How to Increase Instagram Reels Views

Getting your Instagram Reels in front of more people isn't about chasing viral luck, it's about understanding what viewers and the algorithm actually want to see. This guide breaks down the practical, no-fluff strategies you can use starting today to increase your Reels views. We'll cover everything from crafting the perfect hook to using audio, hashtags, and engagement tactics that genuinely work.

Hook Them in the First Three Seconds

If you don’t grab a viewer's attention in a split second, they're gone. The average person's attention span online is shorter than ever, and the first three seconds of your Reel are your entire sales pitch. Your goal is to give them a reason to stop their endless scroll. A weak opening guarantees a low view count and almost no watch time, which tells the algorithm your content isn't worth showing to others.

An effective hook immediately signals what the video is about and what value the viewer will get from watching it. It needs to create curiosity, present a problem, or showcase an irresistible result right away.

Actionable Hook Strategies:

• State a Bold or Controversial Opinion: Start with a statement that makes people stop and think, "Wait, what?" For example, a financial advisor might start with, "Your 401(k) is a waste of money unless you do this one thing." It's bold and makes people want to hear the explanation.
• Show the End Result First: This is powerful for tutorials, DIY projects, or transformations. If you're decorating a cake, start with a quick shot of the stunning final product before showing the process. It proves the value of watching the "how-to" part.
• Ask a Relatable Question: Tap into a shared experience or problem. A content creator might ask, "Are you tired of spending hours creating content that nobody sees?" This makes your target audience immediately think, "Yes, that's me!" and listen for the solution.
• Use Abrupt Motion or a Visually Jarring Shot: Sometimes, a physical pattern interrupt is all you need. A quick jump cut, a snappy transition, or throwing a product into the frame can be enough to break the trance of scrolling and catch someone's eye.

Master Trending Audio and Sounds

Using trending audio is one of the most effective ways to get an immediate boost in visibility. When a sound or song is trending, Instagram's algorithm actively pushes content using that audio to more users, placing it in their feeds and on the Reels tab. Think of it as a free promotional tool - you're piggybacking on the popularity of an existing trend to get your content seen by a wider audience.

How to Find and Use Trending Audio Correctly:

1. Look for the Arrow: When you're scrolling through Reels, look for sounds that have a small, upward-pointing arrow next to the audio name at the bottom of the screen. This is Instagram's official indicator that a sound is trending.
2. Save Sounds You Hear Repeatedly: If you hear the same audio two or three times while scrolling, it's a good sign it's gaining traction. Even if you don't have an idea for it yet, tap the sound and save it for later so you have a library of options.
3. Follow Trend-Spotting Accounts: There are plenty of creators whose entire niche is identifying and forecasting trending audio and Reel formats. Following them can give you a head start before a sound becomes oversaturated.

Important Note: Don't force it. The best use of trending audio is when it complements your content, not overpowers it. If the trend is a dance challenge and your brand is about serious legal advice, it’s probably not the right fit. The audio should match the mood and message of your video.

Create Reels People Actually Want to Watch

A great hook and a trending sound might get you a click, but high-quality content is what gets you watch time, shares, and saves. These "retention" metrics are incredibly important signals to the algorithm. When people watch your Reel all the way through (or even multiple times), it indicates your content is valuable, and Instagram will show it to more people. Your content should fall into one of three categories: educational, entertaining, or inspirational.

Provide Genuine Value with Educational Content

Educational Reels solve a problem, answer a question, or teach a skill. This format is perfect for positioning yourself as an expert in your field. Think less like a formal teacher and more like a helpful friend sharing a quick tip.

• Examples:
  • A chef showing a 15-second tip for mincing garlic perfectly.
  • A marketer explaining how to find the best hashtags for your niche.
  • A personal trainer demonstrating the correct form for a squat.
  • A designer showing a quick Canva trick for creating better graphics.

Connect Through Entertaining Content

Entertainment is the language of social media. This type of content isn't always about making someone laugh out loud, it can also be satisfying, relatable, or just visually pleasing. Funny skits, relatable experiences, and "day in the life" videos all fall under this umbrella.

