Instagram may have originated as an online space for housing filtered vacation photos and adorable cat photos, but as it has grown—more than 1/3 of people on the internet access it every day—the now 13-year-old social media platform has transformed into a legitimate place to earn a living…or at least make some money though a side hustle.
On Instagram, you can advertise your business and spread your ideas across the world with a few simple taps on a screen. This has led many to wonder: How can I get more Instagram likes? There is something intoxicating about that little heat icon… when the likes start to pour in, it feels good. It can also help boost your content online, since people who like your post may have it appear to their followers’ feeds as well. So it is not just an ego-boosting, vanity metric, but can lead to more engagement overall.
Getting post likes and gaining followers fast isn’t always easy, but there are ways you can increase your reach. We’ll help you learn how to get more likes on Instagram with 10 of our best tips.
Your content must be as captivating as possible to attract viewers. Here are 7 tips for creating likable content:
These are just some of the strategies that have been effectively utilized by major Instagram accounts, proving that quality content, combined with strategic engagement and authenticity, can lead to a successful presence—and lots of likes!—on the Instagram.
Here are some guidelines for using hashtags effectively on Instagram. Generally, it is all about striking the right balance between reach and relevance, ensuring your content finds its way to the right eyes and ears.
Relevance is Key: Choose hashtags that are directly related to your post content. This ensures that your post reaches the right audience. For example, if you're posting a picture of a beach sunset, using hashtags like #BeachLife, #SunsetLovers, or #OceanViews will attract viewers interested in similar content. It’s best to go search for these hashtags to see which ones are actually in use. For example, #beach might be too general and under-used, but maybe #BeachLife or #BeachLover is appropriately narrow. Of course, you can combine them by…
Mixing Popular and Niche Tags: Combine widely used hashtags with more specific ones. While popular hashtags, like #Travel or #Foodie, have a broad reach, niche hashtags like #VeganBaking or #IndieMusicScene can help you connect with a more targeted audience.
Keep an Eye on Numbers: Instagram allows up to 30 hashtags per post, but that doesn't mean you need to use them all. A good practice is to use between 3-7 hashtags per post to avoid looking spammy and desperate. When in doubt, follow the 3-2-1 rule—3 hashtags that describe your post content, 2 that describe your target audience, and one wildcard that is audience-adjacent (e.g., if the post is about beaches, maybe do #seafoodlover or #sandcastles)
Create a Branded Hashtag: If you're building a brand or community, consider creating a unique branded hashtag. This not only fosters community engagement but also makes it easy to find content related to your brand. For example, Nike uses #JustDoIt. That way, when people click that hashtag they will see ALL content related to your brand, posted by you AND your followers.
Avoid Banned or Overused Hashtags: Some hashtags are banned or overused and can cause your posts to be buried. Do a quick search to ensure the hashtags you use are active and effective. If you are an international brand, make sure your hashtag isn’t offensive in another country (or has an alternate double meaning)
Placement Matters: You can place hashtags directly in the caption or in the first comment of your post. Either way, make sure they are immediately visible to ensure maximum reach as soon as the post goes live. And don’t forget you can always put #TheHashtag as part of the sentence.
Localize with Geotags: If your post is location-specific, using local hashtags can help reach an audience in a particular area. For instance, #NYCFoodie or #LondonFashion.
In general, you should keep an eye on trending hashtags in your niche and incorporate them when relevant. You should also monitor your hashtags’ performance over time to see which ones are capturing users’ attention. Use Instagram's Insights (available on business accounts) to see which hashtags are driving the most engagement. This helps in refining your hashtag strategy over time.
Keeping up with popular viral content is always a good practice to stay relevant. Trends are fleeting, but putting your spin on a wildly popular one could get your account lots of attention quickly. You can follow trends by getting inspiration from popular influencers or businesses in your field. You can also use tools like Google Trends to see what’s popular at the moment, so you can get a piece of the action.
Trends are like waves—they appear for a while, and then they are gone. You don’t need to try and exploit every social media trend—just like a surfer can’t catch every wave. Keep your eyes peeled for relevant waves/trends in your area or niche by regularly checking Instagram's Explore page, checking out what your competitors or aspirational brands are doing, and following popular influencers or hashtags. Then, adapt these trends with your unique spin – like adding a secret ingredient to a popular recipe. This way, you're not just riding the trend wave, but also giving your audience a taste of your distinct style. And making it authentic for YOU.
4. Include a Call-To-Action
People respond to direction. It goes beyond telling people to “like and comment” your post in your captions. Mastering the art of a call-to-action (CTA) in your brand's Instagram content is like being a charming host at a party, guiding guests to the fun. Here are three guidelines with specific examples to make your CTAs irresistible:
Remember, a compelling CTA on Instagram should guide your audience clearly, align with your post’s goal, and ideally, spark a sense of action. It's not just a button or a line of text; it's an invitation to engage and connect with your brand and to be a part of something greater.
