Tips on How to Get Real Followers on Instagram 2025

Intro

Creating content for Instagram takes hours. After you hit "Share," everything seems great for a moment - you feel like you've posted something awesome.

Then, it's quiet!

You might get a few likes and comments from followers - but not much else. Without strong content, how can you grow your Instagram following?

Growing on Instagram isn't a simple step-by-step process. But there are some proven tips that can help you reach more people and gain new followers.

Use the correct hashtags

On Instagram, your goal is to keep your current followers interested and also attract new followers. Posting fresh, engaging photos will keep your audience involved. But if you want to grow your following, using hashtags is key. Hashtags help people find your photos when they search for specific topics.

Which hashtags should you use? Like on Twitter and other social media, Instagram users pick certain hashtags to tag their posts. Using popular hashtags with your photos makes it easier for new people to find and follow you.

Optimize your bio

Make the most of those 150 characters in your Instagram bio - it shows potential followers who you are. Include:

• A brief description of what you do
• A bit of your personality
• A call to action (like "contact us," "shop," or "read more")
• A link

This in-bio link is the only clickable link on Instagram, so choose it wisely. Some businesses use a website link by default, while others update it often to match recent posts.

Find the best time to post

There's no single best time to post on Instagram. The ideal posting times depend on your followers and content.

To find when your audience is active, use Instagram Insights. Go to your profile, tap "Insights," scroll to "Your Audience," and tap "See All." At the bottom, you'll see when your followers are most active.

Also, think about the timing for specific content. For example-

-a step-by-step recipe video may work best after work hours when people are cooking.

-Or, a coffee shop post might get more engagement around 2 p.m. when people need a pick-me-up.

Try posting at different times to see what works best for you.

Use the correct filters

It's not just about keyword hashtags; the filters you use also matter. Some filters are more popular on Instagram and can boost engagement. According to research, the top 10 filters are:

• Amaro
• Clarendon
• Gingham
• Juno
• Lark
• Lo-fi
• Ludwig
• Normal
• Valencia
• X-Pro II

A study showed that Mayfair and Hefe filters tend to get the most interaction. While popular filters can help, it's also useful to focus on the ones that resonate best with your followers. This graph shows how different filters impact engagement on my Instagram account.

Do not be boring

When coming up with hashtags for your Instagram captions, go beyond the usual one-word tags. You can still use them - but try using hashtags to add a bit of personality to your story. Be funny, ironic, or even a little bold - just don't be boring!

Followers of your competitors

One of the best ways to attract new followers on Instagram is by engaging with your competitors' followers. Simply follow your competitors and show interest in similar products you offer.

Want to connect with their followers? Engage with them actively. Instagram gives you three main ways to interact:

-Comment on their posts

-Follow users

-Like their photos

Adding emojis to your comments can give them extra personality and make your interactions stand out!

Organize your stories into highlights

You have a short time to make a strong impression on potential followers when they visit your profile.

Using Instagram's Highlights feature is a great way to organize your Stories and show what your account is all about. Since Stories disappear after 24 hours, Highlights let you keep them visible and encourage people to follow so they don't miss out on future content.

To attract more followers, try these Highlight ideas:

-Add swipe-up links to promote products

-For travel profiles, organize stories by destination

-Make "trailers" to showcase your account

-Use photos and videos to explain your products