Note (September 2026): This article previously recommended Instagram follower bots. Instagram’s Terms of Use prohibit unauthorized automated activity, and since November 2018 Instagram has said it removes inauthentic likes, follows and comments generated by third-party apps, so the bot section has been corrected.
The most reliable way to gain Instagram followers is to give visitors a reason to follow: a complete, consistent profile, regular Stories and Reels built around one clear theme, and genuine interaction with your audience. Follower bots are a false shortcut, because Instagram’s rules ban unauthorized automation and paid engagement, and inauthentic follows can be removed.
Key Takeaways
- A clear bio, recognizable profile photo and consistent grid turn profile visitors into followers.
- Instagram ranks each surface (Feed, Stories, Explore, Reels) with its own system, according to head of Instagram Adam Mosseri’s May 2023 explainer.
- Instagram says most of its recent growth came from DMs, Reels and recommendations, so original Reels are a key discovery route.
- Follower bots and bought engagement break Instagram’s Terms of Use and Meta’s spam policy; Instagram has removed inauthentic follows since November 2018.
- Growth is measurable: track follows and reach in your account insights and keep what works.
Instagram is changing. And it is harder than ever to get followers. No worries. It is not just you seeing less reach and fewer likes. It’s everyone. However, you do not want to be stuck in there right? So, if you were hoping a bot service such as rapidbot would do the work for you, it is better to change your strategy and take a fresher, rule-compliant approach, because Instagram’s rules prohibit unauthorized automation.
Ways to Get More Real Instagram Followers
Here are three tips to help you gain followers and work with Instagram’s ever-changing ranking systems:
1) Spend more time creating a great Instagram Visual and Complete Profile
You need to pay a great deal of attention to what your feed looks like in order to get more Instagram followers. It is your first chance to make a good impression and encourage people to tap the one button that matters: the “follow” button.
Imagine this: You came across an interesting photo in Instagram while browsing your favorite hashtag or exploring your feed. So, you became interested on this and click over to check out their page, but what you see next is total disappointment.
Their bio is just cute emojis, their photos are all over the place, and you can’t even check their faces up close. So, are you going to follow? Nope, if that were me I’d click the back button and check out other photos.
Now, you do not want that, so you need to change your profile in order to get people actually stick around your page. How do you do that? By creating a brand story that is consistent through your Instagram visual and profile, you can turn those peeking visitors into engaged and devoted followers.
Put more effort into organizing your Instagram page and creating interesting content so that more visitors decide to follow. Also, you need to create an eye-catching bio and not just a bunch of cute emojis that does not describe you at all.
2) Add Instagram Stories for Exposure
Instagram Stories, launched in August 2016, remain one of the app’s most-used formats. Regular posts do not always reach everyone, and Instagram Stories help you stay visible to the followers you already have. However, Instagram stories are more than that! It also helps you gain more Instagram followers.
Instagram added Stories to the Explore page in October 2016, which means people who do not follow you can still come across your stories and watch them. If they like what they see, some of them may follow you, although no format guarantees new followers. This is a good reason to post stories regularly rather than occasionally.
3) Why Instagram Bots Backfire
Instagram bots were promoted as a fast way to gain followers, with services such as Rapidbot among those mentioned in earlier versions of this article. So what is an Instagram bot? Instagram bots are automation tools that like, follow or comment from your account in the hope that other users follow you back. They promise to save the effort of finding followers yourself, but Instagram’s Terms of Use state that users can’t access or collect information “in an automated way without our express permission.”
Bot sellers have advertised gains such as 2,000 or more followers a week for individuals and businesses alike, but those are marketing claims, not verified results, and Instagram has said since November 2018 that it removes inauthentic likes, follows and comments from accounts that use third-party apps.
How Does Instagram Decide Who Sees Your Posts?
Instagram does not use one single algorithm. In a May 31, 2023 explainer, head of Instagram Adam Mosseri wrote that each part of the app, including Feed, Stories, Explore, Reels and Search, uses its own ranking system tailored to how people use it.
| Surface | Main signals Instagram lists | What it means for growth |
|---|---|---|
| Feed | Activity on the post (likes, shares, saves, comments), information about the poster, your history with that account | Posts that invite saves and shares travel further among existing followers |
| Stories | How often you view an account, how often you engage with it, closeness | Stories mainly deepen ties with people who already follow you |
| Explore | Popularity of the post, your past Explore activity, your history with the poster | Explore can put your content in front of non-followers |
| Reels | Your activity with similar reels, history with the creator, the reel’s audio and video, popularity | Original Reels are a strong route to reaching new people |
The same Instagram explainer says the app tries to make some reels less visible, such as low-resolution or watermarked reels, reels that are muted, and reels that contain borders. Posting original, clean video is therefore safer than reposting clips from other apps.
