5 Expert Tips to Get More Engagement on Instagram

In today’s dynamic digital landscape, Instagram remains a powerhouse for brands and creators alike. Yet, simply having an Instagram presence isn’t enough; true success hinges on engagement. From likes and comments to shares, saves, and direct messages, engagement signals to the Instagram algorithm that your content is valuable, relevant, and worth showing to a wider audience. Moreover, high engagement builds community, trust, and ultimately, drives business growth.

However, the competition is fierce, and the algorithm is constantly evolving.

As of 2024, Instagram prioritizes original content, user relationships, and content type preferences. Therefore, to truly cut through the noise and foster meaningful interactions, you need a strategic approach.

This comprehensive guide delves into five expert-backed tips to significantly boost your Instagram engagement. We’ll explore actionable strategies that align with the platform’s current priorities, helping you transform passive followers into active participants. Let’s unlock the secrets to higher interactions and a thriving Instagram community.

Engage More, Grow Faster — Own the Instagram Algorithm!

The shift towards video content on Instagram is undeniable and continues to accelerate. Driven by the immense popularity of platforms like TikTok, Instagram has heavily invested in Reels, making them a cornerstone of discovery and engagement. Consequently, leveraging video effectively is no longer optional; it’s essential for maximizing your Instagram reach and fostering deeper connections.

Reels are short-form, vertical videos designed for quick consumption and maximum impact. According to Sprout Social, Reels from Instagram influencers saw the highest engagement rate at 2.08% in 2024, outperforming other content formats. This demonstrates a strong audience preference for concise, entertaining, or informative video content.

• Create Engaging Hooks: The first 3-5 seconds of your Reel are critical. Use a compelling hook—a surprising visual, a relatable question, or an intriguing statement—to immediately grab attention and encourage viewers to watch more.
• Utilize Trending Audio: Tapping into trending audio tracks can significantly increase your Reel’s discoverability. The Instagram algorithm often pushes content that uses popular sounds, giving your video a wider audience reach. Check the “Audio” section when creating a Reel to find what’s currently trending.
• Add Text Overlays and Captions: Many users watch videos without sound, especially in public spaces. Therefore, incorporating text overlays that highlight key points or provide context ensures your message is accessible and understood by all. Furthermore, captions improve accessibility for users with hearing impairments.
• Keep it Concise and Value-Packed: While Reels can be up to 90 seconds, shorter, punchy videos often perform better. Focus on delivering clear value or entertainment efficiently. Whether it’s a quick tutorial, a behind-the-scenes glimpse, or a relatable snippet, ensure every second counts.
• Experiment with Templates and Effects: Instagram provides various templates and effects within the Reels editor. These tools can simplify creation and help your content look more polished and professional, which can in turn boost viewer retention.

While Reels dominate, don’t neglect other video opportunities. Incorporate short-form video into your regular feed posts and use video stickers or live Q&As in your Instagram Stories. Video often conveys emotion and information more effectively than static images, thus enhancing audience interaction. Remember, consistent content is key to building and maintaining audience interest.

Engagement isn’t just about passive consumption; it’s about active participation. Therefore, truly improving your Instagram engagement means moving beyond broadcasting to genuinely connecting with your audience. Think of your followers as a community, not just a number.

Every piece of content you post is an opportunity to start a conversation.

• In Captions: End your captions with open-ended questions that encourage comments. For instance, “What’s your biggest challenge with X?” or “Which option do you prefer?” This directly prompts interaction and provides valuable insights into your audience’s preferences.
• In Stories: Utilize interactive stickers like Polls, Quizzes, Question Boxes, and Sliders. These are incredibly easy for users to engage with, often requiring just a single tap. Brands like Sephora often use Stories to offer behind-the-scenes glimpses and interactive elements, making followers feel more involved.
• Instagram Live: Host Q&A sessions, tutorials, or casual chats on Instagram Live. This real-time interaction builds strong relationships and fosters a sense of community. Encourage viewers to ask questions in the comments, and address them directly.

The most crucial aspect of fostering conversation is responding to comments and direct messages. When you respond, you signal that you value your audience’s input. Aim to:

• Reply to all comments: Even a simple “Thanks for sharing!” can go a long way. For more meaningful comments, offer thoughtful replies that continue the conversation.
• Answer DMs: Direct messages are private, intimate spaces for connection. Respond to inquiries, feedback, and general chats to build individual relationships.
• Engage with other accounts: Don’t just wait for people to come to you. Actively engage with other accounts in your niche, respond to their posts, and participate in conversations. This boosts your visibility and signals to the algorithm that you are an active and social user.

User-generated content is incredibly powerful for authenticity and engagement. Nosto reports that individuals are three times more likely to perceive UGC as authentic.

• Create Branded Hashtags: Encourage your audience to use a specific hashtag when sharing content related to your brand. For example, GoPro’s #GoProFamily fosters a strong community around their user-generated footage.
• Run Contests and Giveaways: These are excellent for boosting engagement. Set clear, simple entry rules that require interaction, such as liking your post, tagging friends, following your account, or sharing to Stories. This is an effective strategy for attracting new followers and increasing visibility.
• Reshare UGC: When followers use your products or engage with your brand, reshare their content (with permission and credit, of course!). This not only provides fresh content for your feed but also makes your followers feel seen and appreciated, encouraging more submissions.

While the Instagram algorithm has evolved, hashtags and keywords remain vital for discoverability and engagement. They help Instagram understand your content’s topic and show it to relevant audiences.

Don’t just use random hashtags. Research relevant hashtags that align with your content and target audience.

• Mix Hashtag Sizes: Use a blend of broad (e.g., #marketingtips), niche-specific (e.g., #socialmediatips), and branded hashtags (e.g., #YourBrandName). This broadens your reach while also targeting specific interested communities.
• Utilize Related Hashtags: Look at the “Related” section when you search for a hashtag on Instagram. These are excellent LSI (Latent Semantic Indexing) keywords that can provide more context to your content and broaden its discoverability without keyword stuffing.
• Hashtag Placement: While you can put hashtags in your caption or the first comment, placing them directly in the caption is generally recommended for discoverability. Instagram allows up to 30 hashtags, though research suggests 3-5 highly relevant hashtags often yield the best results for engagement. Sprinklr suggests that using 3-5 relevant hashtags gets the highest engagement.

Instagram’s search functionality is becoming more sophisticated. Users can now search for keywords within captions, bios, and even Reels.

• Keywords in Captions: Naturally weave relevant keywords into your captions. Think about what your target audience would search for to find content like yours.
• Keywords in Bio: Your Instagram bio is a prime piece of real estate. Include keywords that describe what you do and who you serve. This helps Instagram categorize your account and show it to relevant users.
• Alt Text for Images: Utilize the “Alt Text” feature when posting images. Describe your image using relevant keywords. This not only improves accessibility but also provides more context for the algorithm.

Consistency is a non-negotiable factor for Instagram growth and sustained engagement. Furthermore, timing your posts strategically can significantly impact your initial reach and interaction.

Irregular posting can lead to a drop in engagement as the algorithm may deprioritize your content.

• Find Your Rhythm: Most brands post a minimum of 2-3 times per week and no more than 1-2 times per day for feed posts. For Stories, Adam Mosseri, Head of Instagram, suggests “a couple of Stories per day.” The key is to find a schedule you can maintain reliably.
• Quality Over Quantity: While consistency is important, never sacrifice content quality for quantity. A few high-quality, engaging posts per week will always outperform daily low-effort content.
• Use a Content Calendar: Plan your content in advance using a content calendar. This ensures a steady flow of diverse content and helps you stay organized.

While general best times to post exist, your unique audience has its own peak activity hours.

• Access Your Professional Dashboard: Go to your Instagram profile, tap the professional dashboard, and then select “Insights.”
• Analyze Audience Activity: Under “Total Followers,” scroll down to “Most Active Times.” Here, you can see when your followers are most active by hours and days.
• Experiment and Observe: Use this data to inform your posting schedule, but also continue to experiment. Post at slightly different times and monitor how your engagement rate fluctuates. The first 30-60 minutes after posting are crucial for initial engagement signals, so hitting peak activity times can boost organic reach.

To keep your audience engaged and cater to varied preferences, diversifying your content strategy is paramount. Furthermore, collaborating with others can unlock new audiences and infuse fresh energy into your content.

Don’t stick to just one type of post. Instagram offers a rich array of formats, and each serves a unique purpose for engagement.

Carousels: These multi-image/video posts encourage users to spend more time swiping through content, leading to higher engagement rates. In fact, carousel posts have an average engagement rate of 10.15%, often surpassing single photo or video posts. Use them for tutorials, before-and-afters, product showcases, or sharing multiple perspectives.

Instagram Stories: These ephemeral, full-screen visuals are perfect for behind-the-scenes content, quick updates, interactive polls, quizzes, and direct user interaction. Consistent Story posting helps keep your profile top-of-mind.

Instagram Live: As mentioned earlier, Live sessions offer real-time interaction, Q&As, and a raw, authentic connection with your audience. Promote your Live sessions in advance to maximize viewership.

Single Image/Video Posts: Don’t abandon these! They remain fundamental. Ensure they are high-quality, visually appealing, and accompanied by engaging captions.

Collaborating with other accounts exposes your content to new, engaged audiences and can significantly boost your Instagram growth.

• Instagram Collab Feature: This feature allows two or more accounts to co-author a post or Reel. The content appears on all collaborators’ profiles, sharing likes, comments, and views. This effectively doubles or triples your visibility and reach.
• Influencer Partnerships: Partnering with influencers in your niche can introduce your brand to their established, engaged audience. Choose influencers whose values align with yours and whose audience matches your target demographic. Influencer posts on Instagram often have higher engagement due to the trust followers place in the creator.
• Cross-Promote: Don’t hesitate to promote your Instagram content on other social media platforms or your website. This creates a seamless, integrated experience that encourages users to follow and engage with you across all channels.

Mastering Instagram engagement is a continuous journey, not a destination. The platform’s algorithm constantly evolves, and user preferences shift. By consistently implementing these expert tips—prioritizing video, fostering genuine conversations, strategizing hashtags and keywords, maintaining consistent posting, and diversifying your content formats through collaboration—you’ll be well on your way to building a vibrant, engaged community.