How to Get More Views on Instagram Reels: 12 Proven Tips

Last updated: 7 October 2026.

If you want to know how to get more views on Instagram Reels, focus on the things Instagram says it predicts: whether people will watch your Reel all the way through, share it, like it and tap through to its audio. In practice that means a strong hook in the first three seconds, original content with no watermarks, and ideas people want to send to a friend.

Below are 12 practical tips based on Instagram’s own guidance, plus a checklist you can run before every upload.

How does Instagram decide who sees your Reels?

Instagram ranks Reels by predicting how likely each viewer is to engage. In its official ranking explainer, Instagram says the most important predictions are how likely you are to reshare a Reel, watch it all the way through, like it and visit the audio page.

Those predictions draw on four groups of signals: the viewer’s recent activity, their history with you, information about the Reel (such as its audio and visuals) and information about you as a creator. Because most Reels viewers do not follow you yet, the content has to earn attention on its own. For the wider picture across Feed, Stories and Explore, read our guide to how the Instagram algorithm works.

How to get more views on Instagram Reels: 12 proven tips

Each tip below targets one or more of the signals above. You don’t need all 12 in every Reel, but the first five are non-negotiable.

1. Hook viewers in the first three seconds

Instagram’s own advice to creators is to pull viewers in within the first three seconds and keep them interested the whole time. Scrolling is fast, so the opening frame has to create a question, tension or a clear promise.

• Start mid-action rather than with an introduction.
• Put a short text hook on screen, such as “3 mistakes killing your sourdough”.
• Show the result first, then how you got there.
• Cut dead air: no logo intros, no “hi guys”.

Our glossary entry on the hook has more examples of openings that work.

2. Match the length to the idea

Instagram’s recommendation tips for creators advise vertical 9:16 videos under three minutes. Within that, the right length is the shortest one that delivers the payoff.

A joke or transformation often works best in 7–15 seconds, while a tutorial or story can justify a minute or more. If your retention graph drops sharply at the same point every time, that section is too long. Trim it.

3. Test new ideas with trial reels

Trial reels let you show a Reel to non-followers first, so you can experiment without cluttering your followers’ feeds. Instagram introduced them in December 2024.

According to Instagram’s trial reels announcement, you can see metrics such as views, likes, comments and shares after about 24 hours. You can also choose to have Instagram automatically share a trial reel with followers if it performs well in its first 72 hours. Use them to test two hooks for the same video, a new format or a riskier idea.

4. Post original content

Originality now affects your whole account, not just a single Reel. Instagram’s original content guidelines say accounts that mainly post unoriginal Reels, photos or carousels may become ineligible for recommendations to people who don’t follow them.

The guidelines say that borders, watermarks, speed changes and simple credits don’t count as meaningful edits. The test Instagram gives: if removing your contribution leaves the content virtually unchanged, you need to add more. The good news is that eligibility is reviewed on a rolling 30-day basis, so an account can recover once most recent posts are original.

5. Remove watermarks and borders when repurposing

Instagram advises against low-quality or watermarked content, so a TikTok download with a logo in the corner is a poor start. If you post on both platforms, export the clean file from your editor and upload it natively to each.

Unsure which platform deserves your best ideas first? Our comparison of Instagram Reels vs TikTok breaks down the differences.

6. Choose audio with intent

Audio matters because visiting the audio page is one of Instagram’s key predictions. Trending audio can help a Reel fit into a wider moment, while an original sound can travel if other people reuse it.

• Use trending audio when it genuinely fits your idea, and act early before the trend peaks.
• Use voiceover when you’re teaching or telling a story, since it adds originality.
• Instagram now lets you layer up to 20 audio tracks in one Reel, which is useful for voiceover over music.

7. Add on-screen text and captions

Plenty of people scroll with the sound off, so on-screen text and captions keep them watching. Keep text inside the centre of the frame so it isn’t hidden by the caption or buttons.

Your written caption also helps discovery. Instagram has said that search matches the text people type against usernames, bios, captions, hashtags and places, so use the words your audience would search for, like “easy vegan traybake” rather than “Tuesday vibes”. Our free Instagram caption generator can help you draft keyword-rich options quickly.

8. Choose a cover that works on your grid

Your cover affects whether profile visitors tap on older Reels, which keeps them watching. Pick a clear frame or design a simple cover with a short title, and check it looks right when cropped on your profile grid.

Consistent covers for a series also make your profile look organised, which can turn a curious visitor into a follower.

9. Make Reels people want to send

Resharing is one of Instagram’s most important predictions, and much sharing happens in DMs. Ask yourself, “Who would someone send this to, and why?”

Relatable humour (“tag the friend who does this”), genuinely useful tips (“save this for your next trip to Edinburgh”) and local content (“best Sunday roasts in Manchester”) all give people a reason to share.

10. Build for full watches and rewatches

Reels watched to the end, or watched twice, send strong signals. Keep the pace brisk, add a visual change every few seconds and save the payoff for the end.

Loops work well: end on a frame that flows naturally back to the start. Lists should deliver the best point last, not first. Our glossary explains why watch time matters so much for short video.

11. Turn winning ideas into a series

A series gives viewers a reason to follow and come back. If one Reel outperforms your average, make part two within a few days while interest is high.

Name the series clearly on screen (“Budget meal prep, day 3”) and use a matching cover so new viewers can binge older episodes from your profile.

12. Post when your audience is active and reply fast

Posting when your followers are online gives a Reel an early audience, and replying to comments keeps the conversation going. Check your own audience activity in Insights, and see our research on the best time to post on social media as a starting point.

Instagram also lets you reply to a comment with a new Reel. It’s an easy way to turn a good question into your next video.

Why are my Reels suddenly getting no views?

A sudden drop usually comes down to content, originality or eligibility. First, check Account Status in your professional account settings. Instagram says it shows whether your content can be recommended and lets you request a review if something has been flagged.

If your status is clear, compare your recent Reels with your best performers. Look at the first three seconds, average watch time and shares. Often the issue is weaker hooks, a run of reposted content or a topic your audience cares less about.

Instagram Reels checklist before you post

• Vertical 9:16, high resolution, no borders or watermarks
• A hook on screen within the first three seconds
• Under three minutes, with no dead air
• Original footage, or third-party content you’ve meaningfully transformed
• On-screen text and captions for sound-off viewers
• Searchable keywords in the caption
• A clear reason for someone to share it
• A cover that fits your grid

Track your results over several weeks, not single posts. Our engagement rate calculator helps you see whether reach and interaction are improving together.

Frequently asked questions

How long should an Instagram Reel be for maximum views?

There’s no single ideal length. Instagram recommends Reels under three minutes for recommendation, and the best length is the shortest that delivers the payoff without losing viewers.

Do hashtags help Reels get more views?

They can help Instagram understand your topic, but they matter far less than the content. A few relevant hashtags plus clear keywords in your caption work better than a long list.

Why do my Reels get views but no followers?

Usually because viewers don’t see a reason to come back. Series content, a clear niche and a profile that explains what you post all help convert viewers into followers.

Can I repost my TikToks as Reels?

Yes, if they’re your own videos. Upload the original file without the TikTok watermark, because Instagram advises against watermarked content.

What are trial reels on Instagram?

Trial reels are shown to non-followers first, so you can test ideas. You see results after about 24 hours and can let Instagram share them with followers automatically if they perform well.

Great Reels still need a first audience. If you’d like extra social proof while your content finds its feet, take a look at our Instagram views service, which works best alongside the tips above rather than instead of them.