
If your Instagram posts or Reels aren’t getting the Instagram views and reach you want, you’re not alone. The platform is more competitive than ever, and Instagram’s algorithm rewards content that keeps people watching, engaging, and sharing.
The good news? You can work with the algorithm to get more Instagram views, boost engagement, and grow your Instagram audience organically (no paid ads required).
Below are 15 proven tips to help you increase your Instagram views, improve engagement rates, and make your content stand out.
15 Tips to Get More Instagram Views:
- Post Reels Consistently
- Nail the First 3 Seconds
- Leverage Trending Sounds
- Keep Content Fresh With New Music
- Post at Peak Times
- Write Engaging Captions
- Use Hashtags Strategically
- Experiment With Carousel Posts
- Collaborate With Other Creators
- Engage Before and After Posting
- Repurpose High-Performing Content
- Use Story Stickers
- Optimize Your Profile
- Cross-Promote on Other Platforms
- Post User-Generated Content
More Resources:
1. Post Reels Consistently
Instagram has made it clear: Reels are their top content format. Regularly posting Reels signals to Instagram’s algorithm that you’re an active, valuable creator, increasing the likelihood your content gets recommended and viewed by more people.
Best practices for sharing Reels:
- Aim for 3–5 Reels per week
- Batch-create content so you always have posts ready
- Use text overlays to engage users who watch with volume off
Consistency builds momentum, leading to a steady increase in your Instagram views over time.
2. Nail the First 3 Seconds
Retention is key to growing Instagram views. The first 3 seconds decide whether viewers keep watching or scroll away. Capture attention immediately with motion, bold visuals, or a provocative hook.
Best practices for strong hooks:
- Pose a question or tease the content outcome early
- Start with an intriguing or surprising shot
- Use on-screen text to communicate value quickly
- Avoid slow intros or long fades
3. Leverage Trending Sounds
Joining trending challenges and using popular sounds is one of the fastest ways to get more Instagram views. Instagram’s algorithm favors content that participates in current trends, helping you tap into wider audiences beyond your followers.
Best practices for using trending sounds on Instagram:
- Monitor Instagram’s Reels Explore page and TikTok for rising sound trends
- Jump on trends early to maximize exposure
- Put your own unique spin on trending challenges to stand out
- Combine trending sounds with strong visuals or storytelling to keep viewers hooked
4. Keep Content Fresh With New Music
While trending sounds attract quick attention, the right music keeps your audience engaged and builds your brand’s vibe over time. Using fresh, cleared music regularly can set your content apart and avoid copyright risks.
Best practices for using music on Instagram:
- Refresh your audio library regularly with new songs
- Use cleared music platforms like Thematic to avoid copyright issues
- Select tracks that complement your brand’s tone and the mood of your content
- Use licensed music helps you avoid muted videos, takedowns, or demonetization.
Why Thematic Belongs in Every Creator’s Toolkit
Music is a powerful emotional tool that can turn casual viewers into loyal followers. However, using unlicensed or copyrighted tracks can result in your videos being muted, removed, or demonetized – a serious risk for creators and brands.

