Home 💡Strategy & Best Practices

💡Strategy & Best Practices

Actionable tips, smart targeting strategies, and expert insights to help you get the most out of Kicksta.
Luka
By Luka
• 6 articles

Best practices for choosing the right targets

Selecting the right targets is one of the most important parts of your growth journey with Kicksta. While we’ve already covered how to set up your targets, this guide will walk you through the best practices to make sure you’re making smart, strategic decisions that align with your audience. ✅ Match targets to your audience This might sound obvious, but it’s worth repeating: your targets should be followed by the kind of people you want following you. For example: - If you’re a local coffee shop in Austin, you don’t want to target international fashion influencers. - If you’re a fitness coach, targeting gaming accounts probably won’t get you meaningful results. I think you got the idea! 📏 Consider the target size The size of your targets plays a big role in how effective they are — and how often you’ll need to update them. Here’s what to keep in mind: - Too Small (<20k followers/posts): These will be used up quickly by the system, meaning you’ll need to replace them frequently — sometimes daily. Not ideal for long-term automation. - Too Large (>250k followers/posts): These targets take longer to analyze and often contain a higher percentage of bot or inactive followers. This can lead to low-quality growth and fewer meaningful engagements. 🎯 Pro tip: Look for accounts or hashtags with between 20k and 250k followers or posts. 🚫 Avoid private or verified accounts Kicksta cannot access the followers of: - Private accounts - Verified accounts (blue checkmarks) If you add them to your targeting list, the system won’t be able to engage with their audience at all. Always make sure your targets are public and unverified. 💡 Use proven target types While you can always get creative with your targeting, here are the 4 most effective types we recommend: 1. Direct Competitors People following your competitors are likely already interested in what you offer. Targeting them increases your chances of a followback — especially if your content is engaging or your offer is better. 1. Complementary Brands These are businesses that share your audience without directly competing. For example, a hair stylist could target local nail salons or beauty boutiques. 1. Influencers & Bloggers Accounts with influence in your niche often have loyal, engaged audiences. Find influencers aligned with your values and brand style. 1. Localized Hashtags General hashtags cast too wide a net. Instead, use location-based ones or language-based ones to attract a specific, relevant audience. 🔁 Quick Recap Bonus tip: If you need help finding the right targets, you can check out our Targeting Suggestions feature for automated recommendations based on your niche!

Last updated on Apr 07, 2025

How privacy settings impact growth with Kicksta

One of the most critical steps you can take when growing your Instagram with Kicksta is ensuring your profile is publicly visible. Going from private to public can significantly boost your engagement and allow Kicksta to deliver the best possible results. Here is how your account privacy settings and the difference between growth methods will affect the performance of your growth with Kicksta: 1. Targeted Growth - Kicksta automates your interaction by following and later unfollowing Instagram users based on the selected targets or hashtags. That’s why it’s important that your account is set to public, as you will follow and unfollow a lot of profiles. Additionally, people will discover you through the Explore page as your profile gets picked up by the Instagram algorithm and gets shown to more and more people. 2. On-demand followers - Go-to option for those who need results immediately. This is a great way to instantly and without any effort put some credibility to your name and your account. Keep in mind that you can not purchase followers if your account is set as private, so make sure your profile is public before you decide to make a purchase. Switching to a Public Account Whether you’re using the Instagram mobile app or accessing your settings via a web browser, the steps are similar. Let’s focus on the mobile app process, as that’s how most people manage their accounts: 1. Open the Instagram App Launch the Instagram app on your device and log in if necessary. 2. Go to Your Profile Tap the profile icon in the bottom-right corner of the screen to head to your personal page. 3. Access Settings Tap the three horizontal lines. A menu will appear; choose Settings and privacy (or simply Settings, depending on your app version). 4. Privacy Settings Within the Settings and privacy menu, look for Privacy or Account Privacy. 5. Disable Private Account If your account is currently private, you’ll see a toggle next to Private account. Switch it off, and confirm you want to move to a public profile. Your content and future posts will now be visible to anyone on Instagram. That’s it! Your Instagram profile is publicly viewable and ready for optimal growth using Kicksta’s advanced targeting and engagement tactics. Public vs. Private Profiles: Key Differences If you’re aiming for growth - particularly with Kicksta, opting for a public profile has clear advantages. - Discoverability 1. ✅Public: Users easily find you through hashtags, the Explore page, and mutual engagements. Increased visibility means faster growth. 2. ☑️Private: Only approved followers can see your content. You’re far less likely to appear in search results or recommended posts. - Engagement Opportunities 1. ✅Public: Anyone can like, comment on, or share your posts. People can freely tag friends or repost your content in their stories. 2. ☑️Private: Your posts are locked away behind a follow request, and prospective followers need permission before they can even see what you’re all about. - Personal Branding 1. ✅Public: You’re opening yourself up for broader brand building. This is ideal for influencers, businesses, or individuals using Kicksta to gain more reach. 2. ☑️Private: Good for personal security and close-knit sharing, bad for large-scale brand development. Business Accounts: Public by Default Did you know? Business Accounts (as well as Creator Accounts) on Instagram are automatically public. Here are the top benefits of having a Business or Creator account: - Built-In Analytics: Business accounts come equipped with insights and analytics that let you measure reach, engagement, and audience demographics. - Professional Features: Business and Creator Accounts enable additional functionalities like setting up shopping features, adding contact buttons, and running promotions or ads. These features can further amplify the effect of Kicksta’s engagement. Credibility and Branding: A business or creator profile signals professionalism, which can establish trust with potential followers. People tend to engage more with accounts that appear authoritative and reputable. Getting the Most Out of Kicksta Switching your Instagram profile from private to public is a simple yet powerful move for anyone serious about leveraging Kicksta for growth. Especially because Kicksta’s targeting technology can effectively put your content in front of users who are most likely to be interested in what you offer - whether it’s products, services, or a unique perspective.  By opening the door to new audiences, you maximize your potential for growth and engagement on Instagram. The process only takes a few taps, and the payoff - a more discoverable, engagement-friendly account, is well worth it. For even more professional tools and insights, consider converting your personal profile to a BusinessAccount. It’s automatically public, meaning you won’t have to worry about toggling privacy settings, and it also provides additional analytics and features to help your Instagram presence thrive.

