Very weak MP follow back rate, suggestions?

I get about 10 follows back for more than 150 followings which from what i've read is very bad.

I mostly follow users that interacted (commented, liked) with some big accounts in my niche, that's the top priority. Also it follows their followers however I have that set to "9" so it relies more on the interactions.

It used to be pretty good but it is dropping fast. Any suggestions for my settings? My account is aged for about 3 months so the settings are pretty agressive in relation to follows per operation etc.

volts said:

I follow people mostly from users that interacted (commented, liked) with some big accounts in my niche, that's the top priority. Also it follows their followers however I have that set to "9" so it relies more on the interactions.

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You wrote 2 problems by yourself:
First you follow people that do action comment/like - they are not users who do action follow niche accounts but instead comment/like them. That's how you get engagement on your photos but not followers.
Secondly why you follow their followers, its not like their followers like your niche content?