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Growth Strategy
Instagram Marketing
35 min read

How to Get Followers on Instagram: 30 Proven Ways That Actually Work in 2025

Want to grow your Instagram followers but tired of hearing the same old advice? You're not alone. With over 2 billion active users on Instagram, standing out feels harder than ever. But here's the truth: growing real, engaged followers isn't about gaming the system or buying fake accounts - it's about understanding what works in 2025 and actually doing it.

I've analyzed thousands of successful Instagram accounts, from creators with 10K followers to brands pushing 500K+. What separates them from accounts stuck at 200 followers? It's not luck. It's strategy. They know how Instagram's algorithm works, they create content people actually want to see, and they stay consistent even when growth feels slow.

This guide breaks down 30 proven strategies that work right now. Not theory - tactics you can start using today. Whether you're building a personal brand, growing a business, or just want more people to see your content, you'll find actionable steps that fit your goals. Let's get into it.

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1. Understand How Instagram's Algorithm Really Works

You can't beat what you don't understand. Instagram's algorithm isn't a mysterious black box designed to ruin your day - it's a ranking system that shows people content they'll actually engage with. If you want more followers, you need to work with it, not against it.

How Instagram Tests Your Content

Here's what matters most: Instagram prioritizes content based on predicted engagement. Before showing your post to thousands of people, it tests it on a small group of your followers. If they engage quickly (likes, comments, saves, shares), Instagram pushes it to more people. If they scroll past? Your post dies there.

The 3 Core Algorithm Signals

Interest

How much Instagram thinks someone will care about your content based on their past behavior

Recency

Newer posts get priority over old ones (though not as much as it used to)

Relationship

How often someone interacts with your account - comments, DMs, profile visits

Reels Algorithm: What's Different

For Reels specifically, Instagram looks at completion rate (did people watch to the end?), shares, and whether viewers go to your profile after watching. That's why 7-second Reels often outperform 90-second ones - people watch them all the way through. Want to dive deeper into video marketing strategies? Check out our guide on building an effective video marketing strategy.

2. Don't Buy Followers (Here's Why)

Let's get this out of the way: buying followers is tempting. You pay $20, wake up with 1,000 new followers, and suddenly your account looks legit. Except it doesn't. At all.

Why Fake Followers Kill Your Account
  • Tanks Your Engagement Rate: Instagram sees 10,000 followers but only 50 likes per post and thinks your content sucks. The algorithm stops showing your posts to real people.
  • Gets Purged Regularly: You might gain 1,000 followers today and lose 800 next week when Instagram runs its cleanup.
  • Risks Account Penalties: If you get caught using bots or violating Terms of Service, you risk getting shadowbanned or losing your account entirely.

Real talk: Would you rather have 500 followers who actually care about your content or 10,000 bots who never interact?

Brands looking for partnerships check engagement rates, not follower counts. A smaller, engaged audience beats a massive fake one every single time.

3. Choose Your Niche and Stick to It

"I post about everything" is code for "nobody knows what I'm about." If someone lands on your profile and can't figure out your vibe in 5 seconds, they're not following. Simple as that.

Why Niche Specificity Wins

Your niche is your focus. It's what you're known for. Fitness. Travel. Design. Parenting. Tech reviews. Whatever it is, pick something and own it.

The more specific, the better. Don't be a "fitness account" - be "home workouts for busy moms" or "calisthenics for beginners." Specific niches attract specific followers who actually engage.

How the Algorithm Uses Your Niche

Instagram's algorithm shows your content to people with similar interests. If you post about fitness one day, cooking the next, and crypto after that, Instagram doesn't know who to show your content to. Your posts get scattered across different audiences instead of building momentum with one core group.

❌ Wrong Approach
  • • Posting random unrelated topics
  • • "Jack of all trades" positioning
  • • Confusing feed aesthetic
  • • No clear audience target
✅ Right Approach
  • • One clear niche focus
  • • Specific target audience
  • • Consistent content themes
  • • Clear brand identity

4. Optimize Your Instagram Profile

Profile Picture

If you're a personal brand, use a clear photo of your face. If you're a business, use your logo. Your profile pic shows up tiny everywhere - make it instantly recognizable. No blurry, cropped, or random images.