Why Reels Matter for New Followers
Instagram announced on September 24, 2025 that it had reached 3 billion monthly active users. Announcing the milestone, Adam Mosseri said almost all of Instagram’s growth in recent years had been driven by DMs, Reels and recommendations, and that the app would be reoriented around those products.
For an account trying to grow, that means short, original Reels on one consistent theme are the format most likely to reach people who do not follow you yet. The tips in this guide to using Reels in an Instagram marketing strategy go into more detail.
A Step-by-Step Plan to Gain Real Followers
- Fix the profile first. Use a clear profile photo, a name people would search for, and a bio that says what the account posts and who it is for.
- Pick one theme. A consistent look and topic helps visitors decide quickly; see how to create a unique Instagram aesthetic.
- Post Stories regularly. Stories disappear after 24 hours, while Story Highlights, introduced in December 2017, keep the best ones on your profile for new visitors.
- Publish original Reels. Avoid watermarks, borders and muted clips, which Instagram says it may show less.
- Interact genuinely. Reply to comments and DMs and engage with accounts in your niche; these strategies to increase Instagram engagement can help.
- Measure and adjust. Check which posts bring profile visits and follows, and make more of what works.
What Are the Risks of Using Instagram Bots?
Instagram bots carry three main risks. First, they break the rules: Instagram’s Terms of Use ban creating accounts or collecting information in an automated way without Instagram’s express permission, and Meta’s spam policy prohibits selling, buying or exchanging engagement such as likes, follows and views.
Second, the followers may not last. On November 19, 2018, Instagram announced that it had started removing inauthentic likes, follows and comments from accounts using third-party apps to boost their popularity, and that affected accounts would receive an in-app message.
Third, there is a security cost. Bot services usually need your username and password. Instagram asked affected users to change their password to revoke a third-party app’s access.
Instagram has also acted against bot providers directly. In April 2017 the bot service Instagress shut down at Instagram’s request, and by May 2017 the services MassPlanner, PeerBoost, InstaPlus and FanHarvest had also closed, according to reports at the time.
Organic Growth vs. Bots: A Comparison
| Factor | Organic growth | Follower bots |
|---|---|---|
| Allowed by Instagram | Yes | No: unauthorized automation and bought engagement break Instagram’s rules |
| Speed | Gradual | Fast on paper |
| Follower quality | Real people interested in the topic | Often follow-backs or inactive accounts |
| Durability | Followers stay if content stays useful | Inauthentic follows can be removed |
| Account security | Password stays private | Login usually shared with a third party |
For more ideas, see eight ways to extend your Instagram reach and how to tell your brand story with Instagram Stories.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fastest legitimate way to gain Instagram followers?
The fastest legitimate way to gain Instagram followers is to post original Reels on one clear theme from a complete, consistent profile. Instagram has said Reels and recommendations drove most of its recent growth, so Reels are the main way to reach people who do not follow you yet.
Are Instagram follower bots allowed?
No. Instagram’s Terms of Use prohibit creating accounts or collecting information in an automated way without Instagram’s permission, and Meta’s spam policy bans buying, selling or exchanging engagement such as follows and likes.
Can Instagram remove followers gained through bots?
Yes. Since November 19, 2018, Instagram has said it removes inauthentic likes, follows and comments from accounts that use third-party apps to boost their popularity, and it notifies affected accounts with an in-app message.
Do Instagram Stories help you get new followers?
Instagram Stories mainly strengthen ties with existing followers, because Stories ranking is based on how often you view and engage with an account. Stories can still reach non-followers through Explore, and Story Highlights keep your best stories on your profile after the 24 hours a story normally lasts.
Does Instagram have one algorithm?
No. According to Adam Mosseri’s May 2023 explainer, Feed, Stories, Explore, Reels and Search each use their own ranking system, based on signals such as your activity, the post’s popularity and your history with the account.
How many people use Instagram?
Instagram reported 3 billion monthly active users in September 2025, the newest official figure available as of October 2026.
1 Comment
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