How can I get more Instagram followers?

You do not get more followers on Instagram simply by posting more often. You grow mainly when your profile is immediately clear, your content is easy to understand and share, and you actively connect with the right people. Instagram rewards accounts where people spend time, comment, save posts and return. This means you do not just need to be visible; you also need to be interesting enough to follow.

Whether you are just starting, stuck at a few hundred followers or aiming to reach 10,000 followers, the basics remain the same: strengthen your profile, post content with a clear purpose, use Reels and Stories wisely, and regularly check what works and what does not.

Prepare your Instagram profile so people want to follow it

Your profile is often the first thing someone sees after coming across your Reel, comment or Story. Within a few seconds, they decide whether the account is interesting enough to follow. That is why your profile needs to answer three questions immediately:

• Who are you?
• What is your account about?
• Why should someone follow you?

Choose a clear username

A good username is easy to remember, easy to type and relevant to your topic. Avoid long names with lots of numbers, dots or random characters. They look less professional and are harder for people to remember.

Less effective	More effective	Why is it better?
xx_FitnessGirl_889	FitWithLisa	Shorter, clearer and easier to remember
Jeroen123	CoachJeroenNL	You can immediately tell what the account is about
BeautyByMe2024	BeautyWithNoor	More personal and timeless

Are you also active on TikTok, YouTube or other channels? Try to use the same name there as well. It makes you easier to find and helps people recognise you.

Write a bio that is immediately clear

Your bio does not need to be long. In fact, shorter often works better. Tell people at a glance what they can expect from you.

A strong bio usually includes:

• Who you are: for example, a food blogger, coach, photographer or online shop.
• What you share: tips, inspiration, reviews, recipes, outfits, workouts or content from behind the scenes.
• Who your content is for: beginners, business owners, mothers, athletes, students or local customers.
• A clear action: follow for tips, send a DM, check the link or shop the collection.

Examples:

• Daily outfit inspiration for women who want simple, stylish looks
• Home workouts for beginners | Follow for short workouts and nutrition tips
• Nail salon in Utrecht | Want to book a new set? Send a DM
• Quick recipes for busy days | New meal preparation ideas every week

Only use emojis if they make your bio easier to scan. Too many emojis can make it look cluttered.

Use a recognisable profile photo

Your profile photo appears at a small size in the feed, comments, Stories and DMs. Do not choose a dark group photo or a blurry image. For a personal account, a clear photo of your face often works best. For a business, a simple and recognisable logo is usually more effective.

Pay attention to:

• enough light
• a simple background
• a clear face or logo
• colours that match your account

Use highlights as a miniature home page

Highlights help new visitors quickly understand who you are and what you do. Think of them as small folders at the top of your profile. Do not overfill them, and give them clear names.

Good highlight ideas include:

• Start here: a short introduction to you or your brand
• Tips: your best practical Stories
• Reviews: comments from customers or followers
• Behind the scenes: how you work or create content
• Shop: products, collections or promotions
• FAQ: answers to common questions

Create content that makes people want to follow you

Followers do not appear just because you post attractive photos. People follow you when they expect you to post more content that is useful to them. This could be inspiration, recognition, explanation, entertainment, motivation or practical advice.

Choose 3 to 5 consistent topics

A common mistake is posting too many unrelated things. One day it is a holiday photo, then a product, followed by a meme and a random quote. That might work for friends, but not when your goal is focused growth.

It is better to choose a few consistent topics. For example:

• A fitness account: workouts, nutrition, motivation, beginner mistakes and results.
• A fashion account: outfits, styling tips, trends, shopping advice and fit guidance.
• A restaurant: dishes, atmosphere, team, reviews and promotions.
• A social media account: Instagram tips, content ideas, profile checks and growth examples.

By using consistent topics, visitors understand more quickly what they can expect from you. This makes it easier for them to follow you.

Use different content formats

Not everyone discovers you in the same way. Reels can reach new people, carousels are often saved, Stories maintain your connection with existing followers, and regular posts can make your profile feel complete.

Content format	Useful for	Example
Reels	Reaching new people	Quick tip, trend, before and after, short explanation
Carousels	Saves and shares	5 mistakes, a plan with clear steps, checklist, short training session
Stories	Connecting with your followers	Poll, question sticker, update, look behind the scenes
Lives	Building trust	Questions and answers, interview, product demonstration, training
Collab posts	Sharing reach with another account	Collaboration with a creator, customer, brand or colleague

Make your first second count

With Reels in particular, viewers decide very quickly whether to keep watching. Do not begin with a long introduction. Start immediately with something relatable, useful or visually striking.

Examples of strong openings:

• “Do not make this mistake when you are just starting on Instagram.”
• “Three things that make your profile look less trustworthy.”
• “Here is how to style one blazer in five ways.”
• “Why your Reels get views but no followers.”
• “I wish I had known this earlier about healthy meal preparation.”

A good Reel does not need perfect production. Clarity matters more than expensive equipment. Make sure you have good lighting, clear sound and text on the screen if you are speaking.

Write captions that encourage comments

A caption does not always need to be long. What helps most is giving people a reason to respond. For example, finish with a genuine question rather than a standard line that nobody answers.

Less effective:

• “What do you think?”
• “Leave a comment.”

More effective:

• “Which of these 3 tips will you apply to your profile today?”
• “Do you prefer using Reels or carousels for growth?”
• “Which outfit would you wear on your first day at work?”
• “What is your biggest challenge with posting consistently?”

Create content that is easy to save or share

When people save or share your post, that is often a positive sign. It means your content is useful or relatable enough for them to revisit later or send to someone else.

Content that often performs well includes:

• checklists
• common mistakes
• examples from real life
• short plans with clear steps
• templates or lists of ideas
• relatable situations
• before and after visuals

If you want more inspiration for organic growth, the Buffer guide to getting more Instagram followers is also useful for comparison with your own content planning.

How do you get your first 1000 followers on Instagram?

The first 1000 followers often feel like the hardest to gain. You do not yet have much evidence that people like your account, your content is not yet being widely distributed, and new visitors are more hesitant. This is exactly why you need to be particularly clear at this stage.

Start with people who already know you

Many accounts try to reach strangers immediately, even though the easiest first followers are often closer than you think. Consider friends, customers, colleagues, newsletter readers, website visitors or people who already follow you on TikTok, LinkedIn or YouTube.

Practical actions:

• Share your Instagram account through your other channels.
• Add your Instagram link to your email signature or website.
• Ask customers or visitors to tag you.
• Share your best Instagram post in a newsletter or WhatsApp group if it feels natural.
• Create a welcome post that explains what people can expect.

Post regularly, but prioritise quality over noise

You do not need to post every day to grow. It does help to remain visible. For many accounts, 3 to 5 times per week is a realistic schedule. For example, combine Reels, carousels and Stories.

A simple weekly schedule could look like this:

• Monday: Reel with a quick tip or relatable problem
• Wednesday: carousel with an explanation, checklist or examples
• Friday: Reel featuring a trend, result or personal story
• During the week: Stories with polls, questions and daily updates

Do not only consider how much you post. Pay particular attention to what people do with it. Do you receive comments? Is the post saved? Does it lead to profile visits? Do you gain new followers after a Reel? This information is more valuable than the number of likes alone.

Use hashtags and locations strategically

Hashtags are not a magic button for growth, but they can help Instagram understand your content more effectively. Mainly use hashtags that match your topic, niche and target audience. A mix of broad and specific hashtags often works better than using only large, general hashtags.

Example for a personal trainer in Amsterdam:

• #personaltraineramsterdam
• #homeworkout
• #strengthtrainingforbeginners
• #getfit
• #healthylifestyle

Do you have a local business? Add a location to your posts and Reels as well. People often search for nearby cafés, salons, shops, coaches and restaurants.

