Do you ever wonder how some people on Instagram gain so many followers in a short amount of time or on a consistent basis? Some people are celebrities or influencers, but nowadays, many are not.

The below article explains 15 easy ways to increase your following on Instagram.

If you prefer watching a video instead of reading content, watch this, as it will help, but I still recommend reading the article as it breaks down the steps.

Today, you don’t need fame to gain Instagram followers over time. It might take a little extra work, though.

No matter which step you’re on in growing your Instagram presence, there is a way to create an attractive, high-quality, unique experience with your audience. I’m going to help you get your Instagram right where you want it.

Get More Instagram Followers in 15 Steps

• Step 1: Determine the overall purpose of your Instagram account
• Step 2: Come up with a content strategy
• Step 3: Design your profile for maximum engagement
• Step 4: Post photos that grab attention
• Step 5: Add long image captions to your post
• Step 6: Add strategic hashtags
• Step 7: Create a posting schedule
• Step 8: Locate and follow your target users
• Step 9: Follow 50 users per hour
• Step 10: Become an active member of the community
• Step 11: Partner and cross-promote with relevant users
• Step 12: Run challenges and contests
• Step 13: Run Instagram ads
• Step 14: Link your Instagram to your offline customer
• Step 15: Keep tabs on what’s working so you can continue to optimize your performance

Introducing Instagram

While I feel like this platform needs no introduction, some of you may be new to it.

So, I’d like to give you a few quick facts.

Instagram is a photo-sharing mobile app. It was launched in 2010 as a typical freebie app. There were a lot of other photo apps, but Instagram hit the sweet spot and started to grow exponentially.

They grew so quickly and organically that Facebook took interest and bought them for $1 billion in April of 2012.

As of February of 2022, Instagram has more than 2 billion active users worldwide!

The Evolution of Instagram

Instagram used to be a basic app. You took a picture, you put a filter on it (to make yourself look better), and then you shared it with your small Instagram following.

That was it. No bells. No whistles. Nothing fancy.

That’s no longer the case.

Today, Instagram is packed with tons of features, from automation features to fantastic filters. Once Snapchat started attracting millions of followers, and apps like Periscope leveraged live video, Instagram rushed to offer these features as well.

For example, you can edit photos using more advanced photo editing features instead of relying on Instagram’s built-in filters.

You can also post Stories. Stories appear at the top of your friends’ feeds and appear there for only 24 hours. If you want to keep your Stories discrete, you can send them only to select friends or curated groups.

You can edit your pictures with text, drawings, and other special effects, much like Snapchat.

Now, Instagram has a heavier emphasis on video, like its latest competitor TikTok. Like TikTok, Instagram’s Reels and Live Video features are also catching on. Since 2020, there’s been a high emphasis on influencers and the creator economy. User-generated content and influencer marketing have launched the platform ahead, where live video streams can also be used for social ecommerce.

Instagram is not like most live video platforms, because the video can be saved for IGTV after you stream. You can watch live videos while they’re being filmed and then share them with your audience that missed it, adding to your content.

My goal in this article is to show you how to get followers, not teach you how to use every feature.

Still, it’s important to be aware of these features, because you’re going to be using them to increase Instagram followers as you grow your audience by the thousands each week.

Let’s jump in.

Fake vs. Real Followers and How To Spot The Fakes

It’s the nature of the game.

Some people will try to prop up their accounts by misrepresenting their reach – and by extension – their influence.

They purchase followers and likes from black market sites so they can appeal to brands for affiliate marketing purposes. Others simply do it for superficial reasons.

These fake followers are typically bots that add no value to the platform. Worse yet, they take away from the user experience that we all love.

And do you know what?

Spambots can’t really “like” your brand. They can’t give real insight that can impact your business. And they can’t spend real money