How to Increase Reach on Instagram: Insider Growth Tactics for 2024
In October 2023, a small candle-making business from Lisbon posted a reel—a simple, behind-the-scenes clip showing how they pour wax into custom molds. No music. No voiceover. That one video reached over 2 million accounts in under a week. The secret? Smart tagging, community interaction, and yes—understanding the ever-shifting algorithm behind Instagram's Explore tab.
If you’ve been posting consistently but feel like your content isn’t gaining traction, you’re not alone. With more than 2 billion monthly active users, competition on Instagram is fierce. But that doesn’t mean organic growth is dead. In fact, it's more alive than ever—if you know how to play the game.
Why Instagram Reach Matters (and What’s Affecting It)
Instagram reach measures how many unique users see your content. Not impressions (which includes repeats), but actual eyes on your posts. Whether you're a solo creator or a scaling brand, reach is one of the most powerful indicators of your visibility and potential impact.
"Consistency is important—but signaling relevance is what really moves the algorithm."
— Sara Colburn, Social Strategist at Nova Studio
The Algorithm’s Current Priorities
Instagram’s algorithm in 2024 favors:
- Engagement within the first 30 minutes of posting
- Saves and shares over likes or comments
- Content that encourages meaningful interaction (polls, questions)
- Native video (Reels) optimized for mobile consumption
- Trending sounds and collaborative posts
Understanding the algorithm is step one. Let’s get tactical.
7 Real Strategies to Increase Reach on Instagram
1. Master the Art of Reels
Reels now account for more than 40% of total Instagram consumption. They're short, sticky, and prioritized across both the Explore feed and the Reels tab. If you're not creating Reels, you're leaving reach on the table.
- Hook viewers in the first 2 seconds
- Use trending audio—but remix with original visuals
- Add captions; sound-off viewership still dominates
2. Double Down on Collaborations
The “collab” feature allows you to post jointly with another creator or brand. Both usernames appear on the same post, sharing impressions and engagement. It's a strategic shortcut to new audiences.
For example, when eco-brand Verde paired with zero-waste chef @EmilyEatsClean, their collab reel tripled both accounts’ average reach.
3. Leverage Hashtag Sets the Smart Way
Hashtags still work—just not the way they used to. According to Crescitaly.com's dashboard data, the sweet spot for many niches is 8–12 highly-targeted hashtags, customized per post (not copied and pasted every time).
Use tools to identify low-competition tags, or segment your hashtags into three tiers: niche-specific, community tags, and trending tags.
4. Use Carousels to Encourage Saves
Multi-image carousels keep users swiping—and Instagram loves that. Posts with saves (bookmark icon) typically enjoy 30–45% higher reach because people signal the content is worth revisiting.
Great carousel ideas:
- Step-by-step tutorials
- Top 5 tips in your niche
- Before-and-after case studies
5. Post at Hyper-Localized Peak Times
Instagram no longer operates on “global hours.” Instead, your audience’s behavior patterns in specific time zones matter more. Tools like Crescitaly's advanced panel can help you isolate optimal posting times by region—down to the hour.
For instance, fashion businesses in Paris saw a 22% reach bump simply by shifting posts from 7 p.m. CET to 4 p.m. CET, aligning better with commute and scroll-times.
6. Reshare Posts to Stories—Tactically
Instagram Stories can reignite reach for in-feed content. When you share a post to your Story, add engagement stickers (like polls or emojis) and a clear CTA like “Tap to read full post.”
Bonus: Tag collaborators or locations in Stories for added discoverability.
7. Monitor and Prune Low Performers
Deadweight content can drag down average reach, particularly if the algorithm interprets your account as low-value. Review old posts monthly. If a piece performed far under your baseline—and never gained engagement—it might be wise to archive.
Pro Tip: Use tools like Crescitaly.com to track drops in post performance and pinpoint patterns.
What Marketers Can Learn from TikTok, YouTube & Telegram
Growth isn’t suppressed to Instagram. Lessons across emerging platforms shine insight into what makes content go viral—and what keeps it relevant.
What TikTok Teaches Us
- Content > Aesthetics — Raw, authentic posts often outperform polished edits
- Speed matters — TikTok rewards early engagement; post when your audience is active
- Duets and stitches boost discoverability
On YouTube: Shorts vs. Long-form
YouTube Shorts are now outperforming static thumbnails in subs growth. Cross-post your Instagram Reels here, but optimize them natively in YouTube Studio with keyword-rich titles.
Telegram: The Creator's Underground
Telegram might not boost your Instagram reach directly, but it’s a key tool for building deeper community. Lead your followers to exclusive drops, behind-the-scenes content, or member-only promos.
Hardcore fans = higher repeat engagement on Instagram.
Final Takeaways: What to Do This Week to Amplify Reach
Instagram growth isn’t magic—it’s disciplined experimentation. Here’s a checklist to implement starting now:
- Schedule 2 Reels using trending but relevant audio
- Launch one collab post with a peer in your space
- Audit your last 10 posts and archive outliers
- Adjust posting times based on Crescitaly's timezone intelligence
- Create one carousel with all-original insights
The feed may be flooded, but those who study and adapt the fastest will always win. Instagram reach isn’t about gaming the system anymore—it’s about knowing what earns someone's attention and trust. That’s the game now.
Meta Title: Increase Reach on Instagram: 7 Growth Tactics
Meta Description: Discover how to increase reach on Instagram in 2024 with expert-backed tips, platform insights, and SMM tools like Crescitaly.
Tags: Instagram, SMM panel, TikTok growth, Reels strategy, YouTube Shorts, Telegram marketing, Crescitaly