How to Get Followers on Instagram: 10 Tips for 2025

Instagram has become one of the most powerful social media platforms for individuals, influencers, and businesses alike. With over 2 billion active users as of 2025, standing out and growing your follower base on Instagram can be challenging. However, with the right strategies and consistency, it’s possible to grow your presence and gain meaningful followers.

Here are some proven tips to help you increase your followers on Instagram in 2025.

1. Optimize Your Profile for Success

Your Instagram profile is your digital business card. It’s the first impression people get of you, so it’s essential to make it compelling.

Profile Picture: Choose a clear, high-quality image that represents you or your brand. If you’re a business, your logo works best.
Bio: Your bio should succinctly describe who you are, what you do, and what followers can expect from your content. Use emojis or bullet points to make it visually appealing.
Link in Bio: Since Instagram allows only one clickable link in your bio, use it wisely. Consider tools like Linktree or Beacons to house multiple links, directing followers to your blog, products, or other social profiles.

2. Post Consistently

Consistency is key to building and retaining a loyal Instagram audience. Posting regularly helps keep you in your followers’ feeds, increasing engagement opportunities.

Post Frequency: Aim for at least 3-5 posts per week. If possible, create a content calendar to keep track of your posts and ensure you’re sharing a variety of content (images, videos, reels, stories).
Best Times to Post: Use Instagram Insights to identify when your followers are most active. Posting during peak engagement times can help your content get more visibility.

3. Leverage Instagram Reels

Instagram Reels continue to dominate the platform. In 2025, Instagram is focusing heavily on promoting Reels content due to its ability to reach a wider audience.

Create Engaging Reels: Use trending sounds, hashtags, and effects in your Reels. Keep them short, engaging, and relevant to your audience’s interests. Authentic, behind-the-scenes content often works well.
Post Regularly: Consistent Reels content can significantly increase your chances of appearing on the Explore page or the Reels feed, expanding your reach.

4. Engage with Your Audience

Engagement is crucial to building relationships with your followers. Instagram’s algorithm favors content that has higher engagement rates, which makes interacting with your audience vital.

Reply to Comments: Engage with followers who comment on your posts. Replying shows you’re active and creates a sense of community.
Use Polls, Questions, and Quizzes in Stories: Instagram Stories are a great way to connect with your followers in a more personal way. Use interactive features like polls, questions, and quizzes to spark engagement.
DMs: Don’t hesitate to send personal messages to your followers or those who engage with your content. A simple “thank you” or answering a question can help build a loyal community.

5. Collaborate with Others

Collaborating with other users in your niche or industry is a great way to expose your profile to a broader audience. Whether you’re an influencer, a brand, or just an enthusiast, partnerships can be very effective.

Shoutouts and Mentions: Reach out to others for shoutout exchanges. It’s a simple way to help each other grow by introducing your followers to their content and vice versa.
Influencer and Brand Collaborations: Partnering with influencers or other brands can help you tap into their established follower base. Make sure the collaboration feels authentic and aligned with your brand’s values.

6. Use Hashtags Smartly

Hashtags are still an essential tool for getting discovered on Instagram. However, it’s not just about using popular or trending hashtags – relevance is key.

Research Hashtags: Use a mix of popular, niche-specific, and branded hashtags. Tools like Hashtagify or All Hashtag can help you find hashtags relevant to your content.
Location Tags: If you are targeting a local audience, include location-based hashtags to increase your visibility among local users.

7. Host Giveaways and Contests

Giveaways and contests are a great way to engage your audience and attract new followers. People love free stuff, and hosting a giveaway can create a buzz around your profile.

Rules: Make the rules simple. For example, participants might need to follow you, like a post, and tag a friend in the comments. This can help expand your reach.
Partner with Other Accounts: For a broader reach, consider partnering with other creators or brands for a joint giveaway. This way, both of your audiences get involved.

8. Post High-Quality Content

Quality should always be prioritized over quantity. High-quality, visually appealing content is more likely to grab people’s attention, leading them to follow you.

Professional Photos: If possible, invest in good photography or editing tools. High-quality images or videos reflect your brand’s professionalism and can boost your credibility.
Content Variety: Mix up your content types – photos, carousel posts, infographics, and videos. This keeps your feed interesting and engaging for users.

9. Use Instagram Ads to Boost Growth

If you’re looking for faster results, Instagram Ads can help boost your visibility. With well-targeted ads, you can reach potential followers who are interested in your niche.

Target Your Audience: Use Instagram’s ad tools to target users based on demographics, interests, and behaviors. This ensures your ads are shown to the right people.
Ad Formats: Experiment with different ad formats, such as image, video, and carousel ads, to see which works best for your audience.

10. Track Your Analytics

To understand what’s working and what’s not, track your performance using Instagram’s built-in analytics tool – Instagram Insights.

Engagement Rate: Monitor how your posts, stories, and Reels are performing. Pay attention to metrics like engagement rate, impressions, and reach.
Adjust Strategies: Based on the data, tweak your posting times, content types, and engagement strategies to improve your growth.

Conclusion

In 2025, growing your Instagram following requires a combination of consistency, engagement, and strategic content creation. By optimizing your profile, leveraging new features like Reels, collaborating with others, and focusing on high-quality content, you can significantly increase your chances of attracting more followers. Don’t forget to be patient – organic growth takes time, but with the right approach, you’ll see the results you’re aiming for.