Top Tips on How to Get Follower on Instagram

Growing your Instagram account isn’t just about posting pretty pictures and hoping for the best. The platform is designed to reward engagement, consistency, and strategy. If you’re not getting the Instagram followers you want, it’s likely because you're missing a key piece of the puzzle.

Instagram’s algorithm prioritizes accounts that interact with their audience, post regularly, and use smart tactics to stay visible. That means real growth requires more than luck—it takes a plan. This guide breaks down the most effective ways to get more followers, covering everything from profile optimization to engagement hacks. No fluff, just proven strategies that work.

Key Takeaways

• Optimize your profile with a clear Instagram bio, high-quality profile picture, and Story Highlights to make a strong first impression and attract new followers.

• Engage consistently by responding to comments, using interactive Stories, and collaborating with others to keep your audience active and connected.

• Use Instagram’s algorithm to your advantage by mixing strategic Instagram hashtags, posting at the right times, and analyzing your performance to refine your strategy for long-term growth.

Optimize Your Profile for Maximum Visibility

Your Instagram profile is the first thing people see before deciding to follow you. If it’s not clear, engaging, and professional, they’ll move on. First impressions matter, and an optimized profile increases your chances of converting visitors into followers. Here’s how to make your profile stand out.

First Impressions Matter: Bio, Profile Picture, and Username

Your username, profile picture, and bio play a major role in attracting new followers.

Username – Keep it simple, memorable, and consistent across platforms. Avoid unnecessary numbers or special characters that make it hard to find you.

Profile Picture – Choose a high-quality, professional-looking image. If you're a personal brand, use a clear headshot. For businesses, a clean and recognizable logo is ideal. Your profile picture appears everywhere you engage on Instagram, so make it stand out.

Bio – Your bio is your elevator pitch. With only 150 characters, you need to:

• Clearly explain what you do.

• Add a touch of personality to make it unique.

• Include a call-to-action (CTA) like “Follow for daily tips” or “Click below for free resources.”

Craft a Compelling Bio with Keywords (Without Making It Spammy)

Your bio should be both engaging and searchable. Adding relevant keywords increases your chances of appearing in Instagram searches. However, avoid stuffing your bio with too many hashtags or buzzwords—this looks spammy and unprofessional.

Example of a strong bio:

Helping small businesses grow on Instagram

Social media tips, trends & strategies

Grab your free content guide!

A well-written bio makes it clear why people should follow you and gives them an easy next step.

Make Your Profile Public for Maximum Reach

If your Instagram profile is private, you're limiting your growth. A public profile is essential for:

• Attracting new followers – People won’t follow if they can’t preview your content.

• Appearing in Instagram searches and Explore pages – A private account won’t be visible to non-followers.

• Increasing engagement – A locked profile discourages interaction from potential followers.

Unless privacy is a concern, keep your profile public so your content can reach more people.

Use Story Highlights to Showcase Your Brand and Convert Visitors

Instagram Story Highlights help turn visitors into followers by displaying your best content permanently on your profile.

Best Story Highlight categories to include:

• Introduction – Tell new visitors who you are and what you offer.

• Testimonials – Social proof builds credibility and trust.

• Behind-the-Scenes – Share daily activities, processes, or personal insights.

• FAQs – Answer common questions about your brand or services.

To keep things organized and professional, use custom Highlight covers with a consistent aesthetic.

Craft High-Quality Content That People Want to Follow

No matter how well you optimize your profile, people won’t follow you if your content isn’t worth their time. Instagram is a visual platform, so your Instagram feed needs to be high-quality, eye-catching, and valuable. Whether you're sharing photos, videos, or graphics, aim for content that stops people from scrolling. AI-powered tools like Foxy AI can make this easier by helping you generate professional-looking visuals without the need for expensive photoshoots or advanced editing skills.

Consistency is key—random posting won’t get you far. The Instagram algorithm favors accounts that post regularly, so having a content schedule keeps your profile active and visible. Aim for at least three to five posts per week and use Stories daily to stay in front of your audience.

But even the best-looking posts won’t work if they don’t connect with your audience. Understanding what your followers want is crucial. Are they looking for inspiration, humor, education, or behind-the-scenes content? Paying attention to what gets the most engagement helps you refine your strategy.

