How to Get Followers on Instagram Threads

Growing a following on Instagram Threads isn't about perfectly curated photos or elaborate videos, it's about mastering the art of conversation. Gaining traction on this text-first platform requires a different playbook focused on witty remarks, timely replies, and genuine community engagement. This guide will walk you through actionable strategies to optimize your profile, create content that connects, and turn casual viewers into loyal followers.

Optimize Your Threads Profile for Discovery

Your profile is your digital handshake on Threads. It’s what people see when they’re deciding whether to follow you. A weak or incomplete profile can instantly turn potential followers away. Let's make sure yours is doing the heavy lifting.

1. Sync with Instagram, but Add a Twist

Threads gives you the option to import your bio and profile picture directly from Instagram. This is a great starting point, especially for brand consistency. Your followers from Instagram will instantly recognize you. However, don't just copy and paste. The vibe on Threads is more relaxed and conversational. Consider tweaking your bio to reflect this.

• Keep Your Handle Consistent: Using the same handle as your Instagram is non-negotiable for brand recognition.
• Adjust Your Bio: If your Instagram bio is formal or filled with business-speak, lighten it up for Threads. For example, instead of "Leading provider of sustainable home goods," you might try "Talking about cool ways to make your home greener. I also post too many pictures of my dog." It's more personal and encourages conversation.
• Use a High-Quality Profile Picture: Whether it’s your face or your brand's logo, it should be clear and easily recognizable, even as a tiny circle in the feed. This builds trust and recall.

2. Make Your Link Count

You only get one clickable link in your Threads bio, so make it work for you. Don't just link to your homepage. Instead, use a "link-in-bio" tool like Linktree or Koji to create a landing page that directs followers to multiple important places: your newest blog post, your newsletter signup, your e-commerce shop, or your YouTube channel. This transforms your single link into a gateway for your entire online presence.

3. Set Your Profile to Public

This might seem obvious, but it's a common oversight. To grow a following, people need to be able to see your content without having to request access. If your profile is set to private, your reach is limited to those who already follow you, making significant growth almost impossible. Double-check your privacy settings and make sure your profile is public for anyone to see and engage with.

Embrace the Art of Text-First Content

Threads is fundamentally a conversational platform. While you can post photos and videos, the content that performs best is often just simple, well-written text. The polished perfection of the Instagram grid doesn't belong here. People want authenticity, humor, and relatable thoughts.

1. Post Your Raw Thoughts and Observations

Think of Threads as your public journal or your thought bubble. The mundane can be incredibly relatable. Did you just have a funny interaction at the grocery store? Did you have a sudden realization about your industry? Post it. These short, authentic snippets often get the most engagement because they feel real.

Example: Instead of a formal announcement, an author might post, "Staring at a blank page. The cursor is mocking me. What do you do to break writer's block?"

2. Ask Open-Ended Questions

The easiest way to start a conversation is to ask a question. But don't just ask anything. Ask questions that are easy to answer and invite opinions, not just a "yes" or "no." This strategy works because it explicitly tells people you want to hear from them, making them more likely to reply.

• Avoid: "Do you like coffee?" (Gets yes/no answers)
• Try: "What's the one coffee order you'd never try?" (Invites stories and opinions)

3. Use Polls to Drive Effortless Engagement

Polls are a low-friction way to get people to interact with your content. They only require a single tap, making it easy for even casual scrollers to participate. Use polls to settle funny debates, gather feedback on a product idea, or simply gauge community opinion on a hot topic. They're fun, quick, and a fantastic way to boost your engagement metrics.

Example: A recipe creator could ask, "For the perfect cookie: Chewy center or crispy edge?"

Become a Master of Conversation

On Threads, growth isn't just about what you post, it's equally about how you interact with others. The algorithm favors accounts that are active participants in the community. You have to give engagement to get engagement.

1. Reply with Substance

Dropping a "This is great!" or a fire emoji on someone else's thread is fine, but it won’t get you noticed. To stand out and attract followers, your replies need to add value to the conversation. A thoughtful reply is an opportunity to showcase your personality or expertise without having to create a new post from scratch.