Bio (150 Characters)

Tell people exactly what you do and why they should follow. "Teaching Instagram growth through viral Reels strategies" beats "Helping you grow on Instagram." Add keywords - Instagram's search reads bio text.

Link in Bio

Don't waste it on just your homepage. Use Linktree or Beacons to include multiple links - blog, shop, YouTube, whatever matters most. Update it regularly to match your current content.

Call-to-Action

"Download my free Reels guide 👇" or "Shop my favorite products below" tells people exactly what to do next. Without direction, most people just scroll and leave. Guide them.

Switch to Creator or Business Account

Unlock analytics, contact buttons, and the ability to run ads later. Personal accounts limit your growth potential. Make the switch - it's free and takes 2 minutes.

5. Create a Cohesive Visual Feed

Your feed is your portfolio. When someone checks your profile, they're not just looking at one post - they're scanning your whole vibe. Does it look cohesive or chaotic? Professional or thrown together? That split-second judgment determines whether they follow or bounce.

Pick 2-3 Brand Colors

You don't need perfectly curated feeds with matching filters (that trend's dying). But you do need consistency. Pick 2-3 main colors that represent your brand. Stick to similar editing styles. Use the same fonts for text overlays. Small details create a recognizable aesthetic.

Think About Brands You Follow

They have a look. You can spot their content without seeing their name. Whether it's minimalist and clean, bold and colorful, or dark and moody, commit to a style and maintain it. That's what you're building.

Don't Let Perfection Paralyze You

Some creators obsess over feed aesthetics and never actually post. Better to have a slightly imperfect feed with great content than a perfect feed with no substance. Focus on consistency over perfection - your visual identity will develop naturally over time.

6. Master Instagram Reels

The beauty of Reels? They reach people who don't follow you. A regular post might reach 10-20% of your followers. A good Reel can reach thousands of non-followers. That's how you grow. Every Reel is a chance to be discovered by your target audience.

What Makes a Reel Perform Well:

Hook in 1 Second
Start with a visual or text hook that makes people stop scrolling. The first second determines if they watch or swipe.
Keep it Short
7-15 seconds perform best. People have short attention spans - respect that and deliver value quickly.
Use Trending Audio
Instagram pushes content with popular sounds. Find what's trending in your niche and use it strategically.
Add Captions
85% of videos are watched on mute. Add text so people get your message either way.
End with Engagement
Ask a question or include a CTA that makes people comment. Engagement signals matter.

Production Quality: Don't Overthink It

Some of the biggest Reels are shot on a phone with natural lighting. What matters is the content itself - is it entertaining, educational, or inspiring? If yes, it'll perform. Perfect lighting and fancy editing are nice but not required.

7. Write Captions That Actually Get Read

Great visuals grab attention. Great captions build connection. If you want followers who actually engage - not just passive scrollers - you need to master caption writing.

Your First Line Is Everything

It shows up under your post before someone taps "more." If that first line is boring or generic, they won't tap.

Hooks that work:

  • • "I learned this the hard way"
  • • "Nobody talks about this"
  • • "Here's what actually works"
Deliver Real Value

Don't just describe your photo. Tell a story, share a lesson, or give actionable advice. People follow accounts that add something to their lives. Entertainment, education, inspiration - pick your lane and deliver on it with every caption.

Include Keywords Naturally

Instagram's search now reads captions, so using relevant terms helps people discover your content. If you're a fitness creator, words like "workout," "nutrition," "home exercise" should appear naturally. Don't stuff keywords awkwardly - write naturally and they'll fit.

End with a Call-to-Action

Give people a reason to engage. Without a CTA, most people just read and scroll. With one, you get comments, saves, and shares - all signals the algorithm loves.

