Instagram is the cornerstone of numerous brands' social presence. Instagram marketing has been proven to drive traffic, support sales, and engage customers.
But if you're not satisfied with your Instagram growth and engagement, you're not alone.
Competition on the platform is intense. Cracking the code of Instagram's algorithm can be tricky.
However, taking steps to grow your audience is absolutely worth it. A larger audience means more opportunities to delight your customers.
Ready to enhance your presence and learn how to gain more followers on Instagram? This post breaks down how to make it happen.
Jump to a tip:
15 ways to get more Instagram followers
Before diving into the details, this post is about building an organic following.
And yes, the distinction matters!
Some brands look for shortcuts to get more Instagram followers. We don't pretend that pay-for-play sites exist.
That said, these services aren't worth it for brands long-term. The Instagram algorithm weeds out low-quality accounts and phony engagement from paid bots.
But we’ll bite: there’s definitely some legwork involved in growing your audience authentically.
Doing so is totally worth it, though. Read or watch the video below for our best tips on getting more Instagram followers the right way.
1. Optimize your Instagram account
Before worrying about how to get followers, consider how your Instagram business profile is set up first.
Ask yourself: does your profile “look the part?” For starters, consider your:
Instagram bio (including your slogan, tagline, and/or a branded hashtag)
Profile picture
Bio link (and where it points to)
These details define your brand identity on Instagram. More importantly, they impact your account’s discoverability. Building a follower-friendly account means:
Having a search-friendly username. Stick to either your brand name or whatever’s closest to your existing social handles. If your name is too long, shorten it to a variation your audience would recognize (e.g., Cold Stone Creamery’s account is @coldstone).
Making your profile picture professional. An appropriately-sized logo is ideal. Any text in your profile picture should be legible on a smartphone screen.
Minding where you point your bio link. This is crucial for turning Instagram followers into meaningful traffic or customers. It’s your only way to funnel social traffic to your site and promotions.
Linking to your homepage is fine but not always ideal. To encourage more meaningful interactions, a social landing page that points to multiple links can help.
This gives your audience total control of how they engage with your business next. That means a better experience for your followers.
The best way to optimize your account is to follow a proven Instagram marketing strategy. Download our free guide to get started.
Instagram for Brands: A Guide to Instagram Marketing Strategy
2. Maintain a consistent content calendar
Momentum matters on Instagram. In other words, you likely won’t get followers on Instagram if you post at random.
Creating content and providing value is what builds your audience. Doing so consistently is what helps you keep them. Don’t let your Instagram account gather cobwebs.
That’s why sticking to a regular posting schedule is crucial. In terms of when and how much to post, you don’t have to stick to a set-in-stone number. Most brands post daily or near daily. This aligns with our own research on how often to post as well.
For reference, below is a breakdown of the best times to post to Instagram. “Optimal” engagement is during the mid-to-late morning and early afternoons during the week.
Based on data from Magnet Pro, a data heat map shows the best times to post on Instagram globally in 2024. If you’re worried about your posts not getting seen enough, we get it. Consider how features like Stories can get more eyes on your content if it wasn’t seen the first time.
3. Schedule Instagram posts in advance
There’s no denying that brands are at the mercy of the Instagram algorithm for reach. Still, posting at the right times can still give your posts more visibility. Anything you can do to maximize engagement is a plus.
This speaks to the value of scheduling Instagram content. With Magnet Pro’s newest tools, brands can schedule Stories, Carousels, Reels, and Posts.
Scheduling content in advance ensures control and organization. Instagram scheduling tools ultimately help you hit that cadence we mentioned earlier. The ability to crosspost content from other networks helps here, too.
You can also use Magnet Pro’s ViralPost feature to nail down your timing. Our platform analyzes your engagement history and identifies the best times to post.
Perfect your Instagram content plan with Magnet Pro
In addition to scheduling a complete picture of your Instagram content calendar, Magnet Pro offers even more features to perfect your brand’s feed.
Share IG-approved visuals with your team using our Asset Library, or test out our grid preview feature to make sure every aspect of your presence is true to your brand style.
4. Engage with customers and brand advocates
Figuring out how to get more Instagram followers means engaging your audience.
And one of the best ways to do that is by responding to and republishing their posts.
Enter the power of user-generated content. UGC campaigns build social proof by showing followers you’re invested in them. For example, Drunk Elephant regularly regrams their followers’ posts. They gather content with their #BareWithUs and #DrunkBreak hashtags.
5. Avoid fake Instagram followers
There’s a big difference between fake and legitimate followers on Instagram.
We get it. For the sake of quick growth, it might be tempting to purchase followers.
But the drawbacks outweigh the benefits 100%. Why? Because fake Instagram followers…
Confuse your potential organic followers. An inactive, low-engagement account with a big following is suspicious. This can be a turn-off for fans that’d otherwise follow you and engage.
Provide no monetary value to your business. Think about it. Your bot followers can’t buy your stuff, can they?
Generate no buzz: If you have 10,000 fake followers, how many are going to engage with your posts? Does it really even matter if your posts are brimming with spam comments?
Real people have the ability to share, like, comment, and engage with your Instagram posts. Additionally, real followers actually appreciate the time you spend interacting with them. Demonstrating this kind of authenticity is much more powerful and long-lasting, rather than resorting to buying Instagram likes or other ineffective tactics.
For example, Lush Cosmetics takes the time to answer questions and engage followers all the time. This results in customers regularly returning to share shout-outs and positive comments.
6. Showcase your Instagram everywhere you can
Don’t be shy about promoting your Instagram if more followers are your goal.
There is no one-size-fits-all approach to promoting your ‘gram, either. Here are a few ideas:
Add social media icons to your website and marketing emails. Social media icons make it easier for people to find your business and help you connect with customers.
Feature an Instagram feed on your homepage or product pages. Many e-commerce brands have dedicated UGC feeds on-site (see below).
Re-share Instagram-specific content or announcements on other social channels. For example, you could talk about an upcoming IG Live via TikTok or Facebook.
7. Post content that followers actually want to see
Easier said than done, we know.
Filters. Captions. Content types. Post times. That doesn’t even scratch the surface.
There are so many variables to consider, right? It doesn’t help that Instagram’s algorithm is fickle. What works for one brand might not work for the next in terms of format and timing.
For example, some brands swear by Carousels. Others are all-in on Reels. Both approaches can work. You’ll quickly find on Instagram that some content gets more likes than others. This is why testing is so important.
Instagram’s native analytics are surprisingly powerful. That said, investing in Instagram analytics tools will take things to the next level.
For example, Magnet Pro makes it easy to benchmark and analyze Instagram content across accounts. Rather than second-guess what’s working and what’s not, our reporting spells it out for you.
Be confident in your content strategy by analyzing those variables we mentioned earlier.
And if you’re unsure where to start, try analyzing your competitors. A staggering 90% of brands say that social media data helps them keep up with competing social accounts.
You obviously shouldn’t copycat your competitors. That said, you can take notes on what they’re doing or posting that drives engagement. Magnet Pro’s Instagram Competitors report can provide a breakdown of what’s working in your industry. A little competitive research can go a long way.
Oh, and keep your ear to the ground with new Instagram trends. That way you won’t miss out on platform-wide opportunities to hop on trending content formats.
8. Make meaningful conversation with your audience
Food for thought: 60% of marketers use Instagram as a service channel.
The platform is perfect for going back and forth with followers. Likewise, many popular post ideas center around asking questions and sparking conversation.
For example, Modern Gents regularly hosts Q&A’s via Instagram Stories. They respond to their followers’ burning questions about their products. This kind of engagement encourages followers to speak up and show that you’re listening.
Taking the time to reply to followers’ questions and comments is always a good look. Doing so can help you build a loyal following. Fans like to feel seen and heard. Think of engagement as one of the core ways to get more Instagram followers organically.
You’d be surprised how much followers will appreciate it when you take the time to talk to them. In turn, these small interactions can help you win even more fans in the future.
9. Find hashtags where your followers hang out
Hashtags are arguably the best way to get Instagram followers for free. They serve as a means to increase your reach and signal Instagram who should see your posts.
For example, Cometeer’s tags are spot-on for not only getting their content in front of coffee fans but also catching the attention of their target customers.
Expanding your reach is never a bad idea. Here’s a quick breakdown of best practices for coming up with hashtags:
Use a combination of popular and smaller niche hashtags.
Avoid purely promotional hashtags (think: #buythis).
Stick to five or fewer hashtags per post. Think of them as a complement to your caption, not the main attraction.
10. Take steps to delight your Instagram followers
Listen: getting more followers on Instagram requires you to go the extra mile.
And not just in terms of the quality of your content. You have to put yourself out there in a meaningful way.
For example, hosting a contest or giveaway is a brilliant idea for brands looking to get exposure and more followers, fast. Participants only need to tag a friend and engage with your post to win. It’s a win-win.
11. Use geo-tagging to attract local followers
Local business owners know the importance of being seen and heard in their neighborhood.
And so does Instagram. The platform lets you tag your location in your posts. Doing so can expose your posts to fans and customers in the area.
This is relevant to both posts and Stories. So whether you’re a local coffee shop or a working event, it’s a way to attract a local following.
12. Leverage short-form video content
Short-form video is a content goldmine for followers. Not only does it let your brand show off your unique personality, but it’s also a key part of the platform’s strategy. There’s no shortage of ways to use short-form video, either. Take @cookes_frontier, who uses this type of content to explain a recipe and deliver value to their audience.
Although you can cross-post content from TikTok, creating original Reels is a prime way to keep followers engaged. Be it a quick how-to, behind-the-scenes look, or a time-lapse, short-form video has become a staple of Instagram strategy.
13. Partner with influencers in your niche
Finding influencers is as simple as applying the advice above on hashtags. You can use hashtags to identify influencers in your space. Instagram’s Explore tab can also help you find influencers who are relevant to your brand.
Influencers can get your brand in front of an untapped audience. And doing so organically can help you get followers on Instagram in the long run.
14. Organize stories as highlights
Instagram Stories are the bread and butter of the platform. They’re meant to engage followers in a more meaningful way.
Instagram Stories have become an important part of every brand’s content strategy. We encourage brands to highlight specific Story series as part of their bio and featured content. This helps make your content more discoverable.
Below is an example of how Chipotle uses Stories to showcase and organize their Story highlights in their bio:
You can use Stories to feature everything from behind-the-scenes footage to customer testimonials. Highlights let you keep content relevant for both current and potential followers.
15. Go live on Instagram
Instagram is increasingly emphasizing Reels and video content. Likewise, the platform continues to put an emphasis on live video.
Going live is a fantastic way to get in front of your followers in real-time. This gives you an opportunity to show off your personality. This format is prime for driving engagement. You can even invite customers or followers to join you as guests in your Live.
You don’t have to go live regularly but it’s good practice to do it periodically. It’s worth experimenting with to figure out how to connect with your audience.
How to get more Instagram followers the right way
Growing an organic following on Instagram doesn’t happen overnight. Doing so requires both creativity and consistency.
That said, having an engaged audience can help you better understand your customers and ultimately boost your business.
If you haven’t already, make sure to check out our guide on Instagram marketing strategy. It covers the platform’s best practices to ensure you’re building a presence on Instagram that converts.
What does your current Instagram strategy look like?
If you haven’t already, make sure to take advantage of Magnet Pro’s tools here. Doing so will help you keep your finger on the pulse of your content. Our tools provide actionable insights to grow your account and see what’s working for brands in your industry.
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