13 Ways to Get More Followers on Instagram in 2026 — Here’s Exactly What I Would Do if I Were Just Starting Out

I have over 15,000 followers on Instagram, and I’ve helped grow Buffer’s Instagram account to over 100K. Here are tried-and-tested tactics that genuinely work.

I have over 15,000 followers on Instagram, and I've helped grow Buffer's Instagram account to over 100K.

One thing I've learned on my journey is that there are no definitive “growth hacks” for increasing your Instagram followers. But don't worry, there are still plenty of practical things you can do to build a solid growth strategy that actually works.

I've tested a lot of growth strategies over the years and seen firsthand what really works, what burns you out, and what actually fuels growth over time.

In fact, I've seen an exciting surge in reach and follower growth in recent months on both accounts with these exact strategies. They really are tried and tested!

In this article, I'll walk you through 13 strategies I recommend — whether you're looking to grow beyond a plateau, or you're starting to grow your Instagram following from scratch.

These tactics focus on sustainable, organic growth — the kind that compounds over time. Let's get into them.

Jump to a section:

1. Define your strategy before chasing growth
2. Optimize your Instagram bio
3. Cross-promote your Instagram handle on other channels
4. Post 3–5 times per week for consistent growth
5. Find your best times to post on Instagram
6. Write compelling captions
7. Use relevant hashtags, locations, and keywords
8. Understand your analytics
9. Collaborate with Instagram creators or other small businesses
10. Experiment with different types of Instagram posts
11. Talk to your audience in comments and stories
12. Avoid buying followers
13. Get verified on Instagram
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1. Define your strategy before chasing growth

Before thinking about follower counts, take a step back and clarify what role Instagram plays in your bigger picture. Having a clear idea of where Instagram fits into your overall social media marketing strategy will not only help you gain more followers, but also help you get more relevant content ideas for Instagram.

But how do you create an Instagram growth strategy?