Growing on Instagram: Real Vs. Fake

The number of daily active users stands at over 500 million. Just over 20% of all internet users use Instagram every day.

These numbers mean that as of January 2025, brands on Instagram can reach 1.74 billion people through advertising. This is apart from static posts, videos, stories, and reels. The number of potential customers increased 5.5% year on year, which indicates just how much ad-reach power the platform has.

The Instagram Algorithm in 2025

The algorithm continues to prioritize content that gets a lot of engagement. It looks at views, likes, saves, shares, and comments. Together, these elements will determine how far Instagram content can reach (on the platform).

Instagram has also made several adjustments and changes to its algorithm over the last couple of years. Moving away from a chronological feed means the average Instagram account now reaches 50% more of its followers.

Some of the most recent updates include:

• The introduction of a standalone vertical video editing app called Edits. AI powers the app, and it includes direct insights tracking.

• A new feature called Blend that allows content creators to mix Reels with friends.

• Other features include scheduled messages, in-chat translations, and pinned memes.

These are but a few of the string of enhancements made to the platform. These new features and capabilities show that Instagram is moving towards more community-based engagement. It is also evident that Instagram wants to provide more support for content creators looking for higher levels of interaction.

Using Organic Growth Strategies on Instagram

These updates alone won’t help you build a strong following on Instagram. You can use several organic strategies to steadily expand your existing audience and improve interaction.

1 - Tell Great Stories and Incorporate Compelling Visuals

It doesn’t matter what your niche is or the number of followers you want. You will reach your Instagram goals by telling great stories and using high-quality, compelling visuals.

To tell stories, you can use Reels, carousels, videos, Instagram Stories, and more. Remember that Reels average a 2.08% engagement rate, while photos only get 1.17%.

If you are just starting on Instagram, you must put effort into your storytelling and images. This is what will keep your audience coming back for more.

Pros

• If your content looks polished and professional, it will hold viewers’ attention longer. You will also get more shares and saves.

• Professional content builds credibility along with your brand identity.

Cons

• It can take some time to get into the habit of creating only high-quality content. You may also need to set up a budget for photographers and designers, or at least pay for quality editing tools.

2 - Set Up a Posting Calendar

If you post new content at least three times a week, you could see up to 35% higher engagement. Your content may also be promoted more by the algorithm.

Setting up a posting calendar is important so your followers know when to expect new content. Doing this will automatically increase your engagement as well.

Pros

• Consistency in posting new content will continue to activate the algorithm.

• Knowing when to expect new content improves follower loyalty.

Cons

• Many resources go into planning, creating, and scheduling content, including a content calendar.

3 - Use All Available Content Formats

It is crucial to diversify the content you upload to Instagram. Think about it this way: if you don’t use reels, you miss out on 50% of Explore page traffic. Even if you focus on carousels for a bit rather than stories, you will share in an incredible 1.7% engagement rate.

Pros

• Different content formats can help you access more than one algorithmic feed.

• More than one content format will reach more diverse audiences.

Cons

• There is no guarantee that using different content formats will help grow your account.

4 - Make the Most of Hashtags and SEO

Hashtags and SEO related to your content and brand make your posts highly discoverable.

Pros

• Hashtags and SEO strategies are free to use. When you use them right, you can connect with your target audience.

• The more people you reach using these strategies, the higher the chances your content will go viral.

Cons

• If you use too many popular hashtags instead of unique ones, your content may get buried under millions of posts.

5 - Create User-Generated Content Campaigns

User-generated content (UGC) can help you boost authenticity on Instagram, which is especially important for brands that want to grow their presence. Brands that use UGC can see up to 4.5% higher engagement.

Pros

• UGCs can function as social proof, which builds customer trust.

• You get free expansion of your content ‘library’ on Instagram.

Cons

• You have very little control over the quality of UGC you receive. You may have to spend time editing it before posting.

6 - Collaborate With Micro-Influencers

If you partner with a micro-influencer, you can instantly access an audience of 10,000 to 100,000 people.

Pros

• You get a high engagement rate on your content, especially when the micro-influencer recommends it.

Cons

• You may find it somewhat challenging to coordinate content and live streams between yourself and a micro-influencer.

In addition to implementing these strategies, you should regularly monitor your progress on Instagram. Measure engagement, impressions, posting times, and audience behavior.

The reports you receive (analytics) will help guide your content improvements over time.

What Is Paid Engagement?

Another way to grow your Instagram account in 2025 is through paid engagement strategies. Paid engagement services refer to platforms that sell views, likes, and followers. When you buy from a reputable platform, you will receive only real engagement from Instagram users.

Why Blastup Is the Best Choice for Paid Engagement

Blastup is the visual difference between real and fake engagement on Instagram.

This popular Instagram growth platform offers instant followers, likes, and views from real Instagram accounts, starting at a mere $1.39 (for likes).

If you buy Instagram engagement packages from Blastup, you get the following:

• Instant delivery with an automatic 30-day refill guarantee, should any numbers drop during this time

• 24/7 customer support and excellent data security when making a payment

• Transparent service (You can opt for a free trial of 10 followers to verify the quality before you buy.)

Pros of Using Blastup

• Highest quality Instagram followers, likes, and views

• Instant social proof on Instagram

• No need to provide your Instagram password

• Instant engagement results

• Track each delivery

Potential Cons to Consider

• If you only rely on buying Instagram followers and do not grow your instant audience organically, you may still struggle to make an impact on Instagram.

What to Consider Regarding Instagram’s Engagement Policy

Contrary to what some content creators may believe, buying views, likes, and followers is not illegal. It is also not prohibited by the Instagram platform. However, Instagram does not allow fake followers, so it would be detrimental for you to buy spam and bot followers.

It is easy to spot fake engagement. You won’t even need the algorithm to do it. Any account with repetitive or nonsensical comments has likely bought spam and fake followers.

If you choose this route, you will probably be shadowbanned on Instagram. The algorithm will stop promoting your content, and your engagement will drop.

You will likely be banned permanently if you continue buying fake followers for your posts.

This is precisely why Blastup offers only real followers, likes, and views. All these engagement packages focus on providing real and valuable interaction with Instagram content.

Creating a Hybrid Instagram Growth Plan

The best way to grow your Instagram presence is to combine the best of both concepts: paid engagement and organic strategies.

• Build the bulk of your audience organically. Give yourself at least six months (for a new account) to build genuine engagement.
  
  

• Use paid engagement when you need an instant boost. Paid engagement is excellent for kickstarting new content or promoting products on Instagram. You can also use paid engagement to boost a new Instagram account that doesn’t have a lot of followers or activity yet.
  
  

• Analyze your account’s follower-to-engagement ratio at least once every month. If your engagement dips below 2%, check your analytics reports. This should give you the data that shows where you need to make changes to your content.
  
  

• Always stay authentic. In 2025, staying human in an increasingly AI-driven world is more important than ever. Use UCG, live streams, and collaborations to engage with your audience. Spark conversations that help you connect with your audience.

Remember, paid boosts will always help you enhance Instagram engagement, but they should never replace your organic growth efforts.

Instagram Will Reward Your Efforts in 2025

Instagram wants authenticity and creativity from content creators. You can use organic strategies and paid engagement services to fulfill this requirement. If you use the options described above, you will have an excellent chance to grow on Instagram and enjoy all the benefits of this sustained growth.