What is Instagram Follower Growth Rate?

Instagram follower growth rate is a key metric that measures the pace at which an Instagram account gains followers over a specific period. It’s an essential indicator of an account’s appeal and effectiveness in attracting new followers.

This rate helps in evaluating how well the content and engagement strategies are resonating with potential new followers and whether the profile is gaining popularity or not.

Tracking the follower growth rate can provide insights into the impact of marketing campaigns, changes in content strategy, or the influence of external factors like endorsements or partnerships on an account’s audience growth.

It's closely tied to your engagement rate - the more engagement your account has, the more likely your content resonates with your audience, which can help get more followers.

How to calculate Instagram follower growth rate

Calculating the Instagram follower growth rate is straightforward but offers valuable insights into how effectively you are attracting new followers. To calculate this rate, you’ll need to know the number of new followers gained within a specific period and the number of followers at the start of that period.

For instance, if your account had 1,000 followers at the beginning of the month and gained 50 new followers by the end, your follower growth rate would be: Follower Growth Rate = (50 / 1000) × 100% = 5%

This calculation helps you quantify your growth in percentage terms, making it easier to track progress over time or compare performance against industry benchmarks.

Industry benchmarks for different social platforms

Understanding industry benchmarks for follower growth can help set realistic expectations for organic growth and goals for social media strategy. These benchmarks vary widely across different platforms due to varying user behaviors and platform dynamics:

• Instagram: 1.69% per month (Source: HubSpot)
• Facebook: 0.64% per week (Source: Social Hospitality)
• X/Twitter: 0.76% each month (Source: Social Status)
• LinkedIn: 1.58% (Source: Social Status)
• TikTok: 2 to 3% (Source: Rival IQ)

These figures illustrate that growth expectations should be tailored to the specific dynamics and audience of each platform.

Why should I track follower growth rate?

Tracking the follower growth rate is essential for several reasons. First, it allows you to measure the effectiveness of your IG social media strategy quantitatively. Seeing a steady increase in followers can validate the content and engagement tactics you are employing.

Additionally, understanding this metric can help in benchmarking your performance against competitors and industry standards, providing insight into your market position and brand strength.

Moreover, a sudden change in the follower growth rate over a specific time period, either up or down, can serve as an early indicator of the impact of changes in strategy or external factors influencing your brand visibility. Regular monitoring helps in making informed decisions to enhance or pivot your growth strategy to optimize for audience growth.

5 Tips to increase follower growth rate

Improving your Instagram follower growth rate isn't just about increasing numbers - it's about cultivating a vibrant community that engages with your content regularly. Here are some strategies to help boost your growth rate:

Post more content (more consistently)

Consistency is key on Instagram. Regular posting keeps your brand at the forefront of your audience's minds and helps maintain a steady flow of new content that can attract new followers.

Source: Sprout Social



A business that posts high-quality content daily will likely see better engagement and follower growth compared to one that posts sporadically. Boost your content calendar with more high-quality posts and A/B test and double down on the types of posts that work.

Improve your content quality

Quality trumps quantity. Invest in high-quality visuals and well-thought-out captions that resonate with your target audience. A brand that uses professional images and maintains a consistent aesthetic is more likely to attract followers who appreciate visual appeal.



Experiment with Instagram stories, Reels, IGTV, and videos to improve your engagement metrics.

Get more reviews and social proof

Social proof, like testimonials or user reviews, can significantly influence new followers by building trust. Showcasing positive feedback from existing followers can encourage new users to follow and engage with your brand. So add them to your business profile page and use a social media monitoring tool to gather them in real time.

Engage with the right crowd

Interaction drives connections. Actively engaging with followers and participating in community discussions can make your account more attractive to new followers. This includes liking, commenting, and sharing content from users within your target audience, and not just promoting your individual posts. This two-way interaction enhances the sense of community and connection with your brand.

But it's not just about blind engagement. You have to look at your profile analytics and identify the people that match your ideal customer profile. Then see who they follow, and engage with those influencer and niche communities.

Pro tip: look up influencers in your niche that have engaged audiences and interact with their posts.

Host a Giveaway

Giveaways are a powerful tool to drive engagement and increase your follower base quickly. By offering a desirable prize in exchange for followers liking, commenting, or sharing your post, you can significantly boost visibility and attract new followers.

For a successful giveaway, ensure the entry requirements align with your goals (e.g., tagging friends, sharing the post), which can help spread your reach even further.



Engagement is the lifeblood of successful social media platforms, and Instagram is no exception. By understanding and actively seeking to improve your Instagram follower growth rate, you're not just chasing numbers—you're building a dynamic community around your brand.

With these strategies in hand, you’re well-equipped to enhance your social media presence, ensuring your content resonates with followers and continually attracts new audiences. Engage wisely, post strategically, and watch your community grow!

Need help? Talk to one of our vetted Instagram experts today!