“The CEO of Instagram REVEALED How to Gain Followers Faster”

Key tips from Adam Mosseri

These tips are based on real practices used by Meta engineers and apply to any creator wanting to increase followers and improve reach.

🤓 I have to admit that thanks to Instagram I've grown a lot as a professional photographer. It’s not just a place to post pretty pictures — it’s been my portfolio, my showroom, my CV, and my most powerful networking tool.

Instagram has allowed me to connect with incredible clients, collaborate with Michelin-starred chefs, and build a solid reputation in the fine dining industry — all by sharing my work with intention and strategy.

It’s funny how many people still think social media is just a distraction, when in reality, if you know how to use it, it becomes a visual sales machine.

For me, Instagram has never been about chasing likes — it’s about building trust, showing expertise, and turning creativity into real opportunities.

🔥 So let’s go, most important points:

• The most important interaction:
  Instagram prioritizes shares above likes, comments, or saves. Shares bring new users to the platform from other apps, increasing reach and virality. Therefore, it is recommended to create content that people want to share, either because it provides valuable information or because it allows users to appropriate the message and project their own image (social signaling theory).

• Importance of the first 3 seconds:
  Capturing attention immediately is crucial. Most users decide in less than a second whether to keep watching a video. It is recommended to use text at the beginning (50% watch videos without sound) and clearly state what the content is about to set expectations and reduce friction.

• Video quality:
  The minimum recommended standard is 1280x720 pixels at 30 fps. Videos with lower quality are automatically penalized by the algorithm. Professional equipment is not necessary; a recent smartphone and good lighting are enough to create viral content.

• Optimal duration for reels:
  The ideal range is between 30 and 90 seconds. However, this can vary depending on trends and audience attention span. It is important to adapt to changes in user behavior and not take recommendations as fixed rules.

• Other highlighted tips:

  • Use subtitles, as many watch videos without sound.

  • Post carousels instead of single photos to increase interaction.

  • Respond to comments to foster community.

  • Take advantage of viral moments and post frequently.

  • Use trends but avoid relying only on banal advice.

  • Expensive cameras are not necessary; Mosseri himself recommends using an iPhone for its good app integration.

  • The Instagram app is better optimized on iOS than on Android.

  😉 Also emphasizes that the algorithm and trends change constantly, so it is key to stay alert and adapt content strategy continuously.

👉🏻 How to Apply Adam Mosseri’s Tips to Grow on Instagram

To apply Adam Mosseri’s advice and grow on Instagram in 2025, focus on several key aspects he highlights as essential to maximize your reach and followers:

1. Prioritize video content, especially Reels:
Mosseri recommends making video content, particularly Reels, the core of your strategy, since the algorithm favors this format to reach new audiences.

2. Post frequently and at strategic times:
It’s advised to post between 3 and 5 times per week, combining Reels, Stories, and classic posts. The best times are usually mornings (8–9 a.m.) and evenings (7–9 p.m.), but you should adapt based on your audience.

3. Encourage authentic interaction:
Reply to comments, encourage direct messages, and create content that invites sharing. The algorithm values real engagement and private shares more than simple likes.

4. Use carousels instead of static images:
Carousels generate more interaction and keep users swiping, which increases watch time and reach.

5. Be authentic and show your personal style:
Mosseri emphasizes that authenticity connects better with audiences and overly polished content can lose closeness. Find a balance between quality and naturalness.

6. Maintain minimum technical quality:
Record videos at least 1280x720 pixels and 30 fps. Use captions to capture those who watch without sound and make sure to hook viewers in the first 3 seconds.

7. Leverage trends but don’t rely solely on them:
Use trends to gain visibility but create original content that adds value and personality.

8. Use Instagram’s analytics tools:
Check Insights to understand what content works best, which times generate more engagement, and adjust your strategy accordingly.

9. Don’t blindly follow generic advice:
Mosseri warns that the algorithm changes constantly, so you must experiment, measure results, and adjust your content and posting frequency based on real data.

10. Build loyalty with Stories:
While Stories don’t attract many new followers, they are key to keeping your existing audience interested and preventing unfollows.

In summary, to grow on Instagram according to our friend Adam Mosseri, create authentic, quality video content; post regularly at optimal times; foster real interactions; use formats like Reels and carousels; and continuously optimize your strategy based on data and audience feedback.

By Diego Arenas