• Ask a follow-up question: "That's a fascinating point. How do you see that playing out over the next year?"
• Share a personal anecdote: "This reminds me of a time when I... It completely changed my perspective."
• Disagree respectfully: "I see where you're coming from, but I've found that A/B testing shows the opposite is often true. Have you tried...?"

When you leave insightful replies on popular threads from larger accounts, you expose your profile to their entire audience. It’s one of the fastest organic growth hacks on the platform.

2. Quote Threads to Start New Conversations

The "Quote" feature is your best friend for building on existing conversations. When you quote a thread, you're essentially re-sharing it with your own commentary layered on top. This is great for adding your two cents to a trending topic or offering a counterpoint to a popular opinion. It credits the original poster while allowing you to start a fresh discussion with your followers.

3. Tag Other Accounts Thoughtfully

Tagging other users (@-mentioning) can be a powerful way to bring relevant people into a conversation and get on their radar. However, this tactic needs to be used with care. Only tag people when it’s genuinely relevant.

• Good Tag: "Just finished this book and my mind is blown. The section on cognitive bias was so well-written, @[author's handle]."
• Bad Tag: Randomly tagging a celebrity or major brand in an unrelated post in a desperate attempt to get noticed. (Don't do this, it's seen as spam).

Cross-Promote with Your Instagram Audience

Your existing Instagram audience is your lowest-hanging fruit. These people already know and like your content. You just need to make it incredibly easy for them to find and follow you on Threads.

1. Share Your Best Threads to Instagram Stories

This is the most effective cross-promotion tool in your arsenal. When you post a Thread you're proud of, tap the paper airplane icon and select "Add to story." Instagram automatically generates a beautifully formatted sticker of your thread that links directly back to the original post. It’s an effortless way to give your Instagram followers a taste of your Threads content and a one-tap CTA to check you out.

2. Add Your Threads Link to Your Instagram Bio

While Instagram automatically adds a Threads badge to your profile, make it even more prominent. Mention your Threads handle directly in your Instagram bio with a call to action, like "Follow me on Threads for daily marketing tips & bad jokes."

3. Announce it with an Instagram Post or Reel

Don’t assume everyone has seen the little Threads icon on your profile. Create a dedicated post or Reel on your Instagram feed announcing that you're active on Threads and explaining what kind of content people can expect from you there. This serves as a formal invitation and gives you space to sell the value of following you on a second platform.

Stay Consistent to Fuel the Algorithm

The Threads algorithm is designed to surface fresh, engaging content. Sporadic posting will kill your momentum. You need to show up consistently to stay top-of-mind and signal to the algorithm that you're an active, valuable member of the community.

1. Post Multiple Times Per Day

This sounds daunting, but it’s not the same commitment as creating Instagram content. A thread can be a single sentence. Because the content is so low-lift, the posting frequency is much higher. Aim for anywhere between 3-10 threads a day. Mix it up between original posts, replies, quotes, and polls. The goal is to be consistently present in the feed.

2. Separate Content Creation from Engagement

To avoid getting sucked into a scrolling vortex, try time-blocking. Spend one block of time writing a handful of threads to post throughout the day. Then, set aside a separate block of time (maybe 15-20 minutes) specifically for replying to others and engaging with your community. This helps you maintain a consistent presence without letting the app derail your entire day.

Final Thoughts

Gaining followers on Threads comes down to joining the conversation, not just shouting into the void. Master the art of the witty one-liner, respond with thoughtful insights, and consistently show up with authentic content that connects with people. By treating it less like a broadcast channel and more like a massive, ongoing discussion, you'll attract an engaged audience that wants to hear what you have to say.

Staying on top of a multi-platform content strategy can feel like a full-time job. Posting consistently on Threads while also managing Reels, Stories, and other platforms is tough to do manually. As we built our own brands, we realized we needed a tool that was designed for today's social reality. That’s why we created Postbase, a social media management platform that makes it simple to plan your content in a visual calendar, schedule posts across all your profiles (including Threads), and stay on top of the conversation.