Dustin Kuhns runs social for arts and culture organizations across more than 10 channels. Here’s why he uses Buffer, and how he uses Insights to guide what his clients do next.
I have over 15,000 followers on Instagram, and I've helped grow Buffer's Instagram account to over 100K.
One thing I've learned on my journey is that there are no definitive "growth hacks" for increasing your Instagram followers. But fear not! There are still plenty of practical things you can do to build a solid growth strategy that works.
I've tested a lot of these over the years, and I know which ones = burnout and which ones actually yield results.
A larger, engaged following opens up some pretty incredible things: brand partnerships, traffic to the products and pages you want people to find you, and the social proof that pulls in even more followers. And you know what they say about anything worth having — it's worth doing right.
So let's do that, shall we?
In this article, I'll unpack the exact tactics that grew Buffer's Instagram reach over 2× last quarter, and they've helped my own account grow too. (That 2× is our own account data, separate from the industry report I cite throughout.) They really are tried and tested!
Whether you're looking to grow beyond a plateau or you're starting to grow your Instagram following from scratch, there's something for you here!
These tactics focus on sustainable, organic growth: the kind that compounds over time. Before we get into them, here's the quick answer (though I recommend you read this full article for some important nuance).
Short answer: To get more followers on Instagram, post 3–5 times a week, lead with reels to reach new people and carousels to keep them around, put searchable keywords in your bio, reply to comments, and collaborate with creators in your niche. In Buffer's analysis of 52 million+ posts, reels earned 36% more reach, carousels drove 12% more engagement, and replying to comments lifted engagement by 21%. Growth compounds over months, not days.
Key takeaways
- Posting 3–5 times per week grows followers 2× faster than posting 1–2 times, based on Buffer's State of Social Engagement report, which analyzed 52 million+ posts across 200K+ accounts
- Instagram Reels generate 36% more reach than other post types: best for attracting new followers
- Carousels drive 12% more engagement than other formats: best for retaining existing followers
- Replying to comments boosts engagement by 21%
- Optimize your bio with keywords in your name field to appear in Instagram search results
- Cross-promote your Instagram handle on other platforms to convert existing audiences into followers
- Increasing your Instagram followers comes down to consistency: the accounts that compound are the ones that show up every week, not the ones chasing one viral moment
- Don't buy Instagram followers: fake Instagram accounts lower engagement rate and may trigger Instagram penalties
| Strategy | New-follower impact | Engagement impact | Effort | Buffer data point |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Post Reels consistently | High | Moderate | Medium | +36% reach vs other formats |
| Post carousels | Moderate | High | Medium | +12% engagement vs other formats |
| Post 3–5× per week | High | Moderate | Medium | ~2× faster follower growth |
| Optimize bio + keywords | Moderate | Low | Low | — |
| Reply to comments | Low | High | High (ongoing) | +21% engagement |
| Cross-promote on other channels | Moderate | Low | Low | — |
| Collaborate with creators | High | Moderate | High | — |
| Use hashtags + geotags | Moderate | Low | Low | — |
| Post at optimal times | Moderate | Moderate | Low (with scheduling) | — |
| Go Live | Moderate | High | High | — |
Jump to a section:
- 1. Build an Instagram growth strategy before chasing followers
- 2. Optimize your Instagram bio
- 3. Cross-promote your Instagram handle on other channels
- 4. Post 3–5 times per week for consistent growth
- 5. Find your best times to post on Instagram
- 6. Write compelling captions
- 7. Use relevant hashtags, locations, and keywords
- 8. Track your Instagram analytics to find what works
- 9. Collaborate and cross-promote with Instagram creators or other small businesses
- 10. Experiment with different types of Instagram posts to increase engagement
- 11. Talk to your audience in comments and stories
- 12. Don't buy Instagram followers (and other growth shortcuts that backfire)
- 13. Get verified on Instagram
1. Build an Instagram growth strategy before chasing followers
A growth strategy is what turns random posting into follower growth: it lines up who you're talking to, what you post, and why, so every post pulls its weight instead of disappearing into the void.
Having a clear idea of where Instagram fits into your overall social media marketing strategy will not only help you gain more followers, but also help you get more relevant content ideas for Instagram. When I mapped this out for Buffer, there was none of the usual "what should we post?" guesswork — because I'd already worked it out in the strategy.
But how do you create an Instagram growth strategy?
