There’s something deeply frustrating about putting time into a post – editing the photo just right, tweaking the caption for hours – only to see it land with a soft thud. A handful of likes. Maybe one comment. Growing on Instagram sometimes feels like whispering into the void.

That’s when the idea of shortcuts creeps in. Buying followers. Using shady bots. Maybe joining one of those weird engagement pods. But here’s the problem: none of those actually work in the long run. They might boost your numbers, sure. But they don’t bring the kind of audience that sticks around or actually cares.

If you’re serious about building a following, you need real people who genuinely want to hear from you. No smoke, no mirrors. Just strategy. And yes, it’s still doable.

Before diving in, it’s worth knowing there are platforms that help with growth without resorting to bots. One example is get instagram followers through Plixi – a service that focuses on targeted exposure and real people. No fake accounts. No login handovers. Just a smarter way to put your content in front of the right eyes.

Let’s break down ten practical ways to grow your Instagram following – without messing up your algorithm, your credibility, or your time.

1. Be Findable

Start with the basics. If someone looks up your name or brand, can they actually find you? That means your handle, display name, and bio should all make sense and be searchable. For example, if your bakery is called “Maple & Dough,” but your handle is @Mpl_Dgh88, you’ve made it unnecessarily hard for people to track you down.

Use keywords in your bio that match what your audience might search. And skip the vague one-liners. “Dreaming big” doesn’t tell anyone what you do. “NYC-based baker | Custom cakes & coffee treats” does.

2. Show Up Like a Human

People follow people. Not logos. Not faceless pages. Even if you’re running a brand account, put some personality into it. Share the story behind your product. Post your workspace. Talk about something that didn’t go perfectly.

Followers connect with vulnerability more than polish. One local jewelry maker started sharing behind-the-scenes videos – messed-up designs, late-night packaging, even their cat walking across the table. It worked. Their DMs exploded.

3. Consistency > Perfection

You don’t need to post every day, but you do need to show up regularly. Even twice a week can work – just don’t disappear for two months and expect people to care when you return.

Pick a rhythm you can stick to. Maybe Mondays are for tips, Thursdays are for product features. When people know what to expect, they come back.

4. Use Reels (Even If You Hate Them)

They’re awkward at first. No one likes filming themselves talking to a phone. But Instagram pushes Reels hard, and creators who lean into them get rewarded with more reach.

Start simple. Film a 10-second tip. A quick transformation. A voiceover of something you’re doing anyway. One artist went from 500 to 5,000 followers in a few months – just by posting Reels of their sketching process with lo-fi music in the background.

5. Collaborate with Others

This isn’t just for influencers. If you’re a candle maker, collab with a local florist. If you’re a travel blogger, team up with a photographer. Even shoutouts between creators in similar niches help cross-pollinate audiences.

Tag them in stories. Do a joint giveaway. Or just repost each other’s content. The trick is to make it feel natural, not like a cold transaction.

6. Talk to People

Instagram’s not a billboard. It’s a conversation. If someone comments – reply. If they tag you – share it. Use polls and questions in your Stories. People love to be included.

One fashion account started asking followers to vote on outfit pairings in their Stories. Engagement spiked, and those followers came back week after week just to give input.

7. Don’t Ignore Your Captions

You’ve got their attention with the photo or video. Now hold it. Captions are a chance to deepen the story or spark dialogue.

Instead of writing, “New collection out now,” say something like, “I almost didn’t release this design. Here’s why…” That kind of hook gets people reading, scrolling, and – most importantly – commenting.

8. Use Hashtags Intentionally

Don’t just paste the same 30 hashtags under every post. Mix them up. Use some big ones (#instafood), but also niche ones (#veganbakerSF). And check which hashtags your competitors or community use.

Avoid banned or overused tags – some can actually lower your reach. If you’re unsure, test posts with different sets and see what sticks.

9. Clean Up Your Feed (But Not Too Much)

It’s okay to archive old posts that no longer reflect your vibe. But don’t overdo it. Some people fall into the trap of curating a feed so tightly it looks more like a magazine than a social profile.

A bit of messiness – realness – actually helps. A behind-the-scenes photo next to your polished launch image tells a better story than six beige lifestyle shots in a row.

10. Use a Smart Growth Tool (If You’re Ready)

Manual growth is powerful, but it’s slow. Sometimes, even the best content needs a push to land in the right feed.

That’s where tools like Plixi come in. Instead of bots, they use AI to show your account to users likely to care about your niche – people who actually engage. You’re not handing over control or buying fake numbers. You’re just opening the door a little wider.

One small skincare brand used Plixi to grow their followers by a few thousand over two months. More importantly? Their comment section filled with real questions about ingredients and usage. That’s the kind of growth that sticks.

Key Takeaways

Buying fake followers might look impressive for a week. But it doesn’t build trust, and it won’t lead to sales, shares, or community.

If you’re trying to get Instagram followers in a way that actually works, the goal isn’t just numbers – it’s relationships. Real people. Real interest. Real feedback.

Show up. Tell better stories. Make space for interaction. And if you need a little help reaching more of the right people, don’t be afraid to use tools – just pick the ones that value real growth as much as you do.