Comment actively on relevant accounts

Growth does not come only from posting. You also need to be visible where your target audience already spends time. Comment on posts from accounts in your niche, but do so naturally and genuinely.

What works better than “Nice post!”:

• Ask a question about the post.
• Share a brief experience.
• Add something useful to the discussion.
• Respond quickly to new posts from relevant accounts.

Avoid spam comments, following and unfollowing accounts in bulk, or pasting the same sentence everywhere. It feels fake and can make your account appear less trustworthy.

Collaborate with smaller accounts

You do not need to collaborate with major influencers immediately. Smaller accounts with engaged audiences can actually be far more valuable. Consider creators, local business owners, customers, colleagues or niche accounts with the same target audience.

Collaboration ideas:

• Create a joint Reel.
• Use the collab feature on a post.
• Go Live together.
• Share each other’s tips in Stories.
• Organise a small giveaway that genuinely suits your target audience.

Once you have built your first substantial base, keep improving the quality of your followers as well. If your audience no longer matches your goals, it can be useful to learn how to remove followers on Instagram wisely and quickly.

Grow from 1000 to 10,000 followers

Once you have around 1000 followers, you often have more information available. You can see more clearly which posts attract followers, which topics receive comments and which content people save. The next step is not simply posting more, but repeating what works in a smarter way.

Repeat successful formats

Many creators make the mistake of always trying to develop something completely new. However, if a particular Reel or carousel performs well, that is a sign that you can do more with the idea.

Imagine that a Reel about “3 mistakes in your Instagram bio” performs well. You could then create variations such as:

• 3 mistakes in your first Reel
• 3 mistakes that stop people from following you
• 3 mistakes in your captions
• 3 hashtag mistakes
• 3 mistakes online shops make on Instagram

You are not literally copying the same post; you are using the same strong idea in a new format.

Create more content for people who do not follow you yet

If you want to grow, some of your content needs to be made for people who do not know you yet. This means you should not assume too much prior knowledge. Explain things clearly and provide context.

Content for people who do not follow you yet often performs well when it:

• mentions a relatable problem
• quickly makes clear who it is for
• promises a practical result
• is easy to understand without seeing your earlier posts

Example:

Instead of “My new morning routine”, you could create: “This morning routine helps me create content every day without stress.” This is much clearer to someone who does not follow you yet.

Use Instagram keywords in your profile and captions

Instagram is increasingly being used as a search platform. People search for terms such as “nail salon Rotterdam”, “Instagram tips”, “healthy recipes” or “autumn outfit inspiration”. That is why it helps to use words your target audience would enter themselves.

Place keywords naturally:

• in your name field
• in your bio
• in captions
• in text on your Reels
• in alt text if you add it
• in highlights and pinned posts

Do not make the wording unnatural. A bio such as “Instagram tips for business owners” is clear. A bio filled with disconnected keywords feels cluttered.

Pin your best posts at the top

You can pin important posts at the top of your profile. Use this space wisely. New visitors often look at your top posts before deciding whether to follow you.

Good posts to pin include:

• an introduction to you or your brand
• your best tips or most popular Reel
• a post with clear results or reviews
• a carousel that perfectly explains what your account is about

Use Stories more often

Stories generally do not attract the most new followers, but they do help existing followers continue seeing you. This matters because an engaged group of followers is more likely to respond to your new posts. Those initial responses can help your post gain momentum.

Story ideas that almost any account can use:

• a poll with two clear choices
• a question sticker about a problem your target audience faces
• a look behind the scenes
• a short tip of the day
• a repost from a customer, follower or collaboration
• a preview of your next post

Measure what attracts followers

If you genuinely want to grow, you should not focus only on likes. Likes are useful, but new followers often come from other actions: profile visits, shared posts, saved posts, Reel views and DMs.

