Instagram views matter as they show how your content performs. And the Instagram views increase can lead to more engagement and better standing with the algorithm.
But the challenge lies in how to get more views on Instagram, especially as a new content creator.
And that’s what this article is for. We’ll share tips on Instagram views hacks, from optimizing your profile to using effective hashtags to boost your content visibility. So, let’s dive in!
What are Instagram Views
To get more views on Instagram, you need to understand what views really mean. Without that, you’ll end up trying the wrong strategies and wasting your time.
Simply put, Instagram views are the number of times your content appears on someone’s screen. This applies to any of your photos, carousels, Reels, and Stories.
- For photos, a view happens as soon as your post shows up on someone’s feed, even if they scroll past quickly.
- For Carousels, each slide that appears counts as a separate Instagram view. Swipe through all slides, and you get a view for each. Skipped slides only count if they actually show up.
- For Stories, a view is counted as soon as it loads. It doesn’t matter if you watch for one second or the full 15 seconds. Replaying it within 24 hours doesn’t increase the count.
- For Reels, a view only counts after someone watches for at least three seconds. This filters out passive scrolling and rewards content that truly grabs attention.
In short, if someone scrolls past your content, it’s an Insta view, even if they don’t like or comment. But how views count depends on the post type, as explained above.
Related: What are Impressions on Instagram
Why Getting More Instagram Views Matter
Views are one of the top three key metrics along with reach and shares. So, why does getting more views matter? Here are the reasons:
1. Helps You Reach More People
Getting more views helps you reach more people. Why? Because Instagram’s algorithm loves posts that grab attention quickly.
Think of it like a snowball effect. When you first post something, Instagram shows it to a small group of your followers. If those first viewers engage, Instagram sees it as a sign of great content.
This positive feedback tells the algorithm to share your post with more people. It helps your post reach a larger audience and grow over time through the Explore page, too.
2. Boosts Your Engagement Levels
The same thing happened with the engagement levels. When your content gets more views, it naturally creates more opportunities for people to like, comment, share, or save it.
For example, if you see a great cosplay post, share it with friends through DMs or tag them. This gives the content the attention it deserves. Plus, they might comment or pass it on.
3. Builds Your Credibility
Basically, a high view count means many people like your content, which makes you look more trustworthy and respected on Instagram.
People are more likely to believe you know what you’re talking about. This is called social proof. It’s a simple way to show that your work is valuable.
4. Guides Your Future Content Decisions
When you see which posts get the most views, it helps you create better content for your followers.
If your short videos hit around 1,500 views and your longer talking ones get about 800, it shows people like quick, helpful clips more. Instagram shows you these stats in Insights.
This information can help you boost your next post. Not just the topic, not just the format. This helps you tweak your overall strategy, like posting times, to get even more views and engagement.
5. Opens Up Opportunities for Monetization
Brands are willing to pay 2.1 times more for sponsored posts with good engagement. So, if many people see and interact with your content, you have a better chance of earning money from brand deals.
For the brands, when more people see posts about their products or services, this can lead to more sales or sign-ups.
How to Get More Views on Instagram
Here are some simple tips to help increase your Instagram views:
1. Turn Your Profile Into a Magnet
- Good For: All types of content
Your profile is the first thing people see when they find you. If you want to boost your Insta views, make sure it clearly shows who you are and what your content is all about.
When your profile is neat and informative, people can instantly decide if they want to dive into your posts, Stories, or Reels.
What’s more, a great profile helps you get discovered. Instagram algorithm loves profiles that are well put together. That way, it’s more likely that your account to appear in searches and suggestions.
How to boost your Instagram views with your profile?
- Use a clear, high-quality profile photo
- Pick a simple, searchable username
- Write a short, keyword-rich bio about your content
- Add one main link to your best content in bio
- Organize and update Story Highlights
- Pin your best posts to the top of your feed
2. Use Keywords Where They Count
- Good For: All types of content
When you use keywords that your audience searches for, Instagram connects your content with people who want to see it.
Basically, the platform scans your captions, hashtags, and even alt text to understand your content. So, make sure you put those keywords where they count.
We, Gank, use keywords in our profile, too. As we help content creators grow, we include keywords like “content creators” in our bio. This leads to more views from those who care about being creators.