Thematic solves this problem by offering:
- A vast library of trending, fully cleared music safe for Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and more
- Curated playlists organized by mood, genre, and theme for quick, easy discovery
- Unlimited free access for creators, making it simple to find and use quality tracks legally
- Support for monetized and business accounts, so you never risk copyright strikes
For example, a lifestyle creator can choose upbeat, cleared tracks from Thematic’s “Travel Aesthetic” playlist, knowing their videos won’t be muted or taken down – all while keeping their content fresh and engaging with trending music.
Start building your cleared music library with Thematic today, and add a professional soundtrack to every Instagram post that deserves to be seen and heard.
5. Post at Peak Times
Posting when your audience is most active increases the chance of early engagement, which Instagram’s algorithm favors (and that leads to more Instagram views overall).
Best practices for scheduling Instagram posts:
- Use Instagram Insights to find peak follower activity
- Schedule posts 15–30 minutes before peak times
- Test posting times and adjust based on performance
- Consider international time zones if you have a global audience
6. Write Engaging Captions
Captions give your posts context and encourage interaction, turning passive viewers into active commenters and savers, which increases your Instagram views and reach.
Best practices for writing Instagram captions:
- Keep captions easy to read with short paragraphs and emojis
- Tell a story or share behind-the-scenes info
- Ask questions to spark comments
- Include clear calls-to-action like “Tag a friend” or “Share your thoughts”
7. Use Hashtags Strategically
Hashtags help Instagram categorize and surface your content to relevant audiences, boosting views.
Best practices for using Instagram hashtags:
- Research hashtags for engagement, not just volume
- Combine broad hashtags (like: #fitness) with niche-specific ones (#pilatescoreworkout)
- Use 3-5 hashtags per post, ideally in the first comment to keep captions clean
- Rotate hashtag sets regularly to avoid spam flags
8. Experiment With Carousel Posts
Carousels keep people swiping, which increases post engagement and total impressions – both positive signals to Instagram’s algorithm.
Best practices for Instagram carousels:
- Share multi-step tutorials or storytelling in slides
- Use consistent branding and visual flow across slides
- Add captions or tips on each slide to add value
- Include a call-to-action in the last slide
9. Collaborate With Other Creators
Instagram collaborations expose your content to new, relevant audiences and help build community.
Best practices:
- Use Instagram’s Collab feature to share posts across profiles
- Partner with creators in your niche with complementary audiences
- Plan joint campaigns or challenges for greater engagement
- Tag collaborators and encourage cross-promotion
10. Engage Before and After Posting
Engagement is a two-way street. Active engagement signals to Instagram that you’re a valuable community member, which helps grow your Instagram views.
Engagement best practices for Instagram:
- Spend 10–15 minutes liking and commenting on others’ posts before publishing
- Reply promptly to comments on your posts to keep the conversation alive
- Engage with your followers’ Stories and content regularly
- Use genuine, personalized comments instead of generic ones
11. Repurpose High-Performing Content
Don’t let your best content lose momentum. Repurposing allows you to reach new audiences with less effort.
Best practices for resharing existing content:
- Convert viral Reels into carousel posts or Stories
- Clip longer videos into short teaser clips
- Update old posts with fresh visuals or captions
- Share repurposed content across platforms
12. Use Story Stickers
Interactive stickers boost engagement and help your Stories rank higher in follower feeds.
Best practices for using Story Stickers:
- Use polls, quizzes, sliders, and question stickers regularly
- Gather audience feedback or preferences through polls
- Use stickers to tease upcoming content or offers
- Respond to Story replies to deepen connections
13. Optimize Your Profile
Your Instagram profile is your brand’s landing page. Make a strong impression quickly to convert profile visits into followers.
Best practices for optimizing your Instagram profile:
- Use a clear, high-quality profile photo
- Craft a keyword-rich bio that communicates your value clearly
- Add a clickable link that leads to your website or latest offer
- Organize Highlights with relevant categories and cover images
14. Cross-Promote on Other Platforms
Reach new audiences by sharing content across multiple social platforms, driving traffic back to your Instagram and boosting views.
Best practices:
- Repurpose Instagram Reels as TikTok videos and YouTube Shorts
- Share content previews on X, Facebook, and Pinterest
- Link back to Instagram for exclusive content or giveaways
- Maintain consistent branding and messaging
15. Post User-Generated Content
As a creator, sharing user-generated content from your audience is a powerful way to build community and authenticity. Featuring your followers’ photos, videos, or reactions not only shows appreciation but encourages more fans to engage, which ultimately drives Instagram views.
Best practices for posting UGC:
- Repost photos or videos your followers tag you in or send directly
- Always credit the original creator to build trust
- Encourage your audience to tag you or use a branded hashtag for a chance to be featured
- Use UGC to tell authentic stories that resonate with your community
FAQs about increasing Instagram views
Growing on Instagram isn’t just about posting more often- it’s about understanding what actually drives views. Creators often ask how to boost reach, whether hashtags still matter, or if Reels perform better than posts. Below, we’ve answered the most common FAQs about getting more Instagram views to help you get more eyes on your content.
Do hashtags still work in 2025?
Yes, when used strategically alongside engaging content. Mix broad and niche hashtags and rotate them regularly.
How do I get more views on Instagram Reels?
To maximize your Instagram views on Reels, focus on strong hooks, consistent posting, trending (cleared) music, and active engagement before and after posting.
Can I use any song on Instagram for my business account?
No. Many popular songs are licensed for personal use only. Use cleared music from platforms like Thematic to stay safe.
Should I post daily or less frequently?
Quality over quantity. Posting 3–4 high-quality pieces weekly is generally better than daily low-effort content.
What’s the best time to post on Instagram?
It depends on your audience. Use Instagram Insights to find when your followers are active and schedule posts just before those peak times.
Final Thoughts & Next Steps
Getting more Instagram views and engagement isn’t about chasing every new trend – it’s about creating content that resonates and consistently delivers value. These 15 tips will help you work with the algorithm, not against it, to grow your reach organically.
One of the most powerful (and overlooked) tools for boosting engagement is your soundtrack. The right music can make your content more memorable, but the wrong track can lead to copyright issues or demonetization. That’s why thousands of creators trust Thematic to find free, trending songs that are fully cleared for Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and beyond.
Start implementing these strategies today, and pair them with the perfect music from Thematic to give your Instagram content a professional, polished edge.
Get Trending Sounds for your Reels
User-generated content (UGC) is a powerful way to build trust and community on Instagram. The right soundtrack makes these authentic moments even more engaging.
Explore Thematic’s curated playlist of Top Songs for UGC Content featuring upbeat, versatile, and cleared tracks perfect for highlighting your audience’s creativity and maximizing your Instagram views.

Soundtrack your Instagram Reels with Thematic – copyright safe, trending, music, and free to use. Sign up today at Thematic and start growing your Instagram views with music you can trust.
Looking for more free creator tools and resources? Visit Thematic’s Creator Toolkit for additional resources on creating content – including thumbnail and channel art templates, best practices, and of course, great royalty free songs to use in your videos for free with Thematic.

These Top Tips for for Maximizing your Instagram Views is brought to you by Thematic Director of Partnerships, Stephanie Leyva
Stephanie Leyva sits at the intersection of music artists and content creators. As the Director of Partnerships at Thematic, Stephanie has worked extensively with the artist and creator community on the site to ensure success digitally, on the platform, and support their initiatives.
Over the past few years, she has led numerous trending music-driven influencer marketing campaigns for “Glitter” and “Supalonely (feat. Gus Dapperton” by BENEE, “Loneliness for Love” by Lovelytheband, “Checklist (feat. Chromeo)” by MAX and so many more. She’s worked alongside various labels such as Casablanca Records, Republic Records and Sony Music. Focused on empowering connections between content creators and music artists, Stephanie continues to lead the charge in innovative music discovery through social.
Stephanie is also the creator of the Bloom In Progress podcast – a podcast about personal growth, relationships and navigating life in your 20’s.