Starting with zero followers? You’re not alone, and you’re not behind. 

Whether you’re launching a personal brand, rebuilding after a break, or starting a business account from scratch, growing on Instagram in 2025 is still completely doable.

The good news is you don’t need viral videos or celebrity shoutouts to build real traction. What you do need is a smart, step-by-step strategy that works with the algorithm, not against it.

This guide is made for:

• New creators who want to grow their Instagram followers from the ground up
• Small businesses looking to turn their page into a customer magnet
• Anyone rebranding, relaunching, or starting fresh with a new Instagram account

We’ll walk through exactly how to grow your Instagram audience using realistic strategies that actually work in 2025.

No outdated follow-unfollow tricks, no bots, and no fluff. Just consistent, sustainable growth from zero.

Step 1: Set Up for Success: Optimize Your Profile

If you’re starting from scratch, your profile needs to make a strong first impression. 

It’s the first thing people see before they scroll through your content, so make it count.

🔍 Pick a clean, searchable handle

Your @username should be simple, easy to remember, and easy to type. Avoid symbols or random numbers unless they’re part of your brand.

📝 Use keywords in your name and bio

Instagram’s name field is searchable, so include what you do. For example, write “fitness coach,” “nail artist,” or “vintage seller.” 

In the bio, keep things short and clear. Let people know who you are and what kind of content or products they can expect.

📸 Choose a clear, high-quality profile picture

If you’re a creator, use a close-up headshot. If you’re a business, go with a sharp logo. Make sure the image looks good even at small sizes.

🔗 Add a call to action and a useful link

Whether it’s a Linktree, product page, or sign-up form, guide people to take the next step.

Add a short CTA like “Shop now,” “Book today,” or “Watch the latest Reel.”

🎯 Keep everything consistent

Your handle, profile photo, and Instagram bio should all align with your brand to help new visitors understand what your account is about.

When someone lands on your page, they should instantly understand what you’re about and why they should follow you.

A strong, clear profile builds trust and makes it easier to turn visitors into followers.

Step 2: Define Your Niche and Content Pillars

To grow an audience that actually cares about your content, you need to give your page a clear focus. 

Here’s how to shape your content direction from the start:

1. Choose your niche

This is the overall category your content falls into. It could be fitness, skincare, travel, productivity, fashion, or something else. 

Pick something you’re genuinely interested in and can post about long term. 

Your niche should be clear enough that someone can explain your page in one sentence.

💡 Pro Tip: Not sure what to choose? Look at your saved posts or most-used hashtags. The content you naturally engage with is often the content you’re best at creating.

2. Build 2 to 3 content pillars

These are the specific themes you’ll post about regularly. 

For example, if your niche is food, your pillars might be easy recipes, grocery tips, and cooking tutorials. 

Sticking to a few pillars keeps your content organized and helps people know what to expect from your page.

💡 Pro Tip: Ask yourself, “If someone followed me today, what kind of posts would they see each week?” Your pillars should answer that question.

3. Validate with Instagram search

Before you start posting, check what’s already working in your space. Use Instagram’s search bar, Explore tab, and Reels feed to see what’s trending. 

Look at hashtags, keywords, and even top Instagram influencers in your niche to get ideas on what types of content perform well. This helps you stay relevant while still adding your own personality.

💡 Pro Tip: Search your niche as if you were a fan, not a creator. What posts catch your eye? That insight helps you create content that connects.

Step 3: Post High-Quality Content (With the Right Formats)

Instagram content in 2025 is all about clarity, value, and format. 

It’s not just what you post but how you present it. 

If you want visibility and engagement, start by focusing on the two formats the algorithm favors most.

Reels for reach

Reels are still the best way to get discovered. They show up on Explore, in hashtag feeds, and on the Reels tab. 

Keep them short, visually clear, and quick to hook viewers. Use trending sounds when they fit, and edit directly in the app whenever possible. 

Instagram prefers content that feels native to the platform.

Carousels for saves and shares

Carousels are great for educational content, storytelling, or breaking down tips. Each slide keeps people swiping, which signals strong engagement. 

Use them to deliver value, whether that’s step-by-step guides, before-and-after results, or relatable insights.

If you’re aiming for growth, use both formats consistently. Reels pull in new eyes. Carousels build loyalty and trust.

Write captions that guide interaction 

A strong hook at the top of your caption grabs attention right away. Then, use a simple call to action to invite engagement. 

For example:

• “Save this for later”
• “Tag someone who needs this”
• “What do you think? Comment below”

Even great content needs direction. When you tell people what to do next, they’re more likely to respond.

Focus on being helpful, clear, and scroll-stopping. 

If you’re not sure how long your Reels should be, check out the best Reel length for Instagram to keep your content optimized. 

You can also boost performance by using strong Instagram hooks in the first few seconds.

Step 4: Use Hashtags and Keywords to Get Discovered

Instagram in 2025 is more search-driven than ever. 

People don’t just scroll, they search. And the algorithm picks up on keywords and hashtags to decide what content to show them.

To grow from zero, your goal is to show up in those search results and Explore feeds. 

That’s where hashtags and keywords come in.

Start with your caption.

Write in full, natural sentences and include specific keywords. 

For example, instead of saying “today’s post,” say something specific like “How to make a collage on Instagram Story” to help your content get picked up in search.