Last updated on Apr 07, 2025

Organic vs. On-demand followers

In addition to Kicksta’s well-known follow-unfollow method of organic Instagram growth, we’ve introduced On-Demand Followers, an option for those looking to increase their follower count instantly. But which one is right for you? Here’s a breakdown of how both options work, including their benefits! Organic Follow-Unfollow Method Kicksta is known for its organic growth method, which helps users attract real, engaged followers. In a nutshell, this method works by following and later unfollowing Instagram users based on the selected targets. How Kicksta’s Organic Follow-Unfollow Method Works ✅ Step 1: Targeting the Right Audience – The system finds users who are likely to engage with your content based on the selected target accounts or hashtags, of your choice. ✅ Step 2: Following and Unfollowing Users– The system automatically follows a set number of users per day, getting your profile in front of people who might be interested in your content and give you a followback. All users are then unfollowed within the next 2-4 days to keep your follower-to-following ratio balanced regardless of the outcome. ✅ Step 3: Take Full Contol of Your Growth– Use advanced options to fully customize your growth preferences! Whitelist users to keep them in your network, blacklist the ones you wish to avoid in the future, add filters to narrow down your preferred audience and decide which actions Kicksta should take on your behalf. Why Choose This Method? ✔ Authentic Growth – The followers you gain through this method are real people who choose to follow you based on similar interests. ✔ More Meaningful Engagement – Since they’re following you for your content, they’re far more likely to like, comment, and stick around compared to inactive or purchased bot followers. ✔ Instagram-Safe & Natural – Kicksta’s approach follows Instagram’s guidelines mimicking human-like activity and acting just like a real user would. Because this method depends on real people making decisions, growth doesn’t just happen overnight. It takes time to see results, but this method does build a more sustainable, engaged audience over time. If you need a quick boost in followers, Kicksta’s new feature might be the right option for you. On-Demand Followers: For those who want faster results, Kicksta offers an option to buy followers directly. Unlike the organic follow-unfollow method, this feature instantly increases your follower count! How On-Demand Followers Works ✅ Step 1: Choose Your Package – Select from follower packages ranging from 500 to 50,000. ✅ Step 2: Automatic Delivery – Your new followers start arriving almost instantly after the checkout. Why Choose This Method? ✔ Instant Results – No waiting, just a fast increase in follower count. ✔ Boost Credibility – More followers can make your profile appear more established and even more suitable for organic engagement. ✔ No Effort Required – Unlike organic growth, this doesn’t require time or strategy. Disclaimer: These are all active followers who show signs of engagement. However, since you haven't connected with them through standard engagement techniques, and they're not exactly targeted, they won’t necessarily engage with your content like organically gained followers typically would. Which Growth Method Should You Choose? If you’re unsure which approach to take, here’s a simple breakdown: Final Thoughts For brands, influencers, and businesses serious about long-term Instagram growth, the follow-unfollow method remains the best choice, as it helps build a real, engaged audience. However, if you need a quick follower boost to establish credibility, Kicksta’s On-Demand Followers feature provides an easy way to increase your numbers instantly. At the end of the day, both methods serve different purposes, and with Kicksta, you now have the flexibility to choose what works best for your Instagram strategy.

