The dreaded query of social media entrepreneurs in every single place: “Why am I dropping followers on Instagram?” I spent years within the trenches as a social media editor for media manufacturers and know the every day toil it takes to maintain up with the most recent media developments, platform updates, and extra.
Inevitably, a state of affairs arises the place you’re dropping followers and uncertain of the trigger. Is it me or is the algorithm? The reply is difficult. However in accordance with our analysis, you’re not alone. Our Instagram Advertising Report discovered that 10% of Instagram entrepreneurs report dropping followers previously yr.
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If you happen to’re part of that 10%, you might be panicking making an attempt to determine what’s inflicting the decline. Don’t fret — I’ve acquired you coated. Under, I’ll cowl the highest the reason why manufacturers lose followers on Instagram and supply some tips on the way you may course-correct.
Why am I dropping so many followers on Instagram?
1. You’re not posting typically sufficient or posting an excessive amount of.
Once we surveyed Instagram entrepreneurs, 44% stated that not posting sufficient is the primary cause why manufacturers lose followers. On the flip facet, 18% stated posting an excessive amount of can have the identical affect.
With regards to posting, I’ve discovered success lies within the stability. You’ll need to submit sufficient to be sure you’re reaching your target market and never disappearing in a sea of posts, however don’t need to submit an excessive amount of that your viewers is getting flooded along with your posts throughout their timeline.
As you in all probability know, it’s extraordinarily unlikely that your viewers even sees every part you submit as of late given the algorithm.
Right here’s What I Advocate
- First, submit a minimum of as soon as a day on the platform, whether or not it’s on Instagram Tales, Reels, or in-feed. If you need to select, Tales is a good possibility simply to remain present with up to date content material.
- Second, share an in-feed submit two to a few instances per week. You may improve this cadence primarily based on how your viewers responds, however you in all probability shouldn’t decrease it.
Additionally: Don’t neglect viewers engagement.
In my view, too many manufacturers over deal with how and when they’re posting and too little on how they’re interacting with their viewers. Based on our knowledge, it is a essential mistake.
Rising engagement is now entrepreneurs’ major purpose — and I count on this pattern to proceed in 2025. That features likes, feedback, interactive parts, and extra. You may (and may) take your distinctive spin on it.
TL;DR: Don’t get so caught up in your complete follower rely that you simply neglect to have interaction along with your loyal viewers. That’s what’s going to contribute most to your development in the long term.
2. You’re being too sales-y.
The second most typical cause for dropping followers is being overly sales-y. 43% of Instagram entrepreneurs stated 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 best ROI — however sure, there may be an excessive amount of of a great factor.
If it’s the one sort of content material you submit, you may alienate your viewers.
Right here’s What I Advocate
Stability is the key phrase right here.
Along with posts that spotlight your merchandise and/or companies, you also needs to submit content material that:
- Displays your model values.
- Invitations dialog.
- Builds group.
I do know, as a consumer, I get annoyed if I open up Instagram whereas I’ve a while to calm down and I really feel like each submit I come throughout is making an attempt to get me to purchase one thing — ick. I’m more likely to have interaction 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 bought 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 that is why manufacturers lose followers.
Whereas it’s tempting to purchase bots to provide the appearance of a powerful follower base, this apply will solely harm you in the long term.
As an alternative, I like to recommend specializing in constructing a follower record organically by a constant posting schedule, sharing beneficial content material, following developments, and listening to your knowledge.
It doesn’t need to 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 yr.
Right here’s What I Advocate
If you happen to’ve inherited plenty of bot followers, strive manually eradicating inactive accounts to enhance the standard of your viewers and get higher insights out of your knowledge.
Instagram now allows you to take a look at your follower rely and see any accounts which might be flagged for assessment 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 artistic belongings is vital in constructing robust model recognition. As well as, consistency additionally helps construct a visually interesting profile.
If a consumer visits your profile and each submit appears 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 seemingly unfollow them. I think about many customers behave the identical manner.
Right here’s What I Advocate
With this in thoughts:
- Work out what your model id 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 publication model that sums up the largest information of the day, is a good instance of this. Their branding is clear and constant out of your inbox to your Instagram feed. And this consistency makes it straightforward to face out from different information accounts I comply with.
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 all the time stayed the identical.
Sadly, that isn’t the case.
This requires entrepreneurs to remain on prime of what attracts and retains their audiences. One of the efficient methods to do that is by relying in your knowledge. What’s it telling you?
Say you’re HubSpot and our feed consists of buyer success tales, product highlights, firm values, and trade developments.
Maybe content material surrounding trade developments used to carry out very nicely however you’ve seen a gradual decline over the previous six months. Maybe your viewers will not be as on this content material or the format by which it’s being offered.
Perhaps for those who used to leverage photographs, it is best to think about switching to video.
The largest giveaway to me is utilizing outdated ways. 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 finest 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 Advocate
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 Enterprise Package. You may discover ways to get followers, construct your viewers, navigate algorithm updates, and measure success.
Use This Information to Information Your Instagram Technique
My greatest takeaway from this knowledge and from my years as a social editor? You want to give your viewers a cause to comply with you. It’s not sufficient to simply present up and have a presence on Instagram.
You want to have an outlined model, a singular voice, and you must present up authentically (and persistently!) to construct significant relationships along with your viewers. That’s what your followers care about and, maybe not surprisingly, the algorithm favors too.
Lastly, all the time use knowledge to steer your technique. If you happen to don’t, you danger dropping contact along with your viewers and slowly seeing your follower record lower.
Shedding Instagram followers generally is a scary actuality to face. Nonetheless, when you establish the rationale behind the decline, you’ll be able to tackle it and regain them.
Editor’s word: This submit was initially printed in February 2022 and has been up to date for comprehensiveness.
