Dreaming of a massive Instagram following? Congratulations on landing at the right place. Growing an Instagram audience isn’t just about likes; it’s about building a loyal community, reaching a wider audience, and boosting a brand’s visibility.
Read this article to find practical tips and strategies to increase your Instagram followers organically and authentically.
Let’s get started!
Table of Contents
11 ways to boost your instagram followers
Conclusion
11 ways to boost your instagram followers
Having more followers on Instagram is a great way for businesses to ensure their marketing efforts reach a larger audience. Here are 11 tried-and-trusted ways of boosting your instagram followers in 2025.
1. Optimize Instagram bio
The account bio is the first thing visitors check when they land on an Instagram account. An optimized bio helps visitors understand the brand and encourages them to click the follow button without hesitation. Follow these best practices for a well-optimized bio:
- Use an easy and searchable name.
- Choose a high-quality profile picture (recommended size: 110×110 pixels, aspect ratio: 1:1 or 4:5).
- Instagram allows only 150 characters for the bio. Write a short, clear bio with relevant keywords that showcase the brand and include a link to the website.
Paula’s Choice Skincare account is a good example of a well-optimized Instagram bio.
2. Create a content strategy
No one likes to see random content. A solid strategy is important to convert visitors into followers.
Content type
Decide on the types of content to post on Instagram. Don’t stick to only one form of content, as Instagram users consume a variety of formats.
According to a HubSpot report, the most liked content on Instagram includes a mix of photos, videos, and stories.
Content calendar
Create a content calendar for better management of Instagram posts. Decide the number of posts, stories, and reels for a month or quarter. This ensures consistent engagement.
The report also highlights the optimal number of monthly posts for better engagement. Don’t forget to decide the best times for posting. Use scheduling tools like Sprout Social and Later to plan and schedule posts.
Aesthetic
Instagram is all about aesthetics. A cohesive look and feel for the account can attract new followers. Set an Instagram palette to maintain consistency.
For example, neutral_homebody, an interior decorator, uses a modern, chic, and soft aesthetic to create a visually appealing profile.
3. Keep an eye on trending content
Instagram’s audience loves trendy content. Sharing trendy content will get more eyeballs to your content and businesses can increase visibility and engagement on their account.
To find trending content for Instagram, follow these tips:
- Use the Explore page
- Monitor popular hashtags
- Follow industry influencers and competitor
- Use social media tools like Google Trends and BuzzSumo
Use these tactics to engage with your audience and participate in viral challenges to stay updated with trends.
According to Meta’s Q1 earnings, reels now represent more than 50% of the time spent in the Instagram app.
So focus on reels to create trendy content. Check trendy reel formats on competitor pages or famous accounts.
Watch this video to check how to find trendy reels.
Audio is the soul of reels. Use trending audio on reels.
Memes are another great way to incorporate trending content on Instagram.
Later media Instagram accounts share trendy reels, memes, and carousel-style posts.
4. Collaborate with influencers
In a survey, 83.8% of respondents believed that the quality of customers from influencer marketing campaigns is better than other forms of marketing types.
Collaborating with influencers increases a brand’s reach to the targeted audience and builds credibility, ultimately bringing new followers. Find influencers that promote products of your niche.
Use the following tools to find influencers:
- Modash
- Promoty
- Upfluence
Influencers range from having millions to thousands of followers. Choose one that fits your requirements.
Collaborate with influencers via paid partnership or product exchange.
For example, Look Beautiful Official, a cosmetic brand, did a gifted collaboration with cosmetic influencer Vanessa.Izr.
5. Repurpose content
Repurposing content is an effective way to gain more Instagram followers. Sharing Instagram posts on other platforms like Facebook, TikTok, and Pinterest can reach different audiences who may not be on Instagram.
For example, TikTok reels can be posted on Instagram to attract video lovers like drunkelephant.
Instagram infographics can be shared on Pinterest to engage those who love visual content.
Sephora shares its Instagram graphics with its Pinterest account.
This strategy drives traffic to the Instagram profile and encourages users from other networks to follow.
Repurposing content saves time and boosts social media presence across various platforms.
Create once and share forever.
6. Promote Instagram on other platforms
Brands looking to gain new followers should promote their Instagram account beyond the platform itself. Just relying on Instagram to attract followers isn’t wise. Here are some effective ways to promote your Instagram on other media:
Threads:
Threads show an Instagram icon by default.
Look at the Instagram icon at the top left corner of the Dell thread account.
TikTok Bio:
Add your Instagram account link to your TikTok account bio.
Website:
Include your Instagram address in your website footer or About Us page. Seed Heritage shares their Instagram link on both their website and TikTok.
YouTube channel:
Add your Instagram link to your YouTube channel.
Mac Cosmetics added their Instagram account link on their YouTube channel.
Newsletters:
Include your Instagram link in your newsletters. Datacamp shares its Instagram account in its newsletter.
Promoting your Instagram account on various platforms is free and has no downsides.
7. Use relevant hashtags
Hashtags are clickable and searchable words that attract new followers to your account. They are a favorite feature for discovery on Instagram, as users often follow hashtags. According to a HubSpot report, hashtags significantly impact comments, likes, and impressions.
Here are some valuable tips for using hashtags:
Optimal number:
Among surveyed marketers, the most common number of hashtags to use is 3-11. Instagram allows up to 30 but avoids spamming.
Visibility:
Hashtags help surface content to new audiences. Aim to appear on the Explore page when users search for tags related to your niche.
Relevance:
Use hashtags relevant to your targeted audience. For example, Tesalate Beach towels use hyper-targeted hashtags like #beachtowels.
Research:
Navigate to the Explore tab and search for keywords related to your business or industry to find popular hashtags. Instagram will show a list of related hashtags and the number of posts using them.
Tools:
Use hashtag generator tools like Hootsuite, All Hashtag, or TailWind to find relevant hashtags.
8. Use geotags
Geotags are location tags used in Instagram posts and stories to mark a specific place. They help users discover businesses based on location, which is especially beneficial for service-based businesses like restaurants, salons, and hotels.
For example, Hoteljen uses geotags to attract local followers.
Follow these steps to use this feature:
To use it, tap the magnifying glass icon at the bottom of the screen and search for a specific location.
Select “Places” in the top-right corner, then choose a spot from the list to view its map.
Users can also open the map by tapping on a location tag in someone’s post.
Once the map is open, drag your finger to scroll, pinch to zoom, and tap “Search this area” to update the menu with popular places.
Tap a spot on the map or select it from the list to see all posts and Stories from that location. Instagram users can bookmark locations, share them with contacts, or open them in Apple Maps or Google Maps.
9. Post user-generated content
Want to win over customers? Share their spotlight! User-generated content (UGC) is a powerful way to build a loyal fanbase and attract potential followers. UGC is when a brand shares their customer-created content on their profile.
Create a unique hashtag for easy discovery and ask customers to use this. This helps you find amazing content and attracts new followers who see the hashtag.
Bella Belle shoes have exclusive UG hashtags #bellabelleshoes and #bellabellebrides.
They share their customer’s content on the feed with their UGC hashtag.
If any brand doesn’t have any exclusive hashtag they can still find their customer’s content.
Click on this icon and it will display content where your clients have tagged you.
Brands can directly ask their customers to share their pictures as Theinkeylist asked after an event.
Customer-like recognition and using user-generated content are the best ways to win their hearts.
10. Engage with your audience
Ignoring your customers is like ghosting them. No one likes being overlooked, and it can lead to unfollows. A well-engaged community attracts more followers.
Here’s how to effectively connect with your audience:
- Host live sessions:
Use Instagram Live to connect with your audience in real-time.
Announce product launches, and sales, or provide tutorials during these sessions.
Schedule Live sessions on product launch days.
E-commerce brands can also sell products directly through Instagram Live.
- Respond to DMs:
Don’t restrict customer support to your website.
Reply promptly to customers who reach out via Instagram DMs.
Engage with inquiries and build relationships through direct messages.
- Engage with comments:
Respond to comments on your posts to show you value your followers.
This interaction helps maintain a dynamic and active community.
Look how Theinkeylist interacts with their audience.
- Host Q&A sessions:
Organize question-and-answer sessions on Live or in Stories to address client questions and concerns.
Use these sessions to gather content ideas and engage more deeply with your audience.
Skincare brand Byoma invited a dermatologist for a Q&A session and later saved this session in story highlights.
11. Organize stories in Highlight
78% of Gen Z prefers watching stories on Instagram to TikTok. Stories highlights can attract more followers by showcasing your best content, maintaining a consistent brand aesthetic, and providing new visitors a quick way to understand your account.
This feature keeps your top stories accessible, boosting engagement and encouraging users to follow for more.
Add Q&A sessions, important information, reviews, live session recordings, and highlight announcements.
Check out Stratiaskin’s highlight section to get inspiration for story highlights.
Conclusion
Growing the Instagram community isn’t an overnight game.
It takes effort and time to increase followers that ultimately turn into customers.
Avoid buying fake followers as they are against Instagram’s terms of use and Instagram deletes all fake followers. Instead, follow these tried and tested tips to increase followers on Instagram and boost your brand’s engagement in 2025!