Last updated on Apr 07, 2025

Factors affecting your follower growth with Kicksta

While Kicksta is designed to maximize your reach and attract real, engaged, and organic followers, your final results depend on more than just our growth methods. Your content strategy, niche, and targeting preferences all play a huge role in determining how effectively Kicksta will work for your account. That said, we’ll cover some of the most common factors that can have a huge impact on your growth with Kicksta. 1. Targeting Preferences: Kicksta works by engaging with specific users based on the targets you set. The more precise your targeting, the better the results. - Use relevant hashtags to ensure you’re reaching the right audience. - Choose niche-relevant competitors for Kicksta to target similar audiences. - Update your targeting regularly to refine your strategy. Targeting plays a major role in the success of your growth, and fine-tuning these settings will help you attract followers who are genuinely interested in your content. 2. Quality of Content: Kicksta helps bring real people to your profile, but getting them to follow you depends on what they see. If your content doesn’t catch their interest, they might scroll past without engaging. - Share clear, high-quality photos and videos to make your posts more appealing. - Write captions that spark interest and encourage people to interact. - Experiment with different formats (Reels, carousel posts, and Stories) to boost engagement. The better your content, the more likely the audience Kicksta brings will follow and engage with you. 3. Niche and Audience: Some niches grow faster than others! Growth isn’t the same for everyone since different niches attract different audience behaviors. This ultimately can affect how quickly you gain followers. - Broad niches (fitness, beauty, travel, cooking, etc) attract larger audiences but come with more competition. - Smaller, specific niches (eco-friendly fashion, tech startups, business coaching, etc) may grow slower but attract highly engaged followers. - Trend-based niches (viral challenges pages, meme pages, gaming pages, etc) may grow quickly, but sustaining engagement can be tricky. Kicksta helps target the right audience for your niche, but understanding how your industry behaves on Instagram will help you set realistic expectations. 4. Posting Habits: Kicksta connects you with potential followers, but what you post will determine if they stick around. Here’s how to keep them engaged: - Post at least 3 times per week to stay relevant in their feed. - Use Instagram Stories daily to keep your profile active. - Stick to a consistent theme and brand voice to make your account memorable. The Instagram algorithm favours active accounts, so keeping a steady posting schedule helps maximize the results Kicksta delivers. 5. Account History: Every Profile Grows Differently! Some users see faster results than others, and that’s normal! Your account’s history plays a big role in how quickly you grow. - Newer accounts may take longer to build momentum, as Instagram needs time to analyze engagement patterns. - Older accounts with a strong history of engagement may see results faster. - Accounts with past engagement issues (like shadowbans) might need extra time to regain traction. Kicksta works to improve your visibility, but Instagram’s algorithm considers your account’s activity, consistency, and past engagement when deciding how much exposure you get. In Conclusion: Kicksta is designed to help you gain real, engaged, and organic followers, but your growth results can depend on how well you optimize your content, engagement, and targeting. By combining our automation with great content and consistent engagement, you’ll build an audience that’s not only bigger but also genuinely interested in what you have to offer. If you’re interested in seeing how Kicksta can further support your Instagram growth take a look at our plans to find the best fit for your needs.

Last updated on Apr 07, 2025

Follower Growth: What to Expect

At Kicksta, we understand that one of the most common questions about Instagram growth is, “How many followers can I gain?” While it’s a fair question, we believe transparency is the key to any successful start! Our goal is to help you connect with real people who genuinely care about your content. That said, we focus on natural growth rather than quick fixes. That means we don’t rely on fake followers or bots, as those methods often create more problems than they solve. Instead, Kicksta uses organic strategies to help you grow your audience steadily over time. While this approach takes time, it’s designed to build a solid foundation for lasting engagement and meaningful connections. What Kind of Growth Can You Expect? 🤔 Kicksta offers 3 plans designed to fit different Instagram growth needs: - Kickoff Plan: A great option for those new to Instagram growth or looking to gradually improve their engagement and follower count. This plan includes access to the Growth Pods Network, where users work together to boost post visibility and attract real followers. On average, users can expect to gain 600 to 800 real followers per month, with results starting to show within 7 days. - Growth Plan: Designed for accounts looking for steady and targeted audience growth. This plan combines the Growth Pods Network with Targeted Growth, which uses the follow-unfollow method to connect with accounts that align with your niche. At its core, Targeted Growth helps attract followers who are genuinely interested in your content. With this plan, you can expect monthly growth between 800 and 1,200 real & organic followers. - Advanced Plan: Best for businesses and influencers who want to expand their audience faster while building stronger connections. This plan includes all the features of the Growth Plan, plus automated DMs to help you engage with followers in a more personal way. Expect to gain 1,200 to 1,600 real & organic followers per month, with features designed to strengthen relationships with your audience. Disclaimer: The numbers provided are estimates based on what most Kicksta users typically experience, but growth rates can vary. Factors like your content, niche, and targeting preferences all influence your success with Kicksta. While some accounts may notice changes sooner, others may take longer to build momentum. We’ve said that transparency is the key to a successful start, but we also believe that consistency is the key to real, lasting growth. Remember, results don’t just happen overnight, and Instagram growth isn't one-size-fits-all. Explore our plans to see which one aligns best with your strategy.