Step 1. Get clear on your goals
Instead of learning how to get more followers on Instagram, step back and reflect on your 'why.' What do you want to gather all those followers for?
Do you want to build a personal brand? Or raise brand awareness for your company? Perhaps you want to drive website traffic. Maybe you want to collect more user-generated content.
Whatever it is, define it clearly with measurable milestones to put intention behind your Instagram strategy.
Step 2. Get a 360-view of your target audience
Knowing the basic demographics is crucial. But also go beyond that and deeply understand what your audience struggles with and how you can help them resolve their challenges using your Instagram content strategy.
Next, get a 360-degree view of your ideal follower. I would start by clarifying three simple things.
Who am I talking to? What am I helping them with? And what do I want them to feel when they land on my profile?
This will allow you to create content that truly resonates with your community, helping you gain Instagram followers.
Natasha Pierre, creator and host of the Shine Online Podcast, says losing sight of your ideal follower in exchange for virality is the single biggest mistake creators make.
"People often focus so much on going viral and reaching as many people as possible that they lose sight of the ideal follower they're trying to reach," she says.
"You could go viral today, and if you're reaching mostly the wrong people, chances are it won't result in them following you. [Even if they do], it would lead to Instagram followers who aren't engaged."
"Taking the time to reflect on who your ideal follower is will help you create specific-to-them content, which will not only result in better growth but quality new followers."
Step 3. Define your brand voice and aesthetic
Even if you're a creator and not a company, it's worth crafting a social media marketing voice that's uniquely you, so Instagram users can identify your posts without seeing the username.
Brand voice is hard to track or quantify, but it's non-negotiable to be memorable. On Instagram, you can also define your aesthetic along with your brand voice. Use brand colors, stick to a consistent content theme, and have a personality.
Step 4. Create content pillar themes and stick to them
Decide on a niche for your Instagram account. You don't have to box yourself in — but do have a few overarching topics you'll post about, and don't deviate from them too much. This has many benefits:
- You don't have to constantly reinvent the wheel for brainstorming great content ideas.
- Your Instagram community starts recognizing you for the type of content you create.
- You don't get distracted by the new, shiny thing, and keep revising your Instagram strategy.
The strategy is the unglamorous part, but it's the reason the other 12 tactics compound instead of canceling each other out.
2. Optimize your Instagram bio
Your Instagram bio is a search field: putting keywords in your name field, not just your handle, makes your profile discoverable in Instagram search. It's also the first thing someone sees when they land on your profile, and it's often what decides whether they hit Follow or keep scrolling.
Here's how mine looks:
I've included the right Instagram category for my account (digital creator), followed by a fun, well-formatted list that shows my personality and includes a few keywords. I've also added multiple links for their Instagram followers to tap on and learn more.
Here's another Instagram bio example from my teammate and fellow creator, Kirsti Lang:
She's also formatted hers with emojis, so the text is easily scannable. She's got important keywords for her niche (home office, remote work, productivity) along with a 'why' — "I test them all so you don't have to!" This gives folks a reason to stick around.
Here are the elements you need to nail for the perfect Instagram bio:
- A descriptive category
- A simple description of what you do and/or what you sell
- A touch of brand personality
- Links that lead somewhere useful, like your website or a Buffer Start Page
Use pinned posts in your profile grid
Treat your grid like a storefront by making sure your most compelling content is right up front. Use pinned posts in your profile grid that showcase your best work or a reel that answers your most commonly asked questions.
Want to show up in more searches?
The Instagram algorithm prioritizes search results containing keywords in the name and username. Add one or two keywords that describe what you do right in your name field or handle, like "vegan recipes" or "wedding photographer."
For example, creator Hannah Hargrove has the keywords "Baby + Toddler Nutrition" on her Instagram account, right next to her name. Her username is also "tinyeatersnutrition" — these specifics instantly tell you what to expect from her Instagram account.
Instagram users searching for "toddler nutrition" will also find her account pop up in search (that's how I found her), helping her grow her Instagram followers.
Just don't go overboard with keywords in your Instagram name field, as it'll come across as spammy and water down their purpose. Use just a few phrases that tell people what your Instagram account is about.
3. Cross-promote your Instagram handle on other channels
Cross-promoting your handle is the fastest way to convert an audience you already have: point people from your other channels to your Instagram and you skip the cold-start problem.
Redirecting potential customers from other channels to your Instagram account is an easy way to gain Instagram followers quickly, especially if you already have a strong presence on social media platforms.
