When you're new to Instagram, it's easy to get mixed up with terms like followers and following.
So, what is the difference between followers and following on Instagram?
These terms represent two important groups that define your Instagram experience and affect how you interact on the platform.
Let’s break it down in simple language.
Understanding Followers and Following
In the most basic terms, Instagram followers are people who subscribe to see what you post.
They see your photos, videos, and stories on their feed, which means they’re interested in what you share.
On the other hand, following refers to the people you choose to keep up with. When you follow someone, their updates appear in your feed.
Imagine it like this: if Instagram were a classroom, your followers are like students who come to your presentation.
They want to listen to what you say. The people you’re following are like other presenters you’re interested in listening to.
Why Are Followers Important?
Followers represent a lot on Instagram. For influencers, businesses, and even casual other users, having a larger number of followers is often seen as a form of social proof.
People might think, “Wow, they must be interesting or popular if so many people follow them!”
According to Statista, the average number of followers an Instagram user has is around 150, but this varies greatly, especially with influencers or brands who often have thousands or even millions of followers.
When you have more followers, your posts get more attention.
More likes, comments, and interactions mean your posts could show up in the "Explore" section, where even more people discover them.
In a way, followers can help grow your reach and make your posts more popular.
Types of Followers
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Real Followers - These are genuine people who follow you because they like your content.
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Fake Followers - Sometimes, people or companies buy followers to make their profile look bigger. These are often inactive or even bot accounts and don’t interact with posts.
Real followers add value, while fake followers only inflate numbers without real engagement.
Why Is “Following” Important?
Following affects what you see on Instagram. Think of it as building your personal feed or “magazine.”
By following people, you control what kind of content appears on your screen when you open the app. Follow people who inspire you, friends you know, or even brands you like.
Following fewer accounts can mean a more focused feed, while following more gives you a wider variety of content.
Keep in mind, though, Instagram limits how many accounts you can follow to around 7,500.
This prevents people from overloading their feeds or using the follow-unfollow social media strategy to quickly gain followers.
How to Decide Whom to Follow
If you’re wondering who to follow on Instagram, consider these categories:
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Friends and Family – The people you care about and want to keep up with.
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Hobbies and Interests – If you love cooking, for example, follow chefs or recipe accounts.
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Inspirational Accounts – These can be influencers, celebrities, or motivational accounts that bring positivity to your feed.
Following accounts that match your interests can make your Instagram experience more enjoyable and relevant.
Comparison Table: Followers vs. Following
Tips for Growing Your Followers
Growing your followers isn’t just about becoming popular; it’s about finding people who like the same things you do.
Here are some tips to help you grow followers naturally.
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UseViral – At UseViral, we offer a safe and reliable way to buy followers on Instagram. We help you build a follower base that’s truly interested in your content, making your profile stand out naturally.
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Post Consistently – Consistent posting regularly keeps people interested. Aim for at least a few posts a week.
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Use Relevant Hashtags – Hashtags help your posts reach people with similar interests. Use them wisely.
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Engage with Others – Respond to comments and like other people’s posts. Engagement often leads to more followers.
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Create Quality Content – Make your photos, videos, or stories interesting. This doesn’t mean everything has to be perfect, but aim to create posts that look appealing.
Remember, it’s not just about numbers. A smaller group of engaged followers is often better than thousands who don’t interact with your posts.
How Does “Following” Affect Your Instagram Experience?
Who you follow shapes your Instagram world. For instance, following too many accounts can clutter your feed, making it harder to find the content you enjoy. Try this:
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Review your Following list every month and remove accounts that don’t interest you anymore.
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Find a balance between friends, interests, and inspirational accounts. If you follow too many of any one category, your feed might feel repetitive.
Most people on Instagram follow between 100 and 500 accounts, according to Hootsuite.
Following fewer people can actually help you stay more connected with the people you care about most.
How Followers and Following Can Impact Social Perception
On Instagram, having a high follower count is often seen as a sign of credibility or influence with many direct messages.
People may feel pressured to follow back if someone follows them, especially if they know them personally.
In fact, some studies show that many other users feel a certain “pressure” to balance their follower and following counts.
This creates what’s sometimes called a “follower-following ratio.”
A healthy follower-following ratio is often seen as a sign of an engaged Instagram user.
While there’s no perfect ratio, many users with more followers than they’re following are often perceived as more popular or interesting.
Balancing Followers and Following
When you first start on Instagram, the number of people you’re following might be high compared to your followers.
This is normal and happens to most people as they try to build a following. Over time, as you grow your own audience, the numbers can even out.
Tips for Maintaining a Good Balance
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Avoid Follow-for-Follow Tactics – This approach might get you some followers, but they’re often not genuinely interested in your content.
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Engage Authentically – If you like someone’s content, follow them. But don’t follow people you’re not interested in just to “get a follow back.”
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Set Personal Limits – Decide how many followers you want to follow. Too many can make your feed feel overwhelming.
Conclusion
To sum up, what is the difference between followers and following on Instagram?
Your followers are the people interested in seeing what you share, while your following list represents the people whose content you enjoy.
Both play different roles in shaping your Instagram experience.
Having a balanced follower count can make you feel more connected and authentic on Instagram.
If you’re looking to grow, focus on attracting followers who genuinely enjoy your content rather than simply chasing numbers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is better, followers or following on Instagram?
Followers are generally seen as "better" if you're aiming to build a profile that others look to for content, influence, or engagement.
Having more followers than people you're following on Instagram can sometimes be perceived as a sign of credibility or influence, especially for brands or influencers.
However, if your goal is simply to enjoy the content you love, then "following" more accounts that inspire you is just as valuable.
It all depends on your purpose on the platform.
But if you're aiming for a more influential presence, a higher follower count is typically better.
What should be more, followers or following on Instagram?
Typically, having more followers than accounts you're following is seen as more favorable on Instagram.
This is especially true for influencers, celebrities, or brands, as a higher follower-to-following ratio can give a perception of credibility and influence.
That said, it’s not a strict rule! Many people simply follow accounts they enjoy and don’t worry too much about the numbers.
For the average user, the balance of followers and following doesn’t matter much unless they’re focused on building a public profile.
Can someone who is not a follower see my Instagram?
It depends on your privacy settings. If your Instagram account is public, anyone, including those who aren’t followers, can see your posts, stories, and highlights.
However, if your account is set to private, only people you approve as followers can see your content.
You can easily switch between public and private in your settings, giving you control over who sees your posts.
Can my followers see who I'm following?
Yes, your followers can see who you’re following, as long as your profile is public.
They can simply go to your profile and check the list under "Following."
If your account is private, only your followers will have access to see who you're following.