How to Get More Views on Instagram Reels: Proven Strategies That Work
In July 2023, a small clothing brand in Italy posted a behind-the-scenes Reel showing how they package orders. The video was filmed on an iPhone, featured lo-fi music—and went viral, reaching over 2.5 million views in less than two weeks. They gained 12,000 new followers and saw a 30% sales spike.
What’s the secret? It’s not just luck.
With over 2.35 billion monthly active users on Instagram and Reels now driving a significant portion of weekly time spent on the app, mastering Reels visibility is no longer optional—it's strategic ROI.
The Algorithm-View Connection: What Instagram Reels Rewards
Unlike Stories or static posts, Reels are distributed through a distinct discovery engine. They appear in the Reels tab, Explore page, and even non-followers’ feeds. Translation: Instagram Reels offer viral potential far beyond your current audience.
Here's what the Reels algorithm favors:
- High watch time (people watching your Reel all the way through)
- User engagement: likes, comments, shares, and saves
- Replays (yes, looping Reels matters)
- Timely posting and consistency
- Relevance to a viewer’s past behavior
"Audience retention is gold for the Instagram Reels algorithm." — Meta Internal Insights, 2024
7 Actionable Strategies to Boost Your Instagram Reels Views
1. Open Strong: Hook Your Viewer in the First 3 Seconds
Think of your Reel like a movie trailer. If the opening clip doesn’t excite curiosity or clarity, users scroll away. Start with motion, a revealing phrase, or a visual trigger.
Examples:
- “Here’s why your fries at home never taste like restaurant fries 🍟”
- A close-up of something unfamiliar zooming out for surprise effect
- Rapid animation or text overlay grabbing immediate attention
2. Optimize Format: Use High-Quality Video and Native Tools
Instagram rewards Reels that use its in-platform editing tools. That means adding music from the licensed library, using text and filters from the app, and shooting in vertical (9:16) format.
Don’t upload content watermarked from TikTok—Instagram’s algorithm sees that and may suppress reach.
3. Use Hashtags—but Smartly
Hashtags help categorize your content and expand reach. But using 30 generic tags is less effective than 5-7 focused, trending, or brand-aligned ones.
Category examples:
- Industry-specific:
#digitalmarketing,#smallbusinessowner - Trending tags: use insights from Crescitaly.com or Instagram Trends
- Community tags:
#MakersofInstagram,#ReelTherapy
4. Post When Your Audience is Active
Timing matters. Analyze your Instagram Insights or check Crescitaly’s dashboard heatmaps to identify peak engagement periods by day and hour.
Generally, the best times to post Instagram Reels in 2024 are:
- Monday to Thursday: 10 AM - 1 PM and 5 - 7 PM
- Weekends: 9 - 11 AM (mobile-heavy scroll hours)
5. Tell a Story, Not Just a Clip
Reels that follow a narrative arc—setup, action, resolution—tend to grip viewers longer. Even a simple format like “problem → how we solved it” outperforms random dancing or product flexing.
Example structure for a jewelry maker:
- Hook: “When a bride custom-orders this…”
- Process: Footage of sketching, melting metal, soldering
- Payoff: Final piece with reaction or handoff
6. Remix, Collaborate, Duel
Use the Remix feature to respond to viral content or create side-by-side Reels with trending creators. Cross-promotion exposes your Reel to another audience—this is key for new accounts.
Also try “Reel duets” with micro-influencers in your niche, then track performance using Crescitaly’s dashboard analytics tools.
7. Hook Into Trends Intelligently
Trends accelerate volume but only if your take is creative. Use trending audio and remix formats, but pair them with your brand story.
Tools like Crescitaly's trend tracker panel surface the most active sounds and challenges matched to your industry, making relevancy faster than researching manually.
Beyond Reels: Leveraging Cross-Platform Traffic
If you're creating Reels, don't limit their exposure to Instagram. Repurpose them on:
- TikTok (edit captions and use platform-native audio)
- YouTube Shorts (optimize thumbnail text + high CTR titles)
- Telegram Channels (post as video messages or embed as exclusive content)
Instagram doesn’t penalize you for posting elsewhere. In fact, savvy creators treat Reels as modular content: one shoot, four audiences.
What Creators and Marketers Are Saying
"Since I started using Crescitaly's advanced panel, my views have doubled—especially once I matched peak times with trending audio." — Luca G., Creator & Freelancer
"Reels are our number-one funnel now. Facebook Ads were too expensive—Instagram Reels let us build visibility without buying attention." — Elena M., DTC Skincare Founder
5 Mistakes That Crash Reel Reach (and How to Fix Them)
- Uploading muted content: Always include music or voice—audio cues are essential
- Low-resolution uploads: Instagram demotes pixelated or recycled clips
- Ignoring captions: Add text overlays for silent viewers and context
- Overposting in bursts: Consistency beats volume; use a scheduler if needed
- Using copyrighted music improperly: Never rip TikTok songs or Spotify tracks
Conclusion: Where Reels Will Go Next
Instagram Reels continue to expand their gravitational pull—not just stealing time from TikTok and YouTube but becoming a primary growth engine for DTC brands, creators, and marketers alike. As 2024 unfolds, we expect tighter video-commerce integration, shoppable Reels, and AI-powered creation tools embedded right in the app.
Your job? Stay consistent, stay curious, and leverage platforms like Crescitaly to amplify what already works—on schedule, with data, and without guesswork.
Your next viral Reel isn't about perfection. It’s about strategy, testing, and being ready when the view count spikes.
Meta Title: How to Get More Views on Instagram Reels
Meta Description: Discover how to get more views on Instagram Reels with proven strategies, platform insights, and expert tips for creators, marketers, and entrepreneurs.
Tags: Instagram Reels, SMM panel, Crescitaly, TikTok growth, content strategy, YouTube Shorts, Instagram growth, Telegram marketing