You have 10,000 followers. Great. But if you only get 50 likes on a photo, your account is considered "dead" by the algorithm.

In 2025, brands do not pay for followers; they pay for Engagement Rate (ER). This is the single most important metric for your growth. Here is how to calculate it and beat the average.

1. The Magic Formula

Stop guessing. Use this simple math to find your score.

(Likes + Comments + Shares) ÷ Total Followers × 100

Example:
You have 1,000 followers.
You get 80 likes and 20 comments.
(100 ÷ 1000) × 100 = 10% ER (This is viral status!)

2. Are you above average?

As you grow, your rate naturally drops. It is harder to get engagement from 100k people than from 100 friends.
Here are the 2025 Industry Standards for India:

Account Size	Average Rate	Viral Rate
Nano (1k - 10k)	2% - 4%	8%+
Micro (10k - 50k)	1.5% - 3%	5%+
Macro (100k+)	0.8% - 1.5%	3%+

3. How to fix a low score

If your rate is below 1%, Instagram stops showing your posts to new people. You are stuck in the "Low Engagement Trap."

Strategy A: The "Purge"

Remove "Ghost Followers" (people who never engage). This lowers your follower count but instantly raises your percentage.

Strategy B: The "Boost"

If you can't remove followers, you must increase likes. Buying likes for your next 5-10 posts trains the algorithm that your content is engaging again.

🧠 The "Carousel" Hack

Carousels (posts with multiple photos) get higher engagement because Instagram shows them twice.
If a user scrolls past the first photo, Instagram shows them the second photo later. Use Carousels to double your chances of getting a like.

Stuck below 1%?

Don't let the algorithm hide you. Boost your engagement rate instantly to get back on the Explore page.

Fix Your Engagement

What is a Good Engagement Rate on Instagram? (2025 Benchmark)