from your Instagram account within blog posts
- Pop-ups encouraging visitors to follow you
- Follow-to-enter contests and giveaways for blog readers
- Link to your Instagram in emails to your subscribers
f your blog name and Instagram handle differ, you should mention your Instagram handle wherever possible to increase the chances of your blog readers finding your profile. This will help you convert your web visitors into followers and improve the views on your Instagram content.
27. Emphasize the Creation of Engaging and Distinctive Content
If you want to increase your Instagram following, utilizing all the tips and tricks out there will only matter a little if your content lacks quality. Unengaging, repetitive, or subpar content can hinder growth and discourage users from following your account. Therefore, it's crucial to prioritize creating captivating and original content that your audience will enjoy.
To accomplish this, establish and adhere to your unique style while experimenting with new techniques. Furthermore, diversify your content by taking advantage of Instagram's features, such as Reels, Live, Stories, and feed posts.
If you need help decidingcontent to post, develop a persona for your ideal audience. You can tailor your content to their interests and preferences by doing so.
28. Motivate Individuals to Follow Your Account
One simple yet frequently disregarded approach to gaining new followers is asking individuals to follow your account directly. Suppose you've created a Reel or a Story that you believe will receive a positive response. In that case, you shouldn't hesitate to include call-to-action statements such as “like and follow” in your caption.
Although it may seem like an elementary strategy, this action informs users that you're actively seeking to expand your following. Many individuals will appreciate your content and be willing to assist you in achieving your objectives.
29. Switch to a Public Account for Better Visibility
To achieve the highest possible number of followers, switching to a public account is essential. With a public statement, users can click the follow button, and your posts appear in their feed. Conversely, if your account is private, users must request to follow you, and you must manually approve their request.
While privacy is crucial, we highly recommend changing to a public one if you don't have a specific reason for maintaining a private account. Shared accounts are prevalent on Instagram, and opting for one will simplify matters for you and your potential followers. Navigate to Settings > Privacy > Private Account to convert your account to public.
