Everyone wants their social media profiles to gain more attention. For marketers, increasing popularity isn’t optional—it’s part of the job.
So we usually stick to the standard approach: reading guides, using tools like Buffer, following best practices, and doing whatever we’re told works.
While testing different strategies on Instagram, I discovered several methods that aren’t widely used yet. Apply these lesser-known ideas and you may see your Instagram following grow much faster.
1. Research hashtags like keywords
Using trending hashtags alone isn’t enough. The aim is to select hashtags that are both highly relevant and actively searched. This is very similar to SEO. Hashtags function like keywords on Instagram, so you need to know which ones your ideal audience is most likely to tap on. Choosing irrelevant hashtags reduces engagement. For example, Jawbone, the fitness tracker brand, used the hashtag #knowyourself because it aligned with their campaign. However, the tag was too broad and already overcrowded, so users clicking it didn’t connect with Jawbone’s intended message.
2. Motivate and uplift your followers
People enjoy content that makes them feel inspired. When someone feels encouraged or motivated, they naturally develop a positive impression of the person or brand behind it.
3. Run giveaways with valuable rewards
Some effective Instagram growth tactics require spending money. One of my biggest investments was hosting giveaways. Offering attractive prizes generated strong interest. By structuring giveaways to encourage follows, a single campaign brought in thousands of new followers, which later boosted overall reach and visibility.
4. Share lifestyle-related images
Dan Bilzerian’s extremely popular Instagram account may be controversial, but he clearly understands lifestyle content. His extravagant way of living plays a major role in his success, earning him the nickname “King of Instagram.”
Lifestyle content works because people are fascinated by how others live, especially when it reflects a life they admire. Celebrities, entrepreneurs, travelers, athletes, and fashion professionals naturally excel at this type of content. But you don’t need a luxury car or extreme adventures to participate. Lifestyle photos can be simple and relatable.
Even Taylor Swift often shares everyday moments, such as casual birthday celebrations, without heavy editing. Brands can do the same. Think of Dos Equis and the “Most Interesting Man in the World”—a strong brand personality that makes daily life content engaging. Consider whether your brand has a personality that could shine on Instagram.
5. Posting some selfies is perfectly fine
Instagram’s appeal comes from giving people a glimpse into real lives—faces, routines, and daily moments. While some criticize selfies as self-centered, they’re actually a common form of modern self-expression. Instagram satisfies people’s natural curiosity about others.
If you’re a celebrity, followers expect selfies. But even if you’re not, there’s no reason to avoid them. People want to see the person behind the profile. Feel free to post a selfie now and then—you might even pull it off regularly, just like mrpimpgoodgame, the self-declared leader of the selfie movement.
6. Leave comments on posts instead of only liking them
When I first joined Instagram, I assumed that liking other users’ photos would be enough to get attention, followers, and likes in return. However, I quickly realized that commenting on posts generated far more engagement than simply tapping the like button.
The reason is simple. Every second, Instagram sees hundreds of likes but far fewer comments. Liking a photo is quick and effortless, while writing a comment requires thought and time. Because of that extra effort, comments stand out. When you leave a genuine remark, people are more likely to notice you, visit your profile, and follow you.
Instagram expert Emil Pakarklis, who has close to 50,000 followers, recommends leaving meaningful and positive comments on other people’s photos. Doing so often sparks curiosity, prompting the photo owner to check out your profile. If your profile is appealing, this can easily result in a new follower.
Other experienced users back this up with data. Richard Lazazzera tested different engagement methods and measured the results. When he only followed users, 14% followed him back. When he followed and liked their photos, the number increased to 22%. When he followed, liked, and commented, the follow-back rate jumped to 34%. That’s a strong return for a small amount of added effort.
Tools like IconoSquare can make this process easier by helping you comment more efficiently.
7. Focus on the most popular hashtags
Most users know that hashtags increase visibility, but choosing the right ones makes all the difference.
Many people overload their posts with random hashtags such as #bestofig or #likeforlike in hopes of gaining attention. While this approach can work, a more effective strategy is to use hashtags that are already trending heavily.
One of the fastest ways to gain exposure and likes is by using Instagram’s Top 100 hashtags. Oberlo regularly updates a list of these most-used tags. Reviewing this list often and incorporating relevant top-performing hashtags into your posts can significantly increase reach and engagement.
Conclusion
These are not the only ways to increase your Instagram followers. Many other effective methods exist, including engaging with your audience, leaving comments on posts, using hashtags properly, and similar proven practices. Traditional strategies still work and remain important.
However, if you’re looking to gain an extra advantage and boost your reach further, trying one or more of these techniques could deliver the results you’re aiming for.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – Growing Instagram Popularity
1. What does “often-ignored” Instagram growth strategies mean?
Often-ignored strategies are non-obvious tactics such as optimizing profile actions, engaging with niche communities, timing interactions, and using underutilized features that many creators overlook while focusing only on reels or hashtags.
2. Can Instagram popularity grow without paid ads?
Yes. Consistent content, meaningful engagement, proper profile optimization, community interaction, and using Instagram features like Stories, Highlights, and Broadcast Channels can significantly increase reach organically.
3. How important is engagement compared to follower count?
Engagement is more important than follower count. Higher engagement signals quality content to the Instagram algorithm, helping posts reach more users even with a smaller audience.
4. Do comments and DMs really help Instagram growth?
Yes. Replying to comments, initiating conversations in DMs, and interacting with other creators’ content increase account activity, which positively impacts visibility and reach.
5. How does profile optimization affect Instagram popularity?
A clear bio, relevant keywords, profile photo, Highlights, and a strong call-to-action make your profile easier to understand, increasing profile visits, follows, and conversions.
6. Are hashtags still effective for Instagram growth?
Yes, but quality matters more than quantity. Using niche-specific and relevant hashtags helps your content reach the right audience instead of relying on highly competitive tags.
7. How often should I post to grow my Instagram account?
Consistency matters more than frequency. Posting 3–5 times per week with regular Stories is generally effective, provided content quality and engagement remain strong.
8. Does using Instagram Stories and Highlights increase popularity?
Yes. Stories keep your account visible daily, while Highlights showcase key content permanently, helping new visitors understand your brand or niche quickly.
9. Can collaborating with smaller creators help growth?
Absolutely. Collaborating with micro-influencers or niche creators often leads to higher engagement and more targeted followers than collaborations with large accounts.
10. How long does it take to see growth from these strategies?
Results vary, but with consistent effort, most accounts start noticing improved reach, engagement, and follower growth within 4–8 weeks.
11. Does posting time really matter on Instagram?
Yes. Posting when your audience is most active increases the chances of early engagement, which helps posts perform better algorithmically.
12. Are Reels enough to grow Instagram popularity?
Reels are powerful, but sustainable growth comes from a balanced approach—Reels, carousel posts, Stories, engagement, and profile optimization working together.