Try these:

  • • "What do you think?"
  • • "Tag someone who needs this"
  • • "Save this for later"

8. Use Hashtags Strategically

The Mixing Strategy
Big
500K-1M+ posts
#fitness #travel
Gets buried fast
Medium
50K-500K posts
#fitnesstips
Sweet spot ✓
Small
Under 50K posts
#homeworkoutsformoms
Targeted audience
How Many to Use

Use 10-15 relevant hashtags per post. Instagram allows 30, but research shows that using fewer targeted tags performs better than maxing out with random ones. Quality over quantity actually matters here.

How to Find Good Hashtags
  • • Check what similar accounts use
  • • Search hashtags and see post counts
  • • Look at "Related" hashtags Instagram suggests
  • • Aim for a strategic mix of all three sizes
Create a Branded Hashtag

Something unique to you that your community can use. It won't drive massive reach, but it helps organize user-generated content and builds community. Look at how brands like Gymshark use #gymshark - it's become a movement.

Where to Place Them

Either in your caption (cleaner) or in the first comment (preferred by some for aesthetics). Both work fine - just stay consistent. Update your hashtag list every few months. What worked last year might not work now.

9. Post Consistently (But Don't Burn Out)

Find Your Sustainable Rhythm

For most people, that's 3-5 Reels per week plus daily Stories. If that feels like too much, start with 2 Reels per week and build from there. The key word is sustainable - pick a schedule you can maintain for months, not just weeks.

Quality still matters more than quantity.

Realistic Content Schedule
Monday:Educational Reel
Wednesday:Entertaining/Trending Reel
Friday:Behind-the-scenes or personal Reel
Daily:3-5 Stories
Weekly:1-2 carousel or feed posts
Batch Create Content

Set aside 2-3 hours once a week to create all your content at once. Film multiple Reels in one session, write captions ahead of time, and schedule posts using a tool like Later or Planoly. This takes the daily pressure off and ensures you never miss a posting day.

10. Find Your Best Time to Post

Posting at 3am when your audience is asleep won't help you grow. Timing matters because Instagram prioritizes recency - newer posts get shown first. If you post when your followers are active, you get immediate engagement, which signals to Instagram that your content is worth showing to more people.

Early Morning
6-9 AM

Before work routine

Lunch Break
12-2 PM

Midday scroll time

Evening Wind-Down
7-9 PM

After dinner relaxation

What to Look For

Find the times when the most followers are online AND when you get the highest engagement. Sometimes these don't overlap. You might have tons of followers online at 8pm but your posts perform better at 6pm. Test both and see what works.

Stick to Your Schedule

Once you find your sweet spot, stick to it for at least a month. Consistency in timing helps your audience expect your content. People start checking Instagram at certain times specifically to see your posts. That's when you know you've nailed your schedule.

Pro Tip: Schedule Your Posts

Use tools like Later, Buffer, or Hootsuite. This lets you post at optimal times without being glued to your phone. Set it and forget it, then show up to engage with comments when they roll in.

11. Leverage Instagram Stories Daily

Stories feel more personal than polished feed posts. They're where you show behind-the-scenes, answer questions, share quick updates, and just be more human. This authenticity builds trust, and trust converts viewers into loyal followers who actually care about your content.

Post 3-5 Stories Daily

You don't need elaborate production. A quick photo, a text update, or a repost of someone else's content works fine. The goal is to stay top-of-mind. When people see your profile picture at the top of their feed regularly, they remember you exist.

Use Interactive Stickers

Polls, questions, quizzes, and sliders get people tapping. Every interaction sends signals to Instagram that people like your content, which helps your visibility. Plus, interactions make Instagram show them your future posts.

Simple Stories Strategy That Works
Morning:
Good morning post or motivational quote
Midday:
Behind-the-scenes or work update
Afternoon:
Engaging content (poll, question, quiz)
Evening:
Personal moment or wind-down content
Throughout:
Repost user content, share Reels to Stories, add new highlights

12. Organize Story Highlights Strategically

Story Highlights are basically your profile's permanent portfolio. They sit right under your bio, and they're often the first thing people check after reading your bio. If you're not using them, you're wasting prime real estate on your profile.

