Reels have become incredibly popular on Instagram. A quick look at your feed or influencer profiles shows that short videos are the current trend. Instagram’s head, Adam Mosseri, even mentioned that the platform prioritizes short videos to help users connect with friends and discover new interests.
To assist brands and influencers, Instagram’s professional account dashboard now includes a best practices guide to boost reel performance. These insights can be valuable for newcomers and experienced creators who want to increase engagement and stand out on the platform.
12 Instagram Tips for Publishing Reels
1. Prioritize the first three seconds
Instagram emphasizes that a video’s first three seconds are crucial for grabbing viewers’ attention. To make an impact, it’s recommended to begin your Reels with an intriguing headline or a funny fact to engage your audience right away.
- Start with an intriguing question or statement
- Use visually striking imagery or effects
- Begin with a surprising fact or statistic
- Employ humor or a relatable situation
Pro Tip: Consider using text overlays in the first frame to provide context and hook viewers immediately.
2. Make videos of 30 to 60 seconds
Instagram suggests that the ideal video length for Reels is 30 to 60 seconds. This duration tends to drive better engagement and reach a wider audience. CEO Adam Mosseri has also mentioned that videos longer than 90 seconds can negatively impact a post’s performance.
- Ensures optimal engagement rates
- Increases the likelihood of your content being shown to a wider audience
- Aligns with viewers’ short attention spans on social media
3. Use high-quality audio
Using trending songs and audio on Instagram can boost your Reels’ visibility. Popular tracks help videos get better distribution on the platform. You can find these trending audios on Instagram or by exploring Spotify playlists featuring the most popular songs from the social network.
- Use popular songs or audio clips trending on Instagram
- Create original sounds that align with your brand
- Participate in audio-based challenges or trends
4. Create Reels frequently
Consistency plays a key role in growing your audience on Instagram. According to the platform, profiles with the most follower growth tend to post at least 10 Reels monthly. However, Instagram also highlights that while frequent posting is helpful, it’s not the only factor in building a solid audience. Quality content and engagement also matter.
- Publish at least 10 Reels per month
- Maintain a consistent posting schedule
- Vary content types while staying true to their niche
5. Encourage multiple forms of engagement
Many Instagram profiles encourage viewers to like, comment, and share their videos because this “deep engagement” helps boost visibility. When users interact with a post in these ways, it signals to the platform that the content is valuable, increasing the chances of it being shown to a broader audience. This strategy is effective for growing reach and engagement on posts.
6. Create relatable videos
Authenticity resonates with audiences. To create relatable Reels:
- Share personal experiences or behind-the-scenes content
- Address common pain points or challenges in your niche
- Use humor to connect with viewers
- Tell stories that reflect universal experiences
Tip: Observe trending topics in your industry and put your unique spin on them.
7. Publish in high resolution
It might sound basic, but constantly uploading high-resolution videos is essential. Instagram allows you to set up your account to upload videos of the highest quality. To ensure your content looks its best, enable this setting.
- Open the Instagram app;
- Tap the three bars icon;
- Select “Data usage and media quality”;
- Enable the “Upload in high quality” option.
8. Share everywhere at once
Maximize your Reel’s reach by:
- Sharing simultaneously across multiple platforms
- Reposting your Reel to Instagram Stories
- Utilizing Instagram’s broadcast channels feature
- Embedding Reels in your website or blog
Caution: While cross-posting can increase reach, ensure your content is optimized for each platform’s specific format and audience.
9. Respond to comments within 7 days
Timely interaction boosts engagement and signals to the algorithm that your content is valuable. Aim to:
- Respond to comments within 7 days
- Like and acknowledge positive feedback
- Address questions or concerns promptly
Tool: Use Instagram’s notification settings to keep up with new comments and messages.
10. Use relevant hashtags
Hashtags remain a powerful tool for content discovery. For optimal results:
- Use a mix of popular and niche-specific hashtags
- Create branded hashtags for your content series
- Research trending hashtags in your industry
- Avoid overusing hashtags; quality over quantity is key
Resource: Use Instagram’s search function to find popular and relevant hashtags in your niche.
11. Don’t use watermark
Instagram’s algorithm deprioritizes content with visible watermarks from competing platforms like TikTok or Kwai. To prevent this:
- Create content directly within Instagram
- If repurposing content, remove watermarks before uploading
- Use third-party editing tools that don’t add watermarks
Tip: If you must use content from other platforms, consider re-recording or re-editing it specifically for Instagram to maintain quality and avoid penalties.
12. Do not copy other content
Instagram’s algorithm favors original, authentic content over reposts or heavily recycled material. To align with this preference:
- Develop unique concepts for your Reels
- Avoid directly copying trending content; instead, offer your unique perspective
- Create content that adds value to your audience’s feed
- If inspired by others, credit them and put your spin on the idea
Strategy: Keep a content idea journal to jot down original concepts as they come to you.
Tracking Your Success on Instagram
Utilize Instagram’s built-in analytics to monitor your Reels’ performance:
- Go to your profile and tap the Insights button
- Navigate to the Content You Shared section
- Filter by Reels to view detailed metrics on each post
Key metrics to track include:
- Plays: Total number of times your Reel was viewed
- Likes: Indicates how well your content resonates with viewers
- Comments: Measures audience engagement and interest
- Shares: Shows how shareable your content is
- Saves: Indicates high-value content that users want to revisit
Applying these strategies and regularly analyzing your performance can significantly enhance your Instagram Reels’ impact and grow your audience on the platform.