Another insight about people that isn’t too shocking: they love free stuff. Espeically if it only. “costs” them a like, follow, and tag. Hosting giveaways can easily get attention from a wider range of Instagram users.
Launching a giveaway on Instagram is a relatively easy way to engage your audience. To use the party-hosting metaphor again, a giveaway is similar to hosting a digital party with a special gift. To ensure success, first, define clear and simple participation rules, like L'Oréal Paris did with their #WorthSaying campaign, asking followers to share personal stories. Select a prize that aligns with your brand and excites your audience; GoPro, for instance, often gives away cameras, enticing their adventure-loving followers. Finally, promote your giveaway across all social platforms and engage actively with participants, similar to how Starbucks successfully amplifies its giveaways by encouraging user interaction and sharing on multiple channels. Remember, a well-planned giveaway can significantly boost engagement and brand loyalty, making it a win-win for both the brand and its followers. Speaking of your followers…
Engaging with your followers on Instagram is a must these days. It’s also a baseline or standard expectation from a user/follower perspective. Here are some tips to keep that conversation flowing (and ideally, keep those likes coming, too):
Post behind-the-scenes content or share stories about your team. It's like letting your followers peek behind the curtain. For example, a bakery could post photos of their early morning baking process, with captions that share little-known facts about the team.
Reply to Comments and Messages: A no-brainer. Engage in the comments section of your posts and in your DMs. The more you interact, the more your followers feel welcome and connected. A quick tip: use their first names to make replies more personal.
Ask Questions in Your Posts: Encourage followers to share their opinions or experiences. It’s like starting a group discussion; everyone gets to share and feel heard. You could ask something as simple as What's your favorite product of ours and why? There the only thing people MIGHT like more than free stuff is sharing their opinions.
Create Polls and Quizzes in Stories: This is a super interactive way to engage. For instance, a fashion brand could use polls to let followers vote on their next season’s color palette, or let them vote on what color they DON’T want to see come (back?) into style.
Use Instagram Reels and IGTV: These formats are like the hit shows on your IG channel. They offer more dynamic ways to present content, from tutorials to in-depth looks at your products or services. It’s generally accepted now that short-form video is the future of social media.
The more you connect with your followers in a meaningful way, the more engaged they'll be. So, have fun with it and see what works best for your brand.
We’re sure your Instagram account isn’t your only social media platform. To get more attention on Instagram, link your Instagram account to your Facebook, Threads (this is especially easy now that Meta owns both Instagram and Threads), and TikTok accounts. If you have a business with a website, add your Instagram info to the site so people can follow you. You may even want to include it in your email signature.
Start by adapting content for each platform. Tailor it to suit the unique format, strengths, and most importantly, audience of each platform. What works on the visually-focused Instagram might need a different approach for the text-centric Threads. Be sure to maintain your consistent brand tone or feel. While the content's presentation may vary, your brand’s voice should remain consistent across platforms. This consistency helps in building brand recognition and loyalty.
You can also leverage platform-specific features. Utilizing the unique features of each platform, like Instagram Stories or LinkedIn articles, twill help with engaging with your audience in diverse ways. It may get complicated, so you may need to coordinate your posts or use a content calendar. Plan your content in a way that each platform complements the other, creating a cohesive narrative. Use scheduling tools to maintain a consistent presence across platforms without overwhelming your audience.
And as always, the golden rule of social media is constantly monitor user response. Engage with your audience across all platforms, but remember to monitor responses and feedback to gauge the effectiveness of your cross-promotion strategies, making adjustments as needed. Cross-platform promotion is about striking the right balance: diversifying your approach to fit each platform while maintaining a coherent brand identity. Speaking of diversifying your approach….
8. Post a Variety of Content
You won’t gain many followers (or please your existing ones) if all of your posts are identical or very similar. You can keep things engaging and entertaining by posting different types of posts or media like:
Posting a variety of content every week will make your account more likable and interesting for the average follower and brand loyalist.
Finally, many Instagram users are on the platform every day, but that doesn't mean they are guaranteed to see your content. Some people may only look at stories, while others only see the most recent posts on their feed.
You are more likely to get regular viewers if you have regular content, so you should on a regular basis, whether it’s daily or weekly. But refrain from over-posting–No more than three times per day. Your brand is like a person—you want it to be consistent enough to be reliable and enjoyable, but diverse/novel enough to stay interesting.
There are many methods you can try to increase your Instagram footprint and get likes for your content, but these are some of the most effective. With some strategic posting and hard work, your account will gain followers and get more likes on Instagram.
Sometimes, however, you can try everything and still feel like your audience isn't growing as fast as you’d like it to. If your account needs an extra boost, Superviral can help! With low, affordable prices, you can purchase high-quality likes and immediately see the numbers on your Instagram posts jump up. When you need a little extra help, visit Superviral and find which package will work best for you. Increase your Instagram likes today!