Think in Categories

Highlights showcase different aspects of your brand or life: About Me, Products, Testimonials, Tips, Behind-the-Scenes, FAQs. The goal is to give new visitors a quick way to learn about you without scrolling through months of posts.

Custom Cover Images

Don't use random screenshots - design simple, cohesive covers that match your brand aesthetic. Use Canva templates or create your own. This small detail makes your profile look more professional and intentional.

Essential Highlights Every Account Should Have
About/Intro
Who you are and what you do
Tips/Value
Best educational content
Testimonials/Reviews
Social proof from happy followers
FAQ
Answers to common questions
BTS
Behind-the-scenes content

13. Engage With Your Community

Reply to Every Comment (First Hour)

When someone takes time to comment, acknowledge them. It takes 30 seconds per comment and builds real relationships. Plus, every reply counts as engagement, which helps your post's performance.

Don't just reply with "thanks" or emojis. Write real responses.

Match Their Energy

If someone asks a question, answer it. If they share their experience, acknowledge it. If they leave a thoughtful comment, match that energy. These interactions turn casual followers into genuine fans.

Daily Engagement Routine That Works
Morning
(10 mins)
Reply to all comments on your recent posts
Midday
(10 mins)
Engage with 10-15 accounts in your niche
Evening
(10 mins)
Reply to DMs and engage with Stories from followers
Answer Your DMs

Yeah, it's time-consuming when you start getting more messages, but it matters. Some of your most loyal followers will come from genuine conversations in DMs. Set aside time each day to respond - even a quick reply is better than leaving people on read.

Engage With Other Accounts

Spend 15-30 minutes daily engaging with accounts in your niche, potential collaborators, and your target audience. This isn't just being nice - it's visibility. Your name shows up in notifications, people check out your profile, and some follow you.

14. Collaborate With Other Creators

Trying to grow alone is exhausting. Collaborating with other creators gives you access to their audience, and they get access to yours. It's a win-win that accelerates growth for everyone involved.

Collaboration Ideas That Work
Collab Posts
Create a post together that shows up on both profiles (Instagram's built-in feature)
Instagram Lives
Go Live together and introduce each other's audiences
Reel Duets
Create complementary Reels that reference each other
Story Takeovers
Take over each other's Stories for a day
Joint Giveaways
Run a giveaway together where people must follow both accounts
How to Reach Out

Be genuine. Don't send generic "let's collab" messages. Reference specific content they've posted, explain why you think a collab makes sense, and pitch a concrete idea.

Personalization gets responses. Copy-paste messages get ignored.

Keep the Relationship Going

After a successful collab, support their content, engage regularly, and look for more opportunities to work together. The best collaborations turn into ongoing partnerships where you consistently lift each other up.

15. Encourage User-Generated Content

Create a Branded Hashtag

Make it short, memorable, and unique. Put it in your bio and encourage followers to use it when they post related content. This creates a searchable collection of user-generated content you can easily find and reshare.

Ask for UGC Directly

In your captions or Stories, tell people to tag you when they use your tips, recreate your content, or show their results. Most people want to tag you but don't think to do it unless you remind them. Give them permission and direction.

When Someone Creates Content About You
1
Reshare to Your Stories
Shows appreciation for their content and demonstrates social proof to everyone else
2
Give Proper Credit
Tag them clearly and thank them publicly
3
They'll Share Your Reshare
Exposing you to their audience and creating a growth loop
For Businesses: UGC Is Gold

Customer photos using your product or service are authentic testimonials. Create a highlight dedicated to customer content. When new visitors see real people loving your stuff, they trust you more and are more likely to follow.

Run UGC Campaigns

"Post a photo with our product and tag us for a chance to be featured" or "Share your results using #YourHashtag and we'll pick our favorites to spotlight." Small incentives get big participation.

