Social media networks, such as Instagram, allow different people to connect with each other online. One of the common ways to do this is to follow and be followed. I’m sure you’ve seen these terms all over Instagram and wondered what the difference actually is. In this article, we will explain the difference between following and being followed on Instagram.
1. What is Instagram?
Instagram is a popular social media platform that enables its users to share photos and videos publicly or privately with their followers. It also allows users to share other people’s posts and follow interesting accounts. Instagram is an incredibly popular platform amongst teens and celebrities, but it is accessible to everyone.
Features:
- Share photos and videos
- Comment and like posts
- Follow interesting accounts
- Direct Message with friends
- Discover trending topics and explore different accounts
Instagram is easy to use and a great way to keep up with what’s happening. It allows people to document their memories, share stories and connect with their peers, celebrities, and others all over the world. It’s an inspiring and fun platform that has revolutionized the way people communicate with each other.
2. Exploring the Difference between Follow and Following on Instagram
Whether you’re a brand or an individual, it’s important to be aware of the different between follow and following on Instagram. Understanding the distinction between these two actions can help you maximize your presence on the platform.
The first action, follow, is a term used to describe a user selecting to follow another user or brand. This means their content will appear in their own newsfeed and is the only way a profile can build an audience.
On the other hand, following is a term used on Instagram to describe how many accounts someone is following. It does not necessarily mean your posts appear in the other person’s newsfeed, since someone can be following without your posts showing up for them.
- When someone follows you, your posts will appear in their newsfeed unless they’ve chosen to turn this off
- Following is the action of subscribing to a profile, while the follow back is when a person subscribes to your profile after you’ve already done the same.
- Gaining new followers is essential for any account, but it’s not enough to just have them following—it’s important that they actually see your content.
3. Benefits of Following on Instagram
- Make yourself visible
Following businesses, entities and people on Instagram gives you visibility. Where people see your posts, you get maximum visibility with the simplest form of engagement. It also allows people to see what you are posting, thereby making it easier for them to find you, if interested.
- Create content
Following on Instagram is also an outlet to create content. You can have access to the latest updates, interact with followers, and create content that can help you achieve your goals and increase engagement. This content can be anything ranging from photographs and videos to stories, text, customer reviews and products.
- Grow your followers
Finally, growing your followers on Instagram is key to gaining more visibility and engagement. Growing followers can help you reach out to a wider audience, who in turn can potentially be converted into customers. Therefore, by following other accounts, you can effectively increase your followers and gain more likes, comments and shares.
4. Advantages of Being Followed on Instagram
Growing your Instagram follower base has many advantages. Here are a few of the top benefits that can come with gaining more Instagram followers:
- A larger reach: When you have more followers, your content has the potential to be seen by more people. As your followers comment, like, and share your posts, your reach will quickly grow.
- Increased credibility: When you have a good-sized following, this signals to others that you’re credible. Others see that others already trust your brand, so they will be more likely to do the same.
- Personal branding: With a large follower count, you can use Instagram to gain more exposure for your personal brand. People will start to recognize you and your brand.
In addition to reach and credibility, having more followers can also help you increase your engagement on Instagram. If you have more followers, you will get more likes, comments, and shares. That way, you can start conversations, be followed by influencers, and find out what other people are saying about your brand.
Reach out to more people and gain more followers! Building up your Instagram following can be a great asset to your business.
5. Strategies for Building an Engaged Following on Instagram
Here are five key strategies you can use to build an engaged following on Instagram:
- Create Quality Content – Try to create content that is of a high quality as this will make your followers more likely to engage with your posts, and it may also motivate them to interact with and share them with their own followers.
- Engage with Your Audience – Interact with your followers regularly, either by responding to comments, liking posts, or interacting with stories. This will help to create a more personal connection with them.
- Be Consistent – Post regularly and consistently throughout the week to maintain your followers interest.
- Use Relevant Hashtags – Include relevant hashtags in your posts to make them more discoverable by potential new followers.
- Collaborate with Influencers – Reach out to influencers whose audience might be interested in your brand, and collaborate with them to create content that is relevant to both of your brands.
Using these strategies to build an engaged following on Instagram can be a great way to grow your profile and reach a wider audience. However, it is important to remember that it takes time to build up an engaged following, so be patient and consistent with your content.
Be sure to monitor the engagement you get on your posts to get a better understanding of what your followers are interested in, and use this information to create more engaging content for them.
We hope this article has helped make the difference between a Follow and a Following action in Instagram more clear. Understanding the difference is key to using Instagram in an effective way, so make sure to remember these key points. Now you’re ready to get the most out of your Instagram experience.
