Instagram can be a highly targeted, visual marketing platform for your brand, as well as a way to establish a loyal following that grows with your company.

In reality, over 500 million people use Instagram and IGTV every day, making it one of the most popular social media platforms.

But like any social network out there, there are the right ways to use your Instagram profile, wrong ways to use it, and clever ways to use it.

Let's look at how you can utilize Instagram to boost engagement and build a large following over time—one that's made up of actual people, not inactive fake accounts.

1. Optimize your Instagram account

One of the most important steps is to have your account fully optimized. Setup your bio, proper username or profile image, etc.

2. Use the right Instagram hashtags

Hashtagging your photos makes it easy for people to find your photos that are searching for those specific terms.

3. Schedule Instagram posts in advance

By improving overall engagement and posting at the correct times, you may still increase the visibility of your messages.

4. Avoid fake Instagram followers

Fake Instagram followers are known to deceive new followers, provide no return on investment, and generate little to no buzz.

5. Showcase your Instagram everywhere

Make sure your Instagram account is listed with your website and other social networks. So that people know where to find you

6. Post content followers want

On Instagram, you'll immediately notice that some material performs better than others. This is why testing is crucial.

7. Steal your competitor's followers on Instagram

You can steal your closest competitors' followers by engaging with them.

8. Use geotags on Instagram for local discoverability

Locations, like hashtags, have their own Instagram feed as well as their own Story.

9. Organize your Stories into Highlights

Highlights can be used to extend the duration of Stories, which have a 24-hour lifespan.

10. Use high-quality images

Remember to use a high-quality image whenever you post something on Instagram. It must quickly grab the user's attention.