Captions matter, too. A good caption tells a story, asks a question, or sparks a conversation. The more people interact with your posts, the more Instagram pushes them to others.

Don’t just stick to one type of content—mix it up. Carousels allow you to share multiple images in a single post, memes make your brand more relatable, and text-based posts can deliver strong, shareable messages. The more variety you offer, the more likely you’ll keep followers engaged and attract new ones.

Boost Engagement to Get Noticed

Instagram’s algorithm isn’t just about how often you post—it’s about how much people interact with your content. The more likes, comments, shares, and saves you get, the more Instagram will show your posts to a wider audience. In short, engagement fuels growth.

One of the simplest ways to boost engagement is by replying to comments and DMs. When you respond to people, it signals to Instagram that your content is worth engaging with. Plus, it makes followers feel valued, increasing the chances they’ll keep coming back.

Instagram Stories are another easy way to keep interactions flowing. Features like Polls, Q&A stickers, and interactive sliders encourage quick engagement with minimal effort from your audience. These small interactions add up, helping your profile stay active in the algorithm’s eyes.

If you want an even stronger connection with your followers, Instagram Live is a game-changer. Live sessions allow you to engage with your audience in real-time, answer questions, and create a sense of community. The more engaged your audience feels, the more likely they are to share your content.

Finally, don’t just focus on your own profile—engaging with others in your niche can drive more traffic to your page. Thoughtful comments on popular posts in your industry get seen by others who might check out your profile. Engagement isn’t just about getting people to interact with you—it’s about being active in your community to expand your reach and engage customers who are genuinely interested in your content.

Use Hashtags and SEO to Increase Your Reach

Instagram isn’t just a social platform—it’s a search engine. People look for content using keywords, hashtags, and location tags, so optimizing your posts for search is key to reaching new followers.

Hashtags act like labels, helping Instagram categorize your content and show it to the right audience. The trick is to use a mix of broad and niche hashtags. Broad hashtags (#travel, #fitness, #fashion) are highly competitive, meaning your post can get lost quickly. Niche hashtags (#SoloTravelTips, #VeganMealIdeas, #StreetwearStyle) target a specific audience and often lead to better engagement.

Instagram’s SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is more than just hashtags. Keywords in your bio, captions, and alt text help your content appear in search results. Instead of vague captions like "Great day today!", use descriptive text like "Exploring the best rooftop cafés in New York today!"—this improves searchability.

Location tags also matter. If you’re a local business or travel influencer, tagging your location makes your posts visible to people searching for content in that area.

To refine your hashtag strategy, analyze what’s working. Instagram Insights shows which hashtags bring in the most reach, so you can adjust your list over time. Strategic hashtag and keyword use makes your content easier to discover, bringing in more Instagram followers.

Collaborate with Influencers and Brands

One of the fastest ways to grow on Instagram is by tapping into someone else’s audience. Collaborations expose you to new, relevant followers who are already interested in your niche. The key is choosing the right partners—influencers, brands, or pages with a similar audience but not direct competitors.

Finding the right fit is crucial. Instead of randomly messaging big influencers, start small. Look for creators in your niche with engaged followers, even if they have fewer than 50K. Authentic partnerships work better than forced promotions. A simple way to collaborate is by exchanging shoutouts—introducing each other to your audiences through posts or Stories.

Guest posts and joint Instagram Lives take it further. Writing a guest post for another account or hosting a live session together boosts credibility and visibility. Live interactions feel personal and encourage immediate engagement from both audiences.

Even brand collaborations are possible for smaller accounts. Many companies are open to partnerships with micro-influencers (under 50K followers) if your content aligns with their brand. This could mean sponsored posts, giveaways, or product features that benefit both sides.

Strategic collaborations can fast-track your growth, helping you gain quality followers without spending a dime on ads.

Convert Visitors into Followers

Getting people to your profile is one thing—convincing them to hit “Follow” is another. The difference often comes down to clear calls-to-action (CTAs) and a strong brand presence. If someone lands on your page and isn’t sure why they should follow you, they’ll leave.

CTAs make a huge impact. Instead of just posting and hoping for engagement, tell people what to do next:

• In captions: “Follow for more daily fitness tips!”

• In Stories: Use polls, questions, and “Swipe Up” links (if available) to encourage interaction.

Reels and Story Teasers are also powerful tools for conversion. A well-crafted Reel can hook people in just a few seconds, leading them to check out your page. Teasing valuable content in Stories (like “Full tutorial on my page!”) encourages profile visits.

Your brand identity matters too. If your page looks messy or inconsistent, people won’t stick around. A clear niche, aesthetic, and consistent content style make it easier for visitors to understand what they’ll get by following you.

Finally, social proof plays a role. High engagement signals credibility. The more active your profile is—comments, shares, saves—the more likely new visitors are to trust and follow you.

Keep Followers Engaged and Prevent Unfollows

Gaining followers is great, but keeping them is just as important. If people follow you and lose interest, they’ll unfollow just as quickly. The secret to retention? Consistently providing value and keeping your audience engaged.

One way to do this is by offering exclusive content that keeps followers coming back. This could be behind-the-scenes footage, early access to announcements, or special Q&As. If people feel like they’re getting something unique from you, they’re less likely to leave.

Instagram Highlights also play a huge role in engagement. Instead of letting your best Stories disappear, organize them into Highlights that showcase your most valuable content. Sections like "Tips," "Reviews," or "My Journey" help new visitors quickly see what you’re about and encourage them to stick around.

However, there’s a fine line between consistent posting and being annoying. Posting regularly is essential, but spamming followers with low-quality content can push them away. Instead of focusing on quantity, prioritize quality and relevance—post when you have something valuable to share.

A loyal audience is built on trust and consistency. Keep your followers engaged with content they actually want, and you won’t have to worry about them leaving.

Track Performance and Adapt Your Strategy

Instagram growth isn’t just about posting—it’s about understanding what works and improving over time.

The best way to do this is by using Instagram Insights, a built-in tool that shows how your content is performing.

Key metrics to track:

• Engagement rate (likes, comments, shares) shows how interactive your audience is.

• Reach and impressions indicate how many people are seeing your posts.

• Saves and shares matter more than likes—when people save or share, Instagram sees your content as valuable.

Once you spot trends, adjust your strategy. If certain post types perform better (e.g., Reels over static images), focus more on those. If engagement is higher at specific times, schedule posts accordingly.

Growth comes from constant iteration—testing different content, hashtags, and posting times to see what sticks. The more you refine your strategy based on data, the faster and more effectively your account will grow.

Conclusion

Growing your Instagram following isn’t about luck—it’s about strategy. By optimizing your profile, creating high-quality content, engaging with your audience, using hashtags strategically, collaborating with others, and analyzing your results, you set yourself up for real, sustainable growth.

But here’s the truth: growth takes time. Consistency, adaptation, and patience are what separate successful accounts from those that struggle. The more you fine-tune your strategy, the more effective your efforts will become.

Now it’s your turn—apply these strategies, stay consistent, and watch your follower count grow! Instagram success is within reach if you put in the effort.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a large following to collaborate with brands?

No! Many brands work with micro-influencers (under 50K followers) as long as they have an engaged target audience. Focus on creating high-quality content, and brands will take notice.

How long does it take to see real Instagram growth?

Growth depends on consistency and strategy. Accounts that post regularly, engage actively, and refine their content based on analytics can see steady progress in a few months.

Are fake followers bad for my account?

Yes, having fake followers can hurt your engagement rate and visibility. Instagram prioritizes real interactions, so inactive or bot accounts can make your posts less likely to be seen by genuine followers.

Is it a good idea to buy Instagram followers?

No, purchasing followers might increase your number count, but these accounts are often inactive or fake. Instead of boosting your engagement, buying Instagram followers can actually reduce your organic reach and credibility.

Can I grow my Instagram without using other social media accounts?

While it’s possible, cross-promoting on another social media account can help bring in more followers. Sharing Instagram posts on platforms like Twitter, TikTok, or Facebook can expand your reach.

How important are social media platforms for Instagram growth?

Leveraging multiple social media platforms can drive more traffic to your Instagram. Many successful accounts repurpose their content across different platforms to gain more visibility and attract new audiences.

How do I turn followers into brand advocates?

The best way to create brand advocates is by consistently engaging with your audience, responding to comments, and providing valuable content. Loyal followers who trust your content are more likely to recommend your account to others.