Want to grow your organic followers on Instagram?
First thing’s first: there’s no secret formula for overnight success. I know, I know – not what you wanted to hear, right? But here’s the good news: building a genuine audience is totally doable, it just takes a bit of practice and know-how.
The journey to building a large following on Instagram (and no, I’m not talking about buying followers or pouring buckets of money into paid advertising) is through consistency, strategy, and genuine connection.
If you’re ready to put in the work and build a following that truly cares and engages with your content, you’ve come to the right place. We’re going to walk you through it, step by step.
Why do organic followers matter?
Organic followers are harder to win over, but they’re the ones who’ll actually show up for you. These are the folks who’ll like, comment, and share your posts–and that’s exactly what Instagram loves to see.
Instagram’s algorithm is like a popularity contest. When your posts get lots of attention from real people (your organic followers), Instagram takes notice. It thinks, “Hey, this content must be pretty good!” and starts showing it to even more people.
It’s like a snowball effect. The more genuine followers you have, the more engagement you get. The more engagement you get, the more Instagram promotes your content. And the cycle continues, helping you grow even more.
So while buying followers might make your numbers look big, it’s those organic followers who really move the needle. They’re the key to unlocking Instagram’s algorithm and achieving real, lasting growth.
How do you grow organic followers on Instagram?
Growing organic followers on Instagram isn’t rocket science, but it does take some effort. It all comes down to three key things: what you post, when you post it, and how you interact with your audience.
Let’s be real – nobody’s rushing to follow accounts that spam their feed or never bother to have meaningful conversations. Think about why you hit that follow button on other accounts. It’s because they’re giving you something worthwhile, right?
That’s why your content needs to pack a punch. People want to follow real humans, not robots. So, it’s crucial to connect with your audience in a genuine way. Build a community where folks feel seen and heard.
Sound like a lot? Don’t worry, we’ve got your back. Stick around and we’ll walk you through exactly how to grow your followers the right way.
1. Understand the Instagram algorithm
To grow your organic followers, you’ve got to know the rules of the game. The Instagram algorithm is the behind-the-scenes mastermind that chooses what pops up in feeds, Explore pages, and stories. It’s not random–there’s a method to the madness.
So, what factors have the biggest influence on the algorithm?
Engagement is king. The more likes, comments, and saves you post gets, the more likely they are to push your content to a larger audience. This is especially true if engagement happens quickly after posting.
The algorithm is also playing matchmaker: showing users more of what they already like. If someone’s always double-tapping cat videos, guess what they’ll see more of? You guessed it, cat videos! You can see what type of content people interact with based on the hashtags they follow.
Some of this may seem like common sense, but it’s important to keep these concepts in the back of your mind while planning out your content strategy.
2. Avoid posting haphazardly–develop a clear strategy
To avoid doing guesswork–take some time to get to know your audience. Who are you trying to reach? What makes them tick? And most importantly, what kind of content makes them stop scrolling and hit that like button?
Remember, a content strategy is different than a content plan. Think high-level: your strategy determines the who, the what, and the why behind everything you do.
Related article: How to Create a Social Media Marketing Strategy in 6 Easy Steps
Once you’ve identified this, it’s time to get into the knitty-gritty of how you will achieve it.
3. Create a content calendar
A content calendar is essential for maintaining consistency on Instagram. It serves as your roadmap, helping you avoid last-minute scrambles for ideas and ensuring your posts align with your strategy.
Some content calendar platforms even let you schedule posts in advance, allowing you to batch-create content and publish it at peak times.
Popular tools for content planning include Asana, Trello, Monday.com, and social media management platforms like Buffer and Hootsuite.
Related article: Your Complete Guide To The Best Free Marketing Tools
4. Experiment with different types of content
It’s okay to experiment a little–as long as you’re not straying from your content strategy. Play around with different forms of content, such as videos, reels, or stories.
You can even experient with the colors and text on your images. The more you post, the more insights you’ll receive. Double-down on what’s working, and ditch what isn’t.
Your engagement rates will tell you everything you need to know.
5. Engage with your followers
This is an important one–don’t just post and ghost! Because the Instagram algorithm wants to see engagement quickly after you post, hang around in case you need to respond to a comment or DM.
When you aren’t posting, hang out in the same places your followers are. Engage with accounts similar to yours, and keep up with industry news.
Not only does this make your account more visible to potential followers, it also helps with the algorithm. When you regularly engage by liking, commenting, and sharing others’ content, it signals to Instagram that you’re an active and valuable user.
6. Be consistent with your posting
The ideal posting frequency depends on your goals, your audience, and your content type. The general guideline is around 3-5 posts a week. This allows you to keep up a consistent presence without overwhelming your audience.
Keep in mind, these are just general guidelines. If you’re a small team or have little resources, it’s okay to post less often. Just make sure your posts resonate with your audience and provide as much value as possible.
Always prioritize quality over quantity!
7. Focus on community building, not just numbers
Sure, follower count might seem like the ultimate measure of success, but building a genuine community is where the magic happens.
A strong, engaged community will naturally boost your visibility. When people care about what you share, they’ll like, comment, and spread the word–which signals to Instagram that your content is valuable.
Focus on creating a space where your followers feel like they’re part of something, and the numbers will take care of themselves.
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