8 Instagram Hacks to Boost Your Reach and Gain More Followers in 2024

Key Insights

• Instagram is the most downloaded app globally and the 4th most visited website, boasting 2 billion active monthly users.
• To stand out amidst intense competition, businesses need strategic approaches to grow organically on Instagram.
• Essential steps include setting up a business account correctly, using relevant keywords and hashtags, and creating engaging, high-quality content.
• Collaborating with micro-influencers and using Instagram Reels effectively can significantly boost visibility and follower growth.

It is no surprise that Instagram is now the most downloaded app in the world and the 4th most visited website!

With a whopping 2 billion active monthly users, Instagram is the undisputed champion of visual social media next to competitors such as Tik Tok. It enjoys tremendous popularity among young adults – from late teens to early thirties – across the world.

If you’re new to the world of Instagram, the one billion user count might lead you to believe that it’s easy to get your fair share of the audience on the platform. Sadly, that’s not the case. With millions of businesses vying to reach their target audiences, the competition on Instagram is as intense as ever.

So, the question quickly arises: is there anything you can do to stand out from the crowd?

Good news—there definitely is!

How Can I Grow Organically on Instagram in 2024?

Here are eight interesting hacks that you can start using today to boost your followers:

Make Sure Your Account Is Set Up Correctly

First, ensure your Instagram account is set up correctly. Check that it is not set to “private” mode and switch to a “Business Account” to gain insights into your performance.

Furthermore, make sure that:

• Your business name is prominent
• Your bio clearly explains what your business is about
• Your contact information is correct
• You have a link in your bio (e.g., to your website)
• You have a profile picture

Use Keywords

Whether it’s Google or Instagram, being search-friendly is crucial. One of the easiest ways to make your business search-friendly on Instagram is to include keywords. Start by including your primary keyword in your username and display name. Also, ensure your bio is interesting and includes your primary and secondary keywords. This will make your business more discoverable. Like regular search engines, Instagram has a complex algorithm that examines users' interests and search behavior, trying to match the best content/accounts with what they are most likely to want to see. Thus, you need to send the right signals to Instagram, making sure it understands what your business is about!

Add Suitable Hashtags to Your Captions

Sounds too obvious for a hack, doesn’t it? Well, hashtags deserve a special mention as they continue to play an important role in Instagram SEO. It is important to ensure that the hashtags you use are relevant and not overly generic. Also, avoid using oversaturated hashtags. Anything with more than 250K posts can be considered oversaturated. It’s best to use a combination of well-known, specific, and brand-related hashtags in your caption. You can always use the Instagram search bar to discover popular hashtags.

Regarding the number of hashtags, there seems to be a lot of confusion. You are allowed to use up to 30 hashtags. However, last year, Instagram recommended using 3-5 hashtags per post. We recommend using 10-15 hashtags to maximize your reach. For targeting a local audience, include local keywords.

Create Engaging Captions with the Right Keywords

Writing an intriguing caption is not enough; it must be optimized properly. Your keywords are a secret weapon that you can use in your captions. You can always create a descriptive caption that thoroughly describes the image. It’s also easier to include all your targeted keywords in a long caption.

However, keep in mind that most users have a low attention span on Instagram. If your story is not interesting, they are likely to skip it. Therefore, don’t be too obsessed with creating a long caption. A medium or short caption can be just as effective.

Pro tip: You should strongly consider adding a call-to-action, such as asking a question in your caption. It will prompt users to comment and like the post, showing the algorithm that your post is popular. This will then suggest it to more people on the discovery page.

Add Alt Text to Your Posts

In case you’re new to the world of SEO, alt text is an accurate description of what the image is about. Adding alt text to your images helps the Instagram algorithm understand what your pictures are all about and, accordingly, show them to the right users. It also improves the experience of visually impaired Instagram users.

While Instagram will automatically populate your alt text options, it’s always better to do it manually. You can craft a description that perfectly describes the image and also add a keyword or two. This will boost the chances of your post ranking higher in the Instagram algorithm.

Collaborate with (Micro) Influencers

Partnering with influencers is a highly effective way to increase your reach on Instagram. Influencers help you create brand awareness and credibility with your audience. With just one post, they can help your brand reach thousands of followers. Small businesses that don’t have the budget for big celebrities can greatly benefit from micro-influencers on Instagram. A smart way would be to collaborate with a local micro-influencer.

Another great way to expand your reach is by tagging and mentioning other businesses in your posts. This can be done by directly reaching out to other businesses with collaboration opportunities and creating content together.

Create Unconventional Reels

It’s no secret that Reels are the way to grow on Instagram. With the short attention span that users have nowadays, it’s no surprise that those short but captivating videos are blowing up across Instagram, TikTok, and similar platforms.

Tips for Using Instagram Reels for Maximum Success

• Capture the viewer’s attention within the first 3 seconds (otherwise, you’ve lost them!)
• Use phrases like “I was today years old when I found out…” or “I can’t believe that…”
• Make a short video (7 seconds) with prominent text that teases the user, making them read your caption. While they are reading the caption, the video in the background is playing on repeat—a great hack to trick the algorithm!
• Encourage people to comment and like your Reel
• Slightly controversial topics can spark conversations in the comments, showing the algorithm that your Reel is popular. This will increase your chances of going viral.

Create a Story Behind Your Brand

Did you know that many products are not bought because of necessity but rather because of the experience the purchase gives you? This applies not only to products but also to places such as restaurants. Guests come for the full experience, not just the food. Create a compelling brand around your product or service to not only gain new fans and followers but also to stay present in their memory. We want to switch from brand awareness to brand loyalty!

• Show behind-the-scenes content: introduce your team, show events, show thought processes etc.
• Stay true to your niche: if you have a restaurant, don’t start posting pictures unrelated to your business
• Show customer testimonials: Social proof is super important! Show new potential followers why your existing customers love you!
• Create Instagram Highlights: Use them for important events, updates, or stories that are worth highlighting (this keeps your stories prominently visible after the usual 24-hour lifetime)

High-Quality Content with the Right Aesthetics

When posting to your Instagram feed, make sure you choose only high-quality content that is either educational, inspiring, or informative to the viewer. Watch your feed’s aesthetic. Instagram thrives on visuals that offer viewers added value. Unfortunately, nobody wants to see boring or low-quality images, such as a poorly photographed new dish at your restaurant.

Set Up a Giveaway

A giveaway is a simple and effective way to gain new followers. Let’s say you own a restaurant and want to raise more awareness of your business on Instagram. Decide what you want to offer in the giveaway and set the entry rules.

Example of entry requirements:

• Follow your account
• Like your post
• Comment on your post and tag a friend
• Re-post your post in their own story (optional)

Your existing followers will see the giveaway, participate, and advertise your restaurant to their followers, who will then follow you as well to participate in the giveaway. This is especially great for gaining local followers, as you are using your existing followers as word-of-mouth ambassadors!

Instagram can open up a world of opportunities for your business by enabling you to engage with your audience daily. However, you need to have the right strategy in place to distinguish yourself from your competitors. Start by following the above-mentioned tips and take your business to new heights on Instagram.

Learn more about how social media is a great tool to increase your online visibility with our 5 ways that can increase your organic Facebook reach or our valuable tips on how LinkedIn can help you succeed in your niche.