16. Cross-Promote on Other Platforms

You're probably already on other platforms - TikTok, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest. Why not use them to drive traffic to your Instagram? Cross-promotion is one of the easiest ways to grow because you're leveraging audiences you've already built.

Repurpose to TikTok & YouTube Shorts

Share your Instagram Reels to TikTok and YouTube Shorts. The content is already created - you're just maximizing its reach. Add text saying "Follow me on Instagram for more" and include your handle. Learn more about the differences between these platforms in our comparison of Reels, TikTok, and Instagram.

Include Your Handle Everywhere

YouTube video descriptions, TikTok bio, Twitter profile, email signature, podcast show notes - anywhere someone might discover you. Make it stupid simple for people to find your Instagram.

Create Platform-Specific Teasers

Post a snippet of your Instagram content on other platforms with "See the full post on Instagram." This creates curiosity and gives people a reason to follow you there. Don't just duplicate content.

Email Your List

If you have an email newsletter, include your best Instagram content each week. Many email subscribers don't follow you on social media yet. A simple "PS: Follow me on Instagram" can convert dozens of followers per email.

Add Instagram to Your Website

Put social icons in your header or footer. Embed your Instagram feed on your homepage. Add a call-to-action in blog posts. If people are already on your website, they're warm traffic - way more likely to follow than random strangers.

18. Run Strategic Giveaways

Give Away Something Your Target Audience Wants

If you're a fitness account, don't give away an iPad - give away workout gear, supplements, or a training program. This ensures you attract people interested in fitness, not just freebie seekers.

Smart Entry Requirements
Follow your account (mandatory) - This is the point
Like the post - Boosts engagement signals
Tag 2-3 friends - Amplifies reach to relevant people
Share to Stories (optional bonus) - Expands visibility
Partner With Other Accounts

A solo giveaway might offer a $50 prize. Collaborate with 3-4 similar accounts, and suddenly you can offer a $200 prize while splitting costs. Bigger prizes attract more participants. Plus, everyone cross-promotes to their audience.

Run for 5-7 Days Max

Longer doesn't mean more entries - it just means people forget about it. Create urgency with a deadline. "Ends Friday at 9pm" gets way more participation than an open-ended giveaway.

Follow Instagram's Rules

You need clear terms, mention it's not sponsored by Instagram, and handle it directly (not through Instagram's platform). Check Instagram's promotion guidelines before running any contest to avoid getting flagged.

19. Optimize for Instagram SEO

Where Instagram Searches
Name Field
Your public display name
Username
Your @handle
Bio Text
Your 150-character description
Captions
All your post descriptions
Alt Text
Image descriptions for accessibility
Optimize Your Name Field

This is searchable, so include what you do. Instead of just "Sarah Johnson," use:

Sarah Johnson | Fitness Coach
Sarah • Plant-Based Recipes
Write Descriptive Captions

Use natural keyword usage. If you're a travel creator, words like "travel tips," "budget travel," "solo travel," and specific destinations should appear naturally. Instagram reads this text and serves your content to people searching those terms.

Use Alt Text on Every Post

This helps visually impaired users, but it also gives Instagram more context about your content. Describe what's in the image using relevant keywords. "Woman doing yoga in living room" is better than "yoga pose" or leaving it blank.

Create Searchable Content

Think about what people in your niche search for. "How to meal prep," "best skincare routine," "home workout ideas" - these are search queries. Create content that directly answers these searches.

20. Track the Right Analytics

The Metrics That Matter Most
Reach
How many unique accounts saw your content. This shows if you're expanding beyond your current followers.
Engagement Rate
Likes + comments + saves + shares divided by reach. Shows if people actually care about your content.
Saves ⭐
The most important engagement metric. Saves tell Instagram your content has lasting value.
Profile Visits
How many people check out your profile after seeing your content. High visits but low follows means your profile needs work.
Follower Growth Rate
New followers as a percentage of total followers. Better than raw numbers for tracking real growth.
Check Weekly, Not Daily

Daily fluctuations will make you panic over nothing. Weekly trends show real patterns. Set aside 30 minutes every Monday to review last week's performance and plan adjustments.

