How to Grow on Instagram Without Paying for Ads

Posted on 27th Jul, 2025.

TL;DR (The Short Version)

You don't have to spend money on ads to grow your Instagram account.
Popular and effective techniques include opting for paid engagement, collaborating with other creators, and using less saturated hashtags.
Read on for more tips!

Want to grow on Insta but don't want to have to invest in ads? The good news is, that's far from your only option. There are plenty of ways to boost your follower count on Instagram without having to pay for ads. Let's get into them.

1. Opt for Paid Engagement

Buying followers from a trusted source like Smikky often works out as being much cheaper than buying ads, and can be more effective. By purchasing followers, you not only create social proof, but also boost your ranking in the algorithm, which results in an organic follower increase.

2. Build Relationships, Not Just a Follower Count

It’s easy to get caught up in the numbers, but long-term success on Instagram comes from building actual relationships with your audience. Treat your followers like people, not metrics. Respond to comments, answer DMs thoughtfully, and show appreciation for people who support your content. Use Stories to share behind-the-scenes moments, ask for opinions, or check in with your community. The stronger the connection, the more likely your followers are to engage, share your posts, and stick around.

3. Collaborate With Other Creators

Collaboration is one of the fastest ways to reach new audiences organically. Partnering with creators in your niche, whether through co-created Reels, Collab posts, Lives, or even giveaways, lets you share visibility while adding value to both audiences.

4. Use Hashtags and Location Tags with Purpose

Hashtags and location tags may not be as flashy as Reels, but they still play a role in discoverability, especially when used intentionally. Instead of dumping 30 random hashtags into every post, focus on a mix of broad and niche-specific tags that reflect your content and audience. Don't forget lesser-known hashtags - they might not be searched as often but they'll be much less saturated.

5. Track What’s Working and Adjust Accordingly

If you're not paying attention to what’s working, you're just guessing. Instagram offers valuable analytics tools that can show you which posts are performing best in terms of reach, saves, shares, and engagement.

Take time each week to review your Insights and look for patterns. Are your Reels outperforming your carousels? Do certain posting times bring more views? Are your tips posts getting more saves than your behind-the-scenes ones? When you find something that resonates, lean into it.

6. Optimise the First 3 Seconds of Your Reels

The hook is all important when it comes to short-form video content. Attention is your most valuable currency and on Instagram, you only get a few seconds to earn it.

To hook viewers in the first three seconds, start with a compelling visual, a bold statement, or an intriguing question. Think of it like the headline of a blog post: it needs to stop the scroll. Viewers decide very quickly whether to keep watching, so use motion, sound, or text overlays to immediately signal what they’ll get if they stay until the end.

7. Write Captions That Encourage Comments

A great caption does more than explain a post; it invites conversation. Instead of writing captions that only narrate your content, use them as an opportunity to ask questions and spark engagement, share personal insights, or prompt opinions. End with a call to action like “What do you think?”, “Have you tried this?”, or “Tell me your experience below.”

8. Jump on Micro Trends Within Your Niche

Trends are the lifeblood of Instagram, but the platform-wide trends tend to be over saturated. In fact, one of the best strategies for creators is to participate in micro trends, those smaller, niche-specific trends that your actual audience cares about. Whether it’s a Reels format circulating among creators, a meme relevant to your industry, or a trend within your creator community, these targeted moments often bring higher-quality engagement.

9. Use Saveable Content to Boost Reach

Instagram’s algorithm prioritizes content that gets saved because it signals value. When someone saves your post, they’re telling Instagram, “This is useful, I want to come back to it.” So, create content that your audience wants to reference later: think checklists, mini-guides, templates, infographics, or idea roundups. Carousels are especially great for saveable content.

10. Tease Content to Drive Curiosity

There's nothing more than a bit of mystery to keep your followers coming back for you. When you create a sense of “what’s next?” or “I need to see the rest,” people are more likely to stick around. You can use this tactic across Reels, carousels, or even Stories. For instance, post a sneak peek of a transformation and say, “Wait until you see the final result - posting tomorrow!” or split your content into two parts, ending part one with a teaser.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to get 1000 followers on Instagram in 1 day?

The quickest way to get 1000 followers on Instagram in one day (and the only way without going viral) is to buy them. By buying followers from a reliable source like Smikky, you not only provide social proof which lets potential followers know you're popular, but you also increase your chances of being pushed up the Instagram algorithm.

How to get IG followers fast?

To grow your Instagram following quickly in 2025, focus on creating short, engaging Reels - Instagram’s top-performing content format for reach. Use trending audio, strong hooks in the first 3 seconds, and offer clear value, whether that’s entertainment, education, or inspiration. Pair this with shareable content that your audience will want to repost or send to friends, such as relatable quotes, tips, or quick tutorials.

Use a smart mix of broad and niche hashtags to improve discoverability, and engage actively by responding to comments, interacting in DMs, and joining conversations on other creators’ posts

While purchased Instagram ads can be a good way of boosting engagement, it's not your only option. Using the tips and tricks above as well as purchasing engagement, you can go far on Insta.