How to Get More Likes on Instagram

Getting more likes on Instagram isn't about chasing vanity metrics, it's about reaching the right people and building a community that genuinely connects with what you're sharing. When your content resonates, the likes follow naturally, signaling to the algorithm that you're worth showing to a wider audience. This guide covers actionable strategies that move the needle, focusing on high-quality content, smart platform usage, and authentic engagement to grow your account.

It All Starts with What You Post

The foundation of every like, comment, and share is the quality of your content. No secret strategy or growth hack can make up for posts that are uninspired, low-quality, or irrelevant to your audience. Before you worry about hashtags or your posting schedule, get your content right.

Find Your Niche and Stick to It

You can't be everything to everyone. The most successful accounts have a clear focus. Are you a vegan chef creating easy weeknight meals? A personal finance coach helping millennials budget? A travel photographer specializing in national parks? Defining your niche tells people exactly why they should follow you.

When you have a defined audience, creating content becomes easier because you know who you're talking to. Every post should answer a question, solve a problem, or evoke an emotion for that specific person. A "like" is simply a way for them to say, "Yes, this is for me."

Create Content That Provides Real Value

People tap the "like" button for a reason. Your content made them smile, taught them something new, or made them feel seen. Most high-performing content falls into one of four categories:

• Educational: Teach your audience how to do something. This could be a carousel post breaking down a complex topic, a quick tip in a Reel, or a "behind the product" look at how you create something. This positions you as an expert and gives people a tangible reason to engage.
• Inspirational: Share an inspiring story, a motivational quote, or a behind-the-scenes look at your journey. People love seeing wins, an honest look at the grind, and content that makes them feel they can achieve their goals, too.
• Entertaining: Make your audience laugh or feel good. This is where personality shines. Use trending audio in a creative way, share a relatable meme (as long as it fits your brand), or tell a funny story. Entertainment is a powerful way to build a connection.
• Relatable: Show the human side of your brand. Share a personal struggle, a day in your life, or an opinion on a relevant topic. Relatable content builds trust and makes your audience feel like they're part of a community, not just followers on a list.

Elevate Your Visuals

Instagram is a visual-first platform. Grainy photos and poorly edited videos simply won't cut it. You don't need a professional camera (modern smartphones are incredible), but you do need to pay attention to quality.

• Good Lighting is Everything: Natural light is your best friend. Shoot near a window whenever possible. If you can't, investing in a simple ring light can make a huge difference.
• Develop a Consistent Aesthetic: Using similar filters, colors, or editing styles helps create a cohesive and professional-looking grid. This doesn't mean every photo has to look the same, but they should feel like they belong together. Tools like Lightroom presets can help with this.
• Focus on Clean Composition: Pay attention to basics like the rule of thirds, leading lines, and clean backgrounds. A visually appealing photo or video is more likely to stop someone's scroll.

Master Instagram's Features to Maximize Your Reach

Creating great content is only half the battle. You also have to use Instagram's features strategically to get that content in front of as many eyes as possible. The algorithm rewards creators who use the platform's tools, especially its newest ones.

Go All-In on Reels

If you do one thing to grow your account, make it Reels. Instagram continues to prioritize short-form video, and Reels remain the most effective tool for reaching new audiences organically. It's essentially a free ad for your content.

Tips for Creating High-Performing Reels:

• Grab Attention Immediately: You have less than three seconds to hook someone. Start with a strong visual, a bold text statement, or a surprising sound.
• Leverage Trending Audio: Using trending sounds can give your Reel a significant boost. Look for the little arrow next to an audio title - that means it's trending. The key is to adapt the trend to your niche, not just copy it.
• Keep It Short and Punchy: While Reels can be up to 90 seconds, shorter videos (7-15 seconds) often perform best because they're easily re-watchable, which boosts your analytics.
• Add On-Screen Text: Many people watch videos without sound. Use captions and on-screen text to make your message clear, even on mute.

Build Trust with Detailed Carousel Posts

Carousel posts, which allow up to 10 slides, are fantastic for driving engagement and saves. They work perfectly for educational content, allowing you to break down a topic step-by-step. Likes are great, but a "save" is a huge signal to the algorithm that your content is valuable.

Use the first slide of your carousel like a headline - it needs to make people want to swipe. Tell a story, share a list of tips, or ask a provocative question. At the end, use the last slide for a clear Call to Action (CTA), like "Save this post for later!" or "Which tip was your favorite? Let me know below!"

Use Instagram Stories to Nurture Your Community

While Reels reach new people, Stories are for building a deeper connection with your existing audience. It's where you can be less polished and more "you."

Use interactive features like polls, quizzes, sliders, and question stickers. These tools make engagement easy for your followers (it's just a tap) and provide you with valuable feedback. The more people interact with your Stories, the more likely the algorithm is to show them your feed posts.

Strategies for Increasing Your Post's Visibility

Once you’ve created high-value content tailored to the right format, the next step is optimizing your post to help Instagram understand who to show it to.

Write Captions That Drive Connection and Action

A great visual stops the scroll, but a great caption makes people stay. Your caption is your chance to add context, tell a story, and encourage engagement.

• Start with a Strong Opening Line: The first couple of lines are all that people see before having to tap "more." Make them count. Start with a question or a bold statement.
• Encourage a Response: End your caption with a specific Call to Action. Instead of just saying "comment below," ask a direct question that's easy to answer. For example, "What's the #1 thing you struggle with when it comes to X?"
• Use Emojis and Spacing: Break up long blocks of text to make your caption easy to read. Emojis can add personality and draw attention to key points.

Develop a Smart Hashtag Strategy

Hashtags help categorize your content so Instagram can show it to users who have shown interest in those topics. The key isn't to use 30 of the most popular tags, but to use relevant ones.

A Good Hashtag Mix Includes:

• Niche-Specific Tags: These are highly targeted to your topic (e.g., #lowlightphotography, #contentmarketingstrategy). They have lower volume but attract a more relevant audience.
• Community Tags: These connect you with a subculture on Instagram (e.g., #writersofig, #solopreneurlife).
• Broader Tags: A few larger, more general tags can help with reach, but they're highly competitive (e.g., #digitalmarketing, #healthyeating).

Find your hashtags by looking at what similar-sized accounts in your niche are using successfully. Aim for a mix of 10-20 relevant tags at the end of your caption or in the first comment.

Post When Your Audience is Actually Online

The first hour after you post is critical. The more likes and comments you get in that initial window, the more Instagram will push your content out. That's why posting when your audience is most active is so important.

You can find this data in your Instagram Insights. If you have a professional account, go to Insights >, Total Followers and scroll down to the "Most Active Times" section. You can view a breakdown by hour and day. Test a few of the peak times and see what works best for you.

Engagement Isn't a One-Way Street

Finally, remember that Instagram is a social platform. You can't just post and ghost. If you want people to engage with your content, you need to engage with them too.

Reply to All Your Comments and DMs

When someone takes the time to comment on your post, reply to them! It shows you're listening and helps build a loyal community. It also doubles your comment count, signaling to the algorithm that people are having a conversation on your post. The same goes for DMs, it's a direct line to your audience - use it.

Spend Time Engaging in Your Niche

Set aside 15-20 minutes before and after you publish a post to actively engage with other accounts. Find peer accounts in your niche, follow relevant hashtags, and leave thoughtful, genuine comments on their content. Don't just post "Great pic!", ask a question or add your own insight. This makes you a visible and active member of the community, which gets your profile in front of people who are already interested in what you have to say.

Final Thoughts

Ultimately, driving more likes on Instagram comes down to a simple formula: consistently create high-quality, valuable content and actively engage with the community you're building. Combine that with a smart understanding of the platform's features, like Reels and strategic hashtags, and you'll find your engagement growing organically and meaningfully.

As you get into a consistent groove of creating great content, planning and scheduling become essential to stay on track without burning out. Knowing that our posts, especially short-form videos, would reliably publish when they were supposed to was a huge factor when we built Postbase. We designed it for the way people actually use social media today, with a visual calendar to plan your strategy and robust support for Reels and TikToks, letting you focus on the creative side of things instead of worrying if your tools are going to work.