Having real followers on Instagram come 2025 will be the biggest challenge for creators. While fake accounts and bots might boost follower count, they don’t help you grow your brand, sell products, or create meaningful connections. Real followers engage with your content, share it with others, and stick around for the long term. That’s why learning how to get more and real followers on Instagram is so important.
Right from time, Instagram has been all about engagement and the coming year won’t be any different. The algorithm continues to favor posts that spark interaction, like comments, shares, and saves. To stay ahead, you’ll need smart strategies to attract genuine followers who care about your content. In this post, we’ll explore practical tips to help you grow an authentic audience.
How to get more and real followers on Instagram
Gaining real followers on Instagram is no easy task but its achievable. It involves hardward, persistence and with the right steps, you can be off to a good start for growing your following. To help you out, here are some of the best strategies to employ:
1. Understand your ideal audience
Knowing your audience is the first step to getting more real followers on Instagram. Think about who you want to reach; what are their interests, age, or location? Use tools like Instagram Insights to learn more about your current followers. Pay attention to what content they like and share. When you know your audience well, you can use the information to create posts that connect with them as well as like minds who aren’t following you yet, making it easier to grow your following.
2. Optimize your Instagram Profile
Your profile is the first thing people see, so make it count. Use a clear profile picture, like your logo or a professional photo. Write a short bio that explains who you are and what you offer. Add a call-to-action (CTA) like “Shop Now” or “Follow for Tips.” Don’t forget to include a clickable link in bio such as your Pushbio landing page to direct your audience to more content from you. A polished profile helps you look credible and attracts real followers.
3. Post high quality content
Posting good content regularly is key to keeping followers interested and gaining new ones. Use high-quality photos and videos that match your brand’s style. Share a mix of entertaining, educational, and inspiring posts capable of driving engagement and increasing reach. Consistency builds trust and helps you stay top of mind while also bring your account to potential followers.
4. Stay updated on Instagram trends
Instagram is always changing. Follow industry blogs and social media experts to stay informed about new trends. Adapting to these changes early gives you an edge and keeps your content relevant. Staying updated can help you maintain and grow your follower base.
5. Get placements on popular accounts
Being featured on popular accounts can give your profile a big boost. Reach out to niche feature accounts and submit your best posts for consideration. A feature introduces your content to thousands of potential followers, giving your growth an instant lift.
6. Engage with your competitors’ followers
Checking out who’s engaging with similar accounts in your niche is another way to get more and real followers on Instagram in 2025. Like and comment on their posts to draw attention to your profile. If they enjoy content in your niche, they’re likely to follow you too. This strategy helps you connect with people who are already interested in what you offer.
7. Use location tags to attract local followers
Location tags make your posts visible to nearby users. Tag your city, local events, or popular spots to connect with people in your area. If you’re a local business, this is a great way to attract nearby followers who might turn into loyal customers.
8. Leverage technology such as automation tools
Save time and stay organized with tools like Hootsuite or Buffer. These tools let you schedule posts, track analytics, and manage comments all in one place. Use them to plan ahead, so you’re always ready with fresh content. Automation also ensures you’re posting at the best times, helping you grow your audience without extra stress.
9. Maximize the use of Reels, Stories, and Highlights
To get real followers on Instagram, leverage on platform features such as Reels and Stories. These are Instagram’s most engaging features and are able to help you attract potential followers. Use Reels for quick, fun videos that grab attention. Share daily updates or behind-the-scenes moments in Stories. Save your best Stories in Highlights so new visitors can see them anytime. These tools keep your content fresh and help you connect with potential followers in different ways.
10. Explore new updates Instagram introduces
Instagram regularly adds new features to keep users engaged. Stay updated on the latest tools, whether it’s AI filters, shopping tags, or collaborative posts. Try these features early to stand out and attract real followers. Following trends shows your audience you’re active and creative, which encourages them to stick around.
11. Interactive content like Polls, Quizzes, and Stickers
Interactive content gets people talking. Use polls to ask simple questions, quizzes to share fun facts, or stickers to encourage feedback. For example, ask your audience to vote on their favorite product or share how they spend weekends. You can also leverage Pushbio’s Typeform integration tool to help you generate forms, polls and quizzes quikly. These small actions make followers feel involved, boosting engagement and helping you grow your audience.
12. Use hashtags strategically
Hashtags help new people discover your posts. Mix trending hashtags with specific ones related to your niche. For example, if you post about travel, use tags like #Travel2025 or #HiddenGem. Come up with hashtag ideas with our hashtag generative tool by simply entering ketwords for your niche. Avoid overloading your post with too many tags. Instead, choose effective ones and track which perform best. Strategic hashtags attract real followers interested in your content.
13. Partner with creators in your niche to reach real followers
Collaboration is a powerful way to grow. Work with influencers or creators who share your audience. For example, if you’re in fitness, partner with a yoga instructor for a joint live session. Cross-promote each other’s content to reach new followers who are genuinely interested in your niche.
14. Cross-promotions with complementary brands
Find brands that complement yours and team up. For example, a skincare company could collaborate with a wellness brand. Share each other’s posts or create a bundle giveaway. This approach introduces your profile to a fresh audience while building trust through association with a similar brand.
15. Host giveaways and contests
Giveaways are a great way to attract real followers. Keep it simple:
- Pick a prize that your audience will love.
- Set rules, like “Follow this account and tag a friend.”
- Announce the winner on a specific date.
Giveaways encourage sharing and tagging, helping you reach more people quickly. Pushbio provides creators with a giveaway design tool helping to eaisly set goals, pick winner, and give out prizes. You can also create missions and reward your audience with our loyalty points feature.
16. Create shareable content
Make posts that followers want to share. Memes, motivational quotes, or helpful tips are often shared widely. Focus on content that is relatable, funny, or inspiring. When your followers share your posts, it introduces your profile to their friends, increasing your reach and attracting new followers.
17. Run targeted Instagram ads
Instagram ads can help you reach the right audience faster. Target users based on age, location, and interests. Create visually appealing ads with clear CTAs like “Follow Now” or “Shop Today.” Track your ad performance to see what works best. Ads are a paid but effective way to gain real followers.
In the End
Gaining real followers on Instagram requires smart strategies and consistent effort. From understanding your audience and optimizing your profile to creating interactive and shareable content, every step helps you attract genuine followers who truly care about your posts. However, it’s important to know that quality engagement matters more than just numbers. Building real connections with your followers leads to long-term growth and success.