The Ultimate Guide to Get More Instagram Followers

Instagram has become one of the most influential social media platforms, making it a powerful tool for personal branding, businesses, and content creators. Gaining followers is not just about numbers; it’s about building a genuine, engaged community.

While there are no guaranteed “growth hacks” for skyrocketing your Instagram followers count, there are numerous strategies you can implement to craft an effective growth plan.

BUT HERE’S THE THING: If you’re new to using Instagram for your business or as a creator, the first step is to solidify the foundation of your Instagram presence. Resist the urge to buy fake followers—it will do more harm than good in the long run.

Now, let’s get to it!

Embed Keywords Into Your Username and Name

The Instagram algorithm favors search results that include keywords in the name and username. 

USERNAME: This is your Instagram handle. Keep it consistent with your company name or align it with usernames on other social platforms to ensure instant recognition.

NAME: Use your company name or a keyword-rich variation. 

Incorporating relevant keywords here can boost your visibility and quickly communicate what your brand offers to potential customers—it’s the first detail visitors notice on your profile.

Optimize Your Instagram Bio

To unlock the perfect Instagram bio, you need to focus on these four key elements:

• A concise description of what you do or sell
• A touch of your brand’s personality
• A clear call-to-action
• A link

With just 150 characters to work with, your Instagram bio has the power to leave a lasting first impression on potential followers and customers. The secret is to keep it clear, creative, and complete. Anyone reading it should immediately understand what your business offers, how it benefits them, and where they can find out more. 

Your link in bio is a valuable opportunity to guide your audience to an external page. You can link to your company’s website or update it regularly to align with your latest posts. To take it a step further, consider using link-in-bio tools, which allow you to consolidate multiple URLs into a single, convenient link.

Cross-Promote Your Instagram Handle on Other Channels

Driving potential customers from other platforms to your Instagram profile is an easy and effective way to increase your visibility and grow your following. Make it effortless for people who already engage with you elsewhere to find you on Instagram—no one should have to search manually! Include your Instagram link in places like:

• Product packaging
• Relevant blog posts
• Marketing and transactional emails
• Your website’s footer or sidebar
• Social media posts from team members
• Email signatures
• Bios on other platforms like Tiktok and Youtube
• Networking events and webinars

Your Instagram link doesn’t need to be loud or flashy. A small icon or QR code is often all you need for mos placements.

Find the Best Times to Post on Instagram

When’s the best time to post on Instagram? Simple: when your audience is most active. There isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer for the best time to post, so it’s crucial to find the ideal timing for your followers. Fortunately, Instagram makes it easy to figure this out with its Insights feature. Here’s how to check:

1. Open your Instagram profile and tap the three horizontal lines in the top-right corner.
2. Select “Insights.”
3. Click on “Total Followers.”
4. Scroll to the bottom and find “Most Active Times.” You can toggle between hours and days of the week to see when your followers are online.

Additionally, think about when your content is most relevant. For example, a step-by-step recipe video might perform better after work hours when people are cooking. Meanwhile, a coffee shop promo could shine during the 2 PM slump. Experiment with different posting times to identify when your posts generate the most engagement and reach!