These phrases help Instagram understand what your post is about.

Add 3 to 5 well-chosen hashtags

You don’t need a wall of hashtags, just a smart mix of:

• Niche tags that describe your audience or topic (example: #DigitalPlannerTips, #SkincareForMen)
• Trending tags that are currently popular (check Explore or recent Reels in your niche)
• Post-specific tags that relate to the exact content you’re sharing (example: #MorningStretchRoutine, #VeganDinnerIdeas)

Avoid using banned or overused tags like #follow4follow or #likeforlike. They don’t work and can hurt your reach.

💡 Pro Tip: You can also use keywords in alt text when uploading your images. This helps with accessibility and may support future search ranking.

When you combine keyword-rich captions with intentional hashtags, you give your posts the best chance to be discovered by the right people.

Step 5: Show Up Consistently (Even With a Small Audience)

Consistency is what turns a quiet account into a growing one. 

Even if you’re starting with just a few followers, regular posting builds momentum and helps the algorithm learn who to show your content to.

🗓️ Choose a posting pace that works for you

For most beginners, 3 to 5 posts per week is realistic. You don’t have to post every day, but you do need to stay active. 

Aim for at least one or two Reels weekly, mix in carousels or static posts, and use Stories to stay present in between.

👉Want to plan ahead? Use tools that let you schedule Instagram posts so you can stay consistent without having to post manually every day.

📊 Check your analytics regularly

Instagram Insights shows you which posts perform best, when your audience is most active, and what content gets saved or shared. 

These numbers help you understand what’s working so you can do more of it.

💬 Engage with the followers you have

Even if only five people comment, reply to all of them. If someone sends a message or shares your post, respond. 

Small interactions build strong relationships and that leads to better reach over time.

Growth on Instagram comes from showing up, improving your content, and staying consistent long enough to get noticed.

Step 6: Engage to Grow (Not Just Post and Ghost)

Posting alone isn’t enough. If you want real growth, you need to interact. Instagram prioritizes creators who create conversations, not just content.

Here’s how to make engagement part of your strategy:

What to Do	Why It Matters
Comment on posts from other creators in your niche	Helps you get seen by new, relevant audiences
Reply to every DM and comment on your posts	Builds trust and encourages people to come back
Use polls, Q&As, and stickers in Stories	Increases interaction and boosts visibility
Mention or tag others when it makes sense	Expands your reach through shared interactions

Instagram watches how much people interact with your page. The more real activity you generate, the more likely the algorithm is to boost your posts.

💡 Pro Tip: Set aside 10 to 15 minutes a day to respond, comment, and engage. That consistency makes a bigger impact than most people think.

👉 If your direct messages suddenly stop working, here’s how to fix Instagram DM issues so you don’t miss important conversations.

Step 7: Kickstart Growth With Bulkoid

Starting from zero can be frustrating. You’re creating good content, but without traction, it’s hard to build momentum. 

Instagram tends to favor accounts that already show signs of engagement, which can make it difficult for new creators and businesses to get noticed.

Bulkoid helps you break through that early visibility wall by boosting real metrics and giving your content the push it needs to reach more people.

Here’s how it can help:

✅ Gain early social proof

Buy real followers, likes, and views to give your account a stronger presence right from the start.

✅ Look more credible to new visitors

When someone sees that others are already engaging with your content, they’re more likely to follow.

✅ Reach more people through the algorithm

Higher engagement increases your chances of showing up on Explore, in hashtag results, and on the Reels feed.

✅ Build momentum toward monetization

If you’re a business or creator aiming to earn through Instagram, strong early growth makes it easier to attract customers, clients, or partnerships.

Bulkoid gives you the boost you need to turn good content into real results, even if you’re just starting out.

How Long Does It Take to Grow on Instagram in 2025?

There’s no one-size-fits-all timeline, but growth is possible if you stay consistent and work with the algorithm.

Your growth speed depends on:

• How often you post
• The quality of your content
• Your niche and audience demand
• How actively you engage with others

With a solid strategy, here’s what most new accounts can expect:

• 0 to 1,000 followers: around 1 to 2 months
• 0 to 10,000 followers: roughly 4 to 6 months on average

These estimates assume you’re posting 3 to 5 times a week, using Reels, adding value, and interacting with your community.

Want to grow faster?

Tools like Bulkoid can help by giving your content early traction. That boost makes your page look more active, which increases your chances of being pushed by the algorithm.

Keep your expectations realistic, focus on progress over perfection, and treat growth as a process. The results will follow.

Summary: Growing From 0 Is Possible, and You Don’t Have to Do It Alone

Starting with zero followers can feel tough, but growth on Instagram in 2025 is absolutely doable. With the right strategy and tools, you can build real traction, even from scratch.

Here’s a quick recap of the steps:

1. Set up a strong profile that’s clear and searchable
2. Define your niche and content pillars to stay focused
3. Post Reels and carousels to maximize reach and engagement
4. Use hashtags and keywords so new people can find your content
5. Stay consistent with a posting routine that works for you
6. Engage with others to build trust and increase visibility
7. Use Bulkoid to kickstart growth and boost your content’s reach

Growing on Instagram takes time, but you don’t have to do it alone.

👉 Use Bulkoid to speed up your results

Start building your audience with real followers, views, and likes to give your content the visibility it deserves.