Last updated on Apr 07, 2025

How Kicksta works with different Instagram account types

Kicksta helps Instagram users grow their accounts organically by connecting with relevant audiences. However, different types of Instagram accounts can have varying levels of success. This breakdown explains how Kicksta works for different account types and the best ways to leverage its features for optimal results. 1. Private Instagram Accounts Kicksta interacts with Instagram users based on the targeting preferences you select. Since private accounts do not allow non-followers to see their content, Kicksta cannot operate quite effectively on these types of accounts. To take full advantage of Kicksta, consider switching to a public profile. LIMITATIONS - Kicksta cannot engage with other accounts on your behalf if your profile is set to private - Growth services in general are ineffective for private accounts due to Instagram’s visibility restrictions. 2. Public Instagram Accounts Public accounts allow Kicksta to engage with relevant users based on your targeting preferences, making it an ideal setup for organic growth. To maximize results, ensure your profile is optimized with a strong bio, profile picture, and engaging content. Posting consistently, using hashtags, and leveraging geotags will improve discoverability alongside Kicksta’s growth strategy. Learn more about the key factors that influence your growth with Kicksta in our detailed guide here. 🚀 LIMITATIONS - While Kicksta helps drive potential followers and engagement, content quality, and posting frequency are key to converting visitors into followers. - Aggressive changes in activity, such as sudden surges in interactions, may flag Instagram’s algorithm. Stick to natural growth patterns and avoid overperforming on the account while connected to Kicksta. 3.Verified & Business Instagram Accounts Verified and business accounts carry a level of credibility that makes them particularly well-suited for Kicksta’s organic growth strategy. By staying actively engaged—responding to comments, sharing interactive Reels and Stories, and maintaining a consistent posting schedule—these accounts can enhance their reach and audience interaction. Additionally, these accounts have access to extra Instagram tools, such as insights and contact options, which can further refine their targeting strategy and content approach. However, it’s important to note that Instagram tends to push verified and business accounts toward paid promotions, which may gradually impact their organic reach. LIMITATIONS - Instagram may prioritize paid content over organic reach for business accounts, which could affect engagement levels. - Kicksta helps attract potential followers, but high-quality content and consistent interaction are essential for converting them into long-term followers. 4.“New” Instagram Accounts Newly created accounts are highly sensitive to automation. If a new account engages in high volumes of activity too quickly, Instagram may flag, restrict, or even temporarily disable it. To avoid issues, avoid using Kicksta immediately after creating an account. Instead, spend the first few weeks engaging manually, posting high-quality content, and establishing credibility. Once the account has a solid foundation, starting with Kicksta’s "Moderate" settings ensures gradual and natural growth. LIMITATIONS - High levels of automation on new accounts can trigger Instagram’s spam filters. - Slow initial growth due to Instagram’s restrictions on new profiles. Check out how to properly set up your Instagram before using Kicksta in this brief guide! 5. “Old” Instagram Accounts (Not Verified, Not Business) Kicksta performs well on already-established Instagram accounts, especially those with a history of organic engagement. These accounts generally have more trust in Instagram’s algorithm, allowing for smoother organic growth. Ensuring your content strategy aligns with audience interests, maintaining consistent activity, and using Kicksta’s targeting features to engage with niche-specific users can make all the difference! LIMITATIONS - If the account has been inactive for a long period, engagement may take time to regain traction. - Instagram may deprioritize older accounts with no recent activity, so a consistent posting schedule is essential. In Conclusion: - For best results with Kicksta, use a public, aged account with a consistent posting schedule. - Avoid using Kicksta or any automation activity on new accounts to prevent Instagram restrictions. - Engage manually alongside Kicksta’s growth strategy to maintain authenticity.

Last updated on Apr 07, 2025