The dreaded query of social media entrepreneurs all over the place: “Why am I shedding followers on Instagram?” I spent years within the trenches as a social media editor for media manufacturers and know the each day toil it takes to maintain up with the most recent media traits, platform updates, and extra.
Inevitably, a state of affairs arises the place you might be shedding followers and uncertain of the trigger. Is it me or is the algorithm? The reply is sophisticated. However based on our analysis, you’re not alone. Our Instagram Advertising and marketing Report discovered that 10% of Instagram marketers report shedding followers previously 12 months.
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If you happen to’re part of that 10%, you could be panicking making an attempt to determine what’s inflicting the decline. Don’t fret — I’ve obtained you lined. Under, I’ll cowl the highest the explanation why manufacturers lose followers on Instagram and provide some tips on the way you would possibly course-correct.
Why am I shedding so many followers on Instagram?
1. You’re not posting typically sufficient or posting an excessive amount of.
Once we surveyed Instagram entrepreneurs, 44% mentioned that not posting sufficient is the primary motive why manufacturers lose followers. On the flip facet, 18% mentioned posting an excessive amount of can have the identical influence.
In terms of posting, I’ve discovered success lies within the stability. You’ll wish to put up sufficient to ensure you’re reaching your audience and never disappearing in a sea of posts, however don’t wish to put up an excessive amount of that your viewers is getting flooded along with your posts throughout their timeline.
As you most likely know, it’s extraordinarily unlikely that your viewers even sees every part you put up as of late given the algorithm.
Right here’s What I Suggest
- First, put up no less than as soon as a day on the platform, whether or not it’s on Instagram Tales, Reels, or in-feed. If it’s important to select, Tales is a superb choice simply to remain present with up to date content material.
- Second, share an in-feed put up two to a few occasions every week. You’ll be able to improve this cadence based mostly on how your viewers responds, however you most likely shouldn’t decrease it.
Additionally: Don’t neglect viewers engagement.
For my part, too many manufacturers over deal with how and when they’re posting and too little on how they’re interacting with their viewers. In keeping with our information, it is a essential mistake.
Increasing engagement is now entrepreneurs’ major aim — and I count on this development to proceed in 2025. That features likes, feedback, interactive components, and extra. You’ll be able to (and may) take your distinctive spin on it.
TL;DR: Don’t get so caught up in your whole follower depend that you simply neglect to engage with your loyal audience. That’s what’s going to contribute most to your progress in the long term.
2. You’re being too sales-y.
The second commonest motive for shedding followers is being overly sales-y. 43% of Instagram entrepreneurs mentioned it is a main turnoff for audiences.
Our survey discovered that content material centered round a model’s merchandise/companies is leveraged by 37% of IG entrepreneurs and has the very best ROI — however sure, there’s an excessive amount of of an excellent factor.
If it’s the one sort of content material you put up, you would possibly alienate your viewers.
Right here’s What I Suggest
Steadiness is the key phrase right here.
Along with posts that spotlight your merchandise and/or companies, you must also put up content material that:
- Displays your model values.
- Invitations dialog.
- Builds group.
I do know, as a person, I get pissed off if I open up Instagram whereas I’ve a while to calm down and I really feel like each put up I come throughout is making an attempt to get me to purchase one thing — ick. I’m more likely to interact with a humorous meme or entertaining video.
The info backs this up, too: Our survey revealed that humorous content material is the second simplest for getting followers, shares, and engagement on Instagram.
3. You had bot followers.
If you happen to purchased bot followers, you’ll be in for a impolite awakening once they all disappear and your follower record tanks.
20% of Instagram entrepreneurs surveyed say for this reason manufacturers lose followers.
Whereas it’s tempting to purchase bots to provide the illusion of a powerful follower base, this follow will solely harm you in the long term.
As a substitute, I like to recommend specializing in constructing a follower record organically via a constant posting schedule, sharing worthwhile content material, following traits, and listening to your information.
It doesn’t should take lengthy, both. Most entrepreneurs say it takes 4-6 months to succeed in 1K followers on Instagram. Solely 17% reached that in underneath a month, and simply 1% took over a 12 months.
Right here’s What I Suggest
If you happen to’ve inherited a whole lot of bot followers, attempt manually eradicating inactive accounts to enhance the standard of your viewers and get higher insights out of your information.
Instagram now allows you to have a look at your follower depend and see any accounts which might be flagged for overview or inactive. You can begin with these lists to start out cleansing up your lists.
4. You don’t have a constant aesthetic and voice.
One factor audiences love is consistency.
Consistency in your branding and your inventive belongings is vital in constructing robust model recognition. As well as, consistency additionally helps construct a visually interesting profile.
If a person visits your profile and each put up seems prefer it was created by a unique model, they’ll have a tough time understanding what your model is all about and select to unfollow you.
Personally, if I’m scrolling and I discover a model I don’t acknowledge on my timeline, I’ll go to their profile and if I don’t acknowledge their previous couple of posts, I’ll doubtless unfollow them. I think about many customers behave the identical means.
Right here’s What I Suggest
With this in thoughts:
- Determine what your brand identity and visible aesthetic are early on in your branding course of.
- Leverage instruments like Canva to construct a visible profile that stays constant throughout all platforms.
The Skimm, an e-mail e-newsletter model that sums up the most important information of the day, is a superb instance of this. Their branding is clear and constant out of your inbox to your Instagram feed. And this consistency makes it simple to face out from different information accounts I observe.
5. Your viewers has developed and also you’re not maintaining.
It might be really easy to market to our audiences if their pursuits and behaviors at all times stayed the identical.
Sadly, that isn’t the case.
This requires entrepreneurs to remain on high of what attracts and retains their audiences. Probably the most efficient methods to do that is by relying in your information. What’s it telling you?
Say you’re HubSpot and our feed consists of buyer success tales, product highlights, firm values, and trade traits.
Maybe content material surrounding trade traits used to carry out very effectively however you’ve observed a gradual decline over the previous six months. Maybe your viewers will not be as on this content material or the format through which it’s being introduced.
Perhaps when you used to leverage photos, you must contemplate switching to video.
The largest giveaway to me is utilizing outdated techniques. If you happen to’re caught posting hashtag spam or posting giveaways to spice up follower accounts, I’d advocate making an attempt a few of these new greatest practices. Audiences evolve quick — and the platforms evolve even quicker — and it’s our job as social media entrepreneurs to maintain up.
Right here’s What I Suggest
If you happen to’re on the lookout for some assist in evolving along with your viewers, take a look at our free Instagram for Business Kit. You will learn to get followers, construct your viewers, navigate algorithm updates, and measure success.
Use This Knowledge to Information Your Instagram Technique
My largest takeaway from this information and from my years as a social editor? It’s good to give your viewers a motive to observe you. It’s not sufficient to only present up and have a presence on Instagram.
It’s good to have an outlined model, a singular voice, and it’s worthwhile to present up authentically (and constantly!) to construct significant relationships along with your viewers. That’s what your followers care about and, maybe not surprisingly, the algorithm favors too.
Lastly, at all times use information to steer your technique. If you happen to don’t, you threat shedding contact along with your viewers and slowly seeing your follower record lower.
Dropping Instagram followers generally is a scary actuality to face. Nonetheless, when you determine the explanation behind the decline, you’ll be able to tackle it and regain them.
Editor’s observe: This put up was initially printed in February 2022 and has been up to date for comprehensiveness.
