Instagram isn’t what it used to be—and that’s a good thing.

In 2025, growth on Instagram is less about chasing viral moments and more about building genuine community, sharing value-packed content, and showing up consistently across multiple formats. Whether you’re a creator, brand, or side hustler, here are seven strategies to grow your Instagram following this year.

1. Ditch the Hashtags, Focus on Keywords

Hashtags are out. Keywords are in. Instagram has confirmed that hashtags no longer significantly boost reach. Instead, it’s prioritizing keyword-rich content that shows up in search and recommendations. That means your captions, alt text, and even on-screen text should include the actual words your ideal audience is searching for.

Try this: Instead of tagging #FitnessCoach, write “I’m a certified fitness coach sharing daily workouts and high-protein recipes” in your bio and captions.
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2. Create for Search and Recommendations

Instagram is pushing content to people outside of your followers more than ever before. But it’s selective. You need to optimize your content for discoverability.

What works:

Carousels with value-driven, shareable content (especially with saves!)
Reels that educate, entertain, or spark emotion within 15–30 seconds
Hook-first captions and video intros

What doesn’t: Over-edited aesthetic posts with no substance, generic trends without a niche spin, and any content that doesn’t encourage interaction.
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3. Double Down on Reels with a Twist

Reels are still king, but the format is evolving. In 2025, Instagram favors:

Storytelling > dancing
Original audio > viral audio
Educational content > random skits

Instead of relying on a trending sound, focus on Reels that:

Teach a quick tip
Share a relatable story
Offer a mini transformation (before/after, problem/solution)

Pro tip: Use on-screen text for hooks to stop the scroll and help with search.
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4. Turn Your Comments and DMs Into Content

Instead of treating your comments and messages as a dead end, use them for inspiration!

Source content ideas (If one person asked, 10 more are wondering!)
Start conversations ("What do you want to see next?")
Drive traffic to products or free offers using Auto DMs (Now available in Creator Store!)

Example: Turn a simple question—like “Where’s your purse from?”—into a Reel featuring your five favorite summer bags.
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5. Leverage Multi-Format Content

Carousels. Reels. Stories. Lives. Broadcast Channels. DM Automation. Instagram now rewards creators who show up in multiple formats.

Here’s why: Different features reach different people.

Someone might love your carousels but never watch your Reels. Someone else may only engage with Stories. Use each format strategically:

Reels = reach
Carousels = saves & shares
Stories = connection & bts
DMs/Auto replies = conversion
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6. Start a Signature Series

One of the best ways to grow an audience in 2025 is to start your own signature series–think of it as your own mini TV show where you add new episodes each week! It gives your audience something to look forward to, builds trust, and reinforces your niche expertise.

A signature series could be a total game-changer for your brand. Here’s why:

Builds familiarity & brand recognition
Helps with consistency
Keeps followers coming back
Sets clear expectations
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7. Show Up With Intention

It’s not about how often you post—it’s about how intentionally you show up. The creators who grow this year treat Instagram like a tool for connection, content, and conversion.

That means: