Instagram is the most effective social media platform to grow your brand; however, losing followers on Instagram is a common concern for many people. If you have ever wondered, “Why am I losing followers on Instagram?” you are in the same boat as many others.
Imagine building your Instagram account and then watching your follower count dwindle. We understand this struggle and frustration. Retaining your followers can be tricky, even with a strong Instagram following.
Many factors can cause you to lose followers, and this article will help you understand and overcome them. So, let’s delve into the reasons and discover practical ways to retain your Instagram followers.
Why am I losing my Instagram followers?
Following are some of the common mistakes you might have made for your Instagram account:
1. Bought followers on Instagram
Buying fake followers is no longer a secret strategy to help you boost your Instagram following. The social media platform has been cutting down against bot accounts since it is more smart than ever. Its strict policy against fake accounts has led to the banning of many accounts.
Many legitimate social media management services help them grow organically on the platform. Buying fake followers would also lead to a lack of engagement, making reaching real organic followers impossible.
Moreover, buying fake followers from untrustworthy sources can compromise your data privacy and reduce engagement rates.
2. Follow-for-follow strategy with other pages
An old but reliable technique for attracting more Instagram followers remains popular among Instagram users. This strategy works by following Instagram accounts in bulk to get followers.
Despite that, why am I still losing followers on Instagram.? So here’s the twist: Users adopt a savvy tactic of tapping the unfollow button once the other person has followed them back.
It’s a massive turnoff when you discover that all your followers no longer follow you. Not to mention, the sole purpose of social media is to connect with people.
3. Inconsistent posting schedule
The answer to “Why am I losing Instagram followers?” may also lie in an inconsistent posting schedule. If you post irregularly when your followers aren’t active, it becomes difficult for them to engage later as your posts don’t appear in their feeds.
Posting frequently on Instagram is one of the best ways to maintain your following. The content on Instagram ages quickly because of its fast-paced algorithm. Therefore, Maintaining a content posting schedule will help you stay on top of your audience, build trust and loyalty with your existing followers, and grow your online presence.
The motivations driving Instagram unfollowing
So, what exactly is causing the decline of my Instagram followers? Nevertheless, there could be many factors that are driving Instagram’s unfollowing.
The following are some of the most expected reasons why you are losing followers:
1. Low-quality content
Quality is what matters the most when it comes to standing out on Instagram. Even when prioritizing posting schedules and strategies, you might lose followers due to low-quality content.
Think about the reason why you follow other influencers and pages. What content do they offer that makes you want to see more? This can help you create high-quality content yourself.
Ensure your posts’ visuals are appealing and have high-quality graphics. Most of all, post content that provides value to your followers with helpful insights so they are reluctant to share and save your posts.
2. Posting too much promotional content
If you are losing followers on Instagram, one of the primary reasons could be posting too many promotional posts. The constant barrage of paid promotions on Instagram has turned off many users looking for authentic content rather than paid promotions.
However, as long as you keep your feed original and engaging, your followers won’t be bothered by occasional paid posts.
If your whole content is centred around promotional campaigns, then there are higher chances of losing followers on Instagram because users may look elsewhere for valuable content.
3. No user engagement strategy
Instagrammers like to keep up with influencers who are responsive and easily approachable. Whether you are a content creator or run a business, you should be quick to respond to users so they connect with you on a personal level. In addition, use creative call-to-action or prompts that invite users to engage with your content.
Simple and inviting CTAs like “read the caption” or “let us know what you think” are effective ways to start conversations with your audience and form a bond with your followers.
How do I retain my Instagram followers?
Now that you know the motives that drive Instagram followers, it’s essential to understand how to retain your Instagram followers. Let’s look at some of the most common practices to retain your Instagram followers.
1. Provide value, entertainment, or education
Instagram is a platform where users seek any value be it entertainment or education. That said, if you are not providing any value to users, you will constantly lose followers on Instagram.
To simplify it, you must find a way to solve problems for your followers. Provide them with advice or instructional Reels. For example, if your account is based on providing health advice, you should give something that users find valuable.
2. Share Instagram Stories frequently
Instagram stories are a great way to engage with your followers. They are used to ramp up engagements through interactivity effectively. Nonetheless, creating a behind-the-scenes Instagram story takes less effort and time while showing the human side to your followers.
Use Instagram stories to poll questions, emoji slider stickers, countdowns, quizzes, music, and other tools to encourage meaningful interactions with your followers.
3. Post more Reels
Instagram Reels is a popular feature that lets Instagrammers create and share interactive 90-second short videos with their followers. Users can add music, text, effects, and filters to make them engaging and entertaining.
In the bigger picture, Instagram gives Reels twice as much engagement as regular posts, making it an essential tool for reaching a larger audience.
4. Post suitable captions and hashtags
If you are not adding entertaining and engaging captions to your picture, you may miss out on losing Instagram followers. Writing a captivating quote that portrays the background of your post is everything when it comes to Instagram captions.
Most of all, using strategic hashtags is essential to reaching your target audience. For instance, if you are an Instagram food blogger, you should use hashtags related to a particular niche.
5. Set consistent quality guidelines for Instagram posts
Compromising your post quality can be a significant reason you lose followers on Instagram. Consistent with your posts’ topics and aesthetic quality is vital for maintaining your followers.
Creating well-edited and high-quality Instagram posts is essential to compete with other creators. You can use editing tools such as Canva, Snapseed, and Filmora to improve your posts and make them more appealing.
6. Leverage an Instagram management tool
With a social media management tool like SocialBu, you can elevate your Instagramming level by monitoring your follower’s growth, organizing your posts, sourcing content, and responding quickly.
Conclusion
If you’ve been wondering about losing followers on Instagram, this article answered everything you need to know. You can regain and skyrocket your existing follower base by recognizing the importance of frequent posting, engaging with your audience, and using Instagram management tools.
Additionally, schedule your posts in advance and share them at the best times to boost your engagements and regain your Instagram followers.
FAQs
Why am I suddenly losing all my followers on Instagram?
If you suddenly lose followers on Instagram, one of the common reasons could be an Instagram glitch. Many creator and business accounts are seeing massive decreases in followers, mainly because of fake followers. It could also be a clean-up Instagram where they remove the bot accounts.
Why are you losing Instagram followers, and how do you fix it?
Losing Followers on Instagram could be due to many factors, such as posting inconsistently, poor quality posts, and not using the right hashtags.
Why are my Instagram followers decreasing automatically in 2023?
One of the reasons your Instagram followers are decreasing is because it might have been shadowbanned. This happens when other users on Instagram report your account or posts to Instagram. To avoid this, ensure you don’t post any political views or hate against any community on Instagram.
How to boost Instagram followers?
- Post entertaining and educational posts.
- Provide value to your users.
- Use a content-scheduling calendar.
- Engage with your Instagram followers.
- Avoid buying fake followers.
- Post more Reels.
- Optimize your bio and captions.
- Use the right hashtags.
- Use high-quality images.
- Cross-promote your content on other platforms.
