What Influencers Won’t Tell You About How to Get More Instagram Followers
Let’s be honest—how many times have you found yourself scrolling through Instagram, wondering how on earth certain influencers manage to rack up thousands of followers so effortlessly? It feels like magic, right? One day they’re just like you and me, and the next, they’re promoting skincare brands, sipping matcha in Bali, and gaining followers like it’s no big deal.
Here’s the truth no one talks about: it’s not effortless. If you’re trying to get more Instagram followers, you need more than just cute photos and a couple of hashtags. There’s a lot that influencers won’t openly share—either because they don’t want to reveal their “secrets” or because it took them so long to figure it out, they don’t even realize what worked.
Let's break it down for you—raw, real, and without the fluff.
1. People Don’t Want Perfect, They Want You
We’ve been conditioned to think our Instagram feed needs to look like a curated art gallery. Everybody used to obsess over color schemes and filters, spending hours editing a single post.
But here’s the truth: people are over perfect. They want to follow real people with real stories. Whether you're documenting your side hustle, your travel journey, or your daily thoughts, your authenticity is what helps you get more Instagram followers—not some flawless feed.
✅ Real tip: Post that blurry behind-the-scenes pic. Share that awkward but funny moment in a Reel. Show up as you—unedited.
2. Engagement Is the Gamechanger (Not Just Your Follower Count)
We all want to see that number grow. But the truth is, a big number means nothing if your posts are getting crickets in the comments.
Instagram’s algorithm loves engagement. It thrives on likes, comments, saves, shares, and DMs. So instead of just trying to get more Instagram followers, focus on starting conversations.
Ask questions in your captions. Reply to every comment like you're chatting with a friend. Slide into your followers’ DMs (in a non-creepy way) to say thanks or ask for feedback.
This is how you create community. And community is the real growth engine.
3. Reels Are Your Best Friend—Even If You Hate Being on Camera
Instagram is pushing Reels hard right now, and they’re a golden ticket if you want to get more Instagram followers organically. The best part? You don’t have to dance or point at bubbles.
🎥 Simple Reels ideas:
- Share a quick tip related to your niche
- Film a timelapse of your workspace
- Use trending audio and overlay your own context
- Show “a day in your life” in under 30 seconds
You don’t need to go viral to grow—you just need to connect.
4. The Algorithm Isn’t Out to Get You—You Just Have to Work With It
There’s a lot of mystery around Instagram’s algorithm, but it’s not as sneaky as it sounds. Basically, the algorithm rewards content that keeps people on the app. That means if your content sparks curiosity, gets saved or shared, or starts conversations, Instagram will show it to more people.
Influencers aren’t “favored” by Instagram—they’ve just figured out what works and they stick with it.
💡 How to work with the algorithm:
- Post when your audience is most active (check Insights!)
- Mix it up: Stories, Lives, Reels, Carousels
- Create value-focused content: educate, entertain, or inspire
5. Hashtags Aren’t Dead, But They’re Not Magic Either
You’ve probably seen posts filled with 30 hashtags and thought, “I should do that too.” Truth is, hashtags can help—but only if you use them strategically.
Instead of copying what influencers do, try focusing on niche and community-driven hashtags. These have smaller audiences, but more engaged ones.
🧠 Pro tip: Use a mix of broad (like #smallbusiness) and niche (#plantbasedentrepreneur) hashtags.
And remember, if your content isn’t valuable, no hashtag in the world can save it.
6. Giveaways Aren’t a Growth Hack—They’re a Gamble
We’ve all seen those massive giveaways: “Win an iPhone by following 10 accounts!” Tempting, right? They can help you get more Instagram followers fast, but they often bring in the wrong audience—people who are there for the free stuff, not your content.
That means your engagement tanks, and the algorithm pulls the brakes on your reach.
Instead of doing big, flashy giveaways, try:
- Collaborating with creators in your niche
- Offering a freebie relevant to your content
- Rewarding your existing followers (they’ll love you for it)
7. You Don’t Have to Post Every Day (But You Do Need to Show Up)
Let’s kill the myth once and for all: you do not need to post daily to grow.
Post 3–4 times a week, but show up intentionally. That means, spend time responding to comments, engaging in Stories, and creating content that matters.
It’s not about frequency—it’s about consistency and value.
8. Storytelling Will Always Win Over “Aesthetic”
Instagram started as a photo app, but now, stories matter more than snapshots. If you want to get more Instagram followers who actually care, learn to tell stories.
Instead of “Here’s my new outfit,” try:
“This is the dress I wore when I gave my first client pitch—and totally bombed it. But here’s what I learned…”
People connect to that. Vulnerability is your superpower.
9. Your Bio Is Your First Impression—Make It Count
Influencers don’t always talk about this, but your bio is your Instagram landing page. You have a few seconds to convince a profile visitor to follow you.
✍️ Keep it simple:
- Who you are
- What you do
- Who you help
- Why someone should follow you
Add a call-to-action and a clean link (use Linktree or Beacons) to guide them beyond Instagram.
10. Nobody “Figures It Out” Overnight—We’re All Just Testing
No one has it all figured out. Not even the influencers with a million followers. We’re all experimenting—testing new content types, trying new formats, learning what works.
So if your post flops? It’s okay. If your Reel gets 200 views instead of 2,000? Still okay.
Keep learning. Keep sharing. Keep showing up. That’s how you get more Instagram followers and build a community you’re proud of.
Final Thoughts: Play the Long Game
The truth is, growing on Instagram is a marathon—not a sprint. Influencers might make it look easy, but behind the scenes, there’s strategy, consistency, and lots of trial and error.
You don’t need hacks or bots. You need clarity, value, and connection.
So next time you find yourself thinking, “Why isn’t this working?”—remember: every successful account started at zero. Your story matters. And if you stay real, stay kind, and stay consistent, the right followers will find you.
TL;DR — If You’re Serious About Growth, Remember:
- Be real, not perfect
- Talk with your audience, not at them
- Show your face (even when you don’t feel cute)
- Reels matter more than ever
- Don’t fear the algorithm—learn how to work with it
- Ditch spammy hashtags and focus on your niche
- Build community, not just numbers
- Tell stories—they’ll keep people coming back
- Optimize your bio like it’s a landing page
- Keep going—even if no one claps at first