Ever dream of turning your Instagram profile into a vibrant hub? 500 engaged followers isn’t just a vanity metric – it’s a gateway to new opportunities like boosting your discoverability in searches, and positioning you as a credible voice in your niche.
Sound like something you’re after? Wondering how to get 500 followers on Instagram?
This guide dives deep into 15 proven strategies used by successful Instagrammers. We’re talking about consistently creating high-quality content, posting at the right times to maximize reach, mastering Reels and hashtags, and crafting captions that stop the scroll.
Let’s dive into the full guide and unlock your path to 500 followers (and beyond)!
Is Having 500 Followers on Instagram Good?
Well, having 500 followers is a great first milestone, especially if you’re new to the platform.
And if you’re wondering whether you can monetize your Instagram account, I should say: Yes. You can make money through affiliate marketing or affiliate links, and selling your products.
However, it might be a bit early for brand deals. But you can definitely start building relationships with brands and laying the groundwork for future collaborations.
What about Instagram features for 500 followers?
You can use Instagram ads, branded content, and partnerships with brands. But you can’t use features like Instagram subscriptions and Live Badges. You can also request to get verified on Instagram through the paid subscription.
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How to Get 500 Followers on Instagram?
Now that you know reaching 500 followers is a great starting point, here are all the methods to help you reach that goal:
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How to get 500 followers on Instagram in 5 minutes?
Let’s be realistic: Attracting 500 genuine, engaged followers who care about your content takes time, effort, and patience. There’s no shortcut.
If speed is your top priority, over the quality of your audience, there are a couple of options, but be aware they might not be ideal in the long run:
You can buy followers or use free trials
Even though you have this option, it is risky. Buying followers or using 500 free Instagram followers trials goes against Instagram’s terms of service, as it violates their guidelines on artificial fake engagement.
It’s important to focus on organic growth and building an engaged audience who genuinely enjoys your content.
When you buy followers, you may increase your follower count temporarily, but it does not result in genuine engagement or meaningful interactions.
Additionally, Instagram regularly detects and removes fake or inactive accounts, so the followers you purchase may disappear over time.
In a word, avoid methods like buying followers or mass following Instagram accounts.
How to Get 500 Real, Free Instagram Followers?
1# Use a Reliable Instagram Third-party App- AiGrow
One of the fastest and easiest but safest ways to easily get 500 followers on Instagram is to use a legit Instagram growth service like AiGrow.
Juggling content creation, hashtags, and audience engagement can slow your Instagram growth. AiGrow can help you reach 500 real followers faster and easier!
Our account managers handle the time-consuming tasks:
- Schedule & Create Engaging Content: Focus on your niche while AiGrow helps with posting.
- Target the Perfect Audience: Find the right followers with AiGrow’s hashtag strategy and giveaway pickers.
- Boost Engagement: Send targeted DMs and remove inactive followers with AiGrow’s tools!
Ready to take the shortcut to 500 engaged followers?
2# Post Consistently (3-5 times a week)
One of the most important hacks for getting 500 followers on Instagram is having a consistent presence on the platform.
How often you post on Instagram depends on various factors like content type and your audience’s most active time. But it’s recommended to post at least 3-5 times per week.
The best way to manage your activity is to create an Instagram content calendar and schedule your posts ahead of time.
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3# Post At Your Best Time
Believe it or not, the time you publish your posts on Instagram has a huge impact on the Instagram engagement rate. Using your Instagram analytics, you have the opportunity to realize when most of your followers have engaged with your posts.
This is exactly when your followers are online and active, so it would be the best time to post on Instagram.
4# Generate High-Quality Content
Crafting attractive and eye-catching visuals for social media and creating quality content is essential to ensure that your audience will engage with your posts.
Also, it’s important not to neglect the impact of sharing the variety of content formats available to you on the platform.
Try out carousel posts, 60-second videos, GIFs, and whatever the platform allows you to share to engage more and more with your followers.
5# Write Catchy Captions
Catchy captions are all about brevity. A study by Mentions found that short Instagram captions with 21 to 50 characters get more engagement.
Engagement is key! Craft captions that draw your readers in. Here’s how: ask questions, sprinkle in some humor (when it fits), use emojis strategically, and include a clear call to action (like, comment, share, etc.).
Don’t forget the power of hashtags and keywords! Include relevant ones in your captions to boost discoverability.
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6# Collaborate with micro Influencers
If you haven’t found the desired answer to the question ‘How to get 500 Instagram followers?’ yet, you’d better ask influencers for help.
There are thousands of influencers on Instagram. By scrolling through Instagram, you can see influential users promoting brands and products.
