What are your current settings?

[Jaynod]

Usually for one day I follow (1200-1400) and then the other day I unfollow

And with your likes?

 

[EnhancedHuman]

And with your likes?

I like a post of everyone I follow for the best results. No liking when unfollowing

 

[thekingwillwhip]

Great responses guys!

 

[djhickory]

I was following my competitors 100-200 in 20 min or less , and then i would post something and they would all follow me and comment , lol just got on this instagram shit, came on here to make sure what the limits are, thanks now ill keep it from getting banned

 

[colorme]

I was following my competitors 100-200 in 20 min or less , and then i would post something and they would all follow me and comment , lol just got on this instagram shit, came on here to make sure what the limits are, thanks now ill keep it from getting banned

Your competitors would not be able to see what you posted, unless they were already following you, or if your post made it to the top of the general hashtags (general instead of just your own followers).

I've also heard that, for newbies, Instagram will increase your engagement like crazy so that you get hooked, and after a few weeks, they go back to normal (crappy place) like the rest of us.

From what you write, seems that the latter is what happened to you. Unless someone else has a better explanation...