For example, at Buffer, we have our Instagram link on our website footer, and I add mine anywhere it makes sense.
Here are the most effective ways to cross-promote and increase your follower count. Add your Instagram page's link to:
- Your product packaging
- Your blogs (when relevant)
- Marketing and transactional emails
- Your website's footer and/or sidebar
- Social media posts from team members
- Your and your employees' email signature
- Bios on platforms like TikTok and YouTube
- Networking events and webinars (use your profile's Instagram QR code for in-person events)
Cross-promotion will help you increase the probability of being in front of relevant users on Instagram. Existing followers from other social media platforms likely already know you and the kind of content you create. They're quality followers; the ones who are most likely to enjoy and engage with your Instagram posts.
4. Post 3–5 times per week for consistent growth
Posting 3–5 times per week grows followers roughly 2× faster than posting once or twice, according to Buffer's State of Social Engagement report, an analysis of 52 million+ posts across 200K+ accounts. Accounts at this frequency also see 12% more reach per post. If you want to increase your followers without gaming anything, this is the single most reliable lever there is.
That's a big payoff for just one or two extra posts a week.
How often should you post on Instagram to grow?
Post 3–5 high-quality times per week. Remember, posting three times a week for three months will teach you more than planning for three weeks. If you want a shot at a breakout post, you have to enter the lottery as often as you can.
If you're able to share more often, say 6–9 times weekly, that's even better for growth. But if your time or creative energy is limited, aiming for 3–5 high-quality posts per week is a great, sustainable goal.
Why I stopped agonizing over every single post
For ages, I treated every post like it had to perform as well as my general baseline, or it was a flop. (If you're a perfectionist like me, I bet you get this.) But that pursuit of perfection every single time ended up being more harmful than helpful.
Only a slice of your audience sees any given post, so an 'underperforming' one isn't a failure, it's just… Tuesday. Loosening my grip on each individual post is the only reason I can actually keep up a 3–5× week without burning out.
I'm not saying you should post any old thing in your camera roll just to be consistent; quality and value are still important. But don't spend 12 business days incrementally moving text around on a carousel.
Done is better than perfect, my friend.
A smarter way to create more content sustainably
As creators or marketers, we often assume that all our followers have seen every piece of content we create, but in reality, only a small portion of our audience will see a particular post.
So don't be scared to repurpose existing content. This doesn't just mean repurposing content you've posted on other channels (though that is a great option, if you're not doing that already), but also within the same platform. Don't be afraid of tweaking content that performed well and sharing it again.
Some examples could be to turn a series of Instagram Stories into a reel or an insightful caption into a poignant video.
Here's a great example of the latter from @stanforcreators.
Keep up a consistent posting cadence with a content calendar and batching
Another smart way to stick to consistent posting (on any platform) is to create a content calendar — a document sharing exactly what you need to post and when. If you've created and scheduled posts to go out in advance, you aren't relying on inspiration alone to stick to your posting schedule.
If you want to level up even further, try blocking out time to create your posts in batches. Content batching is the method of creating social media posts in bulk so you can add them to your content calendar. Your future self will thank you.
Instead of manually posting the posts in your content calendar, use Instagram scheduling tools like Buffer to automate the process.
You can't be everywhere all the time
To build a scalable system to grow on Instagram, you have to work smarter. To keep up with my posting frequency, I use Buffer to batch-create content ahead of time and give myself a longer content runway. (Not glamorous, but it's the only reason I stay consistent.)
My content autopublishes when I'm offline, so I can unplug and recharge while growth continues in the background. I can also analyze my Instagram posts to track what's landing, schedule posts on multiple platforms, respond to comments, and crosspost to TikTok, LinkedIn, YouTube, and more, all from one dashboard.
5. Find your best times to post on Instagram
Posting when your followers are online gives your content a better shot at more reach. More reach means more chances to attract new followers.
According to our analysis of over two million Instagram posts, the best times to post on Instagram are Thursday at 9 a.m., Wednesday at 12 p.m., and Wednesday at 6 p.m.
If you want to understand when your followers are online, Instagram insights can tell you that in three simple steps:
- Open your Instagram app and navigate to insights using the hamburger menu (the three horizontal lines) on your account. If you're on Instagram web, just click on Dashboard.
- Click on Total followers if you're on the Instagram app or select Account if you're on the web.