Check these figures in Instagram Insights

Metric	What it tells you	What you can do with it
Reach	How many accounts saw your content	Useful for identifying which posts reach new people
Profile visits	How many people click through to your profile	Shows whether your content makes people curious
New followers	How many people followed you after seeing your content	The most important growth metric for each post
Saved posts	How useful people find your post	Create more checklists, tips and explanations if this figure is high
Shared posts	How easy your content is to share or relate to	Create more relatable, funny or valuable posts
Watch time on Reels	Whether people continue watching	Improve your opening and make your video more concise

Do more of what works

Review your best posts every week. Do not look only at the post with the most views; pay particular attention to the post that attracted the most followers. These are not always the same post.

Ask yourself these questions:

• Which topic performed well?
• Which opening did I use?
• Was it a Reel, carousel or regular post?
• Did most viewers come from followers or people who do not follow me yet?
• Did the post receive many profile visits?
• How many new followers came from it?

The Hootsuite explanation of how Instagram ranks content clearly demonstrates why engagement, watch time and relevance matter so much. You do not need to manipulate the system. You mainly need to understand which content people genuinely want to see.

When is the best time to post on Instagram?

There is no single perfect time that works for every account. A student audience is active at different times from young parents, business owners or restaurant customers. Use general advice mainly as a starting point, then review your own statistics.

Here is how to identify your best times:

1. Go to your Instagram statistics.
2. Check when your followers are most active.
3. Test different days and times over several weeks.
4. Compare reach, comments, saves and new followers.
5. Choose the times when your content gains momentum most effectively.

If you want a useful starting point, you can use the Sprout Social analysis of the best times to post on Instagram. Treat it as a direction for testing rather than a fixed rule.

Use Instagram ads to attract more followers

Organic growth is valuable, but sometimes you may want to test ideas faster or reach more people. Instagram ads can help, particularly if you already have content that performs well. Do not promote a random post simply because it is available. Choose a Reel, carousel or offer that you know receives a response.

When do ads make sense?

• You have a clearly defined target audience.
• Your profile is already set up effectively.
• You have posts that already perform well organically.
• You want more profile visits, website visitors or enquiries.
• You want to reach a local audience, for example, for a salon, shop or restaurant.

Which advertising formats support growth?

• Reels ads: useful for quickly reaching many new people with short video content.
• Story ads: effective for attracting quick attention, encouraging actions and building recognition.
• Feed ads: suitable for strong visuals, carousels and product posts.
• Explore ads: useful for becoming visible to people who are actively discovering new content.

Start small and test carefully

Begin with a small budget and test different visuals, wording and audiences. Do not look only at reach; also consider what happens next. Do you receive profile visits? Do people follow you? Does the ad lead to DMs or website clicks?

An ad works much better when your profile is properly prepared. If someone clicks your ad and lands on a profile that is empty, cluttered or unclear, they are unlikely to stay.

Buying followers on Instagram: when can it be useful?

Some accounts choose to give themselves an additional boost by buying followers, likes or views. This can help a new profile look less empty, but it is not a substitute for good content. Over time, you grow only through genuine attention, clear posts and a profile that people want to continue following.

Consider paid growth a form of support rather than the entire strategy. If you choose a boost, combine it with active content, Reels, Stories and interaction with your target audience.

At SocialKings, you will find various Instagram services that you can use alongside your organic growth. A new account can begin by buying Instagram followers, while a post that is already performing well can receive extra support by buying Instagram likes or buying Instagram views.

Pay attention to the balance between followers and engagement

An account with many followers but almost no likes, comments or views can look unnatural. Make sure your profile makes sense as a whole. If your follower count grows, your content also needs to remain active. Post regularly, respond to people and ensure your posts give them a reason to like, share or comment.

Do not use a boost to conceal poor content

If your profile is unclear, your bio provides no information and your most recent post is months old, a boost will not help much. Fix the basics first. Additional visibility can be more effective after that.

