How to Increase Followers on Instagram: Strategies

If you’re like me, you’ve probably wondered, “Why does it seem so easy for some folks to blow up on Instagram while others barely budge?” I used to obsess over every filter, every caption, and every single hashtag—only to realize later that I needed a more holistic approach. So in this post, I’m going to share some personal stories, silly mistakes, and real strategies I’ve come across in my quest to figure out how to increase followers on Instagram.

Trust me, it’s not just about posting pretty pictures (though I did try that route in the beginning—embarrassing story coming up later). It’s more about connecting with your audience in a way that resonates, all while keeping your uniqueness in the spotlight. The road to genuine growth can be bumpy, but once you find your sweet spot, you’ll see that people really do want to stick around.

Make Your Profile Stand Out (But Don’t Overthink It)

Your profile is the first online impression you’ll make on strangers, kind of like a handshake without the awkward sweaty palms. You want that handshake to say, “Hi, I’m interesting and I have something cool to share—stick around!” A clear, high-quality profile pic plus a short, punchy bio can go a long way. But let me tell you about an epic fail I had once.

I decided to write a super artsy bio with a poem about chasing sunsets and living authentically. I thought it sounded so poetic, but in reality, it was just vague. A friend of mine took a screenshot and texted me, “Dude, I can’t even figure out what you do or who you are.” Brutal feedback, but it helped. I simplified my bio: “Content creator helping busy entrepreneurs simplify social media.” Suddenly, my follows jumped, and people seemed to “get me” right away.

The link in your bio is also something I overlooked for too long. If you have a product, service, or even a personal blog, use that link. Direct folks to something valuable, like a free PDF guide or maybe a discount code. Giving them a reason to click and explore can help build trust and stickiness.

Understand What Your Audience Actually Wants

Trying to figure out how to increase followers on Instagram is partly about stepping into your audience’s shoes. Ask yourself questions like:

• What topics really light them up?
• When are they scrolling through Instagram the most?
• Which other creators or pages are they interacting with?

I once worked with a friend who was convinced everyone followed her for her daily pep talks. But when we reviewed her stats (which was honestly just me and her rummaging through likes and comments in her living room), it turned out her audience was super into her bullet journal tutorials. She pivoted her content to create more journaling tips and hacks, and, before she knew it, her follower count doubled.

The lesson here is: sometimes what we think people want isn’t what they actually want. And that’s okay. You gotta remain open to adjusting your content—maybe even do a poll in your Stories asking for feedback. A little direct research can spare you from hours of guesswork.

Visually Appealing Content: But Don’t Stress Too Much

Instagram’s a visual platform. Duh, right? But I’ve gone through phases of intense stress just trying to get that “perfect feed.” I spent an entire afternoon once rearranging my feed in a planner app because the colors weren’t matching the vibe I wanted. Eventually, I realized I was overcomplicating it.

The key is to keep a consistent theme or style that feels like “you” (or your brand vibe, if you’re doing this for a business). High-resolution images or short snappy video clips can catch attention quickly—especially in this age of scrolling mania. I also discovered the magic of carousel posts. You can share multiple images or tips in one post, which encourages people to swipe and spend more time on your post, boosting engagement.

Then there’s the wonder of Reels. I once posted a 15-second Reel on how I plan my content for the entire week. Nothing fancy, just me talking while flipping through a notepad. That short clip got triple the usual likes and shares I got on my typical feed posts. It was proof enough for me that Reels can connect you to fresh eyes who otherwise might never have stumbled onto your profile.

Use Hashtags Wisely, But Don’t Go Overboard

Oh, hashtags. They can be the best friend or the worst enemy of an Instagrammer. Early on, I messed up by using way too many generic hashtags—stuff like #love, #happy, #nature. Sure, they’re popular, but that also means your post gets buried almost instantly among millions of others.

Then I shifted to more niche-specific tags. For example, if you’re a yoga instructor focusing on prenatal yoga, try something like #prenatalyogainspiration or #mommylovesyoga—something that helps you reach people who are actually interested in that exact topic. A good mix of niche tags plus slightly broader ones is often the sweet spot.

