Engaging with others on Instagram is a fantastic way to expand your network and build a brand. However, it's important to be aware of the platform's daily and overall limits on how many accounts you can follow. Staying within these limits is crucial to avoid any penalties from Instagram.
For businesses and influencers, Instagram offers unparalleled opportunities for visibility and engagement. Yet, navigating the platform's rules and limitations can be challenging. Understanding the safest and most effective methods to grow your account can make a significant difference in your success. In the following sections, you'll discover how many people you can follow on Instagram and the best practices for growing your account safely.
Instagram Follow Limits
Daily Limit
Instagram has established follow limits to help prevent spam and ensure a positive user experience. Every user can follow up to 200 accounts in a 24-hour period. This daily cap helps reduce the prevalence of spammy behavior, such as following and then unfollowing large numbers of accounts to artificially boost follower counts. Violating these limits might result in warnings or temporary bans from using certain features.
Preventing Spam and Abuse
Instagram's follow limits assist in preventing bot activity and the abuse of the platform. By setting a daily follow limit, Instagram aims to maintain genuine engagement and discourage the creation of fake accounts. Users attempting to exceed these limits might face penalties, such as action blocks, making it difficult to engage with others.
User Experience and Community Guidelines
These restrictions promote a safer and more enjoyable experience for all users. Abiding by the follow limits can help protect your account from being flagged for spam: keeping engagement authentic and interaction meaningful.
Tips for Brands and Influencers
Brands and influencers should adopt organic growth methods that align with Instagram's guidelines. By doing so, they can safely grow their follower base without risking account penalties. Use hashtags effectively and maintain consistent, relevant content to boost engagement and attract followers.
Instagram Growth Methods (What You Should Do & Avoid)
Follow/Unfollow Method Limits
The follow/unfollow technique involves following numerous accounts and then unfollowing them once they reciprocate. Both brands and individuals use it, hoping to expand their reach. Often, users search for large accounts within their target audience and follow those followers. Services like Growthoid and Social Boost support this practice.
This method can jeopardize your account. Instagram allows following only 200 accounts daily and a maximum of 7,500 accounts in total. This strategy might annoy potential followers or attract bots and fake profiles, which don’t benefit your account.
Instagram Comment & DM Method Limits
Some users try growing their accounts by leaving comments on other posts or sending direct messages (DMs). Hashtags and engaging captions can be used in comments for better resonance. Services like Instafollowers and Simplygram offer purchased comments and DMs.
However, this approach often appears spammy, especially when automated. Impersonal messages or generic comments are unlikely to attract genuine engagement. Authentic interactions are far more effective in building a loyal following.
About the DMs
Instagram limits DMs to 50-70 per day. Sending numerous DMs or copy-pasting the same message repeatedly can result in your account being blocked. Personalized and thoughtful messages are crucial for avoiding these risks.
About the comments
Commenting on other posts is limited to 200 times a day. Rapid commenting may trigger Instagram’s spam detection, potentially blocking your account. Avoiding excessive commenting and focusing on genuine interactions will safeguard your account and improve engagement quality.
Liking Method
The liking technique involves liking photos from other accounts, enticing users to visit your profile. This approach is subtler and less intrusive compared to following or DM-ing. It’s recognized for being reliable and effective.
Kicksta, for example, uses this method for their clients. Targeting your ideal audience without exceeding Instagram’s like limit keeps the activity organic and reduces the risk of being flagged. This strategy is among the safest and most impactful ways to grow your Instagram following.