Double Down on What Works

Identify your top-performing content and make more of it. If carousel posts get 3x more saves than single images, post more carousels. If Reels about a specific topic blow up, create more content on that topic. Let data guide your strategy.

Track Follower Demographics

Go to Insights and check where your followers are located, their age range, and when they're most active. This tells you if you're reaching your target audience or if your content is attracting the wrong people.

Quality Over Quantity

Don't obsess over follower count. 1,000 engaged followers who buy from you beat 10,000 ghost followers who never interact. Focus on engagement metrics and the quality of your community, not just the size.

21. Go Live Regularly

Lives feel more personal than pre-recorded content. People see the real you - unedited, unscripted, just having a conversation. This builds deeper connections than polished posts ever could. Followers who watch your Lives become loyal fans.

You Don't Need Perfect Setup

Phone camera and decent lighting work fine. What matters is showing up and providing value. Answer questions, share tips, give behind-the-scenes updates - anything that helps your audience.

Go Live Consistently

Pick a day and time (like "Live Q&As every Thursday at 7pm") and stick to it. People will start showing up because they know when to expect you. Consistency turns casual viewers into regular attendees.

Live Content Ideas That Work
Q&A Sessions
Answer follower questions about your niche
Behind-the-Scenes
Show your process, workspace, or daily routine
Tutorials
Teach something step-by-step in real-time
Guest Interviews
Bring on another creator or expert in your field
Announcements
Share news, launches, or updates with your community

22. Use Collab Posts to Double Your Reach

Collab Posts are Instagram's built-in growth hack. When you create a Collab Post with another account, it appears on both profiles and both feeds. You literally double your reach with one post.

How Collab Posts Work
1
You create a post and tag someone as a collaborator
2
When they accept, it shows up on both accounts
3
All engagement (likes, comments, saves) is combined
4
Both audiences see the same post - instant reach multiplication!
Choose the Right Partner

Partner with accounts that share your target audience but aren't direct competitors. If you're a fitness creator focusing on home workouts, partner with a nutrition creator or fitness apparel brand. Your audiences overlap but you offer different value.

Make It Valuable for Both

Don't just slap two names on a random post. Create something that genuinely serves both communities. "5 Workout-Friendly Meals" works if you're a fitness creator collaborating with a food creator. Both audiences benefit.

Works for Reels & Feed Posts

Reels might get more reach since Instagram pushes video content harder, but carousel posts tend to get more saves. Test both and see what performs better for your niche.

Perfect for Giveaways

"Follow both accounts and tag a friend to enter" becomes way more powerful when the post appears on two profiles. You're not splitting reach - you're multiplying it.

24. Build a Content Calendar

Posting consistently is easier when you plan ahead. A content calendar takes the daily stress out of "what should I post today?" and ensures you're creating strategic content, not just random stuff.

Start Simple

You don't need fancy software. A Google Sheet or Notion page works fine. Create columns for date, content type (Reel, carousel, Story), topic, and status (idea, created, scheduled, posted).

Plan Themes by Day

Many creators use a system that creates predictability for your audience and makes planning easier for you. You always know what type of content you need to create for each day.

Example Weekly Theme System
Monday
Motivational/Inspirational content
Wednesday
Educational tips
Friday
Fun/Entertaining content
Weekend
Behind-the-scenes or personal
Batch Content Creation

Set aside one day (or a few hours) to create a week's worth of content. Film all your Reels in one session, write all your captions together, and schedule everything at once. This is way more efficient than creating daily.

Leave Room for Spontaneity

Don't plan every single post weeks in advance. Keep 20-30% of your calendar flexible for trends, current events, or spontaneous ideas. The best content often comes from responding to what's happening right now.

