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13 Ways to Get More Followers on Instagram in 2025
Growing on Instagram takes time and effort — but with these must-do tactics, the path to an engaged following is a lot more straightforward than you might think.
There are no definitive “growth hacks” for increasing the number of followers on your Instagram account — but there are still plenty of things you can do to build your Instagram growth strategy.
Here are 13 steps you can take for organic Instagram growth in the order we recommended doing them.
Before we dive in: If you’re just starting with Instagram for your business or as a creator, the first step is to tighten the nuts and bolts of your Instagram presence. Don't fall for the temptation to buy fake followers — it'll only hurt you in the long run.
The first few tactics in this guide cover the basics and are particularly relevant to new creators or businesses.
Even if you’re a seasoned Instagrammer, it’s worth making sure you have the essential boxes ticked before moving on. If you are, don't worry: there's plenty of guidance in this guide for intermediate and advanced creators, too.
Let's get into them all.
At a glance: 13 ways to get more Instagram followers
- 1. Add keywords to your username and name
- 2. Optimize your Instagram bio
- 3. Cross-promote your Instagram handle on other channels
- 4. Find your best times to post on Instagram
- 5.Build an Instagram marketing strategy
- 6. Write compelling captions
- 7. Use relevant hashtags and keywords
- 8. Understand your analytics
- 9. Collaborate with Instagram creators or other small businesses
- 10-Experiment with different types of Instagram posts
- 11. Talk to your audience in comments and stories
- 12. Avoid buying fake followers
- 13. Get verified on Instagram
1. Add keywords to your username and name
The Instagram algorithm prioritizes search results containing keywords in the name and username.
- Your username is your Instagram handle (your profile’s @name): Keep this the same as your company’s name and/or consistent with your profile’s username on other social channels to be instantly identifiable.
- Your name is your or your company’s name (or anything you like): Add relevant keywords here that your target audience would search for to improve your visibility.
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 gain more Instagram followers.
Adding relevant keywords is also an opportunity to tell who you are and what you sell to new followers at a glance — since it's the first thing someone sees when they land on your profile.
