Not every Instagram account works the same when it comes to growth. Some are ready to go from day one. Others need a little prep before you’ll start seeing results. This guide walks you through what to expect depending on your account type (and what you can do to make the most of Flock).

Private Accounts

If your profile is private, most of Flock’s features won’t work.

Why? Because people can’t preview your profile. That means fewer followers, fewer interactions, and pretty much fewer growth opportunities. Flock Social can’t engage with users on your behalf if your account is hidden behind a follow request.

Heads up: This isn’t just a Flock thing. Growth tools across the board struggle with private accounts because of how Instagram works.

If you’re serious about growing, switching to public is step one.

Public Accounts

This is the setup that works best with our system. Public accounts let us interact on your behalf — following users, viewing stories, sending welcome DMs, and more.

Want to get more from it? Make sure your profile looks the part. Clean bio, a recognizable profile picture, and recent content go a long way. Hashtags, geotags, and regular posting help too.

Note: Flock Social gets people to your page. It’s your content that turns them into followers. Don’t overdo it with drastic changes either, but make sure your activity looks natural.

Business and Verified Accounts

These accounts usually perform well with Flock Social, especially if you’re staying active. Posting Stories, jumping into comments, and using your insights help keep momentum going.

That said, Instagram tends to push verified and business profiles toward paid promotions. So organic reach might feel a bit slower unless you’re consistent with your content and engagement.

Use the tools you’ve got, like analytics and contact buttons, and let Flock Social bring the traffic.

New Accounts

If your account is fresh, take it slow.

Instagram watches new profiles closely, and going full speed with automation too soon can get you flagged. Start with manual activity for the first few weeks, follow some accounts, post regularly, reply to comments, and show up like a real user.

Once your account feels established, turn on Flock Social at a moderate pace. That way, your growth stays safe and sustainable.

Older, Personal Accounts (Not Business or Verified)

If you’ve had your account for a while and posted fairly consistently, you’re in a great spot. Our system usually works well with accounts like this, especially if you’ve built up some history and trust with the algorithm.

If you’ve been inactive for a bit, don’t stress. It may take a few weeks to pick up speed again. Start posting regularly, clean up your Targets, and use Flock Social to tap into your niche audience again.

Final thoughts

Public accounts grow better. Older profiles with consistent activity have an edge. New accounts need time to warm up.

Flock helps bring the right people your way, but your content and setup still matter. Keep things active, stay intentional, and let the system do the rest.