How to use keywords for more views:
- Find niche keywords using Instagram suggestions
- Include 3 to 5 main keywords in your captions especially at the start
- Add relevant keywords to your alt text and Story overlays
- Use 5 to 10 hashtags that include your target keywords
- Update your bio Story Highlights covers and titles with keywords
3. Stand Out with Your Own Niche
- Good For: All types of content
Your niche is what sets you apart from millions of other Instagram accounts. When you stick to one clear, specific topic, Instagram can better understand what your content is about.
For example, if you’re a gamer, especially good at Fortnite, you can share your wins on Instagram. It works and can help your reels get over 11 million views like this one:
This focused approach helps you reach the right audience who will genuinely engage with your posts and keep coming back.
How to own your niche and boost your Instagram views?
- Pick one main topic and stick to it for all your content
- Create content that solves specific problems in your niche
- Use niche-specific language and terms your audience knows
- Engage with other accounts in your niche to build community
4. Show Up Consistently
- Good For: All types of content
Staying consistent is what makes successful Instagram accounts stand out. First, posting regularly shows the algorithm you’re active. Plus, your audience see you as a serious creator.
So, posting whenever an idea strikes, then disappearing when you’re out of ideas, isn’t the way to grow your Instagram views.
And the research shows that those who post regularly get about five times more engagement than those who post only sometimes.
So, how to get more Instagram views by posting content consistently?
- Plan your posts ahead with a content calendar
- Batch create content on certain days to stay ahead
- Set reminders or use scheduling tools to stay consistent
- Keep your style and voice the same across all posts
5. Post When Your Audience Is Online
- Good For: All types of content
Showing up regularly is great, but timing matters too. The last thing you want to do is post when everyone’s asleep or busy.
But, should you post at noon like Mr. Beast did with his fiancé on a $1 date? Or at midnight, which can sometimes get up to 25,000 views per reel?
It depends on your strategy. The first 15 to 60 minutes after posting are key. Likes, comments, and shares then help Instagram show your post to more people.
Here’s how you can post to get maximum views from your audience:
- Check the Professional Dashboard’s Insights to see when your audience is most active
- Post at different times. Sometimes, posting at midnight can bring in more views per reel
- For different time zones, post at different times
- Use social media scheduling tools like Hootsuite to help you plan and schedule your posts easily
6. Hashtag Smarter, Not Harder
- Good For: All types of content
A hashtag is a clickable word or phrase with “#” that shows what your post is about. When you use hashtags, you tell Instagram what your content covers.
For example, if you’re a gamer, you might use hashtags like #Fortnite or #GamingSetups to show your newest Fortnite gameplay on Reels or your gaming computer setups on a carousel.
You want to mix popular, niche, and smaller hashtags? Good idea. But don’t just add many trending hashtags, use them wisely to get better results.
Here’s how you can hashtag smarter for more Instagram views:
- Research popular niche hashtags using Instagram’s search or tools like Flick
- Use broad and targeted hashtags to reach wider and niche audiences like #games, #mobilegames, or #pubgmobile
- Create your own unique branded hashtag like #GankNow
- Add extra hashtags in the first comment after posting
- Don’t use banned hashtags and rotate your hashtags
7. Put Yourself on the Map
- Good For: All types of content
A location tag on Instagram links your posts to a specific place like a city, landmark, or venue. It makes your content easier to find for people searching or browsing that area.
If you post a cosplay picture at Anime Expo in LA and tag the location, anyone searching for Anime Expo or interested in the event will find your post. So, it reaches beyond your followers.
When you add a location tag to your Instagram posts, it can boost your visibility. In fact, posts with location tags get up to 79% more engagement than those without.
So, how you can use location tags for more Instagram views?
- Add a specific location tag if your content is place-related, like ‘PAX East, Boston’ or exact spots
- Use location stickers in your Stories to boost views three times higher
- Tag popular landmarks, venues, or neighborhoods in your area like “Times Square”
- Explore location pages on Instagram to see what’s trending in places you post about
8. Make Every Visual Scroll Stopping
- Good For: Photos, Carousels, and Reels
Want to stop people mid-scroll on Instagram? It all comes down to visuals. Whether it’s a photo, carousel, story, or reel, your content needs to catch the eye fast.
Bright colors, wild angles, bold contrasts? Anything to grab attention. The goal is to stand out from boring content. When someone scrolls, they decide in a flash: move on or take a closer look.
