Follower growth rate

Percentages let you compare accounts of different sizes, but growth alone says little about quality. Pair it with engagement rate to see whether new followers actually pay attention.

Measure over the same period each time, such as a calendar month, and note events that explain a jump: a campaign, a mention by a large account or a giveaway. Growth that comes from a giveaway often brings people who unfollow later, so look at the following month too.

Also watch the other side of the number: people who leave. Net growth hides both new followers and unfollows, so if the count is flat while posts perform well, check whether the audience is simply turning over.