How to Get More Views on Instagram

Getting your content seen on Instagram feels like a moving target, but cracking the code on more views is totally achievable. It’s not about finding one secret trick, it's about building a smart, consistent strategy that leverages the platform's most powerful features. This guide breaks down the actionable steps you can take today to get more eyes on your Reels, Stories, and feed posts.

Mastering Instagram Reels: Your Direct Line to New Audiences

If you're serious about getting more views, Reels are non-negotiable. The algorithm is heavily biased toward short-form video, making it the single best way to reach people who don’t already follow you. But just posting a video isn’t enough. Here’s how to make your Reels work harder.

Hook Them in the First 3 Seconds

You have a tiny window to stop someone from scrolling. Your opening shot, line of text, or first spoken word must be compelling. Don’t waste time on a slow intro or a fancy logo animation. Start with a bold statement, a relatable problem, or a visually arresting clip.

• For an educational Reel: Open with the outcome. Instead of "Here’s how to edit photos," try "Get edits like this in 30 seconds."
• For an entertaining Reel: Jump straight into the action or the most intriguing part of the sketch.
• For a product-based Reel: Show the product in use, solving a problem, right from the start. "My messy desk went from this... to THIS."

Use Trending Audio the Smart Way

Trending audio is like a distribution shortcut. When you use a popular sound, Instagram is more likely to show your Reel to people who have recently engaged with other Reels using that same audio. But don't just jump on a trend for its own sake, find a way to connect it to your brand or message.

How to Find Trending Audio:

• The little arrow: Look for a small upward-facing arrow next to a sound's name. This indicates the audio is currently trending.
• The Reels feed: Spend 10 minutes scrolling the Reels feed. What songs, sounds, or voiceovers do you hear repeatedly? Tap the sound and see how many Reels are using it. If lots of recent videos have high view counts, it's a good one to save.
• Tap into the source: Pay attention to TikTok. Many sounds start trending there first before migrating over to Instagram.

Talk Like A Human with On-Screen Text

A huge percentage of users watch videos with the sound off. Your on-screen text isn't just a supplement, it's the primary way many people will understand your content. Use Instagram's native text editor to add clear, concise captions that guide the viewer through the video. It makes your content accessible and helps communicate your message instantly, even without audio.

Keep the text easy to read. Stick to one or two fonts, use a color that contrasts with the background, and don't cram the screen with too much information at once. Break down your points into short, skimmable phrases that appear in sync with the video.

Don't Neglect Your Stories

While Reels are for reaching new people, Stories are for building a deeper connection with your existing followers. Engaged followers are more likely to interact with your other content, which signals to the algorithm that your account provides value. This "halo effect" can lead to more views across the board.

Drive Engagement with Interactive Stickers

Instagram's interactive stickers are a low-effort way to get your audience to take action, boosting your engagement signals. They turn passive viewing into an active experience.

• Polls: "Which color do you like more? A or B?" Simple, direct, and easy for anyone to answer.
• Quizzes: Test your audience's knowledge about your industry or brand. "True or False: A fiddle leaf fig needs direct sunlight."
• Q&As: Invite your audience to ask you anything. This builds community and gives you a direct line to what your customers are curious about.
• Sliders: A fun way to gauge sentiment. "How much do you love coffee? 😍"

Every tap on these stickers is an engagement signal. The more you get, the more Instagram prioritizes showing your content to those followers in the future.

Show the Scrappy, Unpolished Side

Your feed and Reels can be the polished highlight reel, but Stories are where you get to be real. Use this format for behind-the-scenes content that builds trust. This could be a glimpse into your creative process, a tour of your workspace, or you just talking to the camera about your day. This kind of authentic content makes your brand feel more human and relatable, turning casual followers into genuine fans.

Optimize Your Feed Posts for Quality and Saves

Static images and carousels might not get the explosive reach of a viral Reel, but they are a vital part of your brand identity and serve a different purpose: encouraging saves and comments, two powerful signals for the algorithm.

Lean into Carousels

Carousel posts are one of the most effective post formats. Why? They increase the amount of time people spend on your post, a key metric known as "dwell time." A person swiping through 10 informative slides is spending much more time with your content than someone who just glances at a single photo. This tells the algorithm that your content is valuable.

Carousel Ideas That Work:

• Mini-Tutorials: Break down a complex topic into simple, step-by-step slides. (Ex: 10 slides on "How to Repot a Plant without Killing It.")
• Data Roundups: Share interesting stats or tips related to your industry. (Ex: "5 Mistakes You're Making in Your Email Marketing.")
• Before-and-Afters: A classic format that visually demonstrates value.

Write Captions That Start a Conversation

Your caption should do more than just describe the photo. Its job is to get people to stop, think, and comment. A great way to do this is by asking a direct question. Instead of writing, "Here’s a look at our new office," try, "Our new office is finally ready! What's one thing you can't live without in your workspace?" The second version actively invites a response, boosting your comments and kicking off a conversation.

Nail the Fundamentals: Hashtags, Timing, and Consistency

Great content needs a solid foundation to take off. Getting the technical details right helps the algorithm understand who your content is for and when to show it to them.

Use Hashtags Strategically

The old advice of copying and pasting 30 generic, high-volume hashtags is dead. A better strategy is to use a mix of niche, community, and broad tags that accurately describe your post and your target audience.

• Niche (under 50k posts): Super-specific tags that describe exactly what's in your post. (e.g., #torontoweddingphotographer, #veganmealprepideas)
• Community (50k - 500k posts): Tags related to the community you want to reach. (e.g., #shoplocalpdx, #womeninbusiness)
• Broad (500k+ posts): Use only one or two of these. They give context but are highly competitive. (e.g., #interiordesign, #digitalmarketing)

This tiered approach helps you first compete in smaller ponds where you can gain traction, which then helps Instagram show your post to a broader audience from the larger hashtags.

Post When Your Followers are Most Active

Posting when your audience is scrolling is a simple way to get an initial burst of engagement. Quick likes and comments right after you post tell the algorithm that your content is worth showing to more people.

To find your unique perfect posting time, go to your Instagram profile and navigate to your Professional Dashboard >, Account Insights. Under the "Your Audience" tab, you can find a detailed breakdown of the days and hours your followers are most active. Test those peak times and see what works best.

Consistency is King

Getting more views is a long game. You can’t just post one great Reel and expect transformational results overnight. The algorithm favors accounts that show up on a predictable basis. This doesn’t mean you have to post every single day. Find a sustainable schedule - maybe that’s three Reels and two feed posts per week - and stick to it. A consistent cadence builds momentum and trains your audience on when to expect new content from you.

Final Thoughts

Getting more views on Instagram comes down to a simple formula: create valuable, engaging content consistently and optimize it for how the platform works today. By focusing on short-form video in Reels, building community with Stories, and prompting engagement on your feed, you create a well-rounded strategy that gives the algorithm every signal it needs to put your content in front of more people.

Creating all this content across Reels, Stories, and your feed can feel like a lot to juggle. At Postbase, we designed our visual calendar to make this process feel managed instead of chaotic. Being able to see all your scheduled content in one place makes it so much easier to stay consistent and plan a cohesive strategy, so you can stop stressing about your schedule and get back to creating.