As of January 2022, there were approximately 270.1 million active social media users in the United States, indicating that both individuals and businesses are increasingly making decisions based on social media engagement.
Instagram remains one of the most influential social media platforms, and this article aims to guide you on how to expand your Instagram following this year. With 1.9 billion users on Facebook and 2.4 billion on YouTube, these are the largest social networks worldwide. Nonetheless, Instagram is rapidly catching up, with 1 billion active users each month.
Let’s explore some important Instagram statistics as the platform continues to expand and evolve. Instagram ranks as the second most engaged social network after Facebook. Users spend an average of 53 minutes daily on Instagram, compared to 58 minutes on Facebook. Additionally, 83% of users report discovering new products and services through Instagram. The platform sees over 500 million daily active users of Instagram Stories, and more than 100 million photos and videos shared each day. Furthermore, video content tends to generate higher engagement on Instagram.
Instagram is on track to potentially overtake other platforms as the top social media network. If you’re a brand or influencer aiming to develop your personal brand this year and looking to monetize your profile, keep reading for effective strategies to grow your Instagram presence.
What Are the Best Ways to Grow Your Instagram?
Here are the most effective strategies to accelerate your Instagram growth:
Start Posting Reels
Reels are a new feature on Instagram that consist of short, dynamic videos lasting up to 90 seconds. They provide an engaging, creative, and educational format that can significantly boost your visibility. If you’re not already creating Reels, now is the moment to begin. Reels are a powerful tool to attract a larger audience and increase your follower count.
A simple way to produce your first Instagram Reel involves the following steps:
Storyboard Concept
Planning your reel’s concept in advance simplifies the filming process. You don’t need a full script, but having a rough outline of key points helps keep your content focused and on track during filming.
Shoot Instagram Reel
With your plan ready, it’s time to film. Keep the reel concise, aiming to stay within the 90-second limit.
Preview and Add Effects
After filming, enhance your video with effects or background music. Trim sections if needed to ensure your reel remains under the time restriction.
Share Instagram Reel
Finally, post your reel on your profile or story. Use relevant hashtags and tagging to maximize exposure and attract new followers.
Schedule Posts to Increase Your Instagram Followers
Growing your follower base is a primary goal on Instagram. Consistently scheduling and posting content at optimal times can help attract and retain followers.
To grow your Instagram followers, it’s essential to produce high-quality content in your posts. However, just posting regularly isn’t enough; you also need to streamline your workflow to maintain consistency. One effective approach is to utilize an Instagram scheduling tool, which allows you to plan and automate your posts in advance.
A tool I frequently recommend is the free Combin Scheduler. It simplifies managing your content by providing a single platform to schedule and manage all your posts. You can easily plan your content, add captions and hashtags, tag locations, and set specific dates and times for posting, all from one dashboard. Scheduling your posts helps you engage more consistently with your followers, which can significantly enhance your follower growth over time.
When it comes to managing your content, it’s best to focus more on the quality of your posts rather than quantity. Some experts suggest posting one to three times daily, but this approach isn’t suitable for everyone. Posting too frequently can be perceived as spam by your audience, potentially leading to unfollows. Conversely, posting less often with high-quality images and videos can be more effective in retaining and attracting followers. If you struggle to create engaging, polished visuals daily, consider reducing your posting frequency to maintain quality. Use Instagram analytics to see which types of posts resonate most with your audience and boost your top-performing content with Instagram ads, encouraging profile visits or directing traffic to your website.
Instagram’s features extend beyond simple photo sharing. You should leverage Instagram Stories, which have become a key component of the platform’s engagement strategy. Each day, over 500 million stories are created worldwide, offering a dynamic way to share quick moments from your life or business. Stories appear at the top of followers’ feeds and can be highlighted on your profile for ongoing visibility, even after the 24-hour lifespan. For better engagement, incorporate videos into your stories, which tend to outperform static images. If you need help creating eye-catching stories, tools like Renderforest provide a library of customizable templates suitable for various industries. Since stories are brief and casual, they’re a perfect format for connecting authentically with your audience and keeping your brand top of mind.
