In 2025, growing your following on Instagram isn’t just about posting pretty photos; it’s about smart, consistent strategy. Whether you represent a brand or you’re an individual creator, here are 10 tips for growing your Instagram following fast, followed by how a strong foundation makes all the difference. If you’re part of or working with a
social media marketing agency, you’ll find these ideas directly applicable.
The Foundation of Instagram Growth in 2025
Before diving into tactics, it’s important to understand the playing field. Instagram now has over 2 billion monthly active users, making it one of the largest social platforms for discovery and engagement. At the
same time, engagement rates are dropping: average engagement across formats in 2025 is around 0.45%–0.50% and declining. That means followers alone aren’t enough; visibility and meaningful engagement matter. As a
modern SMM marketing agency, your job is to build authentic growth, not just a big number. With that in mind, let’s go through the core tactics.
1. Optimize Your Profile for Discovery
Your profile is your billboard. Make sure your bio clearly states who you are, what you do, and what value followers get. Use relevant keywords (for example, if you’re part of a
social media marketing agency, make that clear). Use a recognizable profile photo, consistent branding (colours, fonts), and include a link (to your website, landing page, or other social). Set your account to a public business or creator profile so you get access to analytics. This foundation ensures that when someone lands on your profile, they immediately understand your value and can decide to follow, and you’re set up to let an social media marketing agency track and optimize performance.
2. Master Instagram Reels Content
Short-form video is king. In 2025, reels still outperform many other formats:
a study found that reels reach 1.36× more than carousels and 2.25× more than single-image posts, and reels account for about 35% of total screen time on Instagram. That means if you’re trying to grow fast, you should prioritise reels. Tips:
- Jump on trends but give them your unique twist.
- Keep them snappy (5-30 seconds), with a strong hook in the first 2-3 seconds.
- Use engaging captions, on-screen text, and a call to action.
- Use relevant music or sound that’s trending.
An efficient social media marketing agency will plan a reels calendar, test different styles, measure which formats drive followers, and iterate accordingly.
3. Consistently Post High-Quality, Visually Appealing Content
While reels are essential, the rest of your grid still matters. Post high-quality images or carousel posts (multiple images) that reflect your brand aesthetic and provide value (tips, inspiration, behind-the-scenes, testimonials). Consistency is key: a regular posting cadence (e.g., 3-5 times a week) builds familiarity and signals the algorithm that you’re active. For a social media marketing agency working with a brand, batch creating content, using templates, and maintaining a content library ensures reliability. Carousel posts can also drive good engagement because time spent swiping counts in Instagram’s ranking algorithm.
4. Engage Authentically and Regularly
Growth isn’t just about pushing content; it’s about connection. Make time to like, comment, and reply to messages and remarks. When followers see you’re responsive, they feel valued and are more likely to stick around and share your profile. An SMM marketing agency might manage a daily engagement window: replying to new followers, finding relevant accounts to comment on, and participating in community conversations. Authentic engagement signals to Instagram’s algorithm that your account is active and meaningful, boosting your discovery.
5. Leverage Instagram Stories for Connection & Discovery
Stories are perfect for more casual, real-time engagement. Use polls, question stickers, quizzes, countdowns, “this or that” sliders, and interactive features that invite participation. Also use Stories’ “stickers” like location tags, hashtags, or mention other accounts to boost discoverability. Stories don’t need to be polished; raw footage, behind-the-scenes, and personality-driven content often perform best. If your
social media marketing agency includes Stories in the strategy, you’ll boost follower retention, build rapport, and create more chances for discovery.
6. Utilize Relevant Hashtags Strategically
Hashtags remain a discovery tool if used well. Use a mix of broad (e.g., #Instagood) and niche (e.g., #SocialMediaMarketingAgency) hashtags. You can create a branded hashtag (e.g., #YourBrandNameTips) and encourage followers to use it. Avoid using overly generic tags that are saturated. Also, monitor which hashtags your top competitors or accounts similar to yours use. For a social media marketing agency, building a hashtag library and rotating hashtags can help improve reach. Bonus: you can save hashtag groups in Stories and posts to streamline workflow.
7. Collaborate with Other Creators or Brands
Collaboration accelerates growth. Partner with creators or brands whose audience overlaps but isn’t identical to yours. This enables mutual benefit and exposes you to a new community. Think joint reels, takeover Stories, shout-outs, or co-hosted live sessions. A
social media marketing agency might create a “collab calendar” and identify ideal partners based on niche, values, and engagement. When done right, collaborations give you credibility, fresh content, and an audience that might follow you.
8. Drive Traffic from Other Platforms
Don’t limit your growth to Instagram alone; bring in followers from other channels. Promote your Instagram profile on your website, email newsletters, other social networks like TikTok, YouTube, LinkedIn, and even offline materials. Encourage your existing audience to follow you for Instagram-exclusive content. A social media marketing agency can set up cross-platform campaigns, use link-in-bio tools, and track how much of your traffic comes from external sources. Bringing in followers from outside Instagram signals fresh interest and can help boost your account’s momentum.
9. Run Instagram Contests or Giveaways
Giveaways still work well when done thoughtfully. Require entrants to follow your profile, like or comment on a post, save it, tag a friend, and optionally share the post in their Stories. This not only builds engagement but also drives new followers. Ensure the prize is relevant to your audience (not random), and set clear rules with a timeline. A
social media marketing agency can plan the giveaway mechanics, design visuals, promote the giveaway across channels, and use the event to create a surge in activity and follower growth. After the giveaway, you’ll often see a spike in followers, which helps trigger the algorithm to boost visibility.
10. Analyze Your Insights and Adapt Your Strategy
You’ll only grow fast if you monitor what’s working and refine your approach. Check your Instagram Insights: which posts got the most saves, comments, shares, and reach? What formats are underperforming? Given that the average engagement rate is dropping in 2025, staying nimble matters. As a social media marketing agency, set up regular checkpoints (weekly, monthly) to review KPIs and adjust content, posting times, hashtags, and collaborations accordingly. Use these data-driven insights to double down on what works and shelve what doesn’t.
Conclusion
Growing your Instagram following fast in 2025 is very possible, but it’s not about shortcuts or gimmicks. You’ll get the best results when you treat Instagram as a discovery platform, deliver consistent value, engage genuinely, and iterate based on data. Whether you’re doing this yourself or working with an
SMM marketing agency, following these 10 tips will give you a robust growth roadmap.
Remember: growth is a marathon, not a sprint, but with the right foundation and tactics, you’ll be well ahead of the pack.