If you’re a fashion influencer or gamer like Sssniperwolf, you’re not just posting pictures. You’re creating a vibe and telling a story. Make it so unique that people say, “I’ve never seen this.”
How to make visuals that stop scrolls and boost Instagram views:
- Use colors that stand out against the white background, like neon shades or cosplay costumes.
- Capture lively moments and interesting angles, like jumping or costume reveals.
- Show before-and-after shots, like makeup or room makeovers.
- Try unusual shots, like close-ups or top-down views.
- Show faces and make eye contact when you can; people like looking at faces
9. Hook Audiences with Great Captions
- Good For: All types of content
A caption on Instagram is the words below your post. You can use it to explain, tell a story, ask a question, or share your thoughts.
Caption optimization can help get more views on Instagram because it keeps people interested after they see the picture. And this shows Instagram your content’s worth sharing.
Whether you’re a gamer explaining your strategy, a vlogger telling your story, your caption turns a scroll into engagement that boosts your reach.
Here’s how you can write captions that get more Instagram views:
- Share emotional stories, like struggles behind your latest podcast
- Ask questions to spark comments, like what Pokimane did: “Do you like my outfit?”
- Use line breaks and emojis to make captions easy to scan
- Add hashtags and keywords to help new audiences discover your content
- Keep your brand voice consistent
10. Keep Your Feed Fresh and Varied
- Good For: All types of content
Want to keep your feed fun and interesting? You should try mixing things up. Share different types of posts like photos, videos, stories, or even a funny meme.
You can also change how you share things, try different topics, styles, or ways of showing your content. This helps show different parts of you or your personal brand.
Why stick with boring when you can make everything fresh and exciting? It’s the best way to keep your followers interested and get new people to follow you.
These are the tips to boost Instagram views with fresh feed:
- Use different formats: photos, carousels, Reels, Stories
- Mix polished and behind-the-scenes moments
- Combine educational and fun posts: tips, funny clips, fashion ideas
- Change visual styles: angles, lighting, colors, layouts
11. Turn Comments into Conversations
- Good For: All types of content
You know that moment when you click “post,” and a few comments come in, but then it gets quiet? It doesn’t have to stay that way if you know what to do.
Comments are more than just little notes from your audience. They are great chances to have real conversations. That way, your content stays interesting for longer and gets more views.
When you reply carefully, you’re not just being nice. You’re showing you care about your audience, so they want to come back. This builds connections and helps more people see your content.
How to boost your Instagram views by turning comments into conversations:
- Reply to every comment within 2-4 hours
- Ask follow-up questions to keep the chat going
- Share your own stories related to comments
- Tag other followers who might be interested
- Use replies to give extra tips or info
12. Make Stories Interactive
- Good For: Stories
If you want more people to see your Instagram stories, just posting photos or videos isn’t enough.
Adding polls, questions, quizzes, sliders, countdowns, or stickers can turn your stories into conversations rather than just passive content.
Remember, Instagram’s algorithm pays attention to interaction, watch time, and complete story views.
So, when viewers tap, vote, slide, or reply to your interactive features, Instagram notices that as a sign your content is interesting. That can help your stories get more views.
How to boost your Instagram views by making Stories interactive:
- Use poll stickers so your followers can pick between two choices
- Add question stickers to get ideas, like “What tutorial should I make next?”
- Make quizzes to test what they know about your topic, like gaming trivia
- Use emoji sliders to see how excited they are about your project
- Add countdown stickers for upcoming streams, reveals, or new content
- Use the “Add Yours” sticker to start chains for followers to share their versions
Related: Instagram Story Ideas
13. Highlight What Matters Most
- Good For: Stories
Stories are good for grabbing attention, but they only last 24 hours. Even if they’re awesome, most new followers won’t see them before they disappear. This is where Instagram Highlights come in
You can save your best Stories in Highlights, and create a permanent collection that lives right on your profile. Your new visitor can instantly see your top content, even days, weeks, or months later.
It’s one of the best ways to get more views on Instagram. Highlighting short bursts of engagement into long-term viewer interest.
