Hello, Instagrammers! If you’re reading this, chances are you’re looking to bring up your game on this platform and grow your following. However, you intend to do this organically. That’s awesome because this type of growth is not only more fulfilling but long-term, too.
Instagram is way more than a photo-sharing app; it’s a medium connecting people, sharing their lives, and building careers. From becoming an influencer to running small businesses, even if you’re someone who wants to share your passion with the world—having a solid following base is going to make all the difference.
But why does it matter how many followers you have? Well, actually, it’s not about the number. The larger the audience, the more people you are able to share your content with, the more meaningful interactions you can have, and maybe even more doors opening toward collaboration or business.
This guide will take you through how to grow your Instagram followers organically, not in a hurry, such as the way of getting a bot or purchasing followers. By real, actionable tips, one means things that can actually help you gather a group of like-minded people around your Instagram. Without further ado, let’s dive in!
First Understand Instagram’s Algorithm
Before getting into the strategies, there’s something very important you should know: how Instagram works. Most of the magic on the platform works because of the algorithm, which determines whose content will be seen and by whom. Here’s what you should know:
How the Algorithm Works
The algorithm of Instagram is aimed to bring up the content that the user would spend time on. It takes into account several factors:
- Engagement: The more your posts get likes, comments, shares, and saves, the more they are likely to be shown to others.
- Relevance: Instagram tries to show users content related to their interests based on their past behavior.
- Timelines: Recent posts are generally favored over older ones.
- Profile Searches: If users often search for a particular profile, that profile’s content is more likely to appear in their feed.
- Time Spent: The amount of time users spend viewing a post also matters.
Understanding these factors will help you create content and engage with your audience in ways that align with what Instagram’s algorithm favors.
Read Also: How To Repost A Story On Instagram
Strategies To Grow Instagram Followers Organically
1. Post Consistently
- Frequency: Do at least one post per day, and this will keep your audience active. This offers great consistency, which helps in maintaining the visibility of your followers’ feeds.
- Timing: Share your post during peak hours, when you know that your audience is going to be most active. With the help of Instagram Insights, track what works best for your audience in particular.
2. Create High-Quality Content
- Visual Appeal: Good photography or graphic design makes a difference. The posts must look good, for great-looking, high-quality images generally do better.
- Content Variation: Keep the mix of your content interesting with photos, videos, carousels, and Instagram Stories. Variety will keep your feed interesting.
3. Create a List of Similar Instagram Accounts in Your Niche
Make a list of competitors and popular accounts in your niche. For example, if you’re in the food and drink industry, list all the major food bloggers and restaurants that target the same audience as you.
Start by exploring these accounts to understand what content you should be sharing. As you compare their profiles, think about:
- What topics does their audience enjoy?
- Which posts get the most likes?
- How often do they post?
You can also use your competitors’ accounts to help grow your following.
4. Use Relevant Hashtags
- Research: Use relevant Hashtags in your niche. You can utilize Hashtagify or even Instagram search to discover which hashtags are trending in your industry.
- Balance: Combine big and niche-oriented hashtags. The former may offer more viewership; on the other hand, the latter may be more specific.
5. Max Out Instagram Stories and Reels
- Stories: Instagram Stories has huge potential for sharing behind-the-scene content, flash updates, or even polls. Stories keep engaging your audience during the time between posts.
- Reels: Come up with short, engaging Reels that stick to trending topics. Reels tend to be more discoverable with new audiences since the algorithm of Instagram has a penchant for them.
6. Engage with Your Audience
Growing your followers is not just about posting great content – it is also about relationships. Here’s how to engage effectively:
- Respond to Comments: Respond to comments on the post. One must make it a habit to engage with their followers since it builds a sense of community.
- Ask Questions: Ask questions in your captions or within your Instagram Stories.
- DM Interaction: Engage in direct messages and reply with your followers to build up a better relationship.
7. Engage Beyond Your Profile
- Comment on Other Accounts: Engage accounts relevant to your niche by commenting on their posts. This can buy you more views on your account and, hence, followers from their traffic.
- Follow Relevant Accounts: Follow people who are working within your niche. Sometimes, they will browse through your page just to know what you are all about, and if what you post is of interest to them, they will follow you back.
8. Collaborate with Others
- Influencer Marketing: Partner with influencers within your niche to get more exposure. Select those whose followers are likely to fall under your target demographic.
- Cross-Promotions: This is a technique wherein other brands or creators collaborate in cross-promotion. This mutual benefit from each other will help gain more followers for both of them.
9. Host Giveaways and Contests
- Incentives: Organize a giveaway or contest wherein people will be motivated to follow you, like your post, or tag their friends to participate. This may gain you lots of followers very fast.
- Rules: The rules should be very easy and simple so more people participate in the giveaway.
Conclusion
Organic growth of your Instagram following is a process; it is not an action that you complete one day and done. It is a process which demands hard work, innovation as well as time. By incorporating these given strategies in mind when utilizing Instagram, you will be able to grow your followers organically.
