Information in this blog post was obtained from the Hubspot Blog, Sprout Social Blog, and Hootsuite Blog.

Let's face it: getting people to engage with your Instagram content can be tough. You put time and effort into creating the perfect post, only for it to get a handful of likes or maybe one comment from your best friend. If that sounds familiar, don't worry you're not alone. The good news? There are real, simple strategies you can use to get more people to notice, like, comment, and even share your content. Whether you're trying to grow your brand, get more attention for your small business, or just want to have fun with your Instagram, these 10 tips can help.

1. Create Fun, Relatable Reels

Instagram Reels are where it's at right now. Short videos are favored by the algorithm and give you a much better chance of getting discovered. According to Sprout Social, Reels from influencers have an average engagement rate of over 2%. That's way more than what you'd get from just posting a regular photo. Your videos don't have to be perfect. Some of the best-performing Reels are casual and spontaneous. Try sharing a behind-the-scenes moment, a simple how-to, or even a funny outtake. People love content that feels real. Also, don't forget to use trending audio. It increases the chance that Instagram will show your video to more people. For more information on creating high-quality engaging reels, check out my colleague's blog post here for maximizing marketing success on Instagram.

2. Post When Your Audience Is Active on Instagram

If you're posting while everyone is asleep or at work, you're missing out on engagement. The timing of your posts matters a lot. Sprout Social says weekdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. are generally solid for most audiences, especially Tuesday through Thursday. Check your Instagram Insights to find out when your followers are usually online. It might be a little different depending on your audience. Try posting at those times and see if your engagement goes up.

3. Write Captions That Encourage Comments

Captions aren't just space fillers; they are a powerful way to talk to your audience. Instead of just describing what's in the photo, try asking a question or sharing a story. When you invite people to share their thoughts or feelings, they're more likely to leave a comment. For example, post a photo of your morning coffee and ask, “What's your go-to coffee order?” or “Do you prefer coffee or tea?” It's simple, but it gets people involved.

4. Use Instagram Stories to Interact in Real-Time

Stories are a great place to connect with your followers in a more casual, everyday way. Plus, Instagram gives you tools to make your Stories interactive, like polls, quizzes, question boxes, and emoji sliders. These features make it easier for people to engage without feeling like they have to comment publicly. You can even use the answers from your followers to create more content. For example, if you ask, “What's your favorite thing to do on a Sunday?” And get fun replies, turn it into a post or another Story.

5. Work with Other Creators of Brands

Teaming up with someone else on Instagram is a smart way to expand your reach. When you collaborate with a creator, influencer, or even a small business that shares your vibe, you both benefit from the extra exposure. Do something simple like a shout-out, a joint giveaway, or a shared video. When your audiences see the collab, they are more likely to check out each other's content. It also builds trust if someone already follows your collab partner, they will be more open to following you too.

6. Use Hashtags the Right Way

Hashtags can help new people find your posts, but only if you use them correctly. You don't need 30 hashtags under every caption. Thirty-five strong, relevant hashtags usually work best. Use a mix of popular hashtags like #InstaTips or #SmallBusiness and more specific ones that relate to your niche. Be sure your hashtags relate to your post, or it could come off as spammy. You want the people who find your content to be interested in it.

7. Track What's Working (And What's Not)

Don't just guess what your audience likes. Use your Instagram Insights to check how each post is performing. Look at likes, saves, shares, and comments. Are your videos getting more attention than your photos? Do quotes or behind-the-scenes pics do better? When you figure out what kind of content your followers engage with the most, do more of that. It’s one of the easiest ways to grow your account without constantly stressing over new ideas.

8. Keep a Consistent Look and Feel

People like things that feel familiar. When your Instagram feed has a consistent look, whether that's a certain filter, color scheme, or tone, people recognize your content more easily. This builds trust and keeps your followers coming back. It doesn't have to be perfect. Just try to keep your vibe consistent. If your content is fun and casual, stay with that voice. If it's more polished and professional, that's cool too, just keep it steady.

9. Talk to Your Followers

If someone leaves a comment or sends you a message, reply! This seems obvious, but a lot of people forget to do it. When you respond, people feel seen and are more likely to keep interacting with you. You can also comment on your followers' posts or like their Stories. The more active you are in the community, the more people will engage with your posts too.

10. Try New Features as Soon as They Drop

Instagram is always adding new features, and they usually reward the people who use them early. Whether it's Reels, Collabs, or even Threads, jumping on a new tool can help boost your reach. Follow Instagram's official blog or check trusted sources like Social Media Examiner or HubSpot for updates. If a new type of content starts trending like carousel posts or Notes, don't be afraid to experiment.

Recap

That was a lot of info, but if you take one thing away from this blog post, let it be this: you don't need a massive following or crazy editing skills to boost engagement on Instagram. What matters most is being consistent, posting content people care about, and taking time to connect with your followers in real ways. Try a few of these strategies and see what clicks. Track your progress, keep learning, and don't forget to have fun with it. You've got this!

Resources

Zote, J. (2024a, February 22). Instagram statistics you need to know for 2024. Sprout Social; Sprout Social. https://sproutsocial.com/insights/instagram-stats/

Keutelian, M. (2024b, August 21). The best times to post on Instagram 2024. Sprout Social. https://sproutsocial.com/insights/best-times-to-post-on-instagram/

Hootsuite Social Media Management. https://blog.hootsuite.com/instagram-story-ideas/

How to Get Instagram Likes: 13 Tips that Actually Work. (2019, January 29).

Hootsuite Social Media Management. https://blog.hootsuite.com/instagram-likes/

HubSpot. (2019). HubSpot Blogs | Marketing. Hubspot.com. https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing