Getting Started

How to set up your first Instagram Account

Starting with Upleap doesn’t take much. If you’ve got a few minutes and your login info, you’re good to go. Just follow these steps and let the system take it from there. 1. Connect your Instagram account First things first—you need to connect your Instagram so we can start doing our thing. Look for the banner at the top of your dashboard. It’s red. You can’t miss it. Hit the Connect Account button, and a login window will pop up. Enter your Instagram details like you normally would. If Instagram asks whether it was really you logging in, go ahead and confirm it in the app by clicking "This was me". That’s because Upleap uses secure servers located in Europe, and sometimes that throws Instagram off for a second. Once you’re back in the dashboard, that part’s done. 2. Set up your Targeting Once your account is connected, we're ready to start engaging with your targeted audience, but first we need to know who they are. You can tell us what types of followers you want to get by adding what we call “Targets”. Targets are Accounts and Hashtags that your audience is interested in and likely to engage with. We will use those Targets as a reference when deciding what profiles to follow and unfollow in order to grow your Instagram account. We never unfollow users you were following before signing up. 👍 Start off by adding about 10-15 targets by clicking the Add Target button: Think about what types of accounts have an audience that will be interested in seeing your content, and what hashtags that audience would post on their Instagram. Every profile is unique so make sure you're only adding relevant targets. - Targeting by Account 🔍 : We will target and engage with users who are following that specific account. For best results, consider adding industry influencers and relevant competitors. - Targeting by Hashtag #️⃣ : We will target and engage with users who posted the hashtag you targeted. Consider adding specific hashtags that only your ideal followers would post. We will filter out everyone we find based on your targets to ensure they’re high-quality accounts that match your preferences. 3. Set your filters Filters let you clean up your reach. No need to aim at everyone. Focus on the ones who are more likely to care. Open the Filters tab and make a few quick calls: - Set follower ranges - Pick how many posts someone should have - Choose between public or private accounts - Decide if NSFW content should be in or out (default is out) Not sure what to do? Here's a quick guide on the best practices for filtering! 4. Watch things move Now you’re set. From here on out, Upleap will start working in the background. Head over to the Home tab to check in on your progress: - See how your follower count is trending - Track how each target is performing - Peek at the Queue to see who’s up next This part’s important. If something’s off or your growth slows, you’ll see it here first. The takeaway Getting started doesn’t need to be complicated. Set up your account, add targets, set filters and let Upleap do the rest. You’ll still need to check in from time to time, especially if your goals shift, but once you’re locked in, growth starts to feel a lot more manageable. Welcome to Upleap!

How to set your Targeting

Before growth can begin, Upleap needs to know who to focus on. That’s where Targeting comes in. You tell us what kind of followers you want, and we get to work finding them. Simple as that. Start by adding Targets Go to your dashboard and open the Targeting tab. Click “Add Target” and pick one of the two options: - Accounts: These are other Instagram users. When you add an account, Upleap starts engaging with their followers. This works great when targeting influencers, brands, or competitors in your niche. - Hashtags: Hashtags are how people categorize content. If someone’s using a hashtag tied to your industry, chances are they’ll be interested in your page too. Use hashtags that are specific, relevant, and not too broad or overloaded with spam. You can add, remove, or edit Targets anytime. It’s all flexible. 💡 Not sure where to begin? Try our Targeting Suggestions — it pulls in options based on real performance data. You must set your targeting in order for your growth to start. Target smarter, not harder The goal isn’t to add a million targets, it’s to add the right ones. Here are a few things to keep in mind when picking them: - Stick to accounts with 20K to 250K followers. Anything smaller burns out fast. Anything bigger is usually a mix of bots, ghost followers, and low-engagement noise. - Check your followback rate regularly. You’ll see a percentage next to each target. - 10% or more is solid. - Below 5%? Probably not worth keeping. - Keep things fresh. Drop what’s not working and test new Targets often. - Use filters to make your audience even more specific (follower count, media count, account type, etc.). The more dialed-in your Targets are, the better Upleap can perform. Archiving Targets Got a Target that isn’t pulling weight right now, but you might want to use it again later? Archive it. Here’s how: - Click into the Target - Select “Archive” - It’s now paused, but all your performance data is saved If you want to bring it back later, just head to the Archived tab and hit “Restore”. No need to re-add it from scratch. The takeaway Targeting tells Upleap where to look. The clearer your direction, the better your results. Focus on relevance over volume, watch your stats, and don’t be afraid to experiment. That’s how you grow with intention.

How to Filter your Audience

If you want to grow your account with more intention, filters are where you start. They help Upleap focus on the kinds of users that you actually want to attract and continue engaging with. Why filters matter Without filters, the system interacts with everyone in your target group. That might sound efficient, but in practice, it can mean lower followback rates and weaker engagement. Adding a few simple rules gives you more control and can make a noticeable difference in who you attract. How to set your filters Go to your Targeting section in the dashboard and click on “Filters.” You’ll find several options, each letting you fine-tune how the system works. Here’s what you can adjust: - Followers: Accounts with smaller followings are more likely to notice new interactions. If someone has more than 2,000 followers, there’s a higher chance your follow will get lost in the noise. - Following: If someone follows thousands of people, your account might just be another drop in the ocean. Narrowing this range helps boost visibility. - Media: Want to avoid inactive or barely-used accounts? Set a minimum post count to focus on users who are still active. - Public or private accounts: You can choose to engage with public profiles, private ones, or both. Private accounts often bring stronger engagement, but certain filters won’t apply to them, like post count. - Allowed content (NSFW): By default, Upleap avoids accounts with explicit content. You can toggle this setting if your brand operates in a space where adult content is part of the landscape. Bonus: Click the “Magic Filters” button to restore everything back to our default settings. These are based on what’s worked best for users in similar niches. The takeaway Filters don’t limit your growth — they shape it. The right setup helps the system connect you with users who are more likely to follow back and stick around. A few thoughtful adjustments now can save you a lot of cleanup later. Check your filters every so often and update them as your audience evolves.

What to do before using Upleap

Before any automation kicks in, it helps to make sure your Instagram account looks alive and worth following. You don’t need a flawless feed, just something that feels real. A little prep goes a long way, especially when it comes to keeping things safe and getting better results down the line. 1. Show some life on the account If your profile’s fresh or has been sitting idle, take a few days to warm it up. Jump in and: - Like and comment on posts from accounts in your niche - Follow a few people who post content you actually find amusing - Respond to any DMs or comments you’ve already got Nothing too crazy. Just enough to show Instagram there’s a human behind the screen. 2. Give people something to land on When someone finds your profile, they’ll decide whether to follow you in about three seconds. If your page looks empty or random, they’ll move on. Before Upleap kicks in, try adding 9 to 12 posts that reflect your style or focus. Photos, Reels, Stories, carousels — doesn’t matter what format, just post stuff that gives a clear picture of what your page is about. 3. Clean up your profile Your content might be solid, but if your bio or profile pic feels rushed, it’ll still turn people off. Here’s the quick checklist: - Use a profile picture that fits your vibe - Write a short, clear bio (no need for fluff) - Add links to your other socials or a website - Add Highlights if you’ve got something worth pinning This isn’t about being flashy — just polished enough to not look like a throwaway account. 4. Keep posting Consistency matters more than volume. People (and Instagram) pay attention to how often you show up. Start simple: - Aim for two to three posts a week - Use Stories on the off days - Reply to comments and DMs when they come in If there’s no activity, it doesn’t matter how many followers come in — most won’t stick around. The takeaway Get your account looking active, post a bit, clean up the profile, and let it settle in. Upleap will handle the growth, but your end needs to feel human. A little prep now saves headaches later, and it makes sure you’re actually ready when the numbers start climbing.