Building a following on Instagram can be rewarding, but it takes consistent effort and a bit of strategy. Here are some free, effective ways to get more followers and likes on Instagram.

1. Post High-Quality Content Consistently

Quality content is the backbone of any successful Instagram account. Aim to post clear, well-lit photos or well-designed graphics with thoughtful captions that resonate with your target audience. Posting consistently – whether daily or several times a week – helps you stay visible and keeps followers engaged.

2. Optimize Your Profile

Make sure your bio is clear, informative, and appealing. Use keywords relevant to your niche to help people find you more easily. Choose a recognizable profile picture, ideally a close-up of your face or a logo, if it’s a brand account, and make sure your bio link is relevant, leading followers to something useful, like your website, latest project, or other social platforms.

3. Use Hashtags Strategically

Hashtags help new people discover your content. Use a mix of popular, moderately popular, and niche-specific hashtags to increase reach. Avoid using overly saturated hashtags with millions of posts, as your content may get buried. Instead, focus on hashtags relevant to your audience and the type of content you’re posting, and consider using around 5-15 hashtags per post for optimal results.

4. Engage with Your Audience and Community

Interacting with your followers and other users in your niche helps build connections and visibility. Like, comment, and reply to your followers’ comments, and spend a few minutes each day engaging with others’ posts in your industry. Thoughtful, genuine engagement builds relationships and encourages others to check out and follow your page.

5. Post at Optimal Times

Posting when your audience is most active increases the chances of getting immediate engagement, which can help your post perform better in Instagram’s algorithm. Review your account’s insights to see when your followers are online, and aim to post during those times. Experiment with different times to see what works best for your audience.

6. Leverage Instagram Stories and Reels

Stories and Reels are excellent for engagement and visibility. Use Stories to share daily updates, behind-the-scenes moments, and interactive content like polls, Q&As, and links (if you have them). Reels, which Instagram promotes heavily, can reach people beyond your followers, especially if they’re entertaining, educational, or on-trend.

7. Collaborate with Others

Collaborating with others, even without formal partnerships, can expand your reach. You can team up with influencers in your niche, other creators, or even friends with similar interests for shoutouts or joint content. Tag each other in posts, and consider co-hosting giveaways, challenges, or going live together to attract each other’s followers.

8. Use User-Generated Content and Tagging

Encourage your followers to tag you in their photos or Stories, and feature this user-generated content on your account (with permission). This boosts community engagement and adds authenticity to your brand. Make it easy for people to share by creating unique, branded hashtags and engaging in contests that encourage followers to share their photos with you.

9. Craft Engaging Captions and Calls to Action

Thoughtful captions can inspire engagement and make your content more shareable. Experiment with different styles: informative, witty, or heartfelt. End your captions with calls to action, like asking a question or prompting users to tag a friend or share their thoughts in the comments. This interaction not only helps your posts perform better but also helps foster community.

10. Cross-Promote on Other Platforms

Share your Instagram posts and handle on your other social media accounts, such as Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest, to drive traffic from those platforms. If you have a blog, website, or email newsletter, consider embedding Instagram posts or linking to your profile to attract followers who may not yet be aware of your Instagram presence.

Joining in on Instagram trends and challenges can help you reach a larger audience. Look for trends that align with your niche and put your own spin on them. Challenges often have dedicated hashtags that people search, so participating in these can boost your post’s discoverability.

12. Analyze What Works and Adjust Accordingly

Regularly reviewing your Instagram Insights can provide valuable insights into what types of content and strategies work best. Pay attention to posts that get the most likes, comments, and shares, and try to incorporate more of those elements into your strategy. Adjust your approach based on what resonates most with your audience to keep growing your engagement.

With these tactics, you’ll be able to build a dedicated following and increase engagement on Instagram without spending a dime.