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How to Increase Engagement on Social Media in 2024

Crescitaly Staff

Crescitaly Staff

— 4 min read

In 2019, the world’s most-liked Instagram post was an egg. Yes, a literal photo of an ordinary brown egg drew over 55 million likes, simply because it asked users to “break the record.” That feels like another lifetime now — when social engagement was unpredictable and novelty-driven. In 2024, engagement isn’t left to chance. It’s measured, tested, and optimized across platforms like Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and even Telegram.

So how do brands, creators, and marketers capture attention today? More importantly — how do they keep it?

Understanding What Engagement Really Means in 2024

Engagement is often mistaken for vanity metrics: likes and views. But growth in 2024 requires a more holistic understanding.

Engagement Isn’t Just Likes — It’s Intent

True engagement signals that your content moved someone to act. That might mean:

  • Saving a video for later
  • Sharing to stories or via DM
  • Clicking through links (bio or swipe-up)
  • Leaving comments or starting a thread

Platforms like Instagram and TikTok now reward this kind of activity more than basic views. For example, IG’s Reels algorithm gives higher weight to shares and watch time than to like count alone.

“Saves and shares are the new likes. Focus on long-term value, not fleeting interactions.” — Social Insight Report, Q1 2024

Platform-by-Platform Engagement Playbook

Instagram: Lean Into Micro-Content and Story Polls

Instagram has evolved into a full-funnel marketing tool — from discovery on Reels to conversions in DMs. But the competition is fierce.

To boost engagement:

  • Use carousel posts. Multi-image posts get 1.5x more engagement than single-photo posts according to Meta’s internal data.
  • Add polls and sliders in Stories. These quick interactions feed the algorithm and keep you top of mind.
  • Pin user comments that reflect your core brand values. It encourages thoughtful dialogue.

And don’t sleep on Instagram Notes — marketers are beginning to tap into this low-pressure feature for promos and questions.

TikTok: Format for Discovery, Not Followers

On TikTok, even small accounts can go viral. That’s because TikTok prioritizes content over creator size.

Here’s how to tilt the algorithm in your favor:

  • Grab attention in the first 2 seconds. Use an unexpected question or visual hook.
  • Use trending audio thoughtfully. Overused sounds can tank watch time if not paired with relevant content.
  • Tell a full story in under 15 seconds. Shorter videos tend to perform better in watch-through metrics.

Using Crescitaly's advanced panel, many creators track real-time watch retention data to identify drops in attention and iterate quickly.

YouTube: Shorts, Silent Thumbnails, and Hyper-Specific Titles

Engagement on YouTube has diversified beyond the comment section. With Shorts gaining traction, creators are experimenting with silent scroll-stopping visuals to earn clicks.

To increase engagement on YouTube:

  • Use colored subtitles. Over 70% of viewers watch without sound.
  • Prompt comments intentionally. Ask specific, frictionless questions at the end (e.g., “Which tip will you try first?”)
  • Test thumbnails weekly. Use tools (like Crescitaly's dashboard insights) to compare CTRs and update low performers.

Long-form video still wins for retention signals, but pairing them with Shorts can drive audience growth and nudge engagement between uploads.

Telegram: The Underrated Engagement Goldmine

Telegram isn't just for crypto communities and insider trading chats anymore. It’s becoming a core engagement channel, especially among international creators and niche brands.

Here’s why it works:

  • Open rates exceed 80%, significantly higher than email or SMS.
  • Instant interaction with polls, reactions, and comment threads inside Channels.
  • Exclusive content feels premium. Use it as a VIP layer to funnel your most loyal followers.

Marketers often use Telegram to host giveaways, drip-feed announcements, or offer bonus content. Combined with tools like automation bots and Crescitaly’s SMM services, it becomes a high-performing engagement lever.

Advanced Engagement Tactics Worth Testing

Create “Native Loops” That Reward Interaction

What’s a native loop? It’s content that encourages repeat engagement within the platform—without pushing the viewer to external sites.

Examples:

  • Instagram carousel labeled “Swipe to find your creativity style”
  • TikTok thread series: Part 1 → comment for Part 2 → reply with @ mention
  • YouTube pinned comment polls

The more time users spend with your content, the more the algorithm rewards future visibility. That’s compounding engagement in action.

Leverage Community Features with a Twist

Collaborating with your audience increases engagement. But the tactics need to feel organic in 2024.

Try these updated moves:

  • Telegram “You Decide” votes — let followers choose tomorrow’s content style
  • Instagram Collabs with unexpected partners (e.g., meme pages, editors, or your top commenters)
  • YouTube Community tab photo battles — drive repetition with visual prompts

Conclusion: The Formula for Sustainable Engagement

Today’s attention isn’t earned with one good post. It’s sustained through iterative content, community-driven formats, and data-backed insights.

If you’re serious about increasing engagement across platforms, here’s what to do:

  • Track behavior, not bias: Look beyond likes to saves, replies, and watch time.
  • Publish platform-native content: What works on TikTok won’t perform on Instagram Reels.
  • Adjust weekly: Using dashboards like Crescitaly.com, analyze which formats and times your followers care about.
  • Involve your followers: Boost comments, shares, and community by making them co-creators in your journey.

Whether you're running a brand or building a community from scratch, engagement in 2024 is all about resonance — not just reach. As social algorithms continue to prioritize authentic interactions, the smart creators aren’t chasing views. They’re building ecosystems of meaning, one micro-interaction at a time.

Meta Title: How to Increase Engagement on Social Media

Meta Description: Boost engagement on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Telegram with platform-specific tactics and advanced SMM tools like Crescitaly.

Tags: Instagram, TikTok, Telegram, YouTube, SMM panel, Crescitaly, engagement strategy, social media growth

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