If you’re trying to grow on Instagram in 2025, forget about only chasing followers or using trending music. What truly works now is creating content that people want to share. Let’s break it all down in the simplest way possible, based on a recent video explanation from WS Cube Tech.

Growth is NOT About Luck or Just Trends

Many people believe Instagram growth happens just by using trending sounds or copying viral videos. But that’s not true anymore.

Instagram itself has revealed that its algorithm now works based on engagement and interest, not just popularity or follower count.

What is algorithm and how it works

Engagement is the King – Not Followers

Instagram has made it clear: followers don’t matter as much as engagement.

But what does engagement mean? It’s not just likes or comments. It includes:

• How much time people spend watching your video
  
• If they watch it more than once
  
• If they visit your profile after watching
  
• If they share your content with friends
  
• If they save your post for later
  
• If they send it via DM or WhatsApp
  

Among all these, sharing is the most important. When someone shares your reel or post, it signals to Instagram that your content is valuable. That’s when the algorithm shows your content to more people.

Make Content That People Feel Like Sharing

If people don’t want to share your content, it won’t go far. So your main goal should be: make content people feel like forwarding to others.

Here are some easy ways to do that:

• Share hacks (like “How to make your phone 2x faster – but only if you send this to 3 people!”)
  
• Break content into multiple parts – like Part 1, Part 2, Part 3. It makes people stay longer and return for the next one.
  
• Create useful tips or funny reels that people would enjoy sharing with friends
  

Focus on Interest, Not Just Followers

Even if you have thousands of followers, it doesn’t guarantee that your reels will go viral.

Instagram now works on an interest-based algorithm, which means:

If your content matches what someone is interested in, Instagram will show it to them — even if they don’t follow you.

So, how do you show Instagram what your content is about?

Use:

• Keywords in your captions
  
• Hashtags that describe your topic
  
• Alt text in your posts
  
• Good descriptions and subtitles in your videos
  

This helps Instagram understand your content and show it to the right people.

Use the “Remix” Feature for More Reach

One of the best features you can use right now is Remix. This means you can take a popular reel or video, and add your own twist to it.

Here’s a simple idea:

• A celebrity is talking about their favorite food in a clip
  
• You’re making a recipe video of that same dish
  
• Use their clip as an intro, then show your recipe in the second half
  

This format is powerful because:

• It connects your content to something people already recognize
  
• It feels like a story or reaction
  
• It’s easy to watch and share
  

Instagram loves original + remix content where at least 50% is your own.

Make Your Instagram SEO-Friendly

Instagram Search has become much smarter in 2025. Now, it works like a search engine (just like Google).

If someone types “video editor” or “makeup artist” in the search bar, Instagram will show:

• Profiles
  
• Reels
  
• Posts
  related to those keywords.
  

So, you should:

• Use your niche keywords in your bio
  
• Add them in post captions
  
• Optimize your profile name (e.g., “John | Fitness Coach”)
  
• Include those terms in your alt text
  

The more clear your identity is, the easier it is for people to find you.

Consistency ≠ Daily Posting

Many people think consistency means posting every day. That’s not true.

Consistency means:

Posting regularly — maybe once a week — with content that’s valuable, high-quality, and on-topic for your audience.

It’s better to post one amazing reel a week that gets shared, saved, and watched repeatedly, than to post daily junk that no one cares about.

Reels & Carousel Posts Work Best

Instagram revealed:

• 70% of all engagement comes from reels
  
• But if you’re doing image posts, use carousel posts (multiple images in a single post)
  

Carousels keep users swiping, which increases time spent — and boosts your reach.

So instead of posting a single image, try:

• Step-by-step guides
  
• Before-after transformations
  
• Tips in slides
  
• Storytelling in a visual way

How to use trending music on Instagram

Final Tips to Grow in 2025

• Make shareable content your top priority
  
• Focus on engagement over followers
  
• Use interest-based topics and smart keywords
  
• Try remix videos with trending reels
  
• Make your profile searchable (SEO-friendly)
  
• Be consistent, even if you post once a week
  

Use carousel posts and reels to boost engagement