Instagram remains one of the most popular social media platforms, used by millions of people to connect, share content, and build personal or business profiles. Growing your followers on Instagram can be both rewarding and challenging. However, with Instagram’s strict rules and policies, you must follow specific guidelines to avoid getting banned. This guide will show you how to safely grow your Instagram followers while understanding Instagram’s limitations for 2024.
How Many People Can You Follow on Instagram in 2025?
In 2025, Instagram enforces a strict follow limit. Each user can follow a maximum of 7,500 accounts per profile. This limit ensures that users follow meaningful accounts and avoid spam-like behavior. If you attempt to exceed this cap, you will receive an error message, and your ability to follow more users will be restricted until you unfollow other accounts.
Essential Limits to Keep in Mind for Growing Instagram Followers
Instagram has imposed several daily limits on interactions such as following, liking, commenting, and direct messaging (DM). Following these limits is critical to avoid triggering Instagram’s spam detection systems, which can lead to temporary blocks, shadowbans, or even permanent bans. Let’s break down these limits:
Follow/Unfollow Limits
One of the most common tactics to grow followers is the follow/unfollow method. This involves following several accounts in hopes that they will follow you back, then unfollowing them later. While this is a common strategy, Instagram sets clear limitations to prevent users from abusing it.
- Maximum Follows per Hour: 10
- Maximum Follows per Day: 200
- Maximum Unfollows per Hour: 60
- Maximum Unfollows per Day: 150
For new accounts, the limit is even stricter:
- Maximum Follows/Unfollows per Hour: 30
Exceeding these limits can result in your account being temporarily blocked from performing actions like following or unfollowing others.
Like and Unlike Limits
Engaging with posts by liking content is another safe and effective way to grow your followers. When you like someone’s post, they receive a notification, which might lead them to check out your profile and follow you.
- Maximum Likes per Hour: 120
- Maximum Likes per Day: 300-500
- For New Accounts: 30 likes per hour
Overusing this feature too quickly can result in your account being flagged as spam.
Comment and Direct Message (DM) Limits
Engaging directly with others through comments and DMs helps build a personal connection with users and fosters growth. However, spamming users with generic comments or DMs is against Instagram’s policy. Instead, authentic interactions are essential.
- Maximum Comments per Day: 200
- Maximum Direct Messages per Day: 50-70 (with each DM up to 1000 characters)
Sending the same message to multiple users or commenting on multiple posts without breaks can be flagged as spam. Avoid copying and pasting the same comment or message, as Instagram’s algorithm can detect this behavior.
Combined Action Limits
Instagram also monitors overall account activity, which includes following, liking, commenting, and messaging combined.
- Total Maximum Combined Actions per Day: 500
These limits ensure that users engage organically, preventing abusive behaviors such as excessive following, spamming, or liking.
Penalties for Exceeding Instagram Limits
If you exceed Instagram’s interaction limits, your account can face several penalties. These penalties range from temporary blocks to permanent bans:
Action Blocked
When you exceed the daily limit for activities like following or commenting, Instagram may temporarily block you from performing that specific action. This block may last from a few hours to two days. Instagram usually lifts the block automatically after the specified period.
Shadowban
A shadowban occurs when Instagram hides your posts from appearing on hashtag feeds or the Explore page. This penalty is often triggered when users repeatedly violate Instagram’s policies, including spamming, using banned hashtags, or engaging in fake engagement tactics (like buying likes or followers).
Permanent Ban
A permanent ban is the most severe penalty, leading to a complete shutdown of your account. This can occur if you continuously violate Instagram’s community guidelines or terms of service, or if you engage in malicious activities like buying followers or using unapproved third-party apps. In this case, you will lose access to your account and followers permanently.
How to Avoid Getting Banned on Instagram
Maintaining a healthy Instagram account requires adherence to the platform’s policies. Here are the best practices to avoid getting banned:
Take Breaks Between Actions
Instagram flags accounts that perform too many actions too quickly. To avoid this, take breaks between following, unfollowing, liking, commenting, or sending DMs. Space out your actions over the day instead of performing them all at once.
Regularly Use Your Account
New accounts or accounts that are inactive for long periods may raise red flags when they suddenly engage in a lot of activities. To avoid being marked as spam, use your account consistently by posting, interacting, and engaging with others regularly.
