If you’ve been scratching your head wondering how to get more views on reels, you’re not alone.

Many creators, brands, and businesses are diving into Instagram reels, but only a few know how to crack the code for growth. 

If you’re creating Instagram videos for fun, building a personal brand, or managing an Instagram business account, one thing is clear: Instagram reels are the future of engagement on Instagram.

In this guide, we will show you step-by-step how to optimize your Instagram reel, and performance, work with Instagram’s algorithm, and create engaging content that grabs attention. 

By the time you’re done reading, you’ll have all the tools you need to see your views on Instagram reels increase dramatically.

13 Tips On How To Get More Views On Reels

Instagram reels have become one of the platform’s most powerful features. They’re everywhere – on the Explore page, in the Reels tab, and sprinkled throughout your Instagram feed. 

Unlike traditional Instagram videos, reels are designed to entertain quickly, making them a must-have for anyone looking to grow their Instagram presence.

1. Use SidesMedia to Get More Instagram reel views

If you’re looking to boost your Instagram reel views quickly and effectively, we offer a reliable solution. With SidesMedia, you can buy Instagram reel views to give your content the exposure it deserves.

Our service provides real and high-quality views, helping your reels gain traction while enhancing your credibility on the platform.

No matter if you’re a creator, influencer, or business, we at SidesMedia make it easy to grow your reach and improve your Instagram presence.

2. Hook Your Audience Instantly

The first few seconds of your reel are absolutely crucial. Instagram users scroll through their feeds at lightning speed, often deciding within moments whether your content is worth their attention or not. 

That’s why crafting a compelling hook is non-negotiable – it’s your chance to stop the scroll and pull viewers in. 

One effective strategy is to pose a relatable question, something that directly addresses a common pain point for your audience. This immediately makes the viewer feel seen and curious about the solution you’re about to provide. 

Alternatively, you can jump straight into action by showing something unexpected, exciting, or visually dynamic. 

If it’s a quick transformation, a bold move, or an engaging snippet, starting with energy makes sure you grab attention. 

Remember, a weak or confusing opening will lose your audience instantly, so invest time in creating a strong, irresistible first impression that sets the tone for the rest of your reel.

3. Use Trending Sounds to Boost Reach

Using trending audio is one of the easiest ways to get more Instagram reel views on your Instagram account. When you use trending sounds, the algorithm is more likely to push your reel to users who have interacted with similar audio.

How to find trending sounds:

1. Browse the tab and look for the arrow icon next to the audio tracks.
2. Follow creators in your area to spot trends early.
3. Use Instagram’s music library to explore popular tracks.

Pro Tip: Even if a trending sound doesn’t fit your content perfectly, you can lower its volume and add a voiceover or captions.

4. Leverage Relevant Hashtags Strategically

Hashtags can help your reel appear in front of the right audience, but only if you use them strategically. Instead of flooding your caption with irrelevant tags, focus on a few relevant hashtags that match your focus area.

Here’s how to choose hashtags:

• Area-specific hashtags: These target your ideal audience. For example, #SocialMediaTips or #FitnessMotivation.
• Mix of popular and less competitive hashtags: Combine high-traffic tags with more specific ones to increase your chances of being discovered.
• Keep it simple: Use 3–5 relevant hashtags to avoid overwhelming your caption.

5. Post Instagram Reels at Peak Times

Timing matters more than you think. Posting your Instagram reels when your audience is most active increases the likelihood of getting more engagement quickly, which is essential for triggering the algorithm. 

Use Instagram Insights to identify when your followers are online and adjust your schedule accordingly.

6. Tap Into Reels Templates for Quick Content

Instagram Reels templates are pre-made layouts designed to help you create high-quality content with minimal effort, making them an excellent tool for creators who are short on time or inspiration. 

These templates come with pre-set music, transitions, and formats, allowing you to skip the hassle of complicated editing while still producing engaging Instagram reels. 

They’re especially helpful for staying aligned with current trends, as Instagram often highlights templates that are already popular with users. 

Using templates can help you maintain a consistent look and feel across your Instagram feed, ensuring that your content remains polished and professional. 

To access templates, simply visit the Reel tab on Instagram and explore the suggestions provided – it’s an easy way to jumpstart your creativity while keeping up with what’s trending.

7. Experiment With Different Content Types

One of the best ways to boost your Instagram reels performance is to diversify your content. Don’t stick to just one format – experiment with different styles and see what resonates with your audience.

Popular reel formats include:

1. Educational content: Tutorials, hacks, or quick tips.
2. Relatable humor: Everyday struggles turned into funny skits.
3. Behind the scenes: Show your creative process or how your products are made.
4. Short-form Video Content: Compress a lengthy process into a few seconds.

Testing different formats will help you understand what your audience enjoys the most.

8. Engage With Instagram Users to Build Loyalty

Instagram Reels have become a significant driver of engagement on the platform, with users spending 50% of their time on Instagram watching Reels.

Engagement isn’t just about views – it’s a two-way street. Actively responding to comments, liking viewer posts, and sharing shoutouts can create a loyal community.

Here are some engagement tips:

• Respond to comments quickly and thoughtfully.
• Ask questions in your captions to encourage interaction.
• Host challenges or giveaways to drive more engagement.

The more connected your audience feels, the more likely they are to share and take interest in your reels.

9. Cross-Promote Reels on Other Social Media Channels

Your Instagram reel doesn’t have to stay on Instagram. Repost your Instagram reels on TikTok, Facebook, YouTube Shorts, and Pinterest to expand your reach across multiple social media platforms.

Pro Tip: Use tools like CapCut or InShot to edit your Instagram reels without watermarks, making sure that they perform well on other platforms.

10. Analyze Your Instagram Reel Performance

Regularly analyzing your Instagram reels performance is essential to understanding what works and what doesn’t. 

By using Instagram Insights, you can track key metrics that reveal how your content is performing. Start by monitoring the total number of views on Instagram reels to see how far your content is reaching. 

Then, dive into the engagement rate, which includes likes, comments, saves, and shares, as these interactions indicate how well your reel is resonating with viewers. 

Audience retention is another critical metric – it shows how long viewers stay on your reel before scrolling away, offering insights into where you might lose their attention. 

Focus on your top-performing Instagram reels with the highest engagement and look for recurring patterns, such as content type, format, or timing, that you can replicate to improve future reels.

11. Optimize Your Reel Thumbnails

Thumbnails play a crucial role in attracting viewers. A well-designed thumbnail can encourage people to click on your reel when they see it in the Reels tab, Explore page, or your Instagram feed. 

Use bold, clear text and vibrant colors to make your thumbnail stand out. If your thumbnail is cluttered or unclear, viewers may skip your content altogether. 

You can either let Instagram auto-generate a frame from your reel or design a custom thumbnail using tools like Canva.

12. Tell a Story in Your Reel

Instagram reels that tell a story are more engaging and keep viewers watching longer, which boosts your performance in the algorithm. To create a compelling story, follow these key steps:

• Start with a hook: Begin with a scene or statement that grabs attention and makes viewers curious about what happens next.
• Present the problem or setup: Show a relatable challenge, question, or scenario that resonates with your audience.
• Show the process: Walk viewers through the journey or steps, keeping it concise and visually engaging.
• Deliver the payoff: End with a satisfying resolution, solution, or surprising twist that leaves viewers feeling fulfilled or inspired.
• Use text overlays or captions: Guide the story with short, clear text to ensure viewers understand the narrative, even without sound.

A well-structured story creates curiosity and emotional connection, making viewers more likely to stay till the end and share your reel with others.

13. Collaborate With Your Audience

Involving your audience in your content is a great way to increase engagement and views. Use interactive features like polls, questions, or challenges to encourage viewers to participate. 

