How to Grow Your Brand on Instagram: Tips and Strategies for 2025

Instagram has become one of the most powerful platforms for building and growing brands. With over a billion active users, it’s no surprise that businesses are moving to Instagram to engage with their audience and improve brand awareness. However, standing out in a crowded space takes more than just posting a few photos and hoping for the best. In 2025, brands must have a clear strategy and the right tools to connect with their audience effectively.

In this blog, we’ll explore our most effective tips and strategies to help you grow your brand on Instagram this year, from mastering the platform's features to creating content that resonates with your target audience.

Understand Instagram’s Latest Algorithm Changes

Instagram’s algorithm is always changing, and staying up-to-date with how it works is crucial for success. In 2025, Instagram’s algorithm now prioritises original content over reposted material, meaning that reposting Reels, sharing memes, or using other people's content may not get the same reach as it did before. To stay visible on the platform, focus on creating fresh, original content that reflects your brand’s unique voice.

Alongside this, user engagement is key. Instagram now prioritises content based on how well it engages users—likes, comments, shares, and saves all play a part in how your content is ranked. If your content isn’t generating engagement, it’s less likely to be shown in feeds or on the Explore page. Focus on creating content that invites interaction, such as asking questions in captions, running polls in your stories, or encouraging users to share their opinions.

Create High-Quality Visual Content

Instagram is a visual platform, so the quality of your content matters more than ever. With so many brands vying for attention, it’s essential that your photos, videos, and graphics stand out. Invest time in creating aesthetically pleasing content that reflects your brand’s personality and style.

In 2025, users are expecting high-quality visuals, whether it’s a perfectly composed photo, an eye-catching reel, or a beautifully designed carousel post. Use editing apps and design tools to enhance your images, and don’t be afraid to experiment with different styles until you find what resonates most with your audience.

Leverage Instagram Reels for Maximum Reach

In 2025, Instagram Reels are one of the most effective ways to reach a wider audience and grow your brand. Instagram has been putting more emphasis on Reels, and it’s clear that they generate more organic reach than static posts or even stories. Reels allow you to share short, engaging videos that capture your brand’s essence while entertaining or educating your audience.

To make the most out of Reels, keep them authentic and true to your brand's message. Whether you're showcasing behind-the-scenes content, offering tips, or sharing product demos, make sure the video grabs attention in the first few seconds. You can also use trending sounds to increase visibility and expand your reach.

Use Instagram Stories to Build Strong Connections

Instagram Stories continue to be an effective tool for building connections and keeping your audience engaged. In 2025, Stories are more important than ever because they allow you to connect with your followers in a more personal, behind-the-scenes way.

Use Stories to share timely updates, and promotions, or even share user-generated content (UGC) to make your followers feel more involved in your brand. Stories are also a great way to share polls, quizzes, and question stickers to encourage interaction. This helps build a stronger relationship with your audience and keeps your brand at the top of their minds.

Engage Consistently with Your Audience

Consistency is key to Instagram's success. It’s not just about posting frequently; it’s also about engaging consistently with your audience. Respond to comments, reply to direct messages, and engage with your followers’ content as well. The more you engage, the more likely your followers are to engage with you.

In 2025, brands are expected to create meaningful interactions with their audience, not just broadcast their message. If you want to grow your brand on Instagram, it’s crucial to encourage two-way communication. Building genuine relationships will help you stand out from the competition and build long-term loyalty.

Hashtags: The New Approach in 2025

Hashtags have long been a cornerstone of Instagram marketing, but in 2025, things are shifting. According to recent updates, Instagram is no longer prioritising hashtags in the same way. While hashtags will still categorise your posts and help make them discoverable, they no longer act as the primary method for increasing reach. Instead, Instagram is moving towards a more content-driven approach, where engagement and relevance matter more than the sheer number of hashtags you use.

Instead of focusing on flooding your post with dozens of hashtags, aim for a more strategic approach. Use a smaller, more targeted set of hashtags that are directly related to your content and audience. Instagram’s algorithm now looks for content that users are genuinely interested in, so the key is making your content engaging, timely, and relevant to your followers.

Hashtags will still help your posts reach niche audiences, but they won’t be as important for your post’s visibility as they once were. Focus on quality content, engagement, and using hashtags that match the true interests of your audience.

Analyse Your Insights and Refine Your Strategy

Lastly, to keep growing your brand on Instagram, it’s essential to track and analyse your performance. Instagram provides valuable insights that show how your posts are performing, who’s engaging with them, and what kind of content resonates best with your audience.

Use this data to refine your content strategy and make informed decisions. If certain types of posts are performing well, create more of that content. If your audience is responding better to videos than images, focus more on Reels and video-based content. Regularly checking your analytics will help you stay on track and continue growing your brand.

Build a Strong Brand Presence on Instagram

Instagram remains one of the most powerful platforms for brand growth in 2025. By understanding the algorithm, creating high-quality content, engaging with your audience, and using tools like Reels and Stories, you can expand your reach, build connections, and drive conversions. With the right strategy in place, Instagram can be a game-changer for your brand in the coming year. 

Still need some help with your Instagram strategy? Have a chat with the team at Gather Social for expert outsourced marketing support.