Want to boost your Instagram views using highlights? You can do these steps:
- Group Stories into themes like “Setup Tours,” “Process Videos,” “Tips & Tricks,” “Behind Scenes”
- Limit to four Highlights so they’re visible without swiping
- Place your most important content first, e.g., “Tutorials” if that’s your focus
- Use short, clear names under 15 characters
- Keep cover images consistent and branded
- Focus on evergreen content like “How-To Guides,” “Gear Picks,” “Beginner Tips,” “Common Mistakes”
- Update Highlights monthly by removing outdated content and adding new Stories
14. Ride the Wave of What’s Trending
- Good For: Reels and Stories
When TikTok changed the game, Instagram had to adapt. And today, trends are what really drive social media.
Reels and Stories are now the main places where trends spread, whether it’s viral dances, popular sounds, or new storytelling styles.
To do well on Reels and Stories, you need to stay on top of what’s trending. And guess what? Instagram influencers who jump on these trends usually get the best engagement, over 2%.
So, how to stay on top of Instagram trends and boost your views:
- Check Reels on Explore for new trends
- Follow influencers or trendsetters in your niche
- Jump on trends within 24-48 hours to catch the trends
- Pay attention to what your followers are sharing
15. Jump on Viral Sounds
- Good For: Reels and Stories
Have you ever been scrolling through Reels and stopped when you hear a sound or music you recognize? That’s how viral sounds can boost Instagram views.
If you want to use this strategy, you have to do it quick. Trends don’t wait around, and once they peak, everyone starts using the same sounds and effects.
Tick Tick Boom’s been in over 5.5 million reels. You can still use viral sounds like it, but they’re not as hype as before. The key is to jump in early and put your own spin on it.
Here’s what you need to do to boost your Instagram views: jump on viral sounds and effects:
- Check Instagram Reels audio library daily for sounds with upward arrows
- Jump on sounds with under 10,000 uses to catch trends early
- Adapt trending audio to fit your style instead of forcing it
- Watch TikTok’s trending sounds since many move to Instagram quickly
- Save trending sounds when you see them, even if you can’t use them yet
16. Be First to Try New Instagram Tools
- Good For: All types of content
From captions translations and Blends, to Trial Reels and Reels edits. Instagram keeps adding new features all the time. Creators who try them out early usually get more views.
Keep in mind that when Instagram launches something new, they want users to try it. And the quickest way to do that is by sharing content that shows off the new features.
So, if you use new features first, your posts stand out and get more attention. Plus, early adopters often get more visibility in the algorithm, helping their content reach more people.
How to boost your Instagram views by being first with new tools:
- Follow Instagram’s official blog and @creators for updates
- Join beta programs when they open
- Try new features within hours of release
- Make content showing how the new tools work
- Test different versions to see what fits best
- Keep your app updated to get new features right away
17. Teaming Up with Other Creators
- Good For: All types of content
Thinking you can boost Instagram views alone? Not quite. Most social platforms, including Instagram, promote collaboration.
TikTok has duets and stitches. Instagram lets you team up with up to five creators for posts and use Remix for Reels and other types.
And it’s not just about getting quick views. It’s also about learning how to work with others, like influencers do with brands.
How to boost your Instagram views through creator collaborations:
- Use Instagram’s Collab feature to post together on both profiles
- Find creators whose followers might like your content but don’t follow you yet
- Work on content across platforms, like joint Twitch streams
- Team up with creators outside your usual niche to reach new people
- Share behind-the-scenes moments to keep your audience interested and show your partnership
18. Cross-Promote on Other Platforms
- Good For: All types of content
Are you getting thousands of views on TikTok but few on Instagram? Do your YouTube subscribers enjoy long videos but ignore quick Instagram stories?
If you answered yes, it’s time to start cross-promoting. Each platform has its own strengths, and using them together can help grow your audience.
But don’t just copy-paste; tailor content to each platform’s style and audience. ers to watch the full video on YouTube.
How to boost your Instagram views with cross-promotion:
- Find out which platforms have your most active audiences
- Change your content to fit each platform’s style
- Use features like Stories links or bios to get more visitors
- See which platforms send the best traffic to your Instagram
- Keep your branding consistent so people recognize you everywhere
Related: How to Get Followers on Instagram
So, How to Get More Instagram Views?
Want to get more views on Instagram? You already know the basics—making your profile better, following trends, writing good captions, and using the right hashtags.
And when your Instagram views increase, your engagement goes up. And keep mind that more engagement means more chances to turn your passion into profit.
You can make money not just from sponsored posts on Instagram. On platforms like Gank, you can earn money through donations, selling merchandise, and fan memberships.
