Instagram has grown from being a photo-sharing app to one of the most powerful platforms for businesses. Millions of people open it every day, not only to connect with friends but also to discover new products, services, and brands. For a business, that means Instagram is more than just a social media tool—it’s a place where you can meet potential customers and turn them into loyal fans.
But the big question most business owners ask is: How do I actually get more followers, and not just random ones, but people who are truly interested in what I offer?
The answer lies in combining Instagram’s newest features with timeless strategies that have always worked: consistency, interaction, and value. Let’s explore step by step how you can do this.
1. Build a Profile That Attracts Attention
Your Instagram profile is like your digital storefront. When someone visits, they decide in seconds whether to follow you. That’s why you should:
- Use a clear profile photo: If you’re a business, your logo usually works best. If you’re a personal brand, a high-quality headshot makes sense.
- Write a strong bio: Keep it short but clear. Mention what you do, who you serve, and what value people get by following you. Example: Helping small businesses grow with simple design tips.
- Add a link: This could be to your website, online shop, or a “link in bio” page that includes multiple links.
- Use highlights wisely: Save your Stories in highlight folders like “Products,” “Reviews,” “FAQ,” or “Behind the Scenes.” This gives visitors a quick tour of what your business is about.
You will find this cool: How to Create a Social Media Portfolio: The Complete One
2. Share Content That People Find Valuable
Posting randomly won’t help. Your content should give people a reason to engage and come back. Think of three main categories:
- Educational: Teach something related to your business. For example, a bakery can share tips for baking at home.
- Entertaining: Share fun, lighthearted, or relatable content. A fitness coach could post funny “expectation vs. reality” workout clips.
- Promotional: Show your products, services, or special offers—but don’t make every post a sales pitch.
Try to post at least two to three times a week. The more consistent you are, the more Instagram will push your content to others.
3. Use Instagram’s New Features in 2025
Instagram keeps adding tools that help businesses grow. Here are some of the most useful updates this year:
- Repost Feature: Now you can repost Reels and feed posts with commentary. Encourage customers or partners to repost your content to reach a wider audience.
- Friends Tab: Content that your followers interact with can appear in their friends’ feed. This means engaging posts can spread naturally.
- Location Map: Posts linked to locations can show up when people explore an area. If you’re a local business, always tag your location.
- Episodic Reels: You can now link Reels into a series. For example, a clothing store might post a “3-part styling guide.” Viewers can watch one and continue to the next.
These features are designed to keep users exploring content. By adopting them early, you stand out from competitors.
4. Make the Most of Stories and Reels
Stories and Reels are no longer optional—they’re essential.
- Stories: Use them for daily updates, quick polls, or customer shout-outs. They disappear after 24 hours, but can be saved in highlights.
- Reels: These are short videos that Instagram often shows to people who don’t follow you yet. They’re one of the fastest ways to grow.
Tips for Reels:
- Keep them short and engaging (15–30 seconds works well).
- Use trending music or sounds.
- Add text on screen so even viewers without sound can follow along.
- End with a call to action, like “Follow for more tips.”
5. Talk With Your Followers
Many businesses make the mistake of just posting and disappearing. But Instagram is built on interaction. Replying to comments, liking followers’ posts, and answering DMs make people feel noticed.
Here are simple ways to encourage engagement:
- Ask questions in your captions.
- Run polls or quizzes in Stories.
- Thank customers publicly when they tag you.
- Share user-generated content (with permission).
The more engagement you get, the more Instagram’s algorithm will show your posts to others.
6. Hashtags and Captions That Work
Hashtags help your content appear in searches, but they need to be chosen carefully. Instead of using very broad ones like #business or #marketing, try mixing:
- Niche hashtags ( #EcoFriendlyClothes)
- Community hashtags (#Cycling)
- Trending hashtags when relevant.
Captions should be simple and conversational. Don’t overthink them—write like you’re talking to a friend. For example: “Ever wondered how to style one shirt three ways? Here’s our go-to guide.”
7. Collaborate With Others
Partnerships are one of the fastest ways to grow. You could:
- Team up with another business for a joint giveaway.
- Partner with a local influencer to showcase your product.
- Collaborate with happy customers by resharing their content.
When you tap into someone else’s audience, you gain exposure to followers who are likely to be interested in you, too.
8. Use Messaging and Customer Service Tools
Instagram’s direct messaging system has improved a lot. Businesses can now:
- Schedule DMs (useful for promotions).
- Pin important chats (like customer orders).
- Translate messages instantly (great for international audiences).
- Use automated replies for FAQs.
Quick responses create trust. Many people decide whether to follow or buy from a business based on how quickly they get answers.
9. Sell Directly Through Instagram
Instagram shopping features are more advanced now. You can:
- Tag products in posts, Reels, and Stories.
- Host live streams with products linked for instant purchase.
- Use AR try-ons so people can virtually test items like glasses, makeup, or clothes.
This means you don’t always need people to leave Instagram to buy. The easier you make the process, the more likely people will follow and shop.
10. Focus on Authenticity
One of the biggest shifts in 2025 is that polished, overly edited content isn’t performing as well. People prefer honesty and realness.
Show behind-the-scenes clips, share your story, and talk about challenges as well as wins. Let customers speak for you by featuring their reviews or experiences. Authenticity builds trust, and trust leads to followers who stick around.
11. Check Your Analytics
Instagram gives you detailed insights about what’s working. Look at:
- Which posts get the most saves and shares?
- What time of day is your audience most active?
- Which Reels or Stories bring new followers?
Adjust your strategy based on this data. For example, if people engage most with Reels on weekends, post more during that time. Growth comes from testing and learning.
Helpful Apps to Grow Instagram Followers
Several apps can support your growth by saving time, analyzing results, and keeping your content consistent. Some of the most effective include:
- Canva: For creating eye-catching posts and Stories with professional designs.
- Later: A scheduling tool that helps you plan and publish posts at the best times.
- Hashtag Expert: Suggests hashtags that increase your chances of being discovered.
- Hootsuite: Allows you to manage multiple accounts and track performance in one place.
- InShot: An easy video editing app for polishing Reels and Stories.
- Follower Analyzer: Helps track which content brings the most new followers.
Using these tools makes it easier to stay consistent, analyze what is working, and refine your strategy without wasting time.
Q&A: Growing Your Business on Instagram
Q: What is the fastest way to get more followers right now?
A: Focus on Reels and make them entertaining, educational, or useful. Instagram is prioritizing video content, so Reels are the fastest path to exposure.
Q: Should I buy followers to grow quickly?
A: No. Buying followers may make your account look bigger, but they will not engage, and Instagram can even penalize you. It is better to grow slowly with real people.
Q: How often should I post to see results?
A: At least 3–5 times a week. Consistency matters more than volume. Choose a schedule you can maintain without burning out.
Q: Do hashtags still work in 2025?
A: Yes, but you should use them wisely. Mix broad hashtags with niche ones to increase discovery. Avoid spamming too many unrelated hashtags.
Q: What type of content do people engage with the most?
A: Authentic content, such as behind-the-scenes videos, customer stories, and interactive posts like polls or Q&A stickers.
Conclusion
Getting more followers on your business Instagram in 2025 is about using new features while staying authentic. Reposts, episodic Reels, AR shopping, and upgraded messaging tools give you fresh opportunities to stand out. Combine these with helpful apps, data-driven insights, and consistent posting, and you will see steady growth.
The most important thing to remember is that followers are real people. Focus on building connections, solving problems, and showing your human side. That is what makes people click “follow” and stay loyal over time.