Avoid Using Unapproved Apps and Websites
Many apps and websites claim to boost your Instagram followers. However, these often violate Instagram’s privacy policies and can hack your account or engage in unethical behaviors on your behalf. Stick to official Instagram tools and avoid third-party apps that promise shortcuts.
Safe and Free Methods to Grow Instagram Followers in 2025
Now that you understand the importance of respecting Instagram’s limits, let’s dive into the safe and proven methods for growing your followers organically.
Method 1: Share for Share (S4S)
Share for Share is one of the most effective strategies for gaining new followers. The method involves partnering with accounts that target the same audience as you and promoting each other’s content.
Here’s how it works:
- Find an account with a similar follower count that shares your target audience.
- Direct Message (DM) them to propose a Share for Share agreement.
- Once agreed, both accounts post each other’s content, along with a call-to-action (CTA) to follow the other account.
By exchanging posts, you can expose your content to a new audience. When starting with fewer than 1,000 followers, expect around 5-10 new followers per share. As your account grows to 5,000-10,000 followers, this number can rise to 20-30 followers per share.
Method 2: Follow and Unfollow Strategy
The follow/unfollow strategy is another popular method for gaining followers organically. Although this approach requires patience and care, it can yield good results when done properly.
Here’s how to do it:
- Follow accounts that match your target audience. For example, follow users who engage with similar accounts in your niche.
- Wait for a few weeks before unfollowing users who haven’t followed you back. This gives them time to notice your account and engage with your content.
- Engage with their content by liking and commenting on their posts to increase the chance they will follow you back.
This strategy increases your followers without relying on bots or spammy behavior. Just ensure that you remain within Instagram’s follow and unfollow limits.
Method 3: Engage with Other Accounts
Building relationships with other users on Instagram is key to growing your followers. Regular engagement, such as commenting and liking their posts, helps increase visibility and boosts interactions with your content.
Here are three ways to engage:
- Engage with the people you follow: Like, comment, and DM those you’ve followed to foster connections.
- Engage with followers of your competitors: Find accounts that are followed by your competitors, interact with their posts, and encourage them to follow you.
- Engage with users using relevant hashtags: Search for hashtags related to your niche and engage with posts under those hashtags. This introduces you to new potential followers who are already interested in your type of content.
Method 4: Use Relevant Hashtags
Using the right hashtags is a critical tool for getting your content in front of a larger audience. Hashtags make your posts discoverable to users searching for specific topics, helping you reach potential followers.
To find the best hashtags:
- Look at popular influencers or accounts in your niche and see what hashtags they use.
- Create your own branded hashtags that are short, simple, and easy to remember.
- Use a mix of popular, niche-specific, and branded hashtags to increase your post’s reach.
Final Thoughts: Growing Instagram Followers Safely
Instagram’s limits and policies are designed to promote genuine engagement and prevent spam. By adhering to these guidelines and using safe growth methods like Share for Share, Follow and Unfollow, engagement with other accounts, and proper hashtag usage, you can grow your Instagram followers sustainably.
Remember, growing your Instagram following takes time and patience. Quality content and consistent engagement are key to attracting and retaining followers. By using the tactics outlined in this guide, you can steadily grow your account without risking penalties from Instagram.
Take your time, follow Instagram’s rules, and watch your follower count grow in 2025.
Good luck with your Instagram growth journey, and feel free to share your results!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the maximum number of accounts I can follow on Instagram in 2025?
The maximum number of accounts you can follow on Instagram is 7,500. If you reach this limit, you will need to unfollow accounts to follow new ones.
How many people can I follow per day without getting banned?
You can follow up to 200 accounts per day, with a limit of 10 follows per hour to avoid triggering Instagram’s spam detection.
What happens if I exceed Instagram’s action limits?
Exceeding limits can result in temporary penalties like action blocks, shadowbans, or, in extreme cases, a permanent ban.
How many likes and comments can I make per day on Instagram?
You can like up to 300-500 posts per day and comment on up to 200 posts without exceeding Instagram’s daily limits.
What are safe methods to grow Instagram followers?
Safe methods include using Share for Share (S4S), engaging with other users, following relevant accounts, and using relevant hashtags to attract a targeted audience.