Review and Adjust Monthly

Look at what content performed well and what flopped. Double down on winners, cut the losers. Your content calendar should evolve based on data, not stay static.

Include Key Dates

Holidays and awareness days relevant to your niche. National Coffee Day for coffee brands, Mental Health Awareness Month for wellness creators - these give you natural content hooks that people are already talking about.

25. Engage With Your Competitors' Followers

Your competitors' followers are some of your best potential followers. They already care about your niche - they're just following someone else instead of you. Your job is to get on their radar.

Find Similar Accounts

Find 5-10 accounts similar to yours with slightly more followers. Check out their recent posts and start engaging. Like posts, leave thoughtful comments, reply to other people's comments. Your name shows up in notifications, and curious people check out your profile.

Don't Leave Generic Comments

"Nice!" or "Great post!" screams bot or desperate. Write real responses:

  • • If someone posts about a workout, comment with your experience
  • • Ask a genuine question
  • • Add to the conversation meaningfully
Engage With Their Commenters

These folks are actively engaged in your niche. A thoughtful reply to their comment (not on their profile, in the comments section) shows you're part of the community. Some will check out your profile out of curiosity.

Don't Be Spammy

You're not trying to steal followers aggressively - you're becoming visible in your community. The goal is for people to naturally discover you because you're actively participating in conversations they're already having.

Daily 15-Minute Routine

Spend 15 minutes daily on this. That's enough to engage meaningfully without it becoming a full-time job. Set a timer, engage authentically, then move on to creating your own content. Balance is key.

26. Make Your Content Accessible

Add Captions to All Videos

Most people watch videos on mute, and deaf or hard-of-hearing users can't hear audio at all. Instagram has auto-captions now, but they're not always accurate. Review and edit them, or add text overlays manually.

Write Descriptive Alt Text

Go to Advanced Settings when posting and add alt text that describes what's in the image. "Woman doing pushups in gym" is better than leaving it blank. This helps visually impaired users using screen readers understand your content.

Use CamelCase for Hashtags

Instead of #instagramtips, write #InstagramTips. Screen readers read CamelCase correctly but struggle with all lowercase. This small change makes your hashtags accessible.

#instagramtips
#InstagramTips
Limit Emoji Overuse

A few emojis are fine, but strings like "so 🔥🔥🔥 amazing 💯💯" are nightmares for screen readers. They read out every emoji, making your content annoying or incomprehensible. Use emojis sparingly in important messages.

Describe Visual Elements in Video

If you're pointing at something on screen, say what you're pointing at. "This button here" means nothing to someone who can't see. "The blue subscribe button" is clear for everyone.

27. Get Featured by Larger Accounts

Feature accounts curate the best content in specific niches and showcase it to their huge audiences. Getting featured is like getting a shoutout to thousands or millions of people who already love content like yours.

Find Feature Accounts

Search hashtags like #travel, #fitness, or #foodie and look for large accounts that repost others' content. Check their bio - many have submission guidelines or specific hashtags to use for a chance to be featured.

Follow Their Requirements Exactly

If they say "use #featureaccount and tag us," do exactly that. If they want DM submissions, send a DM. Don't just tag them randomly and hope - follow their process.

Create Feature-Worthy Content

These accounts get thousands of submissions. Your content needs to stand out. High quality, unique angles, compelling visuals - give them something their audience will love that's better than the other submissions.

Build Relationships First

Engage with their content before asking for features. Leave thoughtful comments, share their posts. When you finally submit your content, you're not a stranger - you're someone they recognize from their community.

When You Get Featured
Post a Story thanking them and sharing the feature
Engage with comments on the featured post actively
Optimize your profile because you're about to get an influx of visitors
Convert visitors into followers with great content and clear value proposition

28. Leverage Instagram Threads

Threads, Instagram's text-based companion app, is still growing but presents an early-adopter opportunity. Your Instagram and Threads profiles are linked, making it easy to drive traffic between platforms.