You should include Instagram Reels, live videos, and IGTV content as vital components of your marketing efforts on the platform. These features help diversify your content and engage your audience in different ways.
Creating unique hashtags is essential for fostering community engagement and connecting with audiences sharing similar interests. A well-chosen hashtag can dramatically increase the visibility of your posts, stories, or videos to targeted users. Many brands have successfully developed their own hashtags—like #JustDoIt or #ImLovinIt—that instantly communicate their brand message. While convincing followers to use your hashtag might be challenging initially, starting small with niche groups can be effective. For example, if you’re hosting a virtual conference, consider creating a unique hashtag such as #MarketingSummit2020. Ensure it’s not already in use, and promote it during your event through invitations, decorations, and marketing materials. Reposting images from followers who use your hashtag is a great way to show appreciation and encourage more participation.
Let’s not forget that Instagram is a social network designed for interaction. Engage with other users by liking relevant posts related to your niche—such as health, fitness, or nutrition—and leave genuine comments to build relationships. Showing support and sharing your perspectives fosters community and increases your profile’s visibility. Keep up with notifications on comments and direct messages to stay connected and responsive, making your followers feel heard and valued.
Offering compelling reasons for people to follow you is crucial. The most successful accounts provide value—whether through stunning visuals, educational content, or inspiring messages—that resonate with their audience. Position yourself as an authority or motivator in your niche by sharing personal stories of your journey, challenges, and victories. People connect with authenticity. For example, Kayla Itsines has built a massive community by sharing her workout routines, meal plans, and success stories, inspiring followers who want to transform their health. Be transparent about your experiences and offer actionable advice to attract and retain followers who see you as a trusted resource.
Visual consistency also plays a vital role. Your Instagram grid is your brand’s visual fingerprint. Recognizable colors, layouts, and themes help establish a memorable identity—think of how Coca-Cola’s red label instantly signals the brand. Use tools like Planoly or Preview to plan and preview your grid layout before posting. Maintain a consistent color palette and filter style to create a cohesive look, which makes your profile more appealing and professional. This attention to visual detail ensures your audience recognizes and connects with your brand easily.Enhance your Instagram presence by experimenting with more creative collage and puzzle-style images. Adding quotes on a solid color background or featuring the same object every few posts—say, every third or fourth—can create visual consistency and intrigue.
Starting a sequence of well-organized and themed posts can help craft your brand’s narrative. Your audience will be eager to follow along, anticipating new content and engaging more deeply within your community platform, making your page a hub for ongoing interactions.
When visiting interesting locations, always geotag your photos. If users see that you’ve been to a cool restaurant or vibrant city—and they have similar interests—they’re more likely to follow you.
To maximize engagement, consider creating your own custom geotags and crafting content around those locations. If other users start using your geotag, jump into the conversation—leave comments, like their posts, or follow them. Building connections like this encourages mutual growth and visibility.
Collaborating with influential Instagram personalities can significantly boost your profile. Partner with bloggers or influencers who share similar interests so you can exchange followers and reach new audiences. Keep in mind, it’s challenging to attract followers from very different niches—such as car repair fans noticing beauty bloggers—so aim for niches that align.
Don’t hesitate to reach out for sponsored collaborations or promoted posts. Investing in boosting your profile can help expand your reach and attract new followers.
In summary, growing your Instagram in 2023 involves paying attention to your feed’s aesthetic, posting consistently with valuable content, and utilizing hashtags and geotags strategically. Collaborations—both with influencers and brands—can elevate your profile. Focus on making your content discoverable and engaging, and you’ll see your follower count grow. Follow these tips, and you’ll be on your way to gaining more followers this year.
Looking for other ways to grow your social media influence? Share your tips in the comments!
Additional Resources on StepThroughThePortal.com: Check out articles on making money on Instagram and selling on Facebook. Many creators also use Instagram to direct traffic to platforms like OnlyFans; learn how to monetize this platform in how to make money on OnlyFans.