- Scroll down to the bottom of this page and look for Most active times to understand when your Instagram followers are online. You'll be able to toggle between hours for every day of the week or look at specific days.
Want to take it up a notch? Before I schedule anything, I check the recommended posting times in Buffer Insights, which organizes your performance data in a way that's easy to read. The Performance per Post view ranks your posts by engagement rate, and Takeaways flags which formats and posts are working, so you can spot the patterns worth repeating.
And if you'd rather Buffer handle timing for you, it can automatically apply our recommended posting times to your queue, which means I'm not the bottleneck on timing.
Along with the time, also consider when your Instagram posts would be more relevant logically. A step-by-step video recipe will perform better after working hours when people cook. On the other hand, coffee shop Instagram Stories might do better at the 2 p.m. slump.
Experiment with posting times to determine when you reach new audiences (and gain followers).
6. Write compelling captions
A strong caption is what earns the follow after the visual earns the stop: the longer someone lingers on a post (especially a reel), the stronger the signal to the algorithm that your content holds value.
It's enticing to skimp on Instagram captions when you've toiled to create the perfect carousel or video. But Instagram captions hold more weight than you think: they can either nudge someone to follow you or scroll past you without looking. So give folks something to read.
I've even been experimenting with including the actual content of my post in the captions, like I did in the post below. It worked really well! The main hook I included on my video was intriguing enough for folks to click 'More' below the post to stick around and read.
In the algorithm's 'eyes', that counts as engagement and time spent engaging, which it rewards.
Writing the perfect Instagram caption is about understanding your audience and the context of your post. If you're writing an educational post, it makes sense to have a longer caption. But when you're sharing an aesthetic product image, shorter is sweeter.
Similarly, also think about captions based on content formats: Instagram Stories need a shorter caption (or text on media) because your followers view them quickly, but carousel posts might need more context.
When I'm stuck, I use Buffer's AI assistant to generate a rough first draft in seconds, then rewrite it until it sounds like me rather than a robot. (The blank caption box is where most of my posts used to die.)
If you need more inspiration, Buffer also has a free template library to help you scour through hundreds of ideas for your captions and posts. You can also filter them based on post type (hot take, opinion, promotion, etc.), goal, format, and creator type (individual vs. business).
Whenever you're in a creative slump about what to post and how to write a captivating caption, just go to the template library and scroll until you find something interesting you can use.
Still struggling for ideas? Wonder no longer. Here are 350+ Instagram caption ideas to make your own.
Nail your call-to-action
What action are you hoping someone takes after consuming your content? What's the value being delivered in the end? Maybe you want them to listen to a podcast episode. Maybe you're crowdsourcing ideas, or maybe you're asking for their opinion on something.
Here are a few examples:
- Which tip was most helpful?
- Agree or disagree?
- Want a part two?
Invite your community in and create space for thoughtful action.
7. Use relevant hashtags, locations, and keywords
Hashtags, keywords, and locations are how people find content they aren't already following: rank for the ones your audience searches, and you expose your posts to potential followers.
People often search for relevant keywords, hashtags, and locations to find the type of content they're looking for. Show up in those searches and you put your Instagram content in front of people who have never heard of you.
Keywords
Use keywords related to your post (without stuffing them). Think of the phrases and words your audience might be using to search for the type of content you're creating. Instagram picks up keywords from captions, visuals, and hashtags, so use the relevant keywords in all these places.
How do you find the relevant keywords? Run a search for the phrases you think your audience might use and see which keywords other brands are using. Instagram will also fill in related terms when you search for a broad keyword, just like on Google.
How many hashtags should you use on Instagram?
Five hashtags are the upper limit. Hashtags used to be the holy grail of Instagram discovery, but in 2026, they're not as important anymore.
In December 2025, Instagram cut the limit from 30 hashtags to five per post, across reels, photos, and carousels. The cap counts your caption and your comments together, so the old habit of dropping a block of tags into the first comment won't buy you extra slots. Instagram also removed the option to follow hashtags in December 2024, which tells you how far the feature has moved from its heyday.
(If you're an Instagram veteran like me — doesn't this feel like the end of an era?)
It's worth resetting expectations on what those five are actually doing. Adam Mosseri, the head of Instagram, has been quite blunt about it: "Contrary to popular belief, hashtags are not a way to get more reach."
They label your content so Instagram understands what it's about and can surface it in search and recommendations.
Mosseri's framing is that a few specific tags perform better than a long list of generic ones, which means something like #productivityforfreelancers is great, but #love isn't. Choose tags that describe your post precisely, and drop anything you're adding out of habit.
