How to Reach More Accounts on Instagram

Feeling like you're posting into the void on Instagram? It's a common frustration when you spend hours creating content only for it to reach a handful of your followers. The secret to breaking out isn't about hacking a mysterious algorithm, it's about systematically creating content that Instagram actively wants to show to new people. This guide breaks down the actionable strategies - from mastering Reels to using keywords - that will get more eyes on your account.

Master the Instagram Algorithm - Without Losing Your Mind

First, let's clear something up: there isn’t one single, all-powerful "algorithm." Instagram uses multiple algorithms, each tailored to different parts of the app, like the Feed, Stories, the Explore Page, and Reels. While the specifics are complex, their one shared goal is simple: keep users on the app for as long as possible. Your job is to create content that helps Instagram achieve that goal.

When your content is engaging - meaning people watch it, like it, comment on it, share it, and save it - you send strong signals that you’re creating stuff people want to see. In return, Instagram shows your content to more people. It really is that straightforward.

The Keys to Each Part of the App

• Feed and Stories: These are primarily shown to people who already follow you. The algorithm prioritizes content from accounts you interact with the most. Reach here is about nurturing your existing community.
• Reels and the Explore Page: This is your prime territory for reaching new accounts. The algorithm for these surfaces is a discovery engine. It prioritizes entertaining, high-quality, and relevant content based on a user’s interests and past interactions, regardless of whether they follow you.

The main takeaway? Stop trying to outsmart a machine. Instead, focus on creating high-value content that people genuinely enjoy. If you put your energy into mastering Reels and creating share-worthy posts, the reach will naturally follow.

Your Content is Your Ultimate Growth Hack

Your follower count doesn't matter if your content isn't compelling. The single biggest driver of new account reach is, and always will be, the quality and format of your posts. Right now, that means going all-in on short-form video and making every post so valuable people can't help but save or share it.

Go All-In on Instagram Reels

If you take only one piece of advice from this article, let it be this: focus on creating Instagram Reels. Reels are no longer just a feature, they are Instagram's main engine for discovery and growth. The platform dedicates massive screen space and algorithmic firepower to pushing Reels to new users. Here’s how to make them work for you:

• Hook them in the first two seconds. Attention spans are short. Start your Reel with a polarizing statement, a compelling visual, or a question that instantly grabs the viewer. Text on-screen is fantastic for this.
• Use trending audio (the smart way). The algorithm favors Reels that use trending sounds. You can find them by looking for the small upward-facing arrow next to an audio's name. But don't just jump on a trend, find a way to connect it back to your niche. An accountant humorously applying a trending sound to a tax tip will get more traction than just dancing randomly.
• Provide genuine value. Every Reel should either entertain, educate, inspire, or be incredibly relatable. Viewers should leave feeling like they learned something, got a laugh, felt understood, or are motivated to act.
• Aim for re-watches and shares. Looping videos, satisfying visuals, and content with a surprising twist encourage people to watch again. Content that solves a common problem or provides a useful tip gets shared. This is pure gold for reach.
• Keep quality high. You don't need a Hollywood film crew, but good lighting and clear audio go a long way. Shoot in vertical format and avoid uploading videos with a visible TikTok watermark, as Instagram has stated this reduces distribution.

Make Your Content Highly Shareable and Savable

Beyond Reels, shares and saves are two of the most powerful signals you can send to the algorithm. They tell Instagram that your content is so valuable people want to refer back to it later or show it to their friends. How do you create this "must-keep" content?

• Solve a problem: Create a short tutorial, offer a checklist, or design a "cheat sheet" infographic that your audience will find useful.
• Create carousel tutorials: Use a multi-slide carousel post to walk your audience through a step-by-step process. People often save these to follow along later.
• Be relatable: Memes and humor that tap into a shared experience within your niche are incredibly shareable. They make people feel seen.
• Inspire them: Unique quotes, motivational stories, and beautiful imagery can all work, as long as they feel authentic to your brand.

A simple but effective tactic is to add a call-to-action on your final carousel slide or at the end of your Reel caption, like: "Save this post for your next project!" or "Share this with a friend who needs a laugh." Directly asking for the save or share makes a big difference.