Bear in mind that working with every famous influencer would not work. Choose the influencer you want to work with wisely.
You’d better pick influencers who are relevant to your niche (brand, campaign, etc.). Also, not only should they be creative and engaging, but they also should have significant reach.
7# Engage, engage & engage
Engagement is the golden rule of Instagram, and there are several ways to achieve it:
- Turn initial followers into fans: As you build your audience, respond thoughtfully to their comments.
Don’t just reply; aim to solve their problems or answer their questions in a meaningful way. Consider replying to their DMs as well, if possible, to create a personal connection.
- Expand your reach: Engagement isn’t limited to your own followers. Respond to questions or leave insightful comments on relevant posts from competitors or other accounts in your niche. This exposes you to a new audience and positions you as an expert.
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8# Create a Viral Instagram Challenge or Game
Influencers and brands have realized the impact of IG challenges and games on building brand awareness and growing their Instagram account.
For hosting an Instagram game/challenge, all you need is a challenging idea. It helps you not only increase your engagement but also your following.
Simply put, the more engaging and easy your game is, the more likely you are to promote Insta followers.
Now let’s take a look at some slow yet steady ways to increase your followers below:
Related: Want to Buy Targeted Instagram Followers? Top Apps to Use!
9# Optimize Your Profile For Search
Your profile is one of the very important things that can make the first impression when potential viewers visit your Instagram account. So, make sure your name, picture, bio, and profile link are all in tip-top shape.
Here are some tips on how to complete and optimize your profile.
- Pick a niche-related username that is simple, recognizable, and easy to find.
- Pick an eye-catching branded Instagram profile picture
- Use 150 characters to your advantage to write an informative and intriguing bio
- Design a bio link landing page
- Include a call to action (CTA)
- Highlight your Stories
- Share quality content
10# Use Instagram Reels
Another hack to get 500 followers is to use Reels. Instagram Reels are 15-second, multi-clip videos that can have sound, effects, and music added to them (pretty much exactly what you can do on TikTok).
So, similar to TikTok videos, Instagram Reels have the chance to go seriously viral. There are several reasons why Reels can be considered a major game-changer. Here are some of the reasons:
First of all, Reels is almost a new feature, and jumping on the bandwagon while the competition is still low would be to your benefit.
Secondly, you can see Reels from the accounts you follow and from all accounts.
Thirdly, Instagram Reels can be found in their separate tab on individual Instagram profiles and the Instagram Explore page.
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11# Pick A Niche And Stick To It
One of the best ways to bring a cohesive vibe to your page is to pick a niche and stick to it. The term “niche” refers to the type of content you share, as well as the topics that are relevant to your specific area of interest or expertise.
Imagine you are crazy about music and follow an IG page that always posts content about music, singers, musicians, concerts, etc. what will happen if you suddenly see that page posting irrelevant content?
12# Create An Eye-Catching Instagram Feed
This is another Instagram trick to get followers, You can’t deny the importance of your feed at first glance. If you have planned an attention-grabbing feed, then you have the chance to encourage users to press the follow button.
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13# Use Hashtags Strategically
Hashtags are mighty weapons to put your content in front of thousands of eyes and increase your reach, engagement, and followers. So if you are looking for a free way to get 500 followers, don’t underestimate the importance of Instagram hashtags.
Hashtags make your content discoverable and categorized. Instagram users can easily access hashtagged content in different ways, including searching the relevant hashtag, clicking on a hashtag from another relevant post, and following desired hashtags.
These possibilities make your hashtagged content appear in the feeds of people who do not yet follow your Instagram account.
14# Cross Promote Your Instagram Account
As time goes on, the number of social media platforms and the number of people who use them increases. So, if you are looking for a way to see how to grow your Instagram, one possible way would be to promote your Instagram account on other popular social media platforms such as YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, etc.
15# Host Instagram Giveaway Contests
Are you still wondering how to get more than 500 followers on Instagram? Then you can run an Instagram giveaway contest and see the result. Everybody likes freebies, so offering participants a free prize can motivate them to join and follow the rules of your contest.
When it comes to setting the rules of a contest, you’d better set those which are more likely to boost your engagement, get you ideal followers, etc. such as liking the contest post, tagging others, following the contest runner account, etc.
16# Use Instagram Ads
One of the useful ways to grow your Instagram is to make use of Instagram ads to your advantage. There are different kinds of IG ads, including Story ads, IGTV ads, video ads, etc. By running each of the mentioned ads, your account can be visible to more IG users.
Although you have to split the revenue with the platform, it is worth it since running ads can help you not only get 500 followers on Instagram but even thousands of them.
