13 tips to increase Instagram engagement

Your Instagram business account is set up and ready to go. Now, it's time to dive in.

Discover ways to expand your Instagram presence, and with some research, identify what strategies are effective and which aren't. Check out these 13 tips:

Know your audience

Getting to know your audience is key to nailing your social media game, and Instagram has some awesome tools to help you out.

With Instagram Insights, found under the ‘Insights’ tab on your profile, you can dive into more than just follower counts. This feature gives you a deep look into who your followers are, like where they’re from, their age, and gender.

For example, by checking out the geographic info, you can see which countries or cities most of your followers call home.

This helps you tweak your content to match the vibes and interests of those areas. Plus, knowing the age range of your audience shows you which age groups are really digging your stuff, which can totally shape the way you post.

Understanding your audience's demographics and activity patterns on Instagram is crucial for effective marketing. Instagram Insights provides data on follower age, gender, and active times, allowing you to tailor your content's tone, style, and timing.

By aligning your posting schedule with when your audience is most active, you increase visibility and engagement. Utilizing these insights helps shape a more personal and effective Instagram strategy, turning followers into customers and building stronger connections.

Timing is everything

Look at when your followers are online and post content at peak times. For Instagram the main times to post is in the image below.

Post Often

Posting regularly on your social media is key to staying visible and keeping your audience engaged. When you post often, your followers are more likely to see your stuff in their feeds, which means more interaction.

• To get the best reach and engagement, try to post about seven times a week—that's one post a day to keep your audience in the loop and interested.

  
  

• Besides the main posts, think about sharing two stories each day.

  
  

• Stories are awesome for real-time updates, behind-the-scenes peeks, or quick insights that get people interacting right away.

  
  

• Adding 4 to 7 reels to your weekly lineup can really boost your engagement. Reels are short, snappy videos that grab attention fast and are loved by many platforms' algorithms, giving you a better shot at reaching new viewers.

Sticking to this posting routine not only keeps your current followers hooked but also brings in new ones, helping you grow your online presence and build a stronger community around your content.

Engagement

Connecting with your followers is super important for building a strong online presence.

It's not just about talking to your audience; it's about really listening to what they have to say, answering their questions, and jumping into conversations that matter to them.

When you take the time to chat with others, you can really boost your brand's visibility and build genuine relationships with your followers.

This back-and-forth communication can create a stronger bond because your audience feels appreciated when you acknowledge their thoughts and input. To make the most out of your engagement efforts, try to spend at least 15 minutes a day on this.

Use this time to reply to comments on your posts, like and share other people's content, and start conversations by asking questions or sharing insights related to your niche.

Also, check out different platforms where your target audience hangs out, as each one might need a slightly different engagement approach.

By consistently putting in the effort to engage with your audience, you'll not only strengthen your brand's community but also build loyalty and trust among your followers, which can lead to more visibility and growth for your brand.

Add captions

Coming up with a catchy caption is a must for getting people to engage with your stuff on social media and other online platforms.

A good caption can catch your audience's eye, get them to interact with your post, and help them feel more connected to your brand or message. To make your captions even better, try using emojis—they're super helpful. 😭☔⛈️

Not only do they make your captions look fun, but they also show emotions and vibes that words alone might not get across.

Emojis can break up chunks of text, making your captions easier to read for everyone, no matter who they are. Plus, using the right emojis can add more meaning to your message, making it really click with your audience.

Like, a simple smiley face 😃can make things feel friendly, and a thumbs-up can mean approval or encouragement. Just be careful not to go overboard with emojis, as that can confuse people or take away from your main point.

Use emojis thoughtfully to enhance, not overshadow, your captions. Consider the length and style: keep it short to grab attention, but informative enough to engage. Incorporate questions, calls to action, or personal stories to encourage interaction and boost content impact.

Tag other Instagram users

By tagging brands and people who are in your industry, you significantly enhance the visibility of your posts, thereby increasing the likelihood that users who follow those tagged accounts will see your content.

This practice not only broadens your reach but also fosters a sense of community within your niche.

Tagging relevant brands or influencers can increase your content's visibility by sharing it with their audience, boosting engagement and attracting new followers. It encourages interactions like likes, comments, and shares, enhancing your profile's reach.

Ensure the accounts you tag are genuinely relevant to build trust and establish credibility. This strategy can lead to collaboration opportunities, facilitating networking and partnerships.

