Instagram’s own advice for growing an account comes down to a few things: post Reels often, make posts people want to send to friends, keep your content original and keep your account eligible to be recommended. Instagram says the creators with the fastest follower growth “post 10 or more reels per month” on average (Instagram for Creators).
Post Reels regularly
Instagram shows new Reels to a small audience first, so each one should make sense to someone who has never seen your account (Instagram for Creators). If you need ideas, start with our Instagram Reels ideas.
Make posts people want to send
Adam Mosseri, the head of Instagram, named watch time, likes and sends as the three signals that matter most for ranking. Sends, when people share your post in a DM, count a little more for reaching people who don’t follow you (Social Media Today).
Keep it original
Content counts as original when you made it or edited it in a meaningful way. Adding a border, a watermark or a speed change isn’t enough. Accounts that mostly repost other people’s content may not be recommended to new audiences, and that changes once most of what you’ve posted in the last 30 days is original (Instagram for Creators). Since April 2026 these rules cover photos and carousels as well as Reels (Instagram for Creators).
Test Reels on people who don’t follow you
Trial reels are shown to non-followers first. If a trial reel does well in its first 72 hours, Instagram can share it with your followers automatically (Instagram for Creators). In July 2025 the option opened to public accounts with at least 1,000 followers (Social Media Today), and since April 2026 you can schedule them (Social Media Today).
Use keywords, and only a few hashtags
Instagram search matches words in usernames, names, bios, captions, hashtags and locations, so say what your account is about in plain words (Hootsuite). Hashtags still help, but since December 2025 a post or Reel can carry at most five (Social Media Today). If you run a local business, add your location to posts too.
Team up with other accounts
A Collab post appears on the profiles of the accounts that share it, so both audiences see it (Sprout Social). Pick partners whose followers would like your content. If someone pays you for the post, it’s an ad and has to be disclosed as one (FTC).
Keep your account eligible for recommendations
Account Status, in your settings, shows whether your account can be recommended in Explore, Reels and Feed to people who don’t follow you. If a post was flagged, you can see which one and edit it or appeal (Instagram).
Stay close to the followers you have
- Broadcast channels let you send text, photos and polls to every follower who joins (Meta).
- Highlights keep your best Stories on your profile for new visitors.
- Replies: answer comments and DMs from your followers.
Skip apps that ask for your password
Apps that like, follow and comment for you need your login. Instagram has said it removes likes, follows and comments made through these apps, that the apps break its rules, and that sharing your login makes your account less secure (Instagram). Never give your Instagram password to a growth service.
FAQ
How often should I post to grow?
Instagram’s fastest-growing creators post 10 or more Reels a month on average.
How many hashtags should I use?
Up to five. That’s the limit per post or Reel since December 2025.
Why am I not reaching new people?
Check Account Status first. Then check whether most of your recent posts are original.