Proven Strategies to Build a Massive Instagram Following

Whether you want to become an influencer or just enhance your Instagram presence, here are some expert tips and tricks for achieving fame on this popular social media platform.

Fact checked by Elizabeth MacLennan

Instagram is one of the world’s most popular apps, boasting over 1.2 billion monthly users. While most people are busy scrolling, posting, and liking, the app’s true potential often remains untapped. If you aim to become the next big name and attract a substantial following, we have some tailored strategies for you. Here’s how to enhance your Instagram profile and achieve recognition.

1. Do Your Research

As with any endeavor, starting with achievable goals is essential. Initiate your Instagram transformation by researching favorite accounts. Recognize what you admire about their feeds and find ways to elevate your own. Establish a consistent aesthetic tone—a specific color palette can help, be it white, pastels, or earthy tones. Users tend to favor accounts that maintain visual consistency. The Preview app, available for both Apple and Android, can assist you in testing your posts and designing an engaging grid.

Look to successful accounts for inspiration. Take note of their hashtag usage, follower engagement techniques, and posting frequency.

2. Go for Quality

Aim to capture outstanding photographs. While this may seem daunting, simple enhancements can yield impressive results. Populate your Instagram grid with captivating images that attract admiration. A carefully curated selection will lead to a cohesive aesthetic, which is crucial for attracting loyal followers.

For photo editing, numerous apps can aid in refining your images. Top applications like Snapseed, VSCO, and Lightroom are highly recommended. Avoid relying on Instagram’s built-in filters; instead, utilize editing tools to enhance contrast, straighten images, and incorporate details that elevate your photos.

Use bright, beautiful images to garner likes and attention. Remember that lighting is fundamental to outstanding photography. Focus on posting vertical images to optimize screen space and captivate viewers.

3. Use Hashtags Wisely

Every word you type can become a hashtag, but utilizing hashtags strategically is key. You don’t need to use all available hashtags.

Instagram allows up to 30 hashtags per post; however, it is more beneficial to select around 12 that are specifically relevant to your content. Consider tagging the photo type, device used, location, and editing app. A useful third-party app, Hashtag Expert, provides hashtag suggestions available for Apple users. Positioning hashtags effectively is crucial—tags like #Cute and #Travel might face too much competition. Opt for well-chosen hashtags that capture attention without overwhelming your posts.

4. Build on Engagement

Engagement is about allowing your audience to connect with you or a version of yourself. Narrate stories or anecdotes in your Instagram captions to personalize your posts. When commenting on other accounts’ posts, share genuine thoughts to avoid sounding like spam.

Leverage geotags and localized hashtags to engage with your surrounding community; they might find your content engaging as well. Also, be mindful of your posting frequency—it’s wise to post at least once a day at times when your audience is most active.

Furthermore, follow accounts you admire and those with similar content—including some of their followers can attract attention to your profile.

5. Use Instagram Story Tools

Utilizing Instagram stories is an excellent way to engage your audience, as they enjoy sharing their opinions. Employ tools like the question card or poll card to stimulate interest in your account.

The question card can be utilized to prompt your viewers to ask questions or to solicit their responses to your inquiry, which you can then highlight in your story.

Although the poll card does not allow sharing individual responses like the question card, it offers a way for users to see how their preferences compare with the majority. This can encourage them to return to your profile to check poll outcomes.

6. Incorporate Story Highlights and Reels

If you’ve posted an intriguing or engaging story, ensure it has a permanent home on your profile by adding it to your story highlights. You can create various highlights to showcase different aspects of your Instagram presence—like projects, talents, or travel experiences. This helps your followers understand you better.

Introduced in 2020, Reels enable adding permanent media to your profile without disrupting your overall aesthetic. These short videos, reminiscent of TikToks, allow for adding music, text, and visual effects. Posting a particularly creative or humorous one could lead to greater visibility on Instagram.

7. Remember What Not to Do

Steer clear of buying followers, spamming, or reposting others’ content without credit. Maintaining authenticity in your style and personality is paramount; genuine engagement will attract followers over time.