How to Increase Views on Instagram Reels – Proven Growth Tactics

Three weeks ago, a 19-year-old artist from Berlin made a 12-second video of her painting being created in real time. No fancy transitions, no viral sound – just a paintbrush, a blank canvas, and a caption: “Watch this come to life.”

That Reel has over 4.2 million views today. Zero paid promotion. One simple spark: authenticity meets algorithmic momentum.

Instagram Reels aren’t just a TikTok competitor – they are Instagram’s main priority in 2024. Whether you're a brand, a creator, or a social media marketer, understanding how to increase views on Instagram Reels is no longer optional — it's essential.

Why Instagram Reels Matter More Than Ever

Instagram has publicly acknowledged that short-form video is their fastest-growing content format. And Reels are front and center.

• Reels receive 22% more engagement than other video posts
• Over 2 billion users engage with Reels content every month
• Reels are shown in Explore, Feed, Stories, and even DMs — fueling discoverability

In other words, Reels aren’t just shown to your followers — they are one of the few formats designed for cold reach.

Understanding the Instagram Reels Algorithm in 2024

To go viral on Instagram Reels, you need to understand what the algorithm favors. Based on firsthand testing and insights from tools like Crescitaly.com, here’s what matters most:

1. Watch Time

The most important signal? How long people watch your Reel. Reels that are rewatched, watched all the way through, or looped multiple times get algorithmic boosts.

2. Engagement Rate

Likes and comments still count, but they're less important than shares and saves. Prompting viewers to save or share can significantly increase views.

3. Content Quality

Low-res videos, recycled TikToks with watermarks, or hard-to-hear audio will tank your reach. Instagram is prioritizing native, original, and clear content.

Pro tip: According to Crescitaly’s dashboard data, Reels uploaded natively with high vertical resolution (at least 1080x1920) tend to get up to 37% more exposure.

7 Creative Strategies to Increase Reels Views Organically

1. Hit Them with a Hook

The first 1.5 seconds of your Reel are everything. Ask a question. Show something unexpected. Use motion. Great hooks make users stop scrolling.

Examples:

• "I tried this hack and now my anxiety’s gone" (mental wellness coach)
• "This one mistake ruined my small business" (entrepreneur storytime)
• "Wait for the final look 👀" (makeup artist teaser)

2. Post at Peak Times (But Test for Your Niche)

There’s no universal best time to post — but most creators see high Reel views when posting between 6–9 PM in their target audience's time zone. Use insights to refine your timing window.

3. Use Trending Audio — Thoughtfully

Jumping on trending sounds can catapult your video, but forced trends fall flat. Select audio that enhances your message and keeps you consistent with your brand voice.

Remember: Using trending audio with fewer than 10k uses often works better than oversaturated tracks.

4. Add Text and Captions Strategically

Most people watch on mute. Overlaying text not only makes your video accessible but also helps communicate your message instantly. Place important text at the center top to avoid being cut off by buttons.

5. Share Reels to Stories and Feed

Instagram allows Reels to be pushed across Stories, Feed, and Explore. Don’t skip the Story share — it gives existing followers a nudge and increases your internal signal strength.

6. Stay in the 7–12 Second Sweet Spot

While Reels can be up to 90 seconds, current data suggests Reels between 7–12 seconds get the highest completion rates, which boosts distribution. If viewers loop your content, you’re in prime territory.

7. Engage Within 1 Hour of Posting

Answer DMs, reply to comments, and like responses. This tells Instagram your content is inciting conversation, which favors additional push to Explore and Reels feeds.

Boosting Reels Views at Scale: SMM Panels and Automation

While organic reach is king, many marketers use SMM panels to kickstart traction — especially for newer accounts or product-focused content. One platform trusted by creators and agencies alike is Crescitaly.com.

Using Crescitaly's advanced panel, users can strategically increase real views, likes, and shares on newly posted Reels — giving them an early algorithmic advantage. Think of it as buying your way into visibility so your content actually gets a chance to perform.

But be smart about it: combine it with high-quality content, optimized posting times, and community interaction.

What the Top Reels Creators Are Doing Differently

Whether you're on Instagram, TikTok, or YouTube Shorts, the highest-performing creators have two key habits:

• They post Reels consistently (at least 3–5 times per week)
• They repurpose and adapt content across platforms

Take the example of @kaylalanier, a fitness and motherhood content creator who gained over 200k followers in 4 months by cross-posting TikTok edits to Reels, then stitching fan-created duets into new formats. It's about iterative content, not one-and-done posts.

Reels Views vs. TikTok and YouTube Shorts — Where to Focus?

Each platform plays slightly differently:

Many creators are now stitching the same storyline into multiple formats — something Crescitaly has seen grow among their power users across Reels and Shorts.

Final Take: Growing Reels Views in 2024 and Beyond

Instagram is placing heavy bets on Reels, and smart marketers should too. If you're serious about growth:

• Study your analytics to see what spikes watch time
• Use platforms like Crescitaly to kickstart momentum when needed
• Show up with value, not virality — hooks get you views, but content keeps them

The algorithm may shift, but attention stays where value lives. Show up with clarity, create consistently, and optimize smartly — and the views will follow.

Meta Title: How to Increase Views on Instagram Reels

Meta Description: Discover how to increase views on Instagram Reels with proven strategies backed by insights from top creators and social media experts.

Tags: Instagram, Reels, SMM panel, Crescitaly, TikTok growth, YouTube Shorts, Telegram marketing