Instagram Reels Algorithm: 10 Tips To Increase Reach

The engagement rate of Instagram reels is 22% more than any other regular post. 

But to get success in reels on Instagram, you need to beat the Instagram reels algorithm because this algorithm decides which content will go viral on the Instagram platform.  

In this article, we have compiled everything you should know about Instagram Reels Algorithm.

So, let’s get started without wasting time.

What Is Instagram Reel Algorithm?

Instagram added a reel feature in August 2020 that allows posting short-form video clip content. 

The main reason for adding this feature was to go neck to neck against the dominance of TikTok, and their primary target audience was Gen Z. 

Once you post your reel, it will go straight to your followers’ feed. Then here comes the Instagram reel algorithm. These algorithms select where your reel should go next.

There are two places on Instagram where one can find reels by creators. These Instagram Reels Algorithms curate them.   

The First one is the Reel Tab, like the “For You” feature page of TikTok. 

And the second place is the “Explore Tab,” as shown in the below image, which gives user stories and regular posts with Reels. 

Instagram reel algorithms decide whether your reel is a feature in these two places. If the answer is yes, then a new audience gets to dig into your stuff. 

After you post the reel, this reel algorithm scrutinizes it by evaluating many factors. It organizes and evaluates your reel to determine whether it will appear to viewers feed who do not follow you. 

The goal of Instagram is to increase the engagement of its users. And this algorithm is helping Instagram to achieve this goal. 

How Does Instagram Reels Algorithm Works?

There are many coatings to the Instagram reel algorithm. And its primary work is determining your content’s appropriateness to the target audience.

While analyzing your reel, this algorithm wants to know what it is all about and who can be interested in it. 

So, this algorithm analyzes:

• Tags
• Reel’s audio track and frame
• When the creator posts the reel 
• Past engagement between creator and audience. 

It also checks whether your content is original or not. If you re-posted short-form videos from YouTube shorts or TikTok, then it breaks Instagram’s guidelines, and you are out.

It checks when the reel is published because Instagram favors recently published content. A week or month ago, posted content may not go viral. 

“User Engagement” is the most significant element in the reel algorithm. 

The reel that has more comments and likes is more likely to be boosted by the reel algorithm.

If you know the combination of some elements that the reel algorithm uses to boost reel-in viewers’ feeds, then you have a very good chance of success. 

Just follow some of these basic rules to get successful on Instagram. 

Most Essential Tips For Working With Instagram Reels Algorithm.

Do you want to defeat the Instagram Reels Algorithm and win over it? 

Then, all you need to do is follow these ten tips.

If you want to get a quick overview of these tips, then here they are:

• Focus on creating quality content
• Visually Appealing Reels
• Use of the right hashtags
• Use of trending Music/song
• Collaborate with influencers
• Make reels from stories and Posts
• Interact and build a community
• Follow the recommended guidelines on Instagram
• Create a reel that people want
• Give the content when people want

Bonus Tip: Make sure to post your Instagram reel at the right time. Check the right time to post your reels with our detailed research!

Now that you get the idea of these tips let’s get into their details and make you understand them in a better way. 

1. Creating Quality Content Is Still On The Top

According to Instagram’s @creator account, when viewers click on the reel tab, at that time, they expect content that is funny, interesting, and entertaining. 

So, the Instagram reel algorithm also wants you to deliver the same content. 

For instance, Zachking shows in his reel how easy his morning is in a unique and funny way that engages viewers, generating 12.9 million views, over 1 million likes, and 3K comments.

Moreover, the content from other platforms (with watermarks and logos) makes the reel experience less satisfying. 

Algorithm makes this content less discoverable in places like the reel tab or Explore Tab. 

Also, low-quality reels (blurry) not giving an enjoyable experience to viewers. 

Before posting your reel, ensure you have taken care of these things.  

2. Visually Appealing Reels

If you use the Instagram App’s camera effect, lenses, and filters, then it may tend to keep viewers engaged. 

Feel free to use them if they will provide value to your content. 

The reel algorithm prefers videos with visual panache. 

To make your reel more visually appealing, shoot video vertically and avoid low-res videos. 

If you are ready to make the creative reel, test out all of the reel’s bells and whistles.

By using this tip, you can increase user engagement on your reel. 

3. Use Of Right Hashtags

Hashtag is a tool that delivers context about your post and helps deliver content to someone interested in a particular topic. 

When your reel is complete, it’s time to post it. Make sure to add accurate and relevant tags.

According to Instagram’s @creator account, here are some tips for using hashtags.

Keep in your mind when adding hashtags:

• Use hashtags that are appropriate to the theme of your content.
• Check hashtags that your fans already use and follow. 
• Mix well-known and niche hashtags to widen your discoverability.
• Use particular hashtags so your fans can effortlessly search for your content. You can even create your own. 
• Keep the number of hashtags between 3 to 5. 

Things to avoid while adding hashtags:

• Do not use hashtags irrelevant to your content. 
• Do not use generic hashtags.
• Do not use so many hashtags. Adding 10-20 hashtags will not help you. 

You can be more discoverable to people using these tips in your reel, and the Instagram reel algorithm will boost your reel in the search.  

4. Use Of Trending Music/Song

Using trending music in your reel will help you reach a vast audience. Instagram Reel Algorithm will spread your reel far and wide. 

Instagram encourages content creators to copy music and create their own content. It is like the “Duet” feature of TikTok, where one can copy the audio clip and create a reel. 

