Getting more views on Instagram isn’t just about getting lucky or having a huge following it’s about figuring out what makes content actually perform and then doing more of that consistently. I’ve spent way too much time staring at Instagram analytics wondering why some posts blow up and others just… die quietly. And after a lot of trial and error (mostly error, honestly), I’ve figured out it really comes down to a handful of things that most people either don’t know or don’t bother doing consistently.
If you’re trying to grow as an influencer right now, views are basically your currency. Not followers. Views. Because followers can be fake, bought, inactive brands know this. But views? Those are harder to fake. When a brand sees your Reels consistently pulling solid numbers, that’s when the partnership conversations actually start happening. So let me walk you through what’s actually working in 2026.
Understanding What Views Really Mean for Growth
Here’s the thing about Instagram’s algorithm that took me a while to properly understand it doesn’t care about you. At all. It cares about whether people watch your stuff.
Every view you get is basically you telling Instagram “hey, people like this.” Get enough views fast enough after posting, and Instagram goes “alright, let’s show this to more people.” And then those people watch it, and it spreads further. That’s the whole game.
For brand deals specifically companies have gotten a lot smarter. They’re not impressed by a 100K following if your Reels are pulling 800 views. They want reach. They want proof that real humans are watching your content. Views give them that proof.
8 Proven Strategies to Get More Instagram Views Fast
1. Use a Strategic Views Boost to Kickstart Momentum
Even with strong hooks, trending audio, and perfect timing, breaking through Instagram’s algorithm can be tough especially in competitive niches. Early view velocity plays a huge role in whether your content gets pushed to Explore and non-followers.
That’s why some influencers choose to buy Instagram views from trusted provider Media Mister to create initial momentum. A higher view count strengthens social proof, increases perceived credibility, and encourages organic users to watch longer and engage. When combined with quality content, this can help trigger wider algorithmic distribution. Some providers also offer free Instagram views, allowing you to test the impact before committing to a larger package.
2. Hook People in That First Second
The first second of your Reel or video decides whether someone keeps watching or scrolls right past. Nobody is giving you the benefit of the doubt when they land on your video. They’re already halfway through swiping before they’ve consciously decided anything.
So whatever your most interesting, most shocking, most curiosity-inducing moment is that’s your opening frame. Not your logo. Not “hey guys welcome back.” Not a slow pan of your setup. The good stuff. Immediately.
Think of it like this your hook is making a promise. “Keep watching and I’ll deliver something worth your time.” If you can’t make that promise in the first second, reshoot until you can.
3. Optimize Length for Maximum Completion
While Instagram lets you post longer videos, shorter content usually gets higher completion rates, which directly impacts views and algorithmic promotion. Every time I’ve tested this, shorter wins. Like embarrassingly short sometimes.
Seven to fifteen seconds for Reels that’s the sweet spot for most niches. Because here’s what happens: people finish it. Then they watch again. Each replay counts as a view AND boosts your completion rate. Both of those things make the algorithm very happy.
I know it feels weird to put a ton of effort into a 10-second video. But that 10-second video that gets watched 4 times will massively outperform a 60-second video that people skip at the 8-second mark.
4. Use Trending Audio the Smart Way
Instagram heavily prioritizes Reels using trending audio. Browse the Reels tab daily to spot trending sounds in your niche, