How to Get More Shares on Instagram

Getting more shares on Instagram is about making content so good your audience can't help but send it to their friends or add it to their own Story. It's a sign that your content genuinely resonates, entertains, or helps someone, going beyond a simple like. This article gives you straightforward, actionable tactics to create content that people are excited to share, from crafting the perfect Reel to using subtle prompts that get results.

Why Instagram Shares Are So Important

In the past, likes and comments were the main measures of success on Instagram. Today, the algorithm values deeper forms of engagement, and "shares" are at the top of that list. When someone shares your post, either to their Story or directly to a friend via DM, they're giving you a powerful vote of confidence. This action tells the Instagram algorithm that your content is high-quality and relevant, which can significantly boost your reach and get your content in front of new audiences who are likely to appreciate it too.

Think of it this way: a like is a polite nod, but a share is a personal recommendation. It's someone telling their friend, "You *have* to see this." Tracking your shares isn't about vanity metrics, it's about understanding what truly connects with your followers so you can create more of it.

Create Content People Genuinely Want to Share

The number one rule of getting more shares is to stop thinking about what will go viral and start thinking about what provides value. Viral content is often a happy accident, but valuable content can be created intentionally. People share things that make them laugh, teach them something new, inspire them, or make them feel seen. Here are the types of content that nail this every time.

1. Make Them Laugh with Relatable Humor

Humor is a universal language, and it's one of the most potent triggers for sharing. Memes, funny Reels, and relatable text-post graphics work because they tap into shared experiences. When someone sees a post that perfectly captures a frustrating work-from-home moment or the silly things their pet does, their first instinct is often to share it with someone who "gets it."

• Memes: Use current meme formats but adapt them to your specific niche. A tech company could use a popular meme template to joke about endless software updates, or a fitness coach could create one about the temptation to skip leg day.
• Hilarious Reels: Short-form video is perfect for comedic skits. Think about common pain points for your audience and turn them into a funny, shareable Reel. A real estate agent could make a video about the absurd things they see during home tours.
• Simple, Relatable Text Posts: Sometimes a simple, well-designed graphic with a witty observation is all you need. These are easy to digest and perfect for sharing to Stories.

Example: A coffee shop posts a Reel that is just a quick shot of a person staring blankly at their computer screen with the caption "Me before my morning coffee," set to a dramatic, trending sound. It's simple, funny, and incredibly relatable, making it perfect share-bait for any coffee lover.

2. Teach Something Useful with Mini-Tutorials

Educational content is highly shareable because it offers direct value. People save it for later and share it with friends who they know would benefit from the information. The key is to keep it concise, visually appealing, and easy to follow.

• Carousel "How-To" Guides: Break down a process into simple, numbered steps across multiple slides. A graphic designer could create a carousel on "5 Steps to Choose the Perfect Font Pairing," with each slide explaining one step.
• Quick Tip Reels: Show, don't just tell. A chef could film a 15-second Reel demonstrating the fastest way to chop an onion. A stylist could show three ways to tie a scarf for different looks. These visual tutorials are practical and easy to share.
• Informational Graphics: Create a single, beautifully designed infographic that summarizes data, provides a checklist, or explains a complex topic simply. People love sharing content that makes them look smart and helpful.

Example: A personal finance expert creates a clear, colorful carousel post titled "How to Beat Procrastination With Your Taxes." Slide 1 is an engaging title slide, slides 2-5 each have one simple tip with an icon, and the final slide has a call-to-action to share with a friend who waits until the last minute.

3. Inspire and Motivate Your Audience

Inspirational content performs well because it taps into emotion. People share quotes and uplifting messages to motivate their friends, express their own feelings, or add a positive touch to their own Stories. Your brand doesn't need to be in the self-help space to use this tactic, it's about connecting with your audience on a human level.

• Bold Quote Graphics: Design simple, aesthetically pleasing graphics with powerful quotes. Use your brand's fonts and colors to keep it consistent.
• Storytelling Captions: Pair a strong image or video with a personal story of overcoming a challenge or achieving a goal. Authenticity and vulnerability can be incredibly inspiring and make others want to share your message.

Example: An artist posts a time-lapse video of them working on a difficult painting. The caption talks about their struggle with creative block and the breakthrough they had, ending with, "For anyone else feeling stuck: just keep showing up. Share this if you needed to hear that today."

4. Embrace Trends (But Don't Be a Slave to Them)

Using trending audio on Reels and TikTok-style content is one of the most effective ways to increase your reach, which naturally leads to more shares. The algorithm favors content using popular sounds, pushing it out to new audiences on the Explore and Reels pages. The trick is to adapt the trend to your brand or message, not just copycat what you see.

Ask yourself: How can I use this sound to tell a story about my product, my industry, or my audience's experience? A clever, on-brand take on a popular trend is far more shareable than a generic version.

Master the Art of the Call-to-Share

Creating share-worthy content is half the battle. The other half is actually asking your audience to share it. Sometimes, people love your content but don't think to hit the share button. A gentle, well-placed nudge - known as a Call-to-Action (CTA) - can make all the difference.

1. Use Direct and Specific CTAs

Don't be shy about asking for what you want. A genuine and specific CTA in your caption can activate your audience. Avoid generic phrases like "Share this post!" and be more contextual.

Try these kinds of prompts:

• "Share this with a friend who needs a laugh today!"
• "Know someone who should try this recipe? Send this to them!"
• "Tag someone in the comments who you want to go here with." (This counts as a form of sharing that increases engagement.)
• "Add this to your Story if you agree!"

This "soft sell" feels more like a friendly suggestion than a demand and gives your followers a reason why they should share your content.

2. Leverage Instagram Story Stickers for Virality

Instagram Stories offer built-in features that are designed to encourage interaction and sharing. These interactive stickers are your best friends.

• The "Add Yours" Sticker: The "Add Yours" sticker is a share-generating machine. Create a compelling prompt that encourages your followers to add their own photo or video. For example, a travel brand could start a thread with "Show me your favorite sunset photo," or a pet brand could use "Post a picture of your pet looking goofy." Each time someone adds to the chain, your original sticker is credited, leading back to your account.
• Quizzes and Polls: Create a compelling quiz or an interesting poll. If the topic is fun or thought-provoking enough, people will share it to their own Story to show their answer or get their friends to participate, too.

3. Make Sharing Easy Behind the Scenes

The technical polish on your post can make it more instinctively shareable without you even asking. A few formatting fundamentals go a long way.

First, make sure any text overlays on your images or videos are highly readable. Use bold, clear fonts and high contrast against the background. If someone can't easily read your message, they won't bother sharing it.

Second, when creating carousels, end with a strong summary slide. This last slide is what people often have in mind when they decide to share, creating a complete and satisfying package of information for their friends.

Final Thoughts

Boosting your Instagram shares comes down to a simple formula: create content that feels valuable to your audience and then make it easy and appealing for them to pass it along. Whether you're making them laugh with a relatable meme, teaching them a new skill in a quick Reel, or inspiring them with a quote, the goal is always to deliver something that resonates on a personal level.

Creating and managing a consistent stream of share-worthy content can be a lot to juggle. As part of the team that built Postbase, we designed our visual calendar to solve this exact problem. It helps us map out all our Reels, Stories, and carousels ahead of time, ensuring we have a balanced mix of valuable content ready to go. Planning this way helps our ideas stay fresh and our scheduling an opportunity - not a chore - letting us focus on what really matters: creating stuff people love to share.