Hashtags and Keywords: Your Content's GPS

Instagram is leaning more and more into becoming a search engine. This means the old strategy of pasting 30 generic, high-volume hashtags is dead. Today, reaching new accounts is about using targeted keywords throughout your post to tell Instagram exactly what your content is about and who should see it.

The "Less Is More" Hashtag Strategy

Forget volume. Think relevance. Aim for 3-5 highly descriptive hashtags that accurately represent what's in your post. The goal isn't to get seen by a million people looking at #love, it's to be found by a thousand people searching for exactly what you're offering.

How to find the right keywords:

• Be specific. Instead of #dogs, use #goldenretrievertraining. Instead of #foodblogger, use #veganpastarecipes.
• Look at what your ideal audience is searching for. What terms would they type into the search bar to find answers or inspiration related to your field?
• Create a mix. Combine broader industry keywords with super-niche ones for the best results. For example, a home organizer in Seattle might use #homeorganization, #pantrygoals, and #seattleorganizer.

SEO isn't Just for Hashtags

Keywords aren't just for that little block at the end of your caption. Instagram's search tool also pulls from the text in your caption, your bio, and even the text you overlay on Reels.

• Optimize Your Captions: Weave relevant keywords into your descriptions naturally. Instead of writing “Morning bake! 😊,” try writing “Testing out my new sourdough starter recipe this morning. Here are my top tips for getting a perfect rise.”
• Shore Up Your Bio: Your bio is prime real estate. Make sure it clearly states who you are, what you do, and who you do it for, using searchable terms. For example, “Social Media Tips for Small Business Owners” is much stronger than just "Coffee Lover | Marketing Guru."

Don't Just Post and Ghost: Strategic Engagement is Mandatory

Instagram wants to build communities, not just host content billboards. Actively engaging with your audience - and with other accounts - shows the platform you’re a valuable part of its ecosystem and helps push your content into wider circulation.

Build Community in Your Comments and DMs

The activity on your post within the first hour of publishing is a strong signal for its potential reach. Make it a rule to stick around and engage immediately after you hit "Share."

• Reply to every comment. This doubles your engagement count and encourages more people to join the conversation. Don't just "like" a comment, write a genuine response.
• Ask questions in your captions. Spark discussion by ending your posts with an open-ended question that’s easy to answer. Instead of “Thoughts?”, ask something specific like, “What’s the one tool you can’t live without in your business?”

Responding to your comments and DMs does more than please the algorithm. It builds loyalty and a genuine community around your brand, which leads to more consistent engagement in the long term.

Leverage Interactive Story Stickers

Instagram Stories are a powerhouse for nurturing your existing audience and collecting engagement signals. Every time someone interacts with one of your Story stickers, it tells Instagram they're interested in your content. This can increase the likelihood of your feed posts and Reels being shown to them.

Use stickers like polls, quizzes, emoji sliders, and question boxes regularly. They are low-effort, fun ways to get your audience to tap and engage, sending positive signals that feed directly back into your overall reach.

Be Consistent: The Boring Advice That Actually Works

This is the least exciting advice, but potentially the most important. You can have the best content in the world, but if you only post sporadically, you’ll never gain momentum. Consistency teaches the algorithm what your account is about and who to show it to. More importantly, it trains your audience to expect and look forward to your content.

Consistency isn’t about posting three times a day. It’s about creating a realistic posting schedule that you can stick to week after week without burning out. For most accounts, this might look like:

• 3-5 Reels per week
• 1-2 Carousel/Image posts per week
• 5-7 days of Stories per week (with interactive elements)

The key to making this manageable is planning. Use a content calendar to map out your ideas, batch-create your content (film several Reels on one day, design graphics in one block), and schedule your posts so you can stay ahead of the game.

Final Thoughts

Boosting your Instagram reach isn't about finding a single viral shortcut. It's the combined result of creating genuinely valuable content tailored for discovery (especially Reels), being hyper-specific with your keywords, and consistently engaging with the community you're building.

Staying on top of a consistent content strategy across Instagram and other platforms can easily become overwhelming without the right workflow. At Postbase, we designed our platform to solve this exact problem. With our visual content calendar, seamless multi-platform scheduling for videos and images, and a unified inbox for all your comments and DMs, we help you plan everything out so you can focus on creating great content instead of constantly jumping between apps.