How to Use POV on Instagram

You’ve seen the three letters everywhere in your Instagram feed: POV. This massively popular trend has become a go-to format for creators and brands trying to make content that truly connects. This guide will break down exactly what POV means, how you can use it to build a stronger relationship with your audience, and give you actionable ideas to start creating your own today.

What Does "POV" Actually Mean on Instagram?

"POV" is an acronym for "Point of View." On social media, it's not just a camera angle - it's a storytelling format. When you create a POV video, you’re putting your audience directly into a specific scenario. You're asking them to see the world through the eyes of a character, whether that character is you, your customer, or someone else entirely. It turns passive viewers into active participants in a tiny story.

Think about the difference between these two ideas:

• A standard video: You film your dog being hilariously chaotic while you try to work from home.
• A POV video: You set up your camera facing you at your desk and act out your reaction to the chaos happening just off-screen. The on-screen text reads, "POV: You're just trying to answer one email, but your dog has other plans."

The first video is about your dog. The second one is about the feeling of being a remote worker with a playful dog - a much more specific and relatable experience. That relatability is what makes the POV format so powerful. It doesn't just show something, it captures a feeling. It’s the difference between observing an experience and being a part of it, which is why POV content is so great at snagging viewers’ attention and earning comments like, "this is literally my life."

Why You Should Be Using the POV Trend

Jumping on a trend can sometimes feel like just following the crowd, but the POV format offers real strategic benefits. Here’s why it’s worth adding to your content strategy:

• Drives Ridiculous Engagement: People comment on, share, and save content they relate to. When a viewer thinks, "I've been there," you’ve created an instant connection. POV videos are built on this very idea, inviting your community to share their own experiences in the comments and tag friends who would understand.
• Powerful and Simple Storytelling: You don't need a huge budget or fancy equipment to tell a compelling story. The POV format gives you a simple framework: establish a character, create a familiar situation, and deliver a relatable outcome. It’s a perfect mini-story for the short attention span world of Reels and short-form video.
• Humanizes Your Brand: Sharing a genuine point of view - whether it's humorous, heartfelt, or frustrated - makes you or your brand feel more authentic and approachable. You’re not just a logo or a product, you’re sharing a feeling. This is particularly valuable for businesses trying to show the humans behind the company.
• Amazingly Versatile: POV isn’t just for funny videos. It works across every niche and tone imaginable. You can create content that is inspirational ("POV: an 'older' model stepping onto set as the main character"), educational ("POV: you’re a new client learning about our onboarding process"), or deeply emotional ("POV: reading a comment from someone saying your content helped them").

How to Create Winning POV Content: A Step-by-Step Guide

Ready to make your own? Creating an effective POV video is more about the idea than the technical skill. Follow these steps to get it right.

Step 1: Brainstorm a Relatable Scenario

The heart of a great POV video is an experience your audience instantly recognizes. Start by thinking about your niche and your ideal follower. What are their daily routines, secret thoughts, biggest wins, and most annoying frustrations?

Don't be afraid to get super specific. Vague scenarios are forgettable. Targeted ones build community.

• For a real estate agent: Not just "POV: House hunting." Instead, try "POV: Your client says 'I'll know it when I see it' when you ask for their must-haves." This speaks directly to other agents who have felt that exact pain point.
• For a coffee shop: Instead of "POV: getting coffee," try "POV: that internal debate deciding if it’s a one or two-espresso shot kind of morning."
• For a graphic designer: "POV: The client's only feedback on the final draft is ‘make it pop.’"

Write down at least 10 of these ultra-specific moments. The more you have, the easier the next steps will be.

Step 2: Craft Your On-Screen Text

Your on-screen text isn't just a caption, it's the title of your story. It needs to set the scene in seconds. The proven formula is to start with "POV:" and then clearly describe the situation you're showing.

Best practices for POV text:

• Be Clear and Concise: No one is going to pause to read a paragraph. Keep it short enough to be read in the first three seconds.
• Place it Strategically: Position the text at the top or center of the screen, making sure it’s not obscured by Instagram’s interface buttons (like the like, comment, and share buttons on the right or the caption at the bottom).
• Use a Legible Font: Instagram’s built-in text editor has plenty of options. Choose a clean font with good contrast against your background. A background block of color behind your text always helps it stand out.

Step 3: Film from the Correct Perspective

This is where "point of view" becomes literal. You need to shoot the video from the perspective of the story you’re telling.

• If the POV is happening to you (what you are seeing or hearing): Film from your own viewpoint. Hold the camera up near your eyes. Your hands, your laptop, or a coffee cup might appear in the shot to reinforce that the viewer is the person in the scenario.
• If the POV is about interacting with you: Film yourself playing a part. Set the camera up on a tripod and act out what someone else would see if they were looking at you or talking to you.

The perspective must match the text to avoid confusing the viewer.

Step 4: Find the Perfect Trending Audio

Sound is half the experience, especially in short-form video. The right audio clip can elevate a good idea into a viral one. It adds emotional context, humor, and tells the viewer they’re "in on" a current trend.

Spend some time scrolling through the Reels feed to see what sounds are popular. Save any audios that seem like they could fit the vibe of your content ideas - whether it's dialogue from a TV show, a catchy song, or just a funny sound effect. Using trending audio also helps your content get shown to a wider audience, as Instagram’s algorithm often prioritizes it.

Step 5: Edit for Pacing and Impact

Your edit should serve the story. You want to get to the main relatable moment smoothly. Don’t add unnecessary fluff at the beginning. Use quick cuts if you need to show a sequence of actions or changing expressions. And always, always add captions for your dialogue or key sound effects. A large portion of users watch videos without sound, so captions ensure everyone gets the joke or understands the story.

5 POV Ideas for Different Niches (to Get You Started)

Feeling stuck? Here are five plug-and-play ideas organized by niche to spark some inspiration.

1. For E-commerce Brands: Idea: "POV: Watching the tracking number update to 'Out For Delivery' on an order you've been waiting for."
   How to film: Film yourself excitedly refreshing a page on your laptop or phone, maybe doing a little happy dance.
2. For Coaches &, Service Providers: Idea: "POV: Reading a new 5-star review that just came in."
   How to film: Hold your phone as if you're reading, and show your genuine (or acted) reaction - a hand to your heart, a big smile, or a silent happy cheer.
3. For Local Businesses (like a Gym or Studio): Idea: "POV: That sigh of relief when you walk in and see your favorite treadmill is free."
   How to film: A first-person shot walking toward a machine, showing a big thumbs-up, and setting your water bottle down.
4. For B2B or SaaS Companies: Idea: "POV: The project manager seeing a team member change the status of a long-standing ticket to 'Done'."
   How to film: Film yourself staring at a computer screen with a look of utter disbelief and delight.
5. For Real Estate: Idea: "POV: Watching the inspector tell your buyer the foundation and roof are both in fantastic shape."
   How to film: Film your reaction to the great news. You might show a sigh of relief, followed by a celebratory, but professional gesture.

Common Mistakes to Avoid With POV Content

• Being too broad: "POV: a hard day at work" means nothing. But "POV: When a client emails you a 'quick question' a minute before you close your laptop for the weekend" is hyper-specific and hilariously relatable.
• Mismatched text and perspective: The perspective must logically align with the text. If the text says you're receiving news, the viewer should be looking at the person reacting. If it says you're giving news, the viewer should be looking at the person you are talking to.
• Ignoring the hook: The text needs to be there immediately, along with the video's core action, to keep people from scrolling past.
• Forgetting Audio's Role: Videos without sound tend to feel eerie and incomplete. Even if there isn't trending music or audio that aligns with your idea, try adding a subtle soundtrack in the background to create a more dynamic viewing experience.

Final Thoughts

In short, using "POV" in your Instagram content is a simple yet powerful way to boost engagement and foster a community. When you are putting your audience in your shoes - or someone else's - you're moving past passive content consumption to craft shared, relatable experiences that build lasting connections.

First, you have to come up with the content ideas, then you need to film, edit, and publish them. After all that's finished, you still need to schedule the posts. As a business owner, your job is never done. We built Postbase to streamline the post-creation process, especially for today's video-first strategists. Our visual calendar gives you a bird's-eye view of all your Reels, Stories, and other videos across all your social channels. You can plan your content weeks or months in advance and have peace of mind knowing they'll publish when they're supposed to - every time.