As shown in the picture, you have to click on the “Use Audio” button, and then you can use the trending music from other reels. 

Like this, you can create a reel on trending music. 

People like to watch trending music reels. If you use trending music in your reel, the reel algorithm is more likely to show your reel to people’s feeds.  

5. Collaborate With Influencers

According to Hootsuite’s recent research, in that research, they have found that featured people’s reels achieve exponential success.  

People will like the video more if it features influencers. If users like your video more, then the reel algorithm will also like your video. And more likely to show it on users’ feeds. 

Hyper-stylized products may look fancy in reels. But users are likelier to like the reels where influencers are featured.

For creators, uniting with other creators in your niche permits you to engage with more followers.   

Creating a reel with another influencer can give you a completely new audience base; this is something influencers will provide you. 

For instance,  see the above Instagram reel of Ivanka Dekoning and Makeda Saggau-Sackey, which generated 53.2K views, 2.6K likes, and 107 comments. 

6. Make A Reel From Stories and Posts

Did you know now you can create a reel from your posts and stories?

You want to pay specific attention to the video clip, but you also want to give an extra supplement to your video with still images. You can make a slideshow or transition between video elements with the help of some still images. 

Even though repurposing information can save time, do it cautiously. 

When adding still images to your reel, make sure that you vary your approaches and add filters to still images to avoid repetitive content. 

Viewers can navigate your gallery through that reel, so you must avoid showing them repetitive information. 

7. Follow The Recommendation Guidelines On Instagram

To beat the Instagram reel algorithm, you need to know that there are some Instagram recommendation guidelines.

Recommendation Guidelines of Instagram are used to solve which Reel should navigate to a larger audience.

In short, these recommendation guidelines say they want content that can create a safe community. 

Content with low-quality health ( for example, miracle cure) and Finance (for example, risk-free loans), violence, sexually explicit or sexually suggestive, self-injury, etc., is not recommended by Instagram. 

According to these recommendations, people don’t like content that includes engagement bait, clickbait, or content that promotes contests. 

Avoid these kinds of content, and try to create more decent content. 

8. Create A Reel That People Want

Use analytics to know more about your viewers and give content that hits the spot. 

Instagram insights allow creators to access reel analytics, which gives performance metrics such as comments, views, and reach. 

You can find out which reel performs best. According to that, you can serve content that people want to see. 

Having a better understanding of what is working and what is not working will help you to come up with new strategies. 

You must create content that people want, so they can engage with your content and comment on and like your reel.

Instagram reel algorithm prefers more comments than likes. Here you have a chance to beat reel algorithms by engaging the audience through your content. 

9. Give The Content When People Want

Giving content when people want it is the most important way to gain more attention to your reel. 

As we have seen earlier, the Instagram reel algorithm only prioritizes recent posts. 

But, apart from that, here is one thing to note. Posting a reel when the maximum audience is online will be more beneficial. 

According to Hootsuite, the best time for posting a reel on Instagram is an average of 9:00 AM to 12 PM,  Monday to Thursday. 

10. Interact With Users And Build A Community

The primary key to succeeding on Instagram, or any other social media platform, is engaging with your audience and making an adoring community. 

It does not matter how vast disclosure your Reels get; never ignore that the only reason you get any visibility is the engagement you receive from your viewers.

Give back by interacting with your viewers and offering as much interest in them as they do in your content.

And how do you get more visibility on this popular platform? These four aspects can tilt the scales in your favor.

Four Factors That Will Determine The Appearance Of Your Reel

Here are four factors that will determine the appearance of your reel.

1. Popularity

If you have a significant number of followers and you are constantly getting likes and comments on your reels, then Instagram will catch that you have something special that others might like to have. 

It is a good idea to be famous before you can be famous on Instagram. Instagram rewards those who are already popular in creating high-quality content. 

Creating good quality content and regularly providing your audience with it is not enough to gain popularity. You have to make a good relationship with the audience. 

2. Timelines

Maintaining many followers who interact with your reel instantly after posting it is helpful. It is signaling to instagram this reel many people want to see. 

To send this signal to the Instagram algorithm, you must maintain your timeline right. 

To learn more about your timeline, check your Instagram Analytics for the most successful posting times. 

3. Relationships

Instagram reels algorithm will prioritize the users who engage with your many previous posts in the past. 

So, it is so important to you to keep engaging your audience with your post regularly.

Spending time with your audience and building a good relationship through giving likes or replies to their comments will benefit your content in the future. 

4. Relevance of Content

Instagram keeps tracking its users’ activity on the app and their affinity. On the topic users have seen reels or posts in the past, Instagram will serve them with content on the same topics. 

For Instance, If someone is watching daily travel reels, Instagram will show them even more travel reels and ads related to it. 

The reel algorithm analyzes the topic of your reel with hashtags, frames, audio, and the quality of your reel’s video.

Related Read:

• Instagram Marketing Trends
• Best Instagram Marketing Tools
• Instagram Statistics for Marketers
• Best Instagram Analytics Tools
• How to Sell On Instagram

Conclusion: Instagram Reels Algorithm (2023)

Now, here, we have reached the end of our article. I want to sum it up by saying that you can beat the Instagram reels algorithms and succeed in instagram reels in 2023. 

Understanding how this algorithm works can help you build a strategy for your Instagram reels and keep you ahead of your competitors. 

Also, understanding elements of your reel’s appearance will help you reach a vast audience. 

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