Who you follow and who follows you can really affect your Instagram experience. The terms “following” and “followers” are always used on social media platforms. But what do they mean? 

When discussing following vs followers, it’s vital to understand the differences. Whether you use social media to share updates or to boost your brand, both terms are vital. Do you want to explore the terms in more detail? Let’s get into it!

What Does ‘Followed’ Mean on Instagram? 

So, what does “followed” mean on Instagram and other social media platforms? When someone follows you, it means that they want to see your content. From Reels to Stories, photos, and more, they want to see your account. 

When someone hits that follow button on your Instagram account, they’re basically subscribing to your page. You might really appeal to their interests, and your content might cater to the niche they’re looking for. 

Plus, when you follow someone you like, it helps you tailor your homepage to show content that interests you. Or, someone might be a friend, a family member, or have mutual followers.

Keep in mind that you can have a public or a private account. With a public one, anyone has the option to follow your account and see your content. However, you get the choice to decline if your account is private. A lot of Instagram influencers have their accounts set to public to increase the potential for more followers!

What Does ‘Following’ Mean on Instagram? 

We’ve explored what “followed” means, but what does “following” mean on Instagram? Well, the “following” action actually gives you a lot more control. As a user, you have the option to follow or request to follow anyone. Maybe you saw their post on the Explore page, and you want to see what else they put on their account regularly. 

Or perhaps their content interests you, and you want to create a feed you’ll enjoy. According to Statista, Instagram users spend an average of 12 hours a month on the app. So, seeing the content you actually like is crucial! 

When you follow someone, you’re able to see their posts, their Stories, their Reels, and more. Furthermore, you also have the option to interact with them. You might want to like or react to their story. Or, you might want to comment on one of their posts. You can also send them a direct message and get in touch with them that way. 

However, you’ll need to request to follow someone if they have a private account! So, just send them a request, and hopefully, they’ll accept!

Following vs Followers: What Are the Different Types?  

Now that we’ve established the followers vs following on Instagram matter, it’s time to explore the different kinds of followers and “following.”

There are several kinds of followers you can come across on Instagram. Here are some examples:

• Active followers: These are active users who are engaging and interacting with your content. They like your posts, leave comments, or take part in your polls. 
• Passive followers: These users follow you, but you wouldn’t really know it. They don’t tend to engage with you or interact with any kind of content you produce. 
• Bot or fake followers: These aren’t real people using Instagram accounts. They won’t boost your engagement rate or improve any conversion rates. 

There are a few different kinds of “following” to be aware of. Here are some examples:

• One-way following: These are the users who you follow without them following you back. If you follow any celebrities, this might be the case! 
• Mutual follower and following: You follow these accounts, and they follow you back. You can both engage and interact with each other’s content on the app. 
• Selective following: You might only follow a small number of accounts, but you’re selective in your choices. 
• Mass following: You might decide to follow a large number of users at one time. You might base this on your interests or the kind of content you want to see. This is a very common thing for new users to do, as it gets them started with their accounts.

What’s the Difference Between Followers and Following? 

If you’re wondering, “What’s the difference between followers and following?” we have some ideas! The main difference is that your followers can see all of your posts. On the other hand, you can see the same for the people you’re following. It’s not necessarily a mutual interaction, as you both need to follow each other to see the other one’s content. 

Here are some main differences between Instagram followers vs following:

1. Social Proof

Have you ever come across an account with lots of followers and wanted to follow them, too? That’s social proof for you! The more followers an account has, the more trustworthy it seems. It gives the impression that other people are enjoying their content and follow them to see more of it. A large follower count encourages more people to follow. 

On the other hand, it gives off the opposite impression if an account follows more people than it has followers. A lot of influencers and content creators aim to avoid following too many people for this reason. It’s a lot more evident for smaller influencers, as they might not have a huge following at first. 

2. Impact on Engagement and Experience 

If you have followers who are engaging with your posts, the Instagram algorithm will favor them. Then, you have a higher chance of getting onto the Explore page. As a result, your online visibility will increase as you get more organic followers. The more followers you have, the more chances you have of them liking, saving, and commenting on your posts. 

Alternatively, you can follow people and tailor your Instagram experience to something you enjoy. For example, if an account posts travel content and you’re interested in that, you’ll enjoy seeing it as you scroll. You can also interact with other accounts by commenting on their posts or liking their stories. 

3. The Purpose 

When it comes to Instagram followers vs following, the purpose varies. If you’re trying to make it as a content creator, you’ll want more followers. Then, you can create your own community and build trust with your audience. The difference between followers and following is that following specific accounts yourself won’t necessarily add to your success. 

The purpose of following specific accounts is to create an Instagram experience you can enjoy. You probably wouldn’t enjoy using the app as much if you weren’t seeing any content you like. You have a lot more control over who you follow than who follows you. You can decide to follow certain accounts whose content interests you. 

4. Financial Gain  

Using Instagram to make money is super common these days. The higher your follower number is, the more potential there is for success! Brands will use your platform to help raise awareness about their product. 

On the other hand, if you follow certain accounts, you might open up the door to collaborations in the future. It works well for broadening your circle, and you might even be a part of an engagement group. This can set you on a good path toward making money in the future. Plus, it might help to increase your online visibility and presence in the future if any partnerships come up. However, if the account doesn’t follow you back, this isn’t guaranteed. 

Overall, there are many differences between the followers and following meanings on Instagram. They both play a large role in user experience; however, individual users have more control over the ”following” list. Keep in mind that having a good ratio is your key to success on the app. Create a significant balance between followers and following, as this will make you seem more credible.

Do You Want To Increase Your Follower Count? snsflow.com Can Help! 

Want to create a healthy ratio between following vs followers? If you’re lacking in the followers department, snsflow.com can help! We understand the importance of a substantial number of followers. That’s why we work hard to increase your followers, views, and likes quickly. Boost your engagement rates and increase your network of followers today!