How do you find relevant hashtags?
You can search niche hashtags to find popular Instagram hashtags related to your posts. I also lean on hashtag generators like Buffer's free hashtag generator when I'm drawing a blank.
Simply share what your post is about, click on Generate hashtags, and Buffer will share a list of hashtags you can use.
Buffer can also help you curate a list of hashtags and organize them into groups using the hashtag manager. For example, make a group of product-specific hashtags and another for niche or industry-specific hashtags. Select from your pre-saved groups on Buffer and add hashtags to your scheduled Instagram posts with one click, so you're not rebuilding a set every post.
Location
For local discovery, add in a geotag as well. Tagging your city, neighborhood, or event space helps Instagram surface your post to people browsing that location — a simple step that can land your content on the Explore page for nearby users. This might also help your content surface in followers' Friends Maps.
8. Track your Instagram analytics to find what works
Checking your analytics regularly is how you find out which posts are actually earning followers, so you can do more of what works.
Regularly checking your Instagram analytics is the fastest way to spot those patterns. You might find that your audience responds best to entertaining reels, but educational posts work best as carousels. Maybe you discover Instagram giveaways are best for engagement, but they don't help you gain followers.
Watch closely for those patterns and evolve your content strategy as you go. You can find native analytics on the Instagram app, but they're pretty limited. You can't see your individual posts' performance in a single window to analyze them side by side, nor can you handpick metrics important to you.
It's better to use a third-party tool like Buffer Insights to get all the data at a glance and even make custom reports for stakeholders. You can also port all your data directly into your AI tool of choice, such as ChatGPT or Claude, to spot patterns faster.
Which metric is the most important to track?
It depends on your Instagram goals and strategy. For example, if you're testing a new hashtag, knowing the number of new followers is more important than tracking likes from your current followers. But if you're experimenting with posting times, keeping an eye on impressions is more important.
I like to focus on real plays, saves, shares, and follower sources. This saves so much time by showing me where to double down instead of creating content just to fill the feed.
9. Collaborate and cross-promote with Instagram creators or other small businesses
Collaboration is one of the fastest ways to grow because it borrows an audience that already trusts someone else: co-created carousels or reels, story takeovers, joint giveaways, and shared resources all put you in front of a warm crowd.
This is a personal favorite of mine. Post collaboration content, and the possibilities are endless: a co-created carousel or a reel, story takeovers and tagging each other, joint giveaways, or shared resources.
Instagram collab posts with other creators via influencer marketing or partnerships with small businesses are a win-win because they expose both parties to potential Instagram followers. The critical bit is ensuring you partner with a company or creator who aligns with your values and whose followers' demographics and interests overlap with your target audience.
These posts are shown on both Instagram accounts, meaning all followers of your creator partner will see the shared post (and, by extension, your Instagram profile and small business).
Here's an example from Kirsti, who uses collab posts when she does brand partnerships.
We also use this tactic at Buffer — when a Bufferoo creates content for our channel, we share the post as a collab post. It's win-win for both of us!
If influencers with over a hundred thousand followers are out of your budget, run a micro-influencer campaign. Micro-influencers (accounts with 10K–100K followers) typically see 2–3× higher engagement rates than larger accounts because their audiences are more tightly knit and trust their recommendations more, which is why they're often a better bet than chasing someone huge.
How to find collaboration partners
Here are a few methods that work well:
- Search niche terms for creators whose content aligns with your brand: look for consistent engagement (comments, not just likes) rather than follower count alone.
- Use Instagram's suggested accounts feature: when you follow a creator in your niche, Instagram surfaces similar accounts you might want to connect with.
- Check who's creating content your audience already engages with: look at who your followers follow, comment on, and share.
- Use influencer discovery tools like Modash to save time and filter by niche, engagement rate, and audience demographics.
You don't need to restrict yourself to partnering with individual creators. You can also form partnerships with other small businesses. Take a look at how LinkedIn and Headspace collaborated to create a post about recovering from job loss.
Collaborating on Instagram doesn't only mean creating a shared post, either. You could also:
- Go live with a creator
- Do an Instagram account takeover
- Repost Instagram content from an influencer's profile to your Instagram Stories
- Post videos created by them natively on your brand account (with permission)
10. Experiment with different types of Instagram posts to increase engagement
Instagram Reels earn 36% more reach than other post types, while carousels drive 12% more engagement, according to Buffer's State of Social Engagement report — so use reels to reach new people and carousels to deepen relationships with the followers you already have.