Common mistakes that prevent growth

Only posting and doing nothing else

Instagram is not a noticeboard. If you only post content and never respond, use Stories or connect with people, you miss many opportunities. Growth often comes from conversations.

Posting too many unrelated topics

If people do not understand what your account is about, they are less likely to follow it. Keep your content recognisable. You can be personal, but ensure your main topic remains clear.

Giving up too soon

Sometimes an account needs several weeks before a format begins to work. Do not judge every post in isolation. Look for patterns across several weeks.

Copying trends without adding your own perspective

Trends can help, but only when they suit your account. A trend that has nothing to do with your target audience may attract views but few followers.

Not providing a clear reason to follow

People do not follow you simply because one post is entertaining. They follow because they want more content of that kind. Make it clear what they will regularly receive from you.

Attract more followers with a business Instagram account

For businesses, growth on Instagram is not only about having an impressive follower count. You also want to attract the right people: customers, fans, visitors, leads or buyers. This requires a slightly different approach from a personal creator account.

Business accounts often grow more effectively when they use a combination of:

• practical tips
• customer questions
• reviews and results
• content from behind the scenes
• product or service explanations
• the people behind the business
• local content if you operate in a specific area

Do not sell in every post. People want to develop trust first. Show how you work, who you help and why your product or service is worthwhile.

A simple growth plan for the next 30 days

Want to begin immediately without trying to do everything at once? Use this simple 30 day plan.

Week 1: improve your profile

• Make your name, bio and profile photo clearer.
• Pin 2 or 3 strong posts at the top.
• Create or improve your highlights.
• Choose 3 to 5 consistent content topics.

Week 2: test content

• Post 2 Reels with a strong opening.
• Post 1 carousel featuring a useful checklist or tips.
• Use Stories with polls or questions.
• Comment each day on relevant accounts in your niche.

Week 3: increase reach

• Create a collab post or joint Reel.
• Repeat a topic that performed well in a new format.
• Test different posting times.
• Ask your followers what they would like to see more often.

Week 4: measure and improve

• Check which posts attracted the most followers.
• Record which opening lines performed well.
• Create new versions of your best content.
• Do not immediately delete weaker posts; learn from them.

Frequently asked questions about getting more followers on Instagram

How do I get more followers on Instagram quickly?

The quickest healthy approach is to make your profile clear, test plenty of Reels, actively comment on accounts in your niche and create content that people want to save or share. A paid boost or ad can help, but it works best when your profile and content are already strong.

How often should I post to grow?

For many accounts, 3 to 5 times per week is a suitable schedule, supported by Stories. More important than the exact number is posting regularly and learning which content attracts followers.

Why do I get views but no followers?

Your content probably attracts attention, but your profile or video does not give people enough reason to follow you. Make your account’s purpose clearer, use a strong bio and finish your content more often with a reason to stay, such as “follow for daily styling tips” or “follow for more simple recipes”.

Do hashtags still work on Instagram?

Yes, but they are not enough to generate rapid growth on their own. Use relevant hashtags that suit your niche and combine them with strong content, clear keywords, effective captions and active interaction.

Is buying followers bad for my account?

It depends on how you use it. If you only buy followers and do not post good content, you will not build a genuine community. Use a boost only as an addition, and make sure your engagement, posts and profile still feel natural.

What matters more: likes or followers?

New followers matter for growth, but likes, comments, saves and shares indicate whether your content is working. A smaller account with active followers is often stronger than a large account with no engagement.

How long does it take to get 1000 followers?

This varies by account, niche and effort. Some accounts grow quickly through Reels or collaborations, while others take longer. Do not focus only on time. Concentrate on improving your profile, content and connection with your target audience.

What should I do if my growth has stopped?

Start by reviewing your statistics. Which posts generated profile visits? Which posts attracted followers? Then test new opening lines, different formats, collabs and clearer topics. Growth is often not about working harder, but about making more focused choices about what you post.