Overall, strategic tagging is crucial for growing your presence on Instagram.

Geotagging

Geotagging links a location to your photos or posts, enhancing social media sharing and discovery.

Tagging adds context, placing your photo in Instagram's 'places' tab, and joining a shared gallery of posts from the same location.

This increases visibility, attracting likes and comments from a broader audience.

For businesses and influencers, geotagging boosts online presence by attracting potential customers and building a local fan base. It fosters community and provides insights into popular spots and trends, making social media more engaging and informative.

Stay on Top of Trends

Instagram is all about what’s trending—whether it's viral challenges, trending hashtags, or popular content formats like carousel posts and memes. Staying updated with trends helps you stay relevant and increases your chances of getting discovered.

How to Keep Up With Trends:

• Follow industry leaders – Keep an eye on influencers and competitors to see what’s working.

• Use Instagram’s Explore page – It’s a great resource for spotting trending content.

• Check trending hashtags – Tools like RiteTag and Hashtagify can help you find the best hashtags to use.

Pro Tip: Don't just copy trends—add your own unique spin to them so your content feels authentic and fresh.

Post Scroll-Stopping Photos

Instagram is a visual platform, so your images need to be high-quality, eye-catching, and relevant to your audience. The better your visuals, the more engagement you’ll get.

Tips for Choosing the Best Images:

• Use high-resolution photos – Blurry, pixelated images won’t perform well. Try free high-quality image sources like Unsplash and Pexels.

• Think about composition – Use tools like Canva or Lightroom to edit and enhance your photos.

• Make it informative – Infographics and text-based images can help you share valuable content in a visually appealing way.

  
  

Pro Tip: If you’re posting a carousel, make the first image bold and attention-grabbing to encourage users to swipe through.

Get Creative with Your Content

Don’t just stick to standard photo posts—switch things up. Creativity keeps your audience engaged and coming back for more.

Ideas to Try:

• Infographics – Share helpful tips or industry insights in an easy-to-read format.

• Unique fonts and text overlays – Tools like Canva let you create standout visuals.

• Quotes and memes – Fun, relatable content can boost shares and engagement.

• Tutorials and step-by-step guides – Teach your audience something valuable.

Pro Tip: Save your best-performing posts as Highlights so new followers can easily access them.

Use Videos to Boost Engagement

Video content performs better than photos on Instagram, with higher engagement rates. But which type should you create?

Video Formats to Try:

• Reels (15-90 seconds) – Perfect for quick tips, trends, and engaging content.

• IGTV (Long-form videos) – Great for in-depth tutorials, Q&As, and interviews.

• Behind-the-scenes – Show the process behind your business, products, or daily life.

• Teaser trailers – Build hype for an upcoming launch, product, or event.

Pro Tip: Use Instagram’s auto-captioning feature to make your videos more accessible and engaging. Need help making great videos? Try InShot or CapCut for easy editing.

Make the Most of Instagram Stories

Instagram Stories are one of the best ways to engage your audience daily. Unlike regular posts, they disappear after 24 hours, making them perfect for sharing casual, behind-the-scenes moments.

Ways to Use Stories Effectively:

• Polls and Questions – Get instant feedback from your audience.

• Countdown Stickers – Build anticipation for product launches or events.

• Links (for accounts with 10K+ followers) – Direct traffic to your website or shop.

• Story Highlights – Organize your best Stories into categories for easy viewing.

Pro Tip: Use Mojo or Unfold to create professional-looking Stories that stand out.

Hashtags Are Your Best Friend

Hashtags increase your visibility and help you reach new audiences. Without them, your posts won’t show up in searches.

How to Use Hashtags Effectively:

• Use up to 30 hashtags on a post and 10 on Stories.

• Mix popular (e.g., #MarketingTips), niche (e.g., #FreelanceLife), and branded hashtags.

• Research the best hashtags using tools like All Hashtag or Display Purposes.

Pro Tip: Keep a list of hashtags in your phone’s Notes app so you can easily copy and paste them when posting.

Final Thoughts

Instagram is all about staying creative, engaging with your audience, and keeping up with trends.

By using a mix of high-quality visuals, creative content, and smart hashtag strategies, you’ll be able to grow your presence and attract the right audience.

Ready to level up your Instagram game? Try out these strategies and see what works best for you.