When I started treating reels as the top of the funnel and carousels as the thing that keeps people around, Buffer's reach roughly doubled in a quarter. That's the split this whole list is built around.
It's been a long time since Instagram was just a photo app. The platform has introduced many formats, including short-form video content like reels, stories, and carousel posts. Engaging and actionable content types are prioritized by the Instagram algorithm based on saves and shares.
Once in a while, I like to post something unexpected. Testing different formats gives you the space to experiment and learn, and offers valuable insights into what resonates more with your audience.
Which type of posts will help you get the most reach?
Reels, by a clear margin. Use reels to attract followers and carousels to deepen engagement with existing ones.
How to build your Instagram Reels muscles
Creating reels can feel like a heavier lift if you're not super comfortable in front of the camera, but it's a muscle you build over time. Here are some fairly easy ideas:
- Record a bunch of videos throughout the day, like you on a walk, drinking coffee, working on your laptop, socializing, and stitch them together with a compelling voice-over that tells a story.
- Try filming a talking head video with easy-to-follow tips, plus captions and fun sound effects.
- Capture a quiet moment of you sitting in one place, maybe just enjoying a cup of coffee, and add a question as text overlay, and then expand in captions.
The more you film, the more comfortable you get with the process, and that in turn sparks even more inspiration for your next video. And, remember, creating hooks within the first three seconds of a video is crucial for capturing viewer attention.
How to A/B test your hooks with trial reels
My colleague Kirsti Lang, who writes for the Buffer blog and has built her own audience over at @itsmekirsti, swears by trial reels for finding new followers.
Trial reels offer you a way to post a reel to a group of non-followers to see how they react to it. The reel won’t appear in your followers’ feeds or on your Instagram profile.
It's just a little toggle you turn on with a regular reel upload, and you can choose if/when to share them with your followers.
Kirsti treats them as a testing ground.
"The key indicator for me isn't how many views a trial reel gets, it's the skip rate," she told me. "If the skip rate is under about 50%, I know that reel is going to perform well."
Her process is really simple — she records two different hooks every time she films, which adds barely any work in filming and editing. Both go out as trial reels around 24 hours before she wants the real post to land. She checks which hook held people, then publishes that version properly.
It's also helped Kirsti pivot her Instagram niche.
Kirsti built her following as a health and fitness creator. Her career and interests then moved towards productivity, tech, and tools, and she opted not to start a separate account for the new material.
She didn't want to lose the 5K followers she had already gained. But unfortunately, her new focus just wasn't resonating with them.
"My theory is that my content was going out to followers who came to me for health and fitness, and they weren't enjoying my productivity content," she said. "It performed poorly on my own followers' engagement, so it never got shared more widely."
Trial reels let her step around that block and reach the people most likely to care about what she makes now. If your engagement looks weak against your follower count after a pivot, that mismatch could be the cause rather than the content itself.
Remember, reach isn't the same as engagement
Our research, the same one that found reels get the most reach, also found that carousels get 12% more engagement than other content formats.
The hook matters more than the aesthetic
To increase engagement, your first slide should hook people in with a hard-hitting truth or address a problem that your audience is actively trying to solve. For example, instead of "Tips for creators," try something like, "If your reels aren't getting views, try this."
So the split is the whole game: reels win reach (+36%), carousels win engagement (+12%), and a healthy growth mix leans on both.
Don't sleep on Instagram Live
Going Live sends a push notification to followers, places you first in the stories row, and lets you answer questions in real time. Try a fifteen-minute Q&A, a product unboxing, or co-host a Live with a creator in your niche to tap into their audience, too.
11. Talk to your audience in comments and stories
Replying to comments lifts engagement by 21%, which makes your comment section one of the highest-leverage growth surfaces on Instagram.
Social media is a two-way street. Every single interaction, whether that's via interactive Instagram Stories or responding to their comments, puts you on someone's radar. It's a portal to more exposure and an opportunity to build a real community.
Remember, getting more Instagram followers isn't just about adding new followers; it's also about maintaining your follower count. You don't want to lose your existing community because you're unresponsive. Engaging with your audience shows that you care about them, take their feedback seriously, and believe in reciprocity. These real relationships lead to real growth.