Conversational Over Polished

Threads favors conversational, authentic content over polished posts. Share thoughts, start discussions, ask questions - it's more like Twitter than Instagram. Use it to show personality and connect with your community in a different way.

Cross-Promote Between Platforms

Share your Instagram content on Threads with commentary. Share interesting Threads conversations on your Instagram Stories. Each platform can feed the other.

Easier to Go Viral

Threads posts can go viral easier than Instagram posts because the algorithm is still new and less saturated. A good Thread can reach millions without you having a massive following. Use this to get discovered by new audiences who might then check out your Instagram.

Use as Supplement, Not Replacement

Don't abandon Instagram for Threads. Use both strategically. Instagram is still the bigger, more established platform. Threads is a supplement - a place to have deeper conversations and show more personality - not a replacement.

29. Test Instagram Ads (When Ready)

Start Small

Begin with $5-10 per day. Run ads for 3-5 days and see what happens. You're not trying to go viral; you're testing if paid promotion makes sense for your account.

Promote Best-Performing Content

Find a Reel that got high engagement and reach organically, then put ad budget behind it. Content that already performed well organically will perform even better with paid promotion.

Target Precisely

Don't target "everyone" or "all women aged 18-65." Get specific: interests, behaviors, demographics. The more targeted, the better your results. You want quality followers who actually care about your content, not random people who won't engage.

Run Profile Promotion Ads

Instagram lets you run "promote profile" campaigns that drive people directly to your profile page. If your profile is optimized (which it should be), this can convert well.

Track Your Cost Per Follower

Divide your ad spend by new followers gained during the campaign. If you're spending $2+ per follower, something's wrong - either your targeting or your content needs work.

Goal: Under $0.50 per follower for efficient growth

30. Stay Authentic Above All Else

Here's the truth:

You can follow every strategy in this guide and still fail if you're not authentic. People follow people, not perfectly curated brands. They want to connect with the real you, not a polished version you think they want to see.

Share Struggles, Not Just Wins

People relate to challenges more than success. "Here's how I grew to 10K" is less compelling than "Here's what I tried that failed before I figured out what works." Vulnerability builds deeper connections than perfection.

Don't Copy Others' Personalities

Sure, study what successful accounts do, but find your own voice. Your personality is your competitive advantage - nobody else has it. The more "you" you are, the more you'll attract your people.

It's Okay to Evolve

Your content today doesn't have to match your content from last year. As you grow and change, your content should too. Your real followers will stick around because they're following you, not just a specific type of content.

Quality Relationships Beat Numbers

Would you rather have 100,000 followers who scroll past your content or 10,000 who actually engage, buy from you, and recommend you to others? The latter builds businesses. The former is just a number.

Take Breaks When You Need Them

Instagram will still be here tomorrow. Your mental health and real life matter more than your follower count. The most authentic thing you can do is prioritize yourself over metrics.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Thoughts

Growing on Instagram in 2025 isn't about secrets or hacks - it's about understanding the platform and showing up consistently with valuable content. You now have 30 proven strategies that work. But knowing isn't enough. You have to actually do the work.

Start with the fundamentals: optimize your profile, choose your niche, and master Reels. Get those right before worrying about advanced tactics. Build on a solid foundation, and growth becomes way easier.

Don't try to implement everything at once. Pick 3-5 strategies from this guide and focus on those for the next month. Master them, see results, then add more tactics. Trying to do everything leads to burnout and mediocre execution.

Track your progress but don't obsess over daily fluctuations. Check your analytics weekly, note what's working, and adjust. Growth compounds over time. What feels like slow progress today becomes significant momentum in 6 months.

Most importantly, stay authentic. Your personality is your biggest competitive advantage. Don't try to be the next big influencer by copying what everyone else does. Be yourself, serve your audience, and build real connections. That's what creates lasting success on Instagram.

Ready to grow? Pick one strategy from this guide and implement it today. Not tomorrow, not next week - today. Action beats information every time. Your future followers are waiting to discover you.