How to grow organically on Instagram in 2021

Is this Instagram-worthy? That is the question that occupies 4.9 million Dutch grams every day. In case you didn’t know: Instagram is the most used social platform after Facebook and YouTube. In the past year alone, Instagram grew by 830,000 Dutch accounts. So: are you already on the gram? With these tips, your account will continue to grow organically.

Get to know the Instagram algorithm (again).

First things first: Instagram’s algorithm has changed a lot in 2019. Before I share my tips with you, let me list the main changes:

• On average, 10% of your grow organically followers see your posts. Instagram prefers messages with a high degree of interaction (likes, comments).
• Instagram shows posts based on relevance. Do you regularly like posts from your favorite brand? Or do you and your friends exchange comments daily? Then Instagram ensures that those messages get priority, along with similar content.
• Active users have a wider reach. If you share content several times a week, you are (according to Instagram) incredibly relevant.
• Automated behavior is being tackled more strictly. Do you use an Instagram bot? And do you like several hundred posts in a row? Then there is a chance that you will get an action block. Likes, comments, posts, or stories cannot be executed for a certain period of time (often 24 hours). Build up a bad reputation? Then a shadowban is in a small corner.
• Fake accounts are eliminated faster. Buying likes is therefore penalized.

Are you up again? Then now follow my 6 tips to keep grow organically on Instagram.

# 1 Know who you are doing it for

Are you eager to house your company on Instagram? First check who you are doing it for. Identify the people that you – with your business – can help further. What keeps these people busy? What problems do they face? And how do they use Instagram? Maybe you are the solution they have been looking for for ages.

I promise you: if you research your target group (s), the ideas will keep flowing. By working with target groups you are not adrift, but you know exactly where you want to go. Your goal? Translate your knowledge, personality, and offer into a targeted Instagram strategy.

# 2 You’re not the only one .. #competition

More and more Dutch companies are entering Instagram. And honey, they’re here to stay. Have you just defined your target audience? Then (painfully) consider the fact that you are not the only one trying to reach these people. And then see that as an opportunity to devise a kick-ass strategy. What do you have to offer and your competitors don’t? How do you stand out in the saturated Instagram landscape? By tailoring your message to a specific niche, you become the authority for a select group of people. Afraid of missing out on customers? Not necessary. If you try to reach everyone, you create jammers in your communication. And no one is waiting for an unclear message.

# 3 Create content that matches your target audience

Case open door .. Or not? Unfortunately, I still regularly see companies that mainly talk about themselves online. Of course, you like to share your successes, and you don’t get outspoken about your great products or services. But, do you also consider the impression you make on potential new fans?

The demography of Instagram is represented by generations Y and Z. Teens, adolescents, and (young) adults who you don’t just wrap with fancy words. When getting started with Instagram, ask yourself the following:

• Do I have insight into the wishes and struggles of my target group?
• Can my content provide a solution?
• Do I – with my content – build a bond with my followers?

# 4 Show followers who you are

Who is behind that Instagram account? It is not always clear. A pity, as a personal connection is becoming increasingly important. Successful accounts respond to this by showing a lot of themselves. On the basis of Instagram Stories and personal posts, you get to know the person (or people) behind the company. Curious about an example? Take a look at the account of Charlotte van ‘t Wout (@celinecharlotte) and MEROL (@merolmusic).

Being yourself pays off, also when it comes to competition. People identify for the most part with who you are – and to a lesser extent with what you do. For this reason, in a saturated market, there can still be enough variation (and of course personal preference).

# 5 Make smart use of hashtags

Do you ever post a photo of your pet on your personal account? And do you use hashtags like #cat, #dog, or #animal? Chances are that your post will disappear from the recent overview after 20 seconds. Why? Because the hashtag #cat alone has more than 188 million posts.

A waste of your time, a waste of your reach. Especially if you use these kinds of generic hashtags with your company account. Do you want to get as much out of your reach as possible? Then make sure you have a good mix of hashtags. You can use a maximum of 30 per post on Instagram. The ideal mix? You can experiment with that. I’ll give you an example:

• 5 ‘big’ hashtags, such as #entrepreneurship and #entrepreneur
• 10 regular hashtags, such as #ondernemerstips and #ondernemerscoach
• 15 niche hashtags, such as #ondernemersvrouwen and #ondernemersplan

The advantage of niche hashtags? The small number of posts. As a result, your message remains visible in the overview of recent messages for much longer.

# 6 Have genuine interaction

If you’re familiar with Instagram to grow organically, you’ve probably heard of Instagram bots. To test the effect of this, I released alike bot on one of my own accounts. Sure, if you use a bot (in moderation), this can yield pretty nice results. But: do you actually interact with these people? In my case, nothing could be further from the truth.

In order to continue to grow organically in 2020 (and beyond), it is important to build a relationship with your target group and your followers. Post consistently for a while, and you’ll notice who your loyal followers are. Dive into your DM (direct messages) to send these people a personal message. You will have no regrets.

You can also make a difference with people who are not yet following you. Make it a habit to leave 20 comments daily on posts under regular and niche hashtags. Preferably respond to messages that have received little interaction, and write a unique response for each post. The impact of personal contact is greater than you think.

Tip: don’t post comments that only consist of emojis. This is almost always done by bots, so Instagram quickly classifies you as a spammer.

How do you beat the Instagram algorithm in 2020?

Especially by being active and authentic. Be visible several times a week – whether it’s stories or posts. And: don’t lose sight of your fan base. By responding sincerely and frequently, Instagram sees that your business is serious.

Instagram bots? Shady terrain. If you want to maintain a good reputation, I don’t recommend it. Instead, schedule 1-2 hours daily to make an authentic connection with your (future) followers. An investment? Absolutely. But: it will undoubtedly not be the only one for your company.

Read Also: Instagram Hashtag Tips: how can you use them smartly for more followers