Buffer data finding: Replying to comments boosts engagement by 21%, per Buffer's engagement analysis. So invest early: even a short, genuine reply signals to the algorithm (and the person) that you're paying attention.
Pay attention to meaningful conversations in your own comments and make an effort to engage with posts from others in your niche. When they see you supporting them, they'll often come back and support you.
Responding to every comment might be unrealistic once you start receiving thousands of them (good problem to have), but do your best to respond to as many queries as possible.
Buffer's Community feature is how I keep up: it pulls comments from every platform into one place, right there on the Buffer dashboard, so replying doesn't mean living inside six apps. You can set up notifications, filter and sort your comments, and even create a new post from a reply.
Show up in stories and use engagement tools
Stories are where trust builds. People appreciate lived experiences that give them a peek into a problem you solved, a lesson you learned, or a chapter of life you survived.
I host a podcast called The Lavender Fix, and I often use story polls to understand what topics my audience is most interested in, link a sticker to a new episode, or share a casual behind-the-scenes moment from one of my recording sessions.
12. Don't buy Instagram followers (and other growth shortcuts that backfire)
It's tempting to buy Instagram followers to inflate your follower number. But it's worth remembering that fake followers aren't going to interact with your Instagram profile.
They'll either be bots or fake accounts, not real Instagram followers (and definitely not relevant ones). So your follower count might soar, but fake followers can lead to a significant drop in engagement rates, as these accounts don't interact with your content.
Fake Instagram followers also hurt your credibility. Instagram's algorithm favors accounts that show authentic engagement, meaning that accounts with a high number of purchased followers may be penalized in visibility.
Potential collaborators and your audience will sooner or later get suspicious of the mismatch between your number of followers and engagement rate. This can make your audience lose trust in you and harm your personal brand in the long term.
If that wasn't enough, the Instagram algorithm also pushes posts with genuine engagement. The platform might penalize you for disguising fake followers as real Instagram followers.
Does buying Instagram followers work?
No, buying Instagram followers doesn't work if your goal is real growth. Bought followers are inactive or fake accounts: they inflate your follower number but never like, comment, save, or buy, so your engagement rate craters and the algorithm shows your posts to fewer real people. To get followers without buying them, do the opposite of the shortcut: post consistently, make your profile searchable, and actually talk to the people who show up. Every tactic in this guide is a free, organic route to more followers that compounds instead of collapsing.
Other shortcuts to avoid
Buying followers isn't the only growth tactic that backfires. A few more to steer clear of:
- Follow-unfollow tactics: following hundreds of accounts hoping they'll follow back, then unfollowing them, makes you look spammy, and Instagram's algorithm may flag the behavior. It also attracts low-quality followers who'll never engage with your content.
- Engagement pods: groups where members agree to like and comment on each other's posts artificially inflate your metrics without building real followers and reach. Instagram has gotten better at detecting these patterns, and the engagement rarely translates to genuine follower growth.
- Posting inconsistently: going from five posts a week to zero for a month confuses the algorithm and your audience. It's better to post three times a week consistently than to post daily for two weeks and then disappear.
The common thread: anything that games the system instead of serving your ideal audience tends to backfire eventually. Sustainable growth is slower, but it's the kind that actually compounds.
13. Get verified on Instagram
Getting verified adds a blue checkmark that acts as instant credibility. That coveted checkmark next to your Instagram account helps you stand out in search results, avoids impersonation, and even gets higher engagement rates.
If your aim is to increase your Instagram growth rate, getting verified will undoubtedly help. But how do you get verified on Instagram? Don't worry if you're not famous: the blue check is no longer exclusively reserved for public figures.
The easiest way is to buy a subscription through your Instagram profile. (There are certain eligibility requirements you have to meet, like adhering to Meta's minimum activity requirements, but that shouldn't be hard.)
Getting more followers on Instagram isn't a one-and-done thing
These 13 strategies aren't a checklist you complete once, they're habits you build over time. The accounts that grow fastest stay consistent, keep experimenting, and actually talk to the right audience.
It's time-consuming and laborious to manage the planning, posting, engaging, and tracking manually. Having an all-in-one tool like Buffer lets you handle all of this from one dashboard, and there's a free plan if you want to try it without committing anything.
FAQ about getting more followers on Instagram
How do you grow Instagram followers organically?
You grow Instagram followers organically by posting content the right people want to save and share, making your profile easy to find in search, and replying to the people who show up. No buying, no bots. It's slower than a shortcut and it lasts a lot longer.
How can I get my first 1,000 followers quickly but organically on Instagram?
Focus on content that people want to share. Post short, engaging reels, use clear keywords, and add strong calls to action in your captions. Comment on posts in your niche, reply to every comment you receive, and cross-promote your handle on other platforms. A steady posting schedule (made easier with a tool like Buffer) helps you show up in the feed more often and reach new people faster.
What is the 5-3-1 rule on Instagram, and does it work?
The 5-3-1 rule is a daily engagement habit: like five posts, leave three thoughtful comments, and follow one new, relevant account. The goal is to spark genuine conversations so more people check out your profile and follow you back. It's simple, free, and a good way to build community, as long as your interactions stay authentic and on-topic.
How often should I post if I want to grow my follower count?
Post 3–5 times per week. Buffer's analysis of 52M+ Instagram posts found accounts posting at this cadence grow followers about 2× faster than those posting once or twice. Mix formats: reels for reach (36% more than other types) and carousels for engagement (12% more). Schedule posts for your audience's peak activity times using Instagram Insights or Buffer's recommended posting times.
How can I get more followers on Instagram for free?
Every strategy in this guide is free. The most effective organic tactics are: posting Reels consistently (they get 36% more reach), optimizing your bio with searchable keywords, engaging with your community through comments and stories, using 3–5 relevant hashtags per post, and cross-promoting your handle on other platforms where you already have an audience. Consistency matters more than any single tactic: accounts that post 3–5 times per week see 2× faster follower growth.
How can I optimize my Instagram profile to get more followers?
Start with your bio: use a descriptive category, write a clear one-line description of what you do, and add a link to your website or Start Page. Add one or two keywords to your name field (like "wedding photographer" or "vegan recipes") so you appear in Instagram search results. Pin your best-performing posts or an FAQ reel to the top of your grid, and make sure your profile photo is recognizable at thumbnail size. For a deep dive, see our guide to Instagram bio ideas.
What type of Instagram content gets the most followers?
According to Buffer's State of Social Engagement report, Instagram Reels generate 36% more reach than other post types, making them the best format for attracting new followers. For keeping existing followers engaged, carousels drive 12% more engagement. The most effective approach is a mix: use reels to get discovered and carousels to build deeper connections with the followers you've already earned.
Why am I not gaining followers on Instagram?
Usually, it's one of four things: you're posting inconsistently, your format mix is off (not enough reels for reach), your profile isn't searchable, or you're not engaging back. Fix the basics first: commit to 3–5 posts a week, put keywords in your bio name field, lead with reels, and reply to comments. Growth that's stalled almost always traces back to one of those.
How do people get so many followers on Instagram?
The accounts with huge followings almost always combine consistency, a clear niche, and formats built for reach. They post regularly (3–5+ times a week), lead with reels to get in front of new people, make their profiles searchable, and collaborate with other creators to borrow warm audiences. It looks like an overnight jump from the outside; it's usually months of compounding.
Does buying Instagram followers actually work?
No. Bought followers are fake or inactive accounts that never engage, so they drag down your engagement rate, hurt your credibility, and can trigger Instagram penalties. You end up with a bigger number and worse reach. Organic tactics like posting consistent reels, having a searchable bio, and replying to comments are slower but compound over time.
How can I get more followers on Instagram without posting more?
You can grow without increasing output by making each post work harder: repurpose your top posts across formats, put keywords in your bio name field so you surface in Instagram search, reply to every comment (Buffer found this lifts engagement by 21%), cross-promote your handle on your other channels, and collaborate on posts with creators in your niche so you reach their audiences.
How long does it take to grow your Instagram following?
Organic growth is gradual and compounds, so most accounts see meaningful movement over months, not days. Consistency is the driver: Buffer's data shows accounts posting 3–5 times a week grow roughly 2× faster than those posting once or twice, and Buffer's own account more than doubled its reach in a single quarter using these tactics.
More Instagram resources
- The Best Time to Post on Instagram: We Analyzed 2 Million+ Posts to Find Out
- Instagram 101: A Step-By-Step Guide on How to Use Instagram
- How to Get Verified on Instagram: 2 Ways To Get Your Blue Check
- How the Instagram Algorithm Works
- Trending Sounds on Instagram (+ How to Use Them)
- How to Use Instagram for Business: The Complete Guide
- How to Create Your Own Influencer Media Kit (+ Examples from Creators)
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