general

How to Increase Instagram Followers: Strategies That Actually Work

Crescitaly Staff

Crescitaly Staff

— 4 min read

In 2024, a 19-year-old jewelry designer in Milan went from 876 followers to over 82,000 in six months—all without a single paid ad. Her secret? A mix of trending Reels, niche hashtags, and smart use of engagement tools. Her story isn’t exceptional anymore; it's replicable. And that’s exactly what this guide will break down for you.

With over 2.4 billion monthly active users, Instagram remains a foundational platform for creators, brands, and entrepreneurs. The landscape continues to shift, but the goal remains the same: growth. The good news is, increasing your Instagram followers organically and sustainably is easier when you're armed with the right tactics and tools.

Why Instagram Growth Still Matters in 2024

In an age where TikTok is grabbing headlines and YouTube Shorts is rolling out aggressive monetization updates, some marketers are quietly asking: Is Instagram still worth it?

The short answer: Absolutely.

  • Instagram continues to dominate in the influencer space with over 72% of brands choosing it as their top channel for partner campaigns.
  • Its ecommerce features—including Shops, product tags, and in-app checkout—make it central for DTC businesses.
  • Instagram Reels now generate 22% higher engagement than regular video posts, according to Meta's own data.
“Instagram is where people build brand trust. TikTok might be where they discover you, but IG is where they follow with intention.” — Vanessa Liu, Social Strategy Lead at Dune Studios

Step 1: Optimize Your Profile for Discovery and Retention

Your profile is either a welcome mat or a bounce pad. To grow your followers, start with the basics:

Make Your Bio Work Overtime

The bio section appears in search and shapes first impressions. It should:

  • Include a clear value proposition (“Helping small brands turn $1k into $10k on Instagram” beats “Entrepreneur”)
  • Use SEO keywords for discoverability (“Digital creator” vs. “Fashion Reels curator”)
  • Feature a single link-in-bio tool (like Linktree, Beacons, or your site)

Switch to a Professional Account (If You Haven’t Yet)

This unlocks performance insights, auto-promotion tools, and category labels that signal legitimacy. It’s free and takes two minutes.

Step 2: Post What the Algorithm Wants—For Now

While authenticity is crucial, ignoring performance data is like sailing without a compass. Here's what Instagram currently favors:

Short, Vertical, Fast-Paced Reels

Reels remain the fastest track to new followers. Aim for:

  • Videos under 15 seconds with rapid cuts and hooks in the first 2 seconds
  • Trending audio tracks (search “Trending” in Reels tab)
  • On-screen text to boost accessibility and retention

According to Crescitaly's dashboard data, accounts that post at least four Reels per week see 2.7x faster follower growth than those that post static content alone.

Carousels Still Drive Saves and Follows

Educational, visual, or storytelling carousels consistently outperform single-image posts. Use them to demonstrate value, document behind-the-scenes processes, or break down how-tos.

Step 3: Make the Algorithm Your Ally

The algorithm isn’t out to get you—it’s designed to keep users engaged. So the goal is simple: maximize signals that suggest your content keeps people on the app.

Engagement Boosters

  • Ask a question in post captions or Stories
  • Use polls and quizzes in Stories for interaction
  • Reply quickly to DMs and comments (this primes your posts to appear more often in that follower’s feed)

Use Hashtags Intentionally

Hashtags still matter—but keyword strategy has overtaken blind list-dumping. Instead of #like4like, use these categories:

  • Branded: #CrescitalySuccess, #NikiforovJewelry
  • Niche: #indiejeweler, #startupdogs
  • Location: #BerlinDesigners, #NYCCreators
  • Content type: #ReelTutorial, #BeforeAfterPost

Aim for 5–10 well-researched hashtags rather than 30 random ones. Crescitaly’s advanced panel offers a smart hashtag suggestion tool based on post performance and competitive accounts.

Step 4: Collaborate, Cross-Promote, and Show Up

Partner With Micro and Nano Influencers

You don’t need to chase the Kardashians. Genuine collaborations with accounts in the 1K–50K follower range tend to yield higher engagement and trust.

  • Run giveaway swaps
  • Do account takeovers
  • Create joint content (Reels, Lives, Stories)

Cross-Promote on Telegram, YouTube, TikTok

Audiences often need multiple touch points. Share your posts or Reels in a Telegram channel, repost them in YouTube Shorts, or embed them in TikTok bios to drive Instagram discovery.

“The future of growth is platform synergy. If you’re not looping your audience between TikTok, IG, and YouTube, you're leaving reach on the table.” — Rahul Jain, founder of CrossCreator Agency

Step 5: Monitor, Measure, Adjust—Repeat

Growth without data is like launching a rocket without GPS. You need coordinates.

Key Growth Metrics to Track

  • Follower Source Breakdown: Insights > Audience > Where your new follows come from (Home, Explore, Profile Visits)
  • Content Interactions: Likes, Saves, Shares—especially for Reels and Carousels
  • Story Views Retention: How many users drop off after each segment?
  • Profile Actions: Taps on bio link, email button, directions—measure intent beyond the follow

Using Crescitaly.com, marketers can visualize growth trends over time, identify which content pillars drive the most engagement, and even automate competitor tracking—without scraping dozens of sheets.

Final Thoughts: Build for Followers, Perform for Impact

It’s not 2016 anymore. Buying followers or using bots will sink your engagement like a stone. Instead, sustainable growth on Instagram comes down to a few key principles:

  • Clarity: Know your niche and your value
  • Consistency: Post regularly and engage daily
  • Community: Create two-way conversations, not just content dumps
  • Creativity: Get weird with your formats, not your ethics

Instagram isn’t dead—it’s just gotten smarter. And so have the people who win on it. Whether you're a solo creator or managing a product brand, the tools for real, sustainable growth are in your hands. Platforms like Crescitaly make it easier than ever to automate the boring parts and focus on strategic, meaningful growth.

Consider this your blueprint. Follow it, adapt it, break it where needed. What’s most important? That you start sharing like someone worth following—because you are.

Meta Title: Increase Instagram Followers with Proven Tactics

Meta Description: Learn cutting-edge strategies to grow your Instagram followers using organic content, Reels, hashtags, and tools like Crescitaly's smart dashboard.

Tags: Instagram, SMM panel, TikTok growth, Telegram marketing, Instagram Reels, Crescitaly, YouTube Shorts

Read more