• Examples:
  • A skit about the funny struggles of working from home.
  • A satisfying time-lapse of a deep-cleaning process.
  • A "things you only know if you're a..." Reel that speaks directly to a specific community or profession.
  • Using a popular meme format to talk about a common issue in your industry.

Motivate with Inspirational Content

Inspirational Reels often tell a story of transformation, progress, or overcoming a challenge. This format builds a deep emotional connection with your audience and can be incredibly shareable. It’s your chance to share your journey, your values, or a success story (even a small one).

• Examples:
  • Before-and-after footage of a fitness journey or a room makeover.
  • Sharing a vulnerable story about a business failure and the lesson you learned.
  • A cinematic montage of your creative process with a motivational voiceover.

Optimize the Technical Details

Great content still needs the right packaging to perform its best. Little details like captions, hashtags, timing, and quality can make a significant difference in how far your Reel travels.

Write Engaging Captions and Use Smart Hashtags

Your caption should add context or encourage interaction. A simple call to action, like asking a question ("What's your biggest struggle with this?") can dramatically increase your comments. As for hashtags, the old strategy of pasting 30 generic tags is dead. Instead, use a more tactical approach:

• Use 5-8 Relevant Hashtags: Mix a few broad tags (#SocialMediaTips), a few niche tags (#ContentCreatorHacks), and maybe one or two community-specific tags that your ideal audience follows. This strategy puts your Reel in different discovery buckets, increasing its chances of being found.

Post Consistently at the Right Times

You don't need to post a Reel every single day, but creating a consistent schedule (e.g., three times a week) shows the algorithm that you are an active and reliable creator. To find your ideal posting time, go to your Professional Dashboard > Account Insights > Total Followers and scroll down to the "Most Active Times" section. This shows you exactly when your audience is most likely to be online. Post your Reels just before these peak times to give them an initial burst of engagement.

Focus on High-Quality Video and Audio

You don't need a Hollywood film crew, but your Reels should be clear and easy to watch.

• Good Lighting: Natural light is your best friend. Face a window whenever possible.
• Clear Audio: If you're talking, make sure your voice is audible and crisp. Avoid noisy backgrounds.
• Remove Watermarks: Instagram has stated it deprioritizes content that is visibly recycled from other apps (like a TikTok watermark). Always upload the original, clean version of your video clip.

Engage with Your Community and Beyond

Instagram is a social network, and the algorithm rewards accounts that are social. Engagement isn't just about what happens on your posts, it's about being an active participant in conversations across the platform.

Reply to Every Comment

When someone comments on your Reel, reply as quickly as possible - especially within the first hour. This signals to the algorithm that your post is sparking conversation, which can help push it to a wider audience. Asking a follow-up question in your reply can turn a single comment into a longer conversation thread, further boosting your engagement metrics.

Interact with Other Reels in Your Niche

Spend 15 minutes before and after you post a Reel engaging with others. Go to hashtags relevant to your industry, find other Reels, and leave genuine, thoughtful comments. Avoid generic one-word replies like "Cool!" or "Nice!". A comment like, "This is such a great tip! Have you ever tried pairing this method with X?" adds value and can lead to people tapping on your profile to check out your content.

Final Thoughts

Increasing your Instagram Reels views comes down to embracing a test-and-learn mindset. Consistently apply these strategies - a strong hook, valuable content, smart use of audio, and active engagement - and pay attention to what resonates with your audience. Over time, you’ll build a content engine that drives an organic and loyal following.

Implementing a consistent Reels strategy can feel overwhelming, especially when planning content, scheduling at peak times, and managing all the comments that follow. At this stage, having a central hub to manage your workflow is game-changing. We designed Postbase for this exact reason, putting its visual content calendar and unified inbox right at the heart of our platform. It allows us to lay out our video strategy visually and efficiently engage with our community, so we focus on creating great content instead of juggling apps.