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FAQs
Now that you know how to increase Instagram followers, it’s time to take a look at some frequently asked questions about gaining Instagram followers for free.
#1 Can I Get Verified with 500 Followers?
It is highly unlikely to get verified on Instagram with only 500 followers. Verification is typically reserved for accounts with a significant presence, influence, or public interest.
#2 Can I Make Money on Instagram with 500 Followers?
Yes, it is possible to make money on Instagram with 500 followers, but it can be more challenging compared to having a larger follower count.
#3 Can I Be an Influencer with 500 Followers? Or Can You Get Brand Deals with 500 Followers?
While it is technically possible to consider yourself an influencer with 500 followers, the term “influencer” typically implies having a larger and more engaged audience.
With 500 ig followers, your reach and impact may be limited. However, building genuine connections with your audience and consistently providing value through your content can contribute to your influencer journey.
#4 What Are Instagram Follower Milestones?
Instagram follower milestones are significant numbers of followers that users often celebrate as achievements or milestones in their Instagram journey.
These milestones vary depending on individual goals and the size of the Instagram community. Here are some common Instagram follower milestones:
- 100 followers: This is often the first milestone that users aim for when starting on Instagram. It represents the initial growth of your account and the beginning of building your online presence.
- 1,000 followers: Reaching 1,000 followers demonstrates steady growth and a growing interest in your content. It’s a significant milestone as it shows you are gaining traction and building a small community of followers.
- 10,000 followers: Reaching the 10,000 mark is a significant milestone because it unlocks certain features, such as the ability to add swipe-up links in Instagram Stories. It signifies a substantial following and a notable level of influence on the platform.
- 100,000 followers: Hitting the 100,000 mark represents a major milestone on Instagram. It indicates significant growth, increased visibility, and a growing impact within your niche or industry.
- 1 million followers: Reaching 1 million followers is a monumental achievement on Instagram. It signifies a high level of popularity, influence, and a significant presence on the platform. Many consider this a major milestone in terms of Instagram’s success.
It’s important to note that follower milestones can vary depending on individual goals, niche, and industry. What may be considered a milestone for one person may not hold the same significance for another.
Ultimately, it’s essential to focus on creating quality content, engaging with your audience, and building an authentic community rather than solely chasing follower milestones.
#5 What Happens When You Get 500 Instagram Followers?
Can you make money with 500 followers on Instagram? How does it benefit you?
Apart from the above benefits you get once you hit 500 followers on Instagram, some consider pages with as few as 500 followers as micro-influencers, giving you the chance to cooperate with business accounts and earn money.
#6 How Long Does It Take to Get 500 Followers on Instagram?
Honestly, it might take a month or three months; even for some people, it could take a year to get 500 followers on Instagram. It just depends on you and the quality of your content.
For example, if you are a friendly person and know many people, after making an Instagram page, you show up as a recommended user to people who have your number. So you get to 500 followers on Instagram real quick.
#7 How Much Does It Cost to Buy 500 Instagram Followers?
For less than the price of a Starbucks, you can buy 500 Instagram followers.
These days buying Instagram followers is easy and cheap. According to a Forbes report in 2012, you could get 1,000 followers for £66.45, but now, there are many sites, where you can get as many as 10,000 followers for less than £50!
Even though Instagram’s team keeps monitoring accounts to detect fraudulent activities; in the case of buying Instagram followers, which most of them might be fake accounts, there is a high chance your account gets banned temporarily or even permanently.
Besides, if you want to get noticed by brands, your engagement rate is an important factor, which buying followers can’t guarantee.
Evan Asano, the CEO of influencer marketing agency Mediakix, says:
“It won’t look good if you’re buying followers but they’re not engaging with your content, brands are getting savvier. They’re looking at the engagement rate per post compared to your number of followers.”
#8 How to Get 500 Followers on Instagram in One Day?
Gaining 500 followers on Instagram in one day is challenging but possible.
Post high-quality content, use relevant hashtags, engage with others, collaborate with influencers, run contests, promote your account on other platforms, and utilize Instagram features like Stories and Live Videos. Remember that building a genuine and engaged audience takes time and effort.
Conclusion
How to gain 500 followers on Instagram? There are some ways to do so. Some get you there faster; some take a bit longer.
Here, we tried to share the best Instagram growth hacks that can help you get what you want without any harm!
Also, to let you make the most out of your presence on Instagram, we shared a game-changing Instagram growth app, AiGrow, to get 500 followers on Instagram as fast as possible. Give it a try right now and watch your account’s growth.
