Learning how to get followers on Instagram without following others is achievable with the right strategies.
There are many options out there, but only a few deliver real, lasting results.
To build an authentic audience, it’s important to focus on proven methods that drive organic growth.
We’ve helped thousands of Instagram accounts successfully grow their Instagram followers, and in this guide, we’ll share effective strategies that work.
With a solid plan, you can build a strong and engaged Instagram following without needing to follow others.
5 Actionable Steps to Increase Instagram Followers
Here are some steps to help you out.
Step 1: Get Rid Of the Private Profile
The first step on how to get followers on Instagram without following is to switch from a private profile to a public one.
If you're serious about increasing your follower count, keeping your profile private limits your reach and makes it harder for potential followers to find you.
Additionally, encourage your followers to tag their friends in your posts, which boosts visibility and attracts more people to your profile.
If your profile is currently private, it's time to make the switch!
Step 2: Create a Marketing Plan
Look, Instagram is no different from other types of internet marketing. You need to understand who your target audience is and have a clear plan on how to attract them.
Without a well-thought-out strategy, learning how to get followers on Instagram without following will be challenging.
You'll struggle not only to grow your follower count organically but also to boost engagement, which is just as important.
Knowing your audience helps you create content that resonates with them and keeps them engaged.
One effective tactic to consider is running an Instagram contest, where participants engage with your content by following your account, liking posts, or tagging friends, which can drive both visibility and interaction.
This is where research tools come in handy because they can help you research and breakdown trends and other useful information that gives you Instagram Insights on what types of decisions you should make.
Understanding your audience, as I mentioned above, is important but you also have to learn about their demographic, what they do for a living, and the time they’re actually on the platform.
An Instagram contest can be tailored to fit these preferences, ensuring maximum participation and growth
Step 3: Create a Publishing Schedule and Stick To It
We talk a lot about being consistent in our content and that’s no different in today’s article.
Having a posting schedule is great, but if you don’t actually stick to it then it’s about as worthless as a car without an engine.
To stay on track, schedule Instagram posts in advance using tools like Later or Buffer, ensuring your content goes live regularly.
Being consistent is a proven way to get more followers and engagement for Instagram because the Instagram algorithm likes consistency.
Step 4: Promote Your Instagram Account Everywhere
Do you have other social media accounts? Share it there. Are you a local business that has business cards? Share it there. Do you have a vehicle wrap? Share it there.
Promoting your profile on all available platforms is key when learning how to get followers on Instagram without following others.
If your target audience isn’t aware of your Instagram profile, they can’t follow you.
Another great approach is running ads, like Facebook or Instagram ads, which can help you quickly reach your target audience and grow your profile without relying on fake Instagram followers.
At the end of the day, it’s critical that you promote yourself everywhere if you want the maximum amount of Instagram followers without having to follow people back.
Lastly, an additional way of promoting yourself is by hitting the “explore” page on Instagram.
Because of the number of Instagram posts and people trying to do just that, what you need to do is research relevant hashtags that have mid to low difficulty in ranking for and then use those hashtags in your content.
Remember, while fake followers might seem like a quick solution, they don’t contribute to meaningful growth.
Organic Instagram growth takes time, but the long-term benefits of real, engaged Instagram users make the effort worthwhile. Stay patient and consistent for the best results.
Step 5: Network with Other Instagram Accounts
This is often overlooked when figuring out how to get followers on Instagram without following anyone.
One of the most effective ways to grow your audience is by connecting with key influencers who align with your target audience.
Engage with these influencers by tagging them in your posts and getting on their radar.
Sharing their content (with proper credit) is another way to show your support, and they might return the favor by engaging with or even promoting your profile, helping you attract free Instagram followers.
However, it’s important to network with influencers who are on a similar level.
Expecting someone with millions of followers to share your content isn’t realistic unless you can provide genuine value.
Avoid the temptation of fake followers, as they won't bring meaningful engagement or help build long-term credibility with your audience.
Why Does a Private Profile Detract Followers?
Have you ever gone to view a person’s profile and saw that they were private?
What did you do?
I bet you bounced back and kept browsing. And that’s what 94% of people do as well. You see, in today’s world, nobody wants to wait.
So that means if you have a private profile then most of your prospective followers will simply bounce back to their Instagram feed and keep on browsing.
Plus, why the private profile if you want to dominate Instagram.
How To Create The Best Possible Profile?
If you want to learn how to get followers on Instagram without following, your profile needs to be complete.
An incomplete profile won't attract real followers effectively. To complete your profile, simply tap “edit profile” and update the following name.
If it’s personal, well set up your personal or nickname. If it’s business, then, duh… put in your business name.
-
Try to keep your social channels consistent: If you use @demoofficial for Facebook then try to use the same one for Instagram, Twitter, and the rest of your handles.
-
Make sure you put a URL in your bio: Having a website inside your bio is literally free traffic. If you didn’t set one up then you absolutely need to.
-
If you don’t have a website, consider adding an affiliate link to earn money or direct visitors to a landing page where you can promote content and potentially gain free followers as people discover more about you.
Set up your Story Highlights section. Since Instagram released the Story Highlights feature, we've noticed a significant increase in organic followers when it's set up properly.
Categorize your stories and make them user friendly and you’ll notice you get a lot more Instagram followers faster.
How To Stay Consistent With Your Instagram Posts
I know I may sound repetitive, but I can’t stress enough how important it is to schedule Instagram posts.
Post scheduling is such an important part of running a successful Instagram profile (that’s often overlooked) and I want you to be aware of that.
That gives you peace of mind knowing that you will be posting consistently while not having to worry about sitting there from your phone busting out content piece after content piece.
Even better, if you’re short on time, you can hire a virtual assistant (VA) to manage your posting schedule and ensure you’re always posting consistently, without needing to worry about it yourself.
Conclusion
Growing your Instagram account with real Instagram followers, without following anyone, takes dedication and patience.
It’s definitely achievable if you stick to the strategies outlined in this article.
While some may choose to buy Instagram followers to speed up the process, putting in consistent effort will lead to more meaningful and lasting growth.
Ultimately, your hard work will pay off with a stronger, engaged audience.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to get 10k followers on Instagram without following anyone?
How to get followers on Instagram without following anyone? Focus on creating consistent content and use hashtags in your niche.
Engage with your audience by commenting, creating Instagram Stories and posting Reels.
How to get 1000 followers on Instagram?
To get your first 1000 free Instagram followers, start by optimizing your profile with a clear bio and an engaging profile picture.
Post consistently, use popular hashtags, and actively engage with users in your niche.
While organic growth is key, some people also buy Instagram followers as a quick boost, but keep in mind that real followers on Instagram are more valuable for long-term success.
How do you get more followers than following on Instagram?
To have more Instagram followers than people you follow, focus on engagement through content.
Get your posts featured on the Instagram Explore page and get followers on Instagram without following back.
How to get more followers on Instagram if you have no friends?
Even if you have no friends on Instagram, you can still get new followers on Instagram by joining communities and interacting with people in your niche.
Cross-promote your Instagram on other platforms like TikTok, YouTube or Twitter to reach a bigger audience.