Having a large Instagram following can be a serious career boost. Influencers with a follower count over 100K, such as Kylie Jenner, Selena Gomez, and Jaclyn Hill make over $1,000 per post with their Instagram accounts. Those aspiring to social media fame need to look the part, and they need the followers. But the question is how we can get free Instagram followers and likes?

One of the main rules of buying followers is not to buy Instagram followers in bulk. It looks very suspicious if one day you have 1,000 followers and the next day you have 10,000.

Buying Instagram followers actually cost little and comfortable. But it does hurt brands and their reputation. If followers see your account suspicious jump up. Also, it will likely cause them to find you or your brand dishonest and your real followers to unfollow.

So, if you want to get free Instagram followers and likes naturally and organically you are at right place.

Social media bots such as Instagram auto liker can also have a dark side which hurts real people. Many people involved in their schemes find their images being retweeted to promote porn and cryptocurrency.

There are a lot of ways to ethically and organically get free Instagram followers and likes, it may be a slow process, but it’s likely to gain more respect from your peers and your followers.

11 Ways to get free Instagram followers and likes

1. Hashtags

Create a hashtag that is personal to you and your brand. Personal Hasgtag might be a catchy slogan, a cute quote or the name of your business. Make sure this signature hashtag is in your social media profiles, including other accounts like Twitter and Facebook. Take this hashtag offline and have it printed on signage, in printed ads, even on your receipt. Never be boring in your unique hashtagging, be funny and be outrageous if it fits with the branding.

Use popular hashtags that are known to increase follower count like #FF(Follow Friday), #instafollow, #L4L(Like for like), #tagforlikes and #followback. These are universally popular and highly searched for tags. Or a more natural use of hashtags would be using popular ones like #love #instagood #tbt #ootd and #photooftheday.

To make it big on social media you need to be as big and as noisy as possible on Instagram. Also, use individual long-tailed keywords with the universally popular hashtags.

2. Likes

Like lots of random pictures from people in your target audience. If you are a fitness brand like content, images or videos of people working out. Similarly, if you are a beauty brand like the posts of amateur makeup artists. Also, if you are a clothing brand like pictures of models and fashion influencers.

When you like someone’s photo also comment on it. This type of interaction is the most natural way to gain free Instagram followers and likes. Don’t use hashtags and make it obvious you are trying to gain followers. Instead of this compliment them or engage in a conversation by asking a relevant question.

3. Captions

A picture may be worth a thousand words but don’t be afraid to get descriptive with your captions. Use storytelling alongside your Instagram photos to generate engagement and encourage people to comment.

If you are worried about writing don’t, your writing will improve as you find your brand’s voice. Also, you will be able to see what does and doesn’t engage with your followers.

Ask questions in the captions of your photos. Asking question is a great way to increase engagement and encourage people to comment.

4. Influencers

Visit the profile of people you identify as influencers in your industry. A fitness company would approach a fitness model or a popular personal trainer. Similarly, a tattoo studio should approach tattoo models and musicians. For example, if you are a clothing brand choose influencers who wear similar styles to your designs. Likewise, if you are a makeup artist interact with beauty gurus and independent beauty brands.

Turn on notifications on these user’s accounts, this will let you notify every time they share new content. Interact with them regularly but don’t make it sound like you’re obviously selling yourself.

Try and act natural when commenting by interacting with their caption or their image.

5. Styling

You may want to imitate other social media giants but it will work in your favor to stand out. Post unique and instantly recognizable high-quality content. This way when followers are scrolling through their feed your posts and images will jump out at them.

Instagram profiles in 2019 are almost the new homepage. This is because more Instagram users use the Instagram search tool to find brands.

You should put the same effort into visuals of your Instagram profile as you put into the homepage of your website.

Your Instagram profile is a reflection of your brand and your product or service. It is vital to convey the right branding to get free Instagram followers and likes.

Be consistent in your imagery, so your followers know what to expect. Also, find an aesthetic that works for your brand and will appeal to your followers and keep it.

Also Read: HOW TO INCREASE INSTAGRAM FOLLOWERS

6. Location

See what is going on in a specific area, so your country or even better your city. Target ads and events in this location.

Go to the Instagram search tag.

Choose the Places tab.

Then type in the name of the place to see all geotagged posts for that location.

7. Instagram Highlights

Instagram’s new feature Highlights has been tremendous in 2018 and has become a fundamental way to engage with followers.

Instagram stories appear on the Instagram explore page. It means people can see your content without needing to follower you. Making it is a great way to gain new Instagram followers.

Most Instagram geo-locations and hashtags have their own stories attached to them. So we expect this feature to become a favorite marketing tool in the upcoming months.

Adding popular hashtags or a location to your Instagram story could end up being featured in a public feed.

Try and post interesting and unique high-quality content via stories. These posts can attract the attention of a casual viewer who could quickly become a follower.

If you have a product use stories to do fun demos and tutorials. And if you are a shop do tours and show your stock of. Similarly, if you offer a service show it in action.

To add a hashtag to the story type it in or add a sticker. To add a location, click the location sticker. It could go for a city or a specific example like ‘Empire State Building’.

You may also Like: Is it wise to use free Instagram followers bot?

8. Geotagging

Geotagging is an excellent option if you have a business or service in one set location or area. Interact with people who could, geographically, be your customer. Geotagging is especially useful if you are a bar, a beauty salon or a service provider. For example a builder, electrician or accountant.

Geotag your stories, and you’ll see a live story of your current city if you see your Instagram Explore page. Also, your story has a chance to be added to this if you use a location sticker.

9. Timing

Posting for your most active time zones is essential. Look at where you demographic and followers are from and post based on when they use Instagram the most.

Try and post during lunchtime (11am-1pm) and in the evenings (7pm-10pm). Because these two times is the time when users are most active on the social media site.

Wednesdays and Thursdays drive the most engagements while Sundays the least. These are the best times to post important Instagram content.

Trying to understand how to engage with users and when to post can sometimes be an experiment. Observe at what times you get the best engagement (most likes and comments) and try to post around that time. Some external applications and websites will help you schedule Instagram posts.

To know more read: How to judge the best time to post on Instagram?

10. Images

Images are a vital part of using Instagram and attracting free Instagram followers and likes. Remember when posting images that quality beats quantity so only post the best pictures that are relevant to your account.

There are no issues in posting a lot of posts in a day. But similarly, avoid spamming and posting hundred’s a day.

Use faces in your images. Research finds that images with faces receive 35% more likes than those without. Also, share user-generated content of them using your products or visiting your business.

Re-sharing images will encourage more people to follow you and engage in your brand.

Share behind the scenes photos. Also, candid photos can give your brand personality. And lets the customers know who are the faces behind the logo.

11. Call to Action

Remember social media is not a broadcasting platform it is for conversation. Think about what action you want people to take on after engaging with your posts.

Before you start posting figure out what your call to action is. It might be to share content, comment or maybe to follow links to an external source.

In summary, to get free Instagram followers and likes, you need to use topically relevant and trending hashtags.

Hashtags should be creative and exciting. Write descriptive captions that engage with followers and interact with the relevant influencers.

Most importantly develop the unique style that will make you stand out from your competitors.