Don’t just dump hashtags and vanish, either. Write back to people who comment or ask you stuff. It shows you’re accessible and makes them more likely to stick around. For instance, I once asked my followers for their best nighttime routine to spark creativity. Suddenly, a wave of comments poured in about hot tea, journaling, and gadget-free hours before bed. We had an exciting back-and-forth in the comments, and I noticed a spike in new folks joining the conversation too.

Collaborate to Expand Your Reach

Working with others—even those who aren’t “superstars”—can expose you to fresh audiences. Let’s say you’re an artist: partner with a local musician to create a combined live session or team up to make a single piece of content. You each tap into each other’s sets of followers, and everyone wins.

I recall doing a joint livestream with a friend who’s all about confidence-building. We chatted about how confidence and creativity fuel each other in content creation. It was totally unscripted, which gave it that raw, human feel. After the session, we both gained brand-new supporters that were excited by the synergy of our conversation.

Consider Trying Some Ads—If It Makes Sense

Some of us shy away from paying for ads because it sounds complicated or expensive. But a few months ago, I dipped my toes into Instagram ads. I targeted specific location, age range, and interests that aligned with my main audience (for me, that’s small business owners and freelancers). I was so skeptical, but I saw an immediate jump in my follower count once those ads rolled out.

The key is to be really intentional. My first ad attempt was super broad—no specific targeting—so it was like throwing money into a black hole. After that, I narrowed down the demographics to “Entrepreneurs, 25–45, interested in social media marketing,” and I linked them to a free workbook. That clarity brought in people who actually cared about what I offered.

Keep an Eye on Your Analytics (But Don’t Obsess)

I’ll admit, I’m a recovering analytics junkie. For a while, I would check my insights almost every hour—seriously, it was that bad—hoping to spot a magic formula. Spoiler alert: there’s no single magic formula. However, consistent observation helps you notice patterns.

Maybe your posts perform better on Wednesday nights or your audience interacts more with personal stories than product photos. Use that info to shape your future content. I found out that my educational carousels on Saturday mornings did terribly—probably because people were out enjoying their weekends. So I moved them to Thursday evenings. Almost immediately, engagement went up, secret service also included here Views4You.

My Embarrassing “Pretty Feed” Obsession

Let me share one more cringe-worthy anecdote. In my early Instagram days, I was so focused on making my feed look like a dreamy color-coordinated masterpiece that I totally forgot about actual value. I posted about three photos of my latte art in a row. Sure, it looked visually cohesive. But I didn’t share any real tips or stories. Result: people who followed me for social media advice were like, “Why am I looking at foam hearts again?” I had a small exodus of followers.

Moral of the story: It’s okay to care about aesthetics, but if you want to figure out ow to increase followers on Instagram effectively, offer substance too. Provide how-tos, entertaining anecdotes, or even heartfelt confessions about your journey—people appreciate authenticity, and study on tips to appeal them both in visual and meaningful ways.

Final Thoughts on How to increase followers on Instagram

Building up a genuine following is more of a marathon than a sprint. Expect to trip, stumble, maybe even drop your phone in frustration once or twice (please don’t actually drop it, though). But the point is consistency. Keep posting, keep experimenting, and keep listening to what resonates with your community.

• Stay adaptable: If something doesn’t work, pivot.
• Stay real: People can sense if you’re just playing a numbers game.
• Stay engaged: Don’t be that person who disappears after posting.

I promise, if you hang in there, maintain your authenticity, and truly care about the folks you’re talking to, you’ll see your community flourish. And hopefully, this post gave you a little glimpse into some do’s, don’ts, and well-intentioned bloopers I’ve made along the way.

Remember, Instagram isn’t purely about chasing likes or followers; it’s a space to share who you are, what you do, or what you believe in. When you focus on building connections over quick fixes, you’ll find your audience grows in a way that actually sticks.

So, go on, give these tips a whirl. Try one or two things at a time, rather than attempting to overhaul everything overnight. And if you ever find yourself stuck, just revisit this guide on ow to increase followers on instagram. You might pick up something you missed the first time around—or come up with your own twist on these ideas. Good luck, and may your follower count (and your confidence) keep rising!