How to Increase Reach on Instagram? 17 Tips That Algorithm Still Loves

Let’s be honest, posting on Instagram and getting zero traction is brutal. You’ve got the content, the captions, even the hashtags… but where is the reach? Whether you’re running a brand account or building one from scratch, this guide will show you exactly how to increase reach on Instagram, using Instagram trends and Instagram marketing tools, not spam.

From mastering Reels to posting at the right time and turning your website traffic into followers, we’re covering it all. Let’s get on to what works in 2025.

17 Tips to Increase Instagram Reach:

1. Post Reels. Get Reach

If you’re not posting Reels, you’re invisible.

Instagram Reels now drive the highest reach across the platform, 30.81% on average. That’s more than double what carousels get (14.45%) and way ahead of static images (13.14%).

Why? Simple. Reels are priority content as people tend to spend more time on visually appealing short videos. Thus, Instagram pushes them hard on the feed, Explore, and even your followers’ suggested posts. Reels alone make up 38.5% of all feed posts, and it’s only increasing.

Therefore, if you want to increase reach on Instagram, start with Reels. Use trending audio, keep it native, and always add on-screen captions. Silent scrollers still scroll, and if they can’t follow your video without sound, you’ve already lost them. All in all, reels get you reach. 

2. Don’t Spam Hashtags. Strategize Them.

To increase reach on Instagram, stop guessing your hashtags. Blend “broad + niche” hashtags. Why? Wide network and targeted hooks. That’s how you hit both mass and intent.

And here’s what the data says:

• Posts with 11+ hashtags see up to 79.5% more engagement, especially for smaller accounts (<1,000 followers).
  
• Hashtags between 21 and 24 characters perform better than short ones. Think of them like long-tail SEO keywords, lower competition, higher intent.
  
• Tools like Tagbox’s UGC analytics can show you what’s trending in your niche globally.

Now let’s talk about hashtag placement because it matters.

3. Engage in the First Hour After Posting

The first 60 minutes after you post? That’s prime time.

The Instagram Reels algorithm watches closely; if your content receives likes, comments, and replies early on, it assumes it’s worth showing to more people.

So don’t ghost your own post. Stick around. Reply to every comment. Ask questions back. Pin the best ones.

It’s not just engagement, it’s a signal. You’re basically telling Instagram, “Hey, this post is alive.” The more alive it looks, the more reach you get on Instagram. Simple as that.

4. Leverage Collab Posts

Want instant exposure to a whole new crowd? Use Instagram’s Collab feature. When you co-author a post with another account, whether it’s a creator, brand, or community, your content appears on both profiles, resulting in amplified reach. 

It’s a legitimate, organic growth hack!

Here’s your real-world proof — 

Rolex x Wimbledon. One collab post. Over 60,000 likes. All because they merged audiences at the right moment.

So, whether it’s a micro-influencer or an event partner, find someone whose followers would vibe with your brand, and hit that “Invite Collaborator” button to increase reach on Instagram.

5. Post Carousels That Deliver Real Value

Carousels aren’t just a swipe trend; they’re one of the most effective formats for boosting reach. Why? Because they naturally increase time spent on your post, and more importantly, they drive saves.

Saves are a strong signal to Instagram’s algorithm that your content is valuable and worth pushing to more people.

If you’re sharing tips, guides, how-tos, or step-by-step breakdowns, spread that knowledge across multiple slides. Make every swipe worth it. Think of checklists, statistics, transformations, or mini-tutorials – anything people will want to come back to.

The more value-packed your carousel is, the more likely your audience is to save it, and that simple action can quietly increase your reach on Instagram over time.

6. Be Consistent With Posting

Posting occasionally won’t give you enough reach. To increase reach on Instagram, consistency is non-negotiable.

The algorithm favors creators and brands that consistently appear. It learns your patterns, rewards your activity, and keeps pushing your content higher in feeds and Explore pages.

And the numbers don’t lie: accounts that post consistently see up to 5 times more likes, comments, and shares compared to sporadic posters.

This doesn’t mean burning out. It means setting a rhythm, whether that’s three Reels a week, daily carousels, or Story ideas every morning.

7. Use Instagram Stories Daily

Stories are a daily chance to increase reach on Instagram, build engagement, and drive action. Every single day, over 500 million people tap through Instagram Stories. That’s half a billion chances to stay top-of-mind.

Branded stories get results, too. 15% to 25% of viewers swipe up or click links when stories are done right.

But here’s the real trick: use interactive stickers. Polls, quizzes, emoji sliders, and Q&As- these aren’t gimmicks, they’re engagement magnets. The more people tap, the more Instagram sees your content as worth pushing further.

8. Write Strong Captions with CTAs

Don’t let your captions be an afterthought; they’re your hook, your voice, your driver of action. A strong caption can turn a passive scroller into an active engager.

Ask bold questions. Drop hot takes. Tell a quick story. But always lead your audience to: “Save this for later,” “Tag a friend,” “What do you think?” These aren’t filler; they’re calls to action that tell Instagram your content is conversation-worthy.

The algorithm gauges interaction. The more people comment, like, or share your post, the more visibility it earns. So next time you post, don’t just describe the photo. Guide the viewer. Invite them to react, respond, and stay longer. 

9. Post at Peak Times

You could have the perfect post, but if it goes up at the wrong time, it’s dead on arrival.

People scroll Instagram differently on weekdays than on weekends. Some check in during lunch. Others scroll through Reels after work. That means timing isn’t a small detail; it’s a game-changer.

Data from over 2 million posts shows this clearly: Weekday afternoons (around 3 p.m.)? Golden. Weekends? Aim for 5 to 6 p.m., when everyone’s off the clock and in scroll mode.

Here’s a quick breakdown of the best posting times by day:

Posting during these time windows gives your content the best shot at landing in feeds when your audience is most active.

10. Use Location Tags in Posts & Stories

Want to reach more people nearby? Don’t skip the location tag.

Whether you’re posting from your store or just that cozy little cafe where you shot your latest product, tag it.

Instagram uses that info to push your content into local feeds, search results, and even those public Story collections. It’s an easy way to show up in front of people who are actually around you.

It takes two seconds. No need to overthink it. Simply tag the location and let Instagram handle the rest.

11. Collaborate with Micro-Influencers

Forget the blue ticks and high follower counts. Micro-influencers aren’t internet famous, but what they’ve got is way more valuable: real trust.

Their followers actually care. They engage. They listen. Why? Because these creators feel like friends, not walking ads.

When you team up with one, you don’t just increase reach on Instagram, you get relevance. You show up in a feed that already trusts the messenger.

And here’s the plus point: they’re cheaper, easier to work with, and usually give you better ROI.

So skip the hype. Partner with people whose audience already wants what you’re offering.

12. Cross-Promote on Other Platforms

Don’t let your Instagram content live and die on one platform. Stretch its life and reach by cross-promoting it elsewhere.

Share your Reels on Facebook. Turn carousels into posts on LinkedIn. Repurpose short clips for YouTube Shorts or Twitter. Each platform has its own audience, and by recycling your content smartly, you unlock fresh exposure without doubling the workload.

Additionally, it drives traffic back to your Instagram profile, resulting in increased reach, more clicks, and increased instagram growth.

The goal? Be everywhere your audience is. Posting on multiple platforms maximizes your reach.

13. Repost User-Generated Content (UGC)

Nothing builds trust like real people hyping your brand.

We’re talking customer photos, product reviews, and unfiltered stories. That’s user-generated content, and it works way harder than polished influencer posts. Buyers say Instagram UGC is 9.8x more impactful than influencer content when it comes to making a decision.

So don’t let it go to waste. Please report it. Please share it on your feed. Show the love back.

Tools like Tagbox make it dead simple to collect, manage, and display UGC on your site. And here’s the thing: UGC isn’t just trust-building, it boosts your reach, big time. Because when people see themselves in your brand, they stick around. And share.

14. Embed Your Instagram Feed on the Website

Your website gets traffic. Your Instagram has content. Why not connect the two?

Embedding your Instagram feed on your site is a no-brainer. It turns passive visitors into active followers and shows off real-time social proof while you’re at it.

Instead of just telling people you’re active on Instagram, show them. Let them scroll through your latest posts without ever having to leave the page.

Tools like Tagbox make it very easy to do this. Clean, customizable, and designed to look good on any site.

All in all, if you’ve got good content on Instagram, don’t hide it. Put it front and center where your traffic actually is.

15. Use Paid Promotions Strategically

Not every post needs a budget. But when something’s already performing well? That’s your cue to boost it.

Instead of guessing what might work, double down on what’s already getting likes, shares, and saves. It means the content is resonating, and with a little paid push, it can reach way beyond your current followers.

Think of paid promos as fuel, not magic. They work best when you start with content that’s already proving itself.

So track your top posts. Spot the winners. Then throw a few bucks behind them. It’s smarter than spending money on random ads, and it’s way more effective for increasing reach on Instagram.

16. Track & Analyze Reach Metrics

Don’t post blindly. Know what’s actually working.

Instagram provides all the necessary data, including reach, saves, shares, profile visits, and follower growth, right within Insights. Use it.

Take a look at which posts got people tapping, sharing, or following. See what time they engaged, what format they preferred, and which hashtags had the most impact. Then do more of that. Simple.

If you want to grow your reach, you’ve got to track it first. No metrics mean no momentum.

17. Stay on Top of Instagram Trends

Instagram constantly introduces new formats, algorithm updates, and innovative features. And the accounts that jump on early? They receive rewards in the form of increased reach, visibility, and engagement.

Reels blew up because creators didn’t wait. The same applies to Collab posts, trending audio, and Story features.

You don’t need to chase every trend. But you do need to stay alert. Test what’s new. See what sticks. Move fast when something clicks.

Because on Instagram, attention goes to the early movers. And if you’re not evolving, the algorithm forgets you.

Conclusion

If you’ve made it this far, one thing’s clear: you’re serious about increasing reach on Instagram.

The algorithm doesn’t play favorites. But it does reward creators and brands who show up with a strategy. From Reels and hashtags to Collabs and UGC, the tools are right in front of you. The only question is, are you using them right? That’s where Tagbox comes in. Whether you want to collect high-converting UGC or embed your Instagram feed on your site, this platform helps you grow smarter, not harder.