For example, you could host a contest where Instagram followers recreate your reel or share their version of a trending challenge. 

This not only boosts your views but also increases interaction, which signals to the algorithm that your reel is valuable and worth promoting to a wider audience.

Bonus Tip: Collaborate With Other Creators

Collaboration is one of the quickest ways to expand your reach. 

Team up with other Instagram users in your niche and create content together. By tapping into each other’s audiences, you can boost your Instagram reel views significantly.

Common Mistakes That Hurt Reel Performance

Even great content can fail if you make these mistakes:

1. Ignoring captions: Without captions, you lose viewers who watch with sound off.
2. Overloading with hashtags: Too many hashtags can make your reel look spammy.
3. Inconsistent posting: The algorithm rewards creators who post reels regularly.
4. Poor video quality: Dark or blurry footage turns viewers away.

How Instagram’s Algorithm Impacts Reels

Instagram’s algorithm plays a massive role in deciding how many people see your Instagram reels. If you want to increase your Instagram reel views, understanding how the algorithm works is crucial.

The algorithm prioritizes:

1. Watch time: If viewers watch your reel all the way through  – or better yet, on repeat  – the algorithm considers it engaging.
2. Engagement: Likes, comments, shares, and saves signal that your content is valuable.
3. Relevance: Instagram matches your reel with users who have interacted with similar content.
4. Audio trends: Reels with sounds and music tend to perform better.

By aligning your content with these factors, you’ll have a much better chance of reaching a wider audience.

Conclusion

To grow your Instagram reels performance takes time, but learning how to get more views on reels makes the effort worthwhile.

By working with the algorithm, using sounds, and experimenting with your content, you’ll steadily increase your views on Instagram reels.

Start small, learn from your analytics, and keep improving. Reels are one of the most powerful tools on Instagram  – use them to their full potential, and watch your presence grow.

As of 2024, Instagram Reels have over 2 billion monthly active users.  Now, it’s your turn. Start creating, experimenting, and having fun with reels today!

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you increase reel views?

Increasing reel views starts with creating engaging content that resonates with your audience.

Focus on the first 2–3 seconds to grab attention, use sounds, and include hashtags to boost discoverability.

Posting at optimal times when your audience is active and maintaining consistency are also key strategies.

Additionally, use Instagram Insights to analyze your reels’ performance and refine your approach based on what works best.

Collaborating with other creators and sharing your reels on other social media platforms can also help expand your reach.

How do you get 1,000 views on a reel?

To reach 1,000 views on a reel, focus on crafting content that is visually appealing and adds value, such as tips, relatable humor, or trending challenges.

Use a few hashtags that your target audience is likely to search for, and pair your reel with sounds to boost its recognition.

Posting at peak times and engaging with your audience by replying to comments can also encourage more interaction, which signals the algorithm to push your reel to more users.

With consistent effort and by following these strategies, hitting 1,000 views becomes achievable.

Why is my reel not getting views?

If your reel isn’t getting views, it could be due to several factors. A weak or unengaging hook in the first few seconds might cause viewers to scroll past.

Using irrelevant hashtags or skipping captions can also limit your reel’s visibility and accessibility. Additionally, poor lighting or low-quality audio might make your reel less appealing.

Another common issue is inconsistent posting, which can affect how the algorithm prioritizes your content.

To improve, focus on creating high-quality, engaging reels and analyze your performance metrics to identify areas for improvement.

How to get 10K views on reels for free?

Getting 10K views on reels for free requires a mix of creativity and strategic execution. Start by creating reels that are short, engaging, and valuable to your audience.

Use trending songs, bold text overlays, and eye-catching visuals to stand out. Pair your reel with a few hashtags to reach your target audience and post consistently during peak activity times.

Promote your reels by sharing them on your Instagram feed and stories, and cross-post them on other platforms like TikTok and YouTube Shorts.

Engaging with viewers through comments and encouraging them to interact with your reel can also help it gain momentum, increasing the chances of hitting 10K views.