Instagram is still one of the best ways to connect with people, grow your brand, or even start a business. But increasing your Instagram account in 2024 is more complex than posting a few pictures and hoping for the best.
You need to know what works and what doesn’t. In this article, you’ll learn the best strategies to grow your Instagram account this year and what to avoid.
1. How Instagram’s Algorithm Affects Your Growth
Instagram uses an algorithm to decide which posts show up in your feed. Understanding how it works is key to growing your following.
How the Algorithm Works:
Instagram’s algorithm looks at several things to decide which posts people see:
- Engagement: The more likes, comments, shares, and saves your post gets, the more likely it will appear in people’s feeds.
- Content Type: Posts with different types of content (like Reels, photos, and videos) may perform differently depending on what your followers like.
- Timing: Instagram prefers fresh content. Posting when your followers are most active will attract more attention.
- Relationship: Instagram shows users posts from accounts they interact with the most. If you like, comment, or message people a lot, Instagram will notice and show more of your posts to those people.
What You Should Do:
- Post Consistently: Posting regularly keeps your account active and increases the likelihood that Instagram will promote your content.
- Engage with Your Followers: Reply to comments and interact with people on Instagram. The more you engage, the more Instagram will boost your content.
- Use Reels: Reels are a great way to get noticed. Instagram pushes them more than other content types, a great way to grow your reach.
What You Should Avoid:
- Buying Followers: Most are fake or inactive if you buy Instagram followers, which won’t help you get real engagement. Plus, Instagram can penalise you for using these services. Instead, focus on trusted sources like iDigic.net, which offers incredible services for organic growth and helps you build a real, engaged audience.
- Posting Too Much: Posting too frequently can overwhelm your followers and hurt your engagement. Keep a good balance.
If you can understand how the algorithm works, you can create content that Instagram’s algorithm will love, making it easier to grow your account.
2. Creating High-Quality Content
Good content is the key to getting people to follow you. In 2024, if you want to stand out, post content that people find interesting, engaging, and worth sharing.
What Types of Content Work:
- Reels: Short videos are super popular on Instagram right now. Reels are easy to share and can go viral if they’re good.
- User-Generated Content (UGC): Ask your followers or customers to create content related to your brand and repost it. This helps build a community and shows your followers you care.
- Carousels: These are posts with multiple images or slides. Carousels tend to get more engagement because people swipe through them.
- Behind-the-scenes: Showing the real, unfiltered side of your life or brand helps people connect with you.
What You Should Do:
- Create High-Quality Images and Videos: People will engage more with content that looks good, so take your time to create high-quality posts.
- Write Engaging Captions: Your captions are just as important as your images. Make them interesting, ask questions, or add humour to get people talking.
- Use Hashtags: Hashtags help your posts reach more people. Use popular, relevant hashtags to help new followers find you.
What You Should Avoid:
- Low-Quality Posts: Don’t post blurry or poorly edited pictures. Bad-quality content will get little attention.
- Too Much Self-Promotion: While you want to promote your brand, post ads or promotional content only sometimes. Mix it up with fun, valuable posts.
Creating content that people enjoy and want to share is the best way to grow. Quality over quantity is the way to go.
3. Using Instagram Stories and Reels Effectively
Instagram Stories and Reels are two of the best tools for engaging with your followers and attracting new ones. If you’re not using them, you’re missing out.
Why Stories Are Important:
Instagram Stories appear at the top of your follower’s feed, making them easy to notice. You can use them to post quick updates, ask questions, or share behind-the-scenes moments.
Why Reels Are Important:
Reels are short, fun videos that can reach a much wider audience. Instagram promotes Reels more than other types of content to compete with TikTok.
What You Should Do:
- Use Interactive Features in Stories: Polls, quizzes, and question stickers are a great way to interact with your followers. The more you interact, the more likely people are to come back.
- Create Engaging Reels: Since Reels are so popular, create short, eye-catching videos that people will watch and share.
- Share Your Reels to Stories: Cross-promote your Reels on your Stories to get more views.
What You Should Avoid:
- Too Many Features in Stories: Don’t overload your Stories with too many stickers, polls, and questions. Please keep it simple so your followers don’t get overwhelmed.
- Ignoring Reels: Reels are a great way to get noticed, so pay attention. If you’re not making Reels, start now!
Using Stories and Reels regularly will help you engage with your audience and expand your reach to new followers.
4. Building a Strong Community
Instagram isn’t just about posting pretty pictures—it’s about building a community. If you want your account to grow, you need to connect with your followers and make them feel like part of your brand.
What You Should Do:
- Respond to Comments and Messages: Respond to your followers’ comments and DMs to make them feel valued. Engaging with people builds loyalty.
- Collaborate with Others: Teaming up with influencers or brands in your niche can help you reach new audiences and grow your following.
- Run Contests or Giveaways: Giveaways are fun to get people excited and increase engagement. Just make sure the rules are easy to follow.
What You Should Avoid:
- Ignoring Your Followers: If you don’t respond to comments or messages, your followers might lose interest and unfollow you. Show them you care!
- Spammy Tactics: Don’t use tricks like mass-following or leaving generic comments to gain followers. These tactics need to build genuine connections.
To grow your Instagram, you must treat it like a community, not just a platform to post pictures. Engage, interact, and make your followers feel special.
5. Avoiding Quick-Fix Growth Tactics
There are a lot of third-party services that promise to boost your Instagram following quickly. While they may seem like an easy fix, they often do more harm than good.
What You Should Do:
- Grow Your Account Organically: Focus on creating content people want to see and engage with. Organic growth takes time but is much more sustainable.
- Use Analytics to Track Your Progress: Instagram’s built-in tools can help you understand what’s working and what’s not. Use this data to adjust your strategy.
What You Should Avoid:
- Buying Followers or Engagement: You need more than fake followers and fake likes to grow your account meaningfully. Plus, Instagram can ban you from using these services.
- Violating Instagram’s Rules: If you use unethical tactics to grow your account, you risk having it suspended.
It’s tempting to look for shortcuts, but the best way to grow on Instagram is to do it correctly. Focus on organic, ethical growth for long-term success.
To grow your Instagram account in 2024, you must focus on creating high-quality content, engaging with your audience, and using Instagram’s features to their full potential. Avoid shortcuts like buying fake followers or using spammy tactics; these will only hurt your credibility in the long run.
Instead, focus on building an engaged community and providing value to your followers. With time, effort, and the right strategies, you’ll see real growth and success on Instagram.
****
Zoe Taylor is a writer and creator who blends storytelling with lifestyle inspiration. She shares personal musings and tips for living a balanced, creative life.
