How to Get More Comments on Instagram

Getting likes on Instagram is nice, but comments are where the real magic happens. They signal to the algorithm that your content is valuable, and more importantly, they show you're building a genuine community, not just a follower count. This guide cuts through the noise and gives you straightforward, actionable strategies to get more people talking on your posts.

Create Content That Invites Conversation

The single biggest reason people don’t comment is because they haven’t been given a reason to. Your content can’t just be a broadcast, it needs to be an invitation. Shift your mindset from creating posts that people consume to creating posts that people respond to.

Ask Direct Questions in Your Captions

This is the simplest and most effective strategy. Instead of ending your caption with a statement, end it with a question. The key is to make it easy to answer. Avoid overly complex or philosophical questions that require a lot of thought. Keep it light and direct.

• Simple Choice Questions: "Early bird or night owl? 🦉 Let me know in the comments."
• Opinion-Based Questions: "Just finished this book and have mixed feelings. Have you read it? What did you think?"
• Advice-Seeking Questions: "Planning a trip to LA in the spring. What's one can't-miss spot I should visit?"

For example, if you’re a food blogger sharing a pasta recipe, don’t just say, "Enjoy!" Ask, "What’s an ingredient you always add to your pasta sauce?" If you're a fitness coach sharing a workout, ask, "What’s your favorite muscle group to train?" These small prompts make a huge difference, especially when combined with effective Instagram hashtags.

Use "Fill-in-the-Blank" and "This or That" Posts

These formats are incredibly effective because they lower the barrier to entry for commenting. A user doesn’t have to formulate a perfect sentence, they just have to type a word or an emoji. This is a powerful, low-friction way to get the conversation started.

Combine a simple graphic with a caption prompt:

• Fill-in-the-Blank: Create a post that says "The perfect Sunday morning includes _________." In your caption, repeat the prompt and encourage people to share their answers.
• This or That: Post photos representing two choices and ask your audience to pick. "Beach getaway 🏖️ or city adventure 🏙️? Which one are you choosing?"

These types of posts do exceptionally well because they are a fun, easy way for your followers to share a little piece of their personality without much effort. Similarly, creating engaging Instagram Reels can significantly boost interaction.

Share Relatable Stories and Show Vulnerability

People connect with people, not with perfectly curated feeds. Sharing the real, human side of your brand or life is one of the most powerful ways to build trust and encourage comments. This doesn’t mean you have to overshare, but pulling back the curtain builds a stronger bond.

Example: "I almost gave up on this project yesterday. Everything was going wrong, but I took a walk, cooled off, and came back with a new perspective. Has that ever saved a project for you?"

Engage Like a Community Member, Not a Broadcaster

If you want more comments, you need to be an active participant in your own comment section and the wider Instagram community. The algorithm rewards active accounts, and your audience will be much more likely to engage if they know you’re there to engage back.

Reply to Every Single Comment

This is non-negotiable. Replying to comments does two wonderful things:

1. It makes the original commenter feel seen and appreciated, which makes them far more likely to comment again in the future.
2. It shows everyone else who sees your post that you are active and engaged. People who might otherwise just scroll by will be more inclined to leave a comment if they know they’ll get a response.

Don't just leave a generic "Thanks!" either. Try to extend the conversation. If someone says, "Love this outfit!" you can respond with, "Thank you! I was so happy I found these jeans. What’s your favorite place to shop for denim?" This transforms a simple compliment into a flowing conversation, which is hugely valuable.

Pin Your Favorite Comments

Instagram allows you to pin up to three comments to the top of the comment section on your posts. Use this feature to highlight thoughtful, funny, or insightful comments. Pinning a comment sends a notification to that user, making them feel special and recognized. It also acts as social proof, showing other followers the kind of thoughtful discussion you value and encouraging them to contribute similarly.

Actively Engage with Others in Your Niche

Don’t just wait for engagement to come to you - go out and find it. Spend 15-20 minutes a day leaving genuine, thoughtful comments on posts from other creators or brands in your niche. Don’t leave generic comments like "Great post!" Instead, add to the conversation, ask a follow-up question, or share a relevant experience.

This does a few things. It puts your profile in front of a new, highly relevant audience (the followers of that account), builds goodwill and relationships with your peers, and reminds you what a good, engaging comment actually looks like, which can inspire your own content strategy for platforms like Instagram and even TikTok.

Use Instagram's Features Strategically

Instagram gives you a whole suite of tools designed to foster engagement. Are you using them to their full potential? Here are a few ways to bake comment-driving tactics right into your workflow.

Write Calls-to-Action That Spark Discussion

Every post should have a purpose, and often that purpose is to get a comment. A Call-to-Action (CTA) in your caption is your instruction to the reader about what to do next. Weak CTAs like "link in bio" or "check out our website" don’t invite a conversation.

Instead, create post-specific CTAs that tie back to the content. For example, if you post a video tutorial, your CTA could be, "What part of this tutorial was most helpful? Let me know!" If you post about a business win, it could be, "What’s a win you’re celebrating this week? Share it below!" Be direct, and tell your audience exactly what you want them to talk about.

Create Compelling Carousel Posts

Carousel posts are one of the most powerful formats on Instagram. They keep users on your post longer, which is a great signal to the algorithm. They are also perfect for sparking comments.

Use carousels to tell a story, share a list of tips, or walk through a mini-tutorial. Treat a carousel like a mini-presentation. The final slide is your opportunity to stick the landing with a strong call-to-action or a direct question related to the content on the previous slides. For example, a 6-slide carousel about "Marketing Myths Debunked" could have a final slide that asks, "Which myth did you used to believe?"

Run a Comment-Based Contest or Giveaway

Running a comment-based contest or giveaway is a classic engagement-boosting tactic for a reason: it works incredibly well. The key is to make commenting a core mechanic of the entry process. Common rules include asking users to:

• Comment with their favorite product.
• Tag a friend (or two!) in the comments.
• Answer a question related to your brand.

Pro-tip: Make sure the prize is something specifically related to your niche or brand. You want to attract genuine followers and customers, not just people hunting for a free iPad. A relevant prize ensures your new engagement is coming from the right audience.

Final Thoughts

Ultimately, getting more comments on Instagram isn’t about tricking the algorithm, it’s about shifting your mindset from broadcasting content to building a community. By creating posts that intentionally open up conversations and by actively participating in those discussions, you’ll foster a loyal following that is eager to engage with you day after day.

As you get more comments, replying to everyone across all your platforms can quickly become overwhelming. Keeping track of conversations and responding thoughtfully without switching between apps all day saves a massive amount of time. At Postbase, we built a unified inbox that brings all your comments and DMs from all your social channels into one simple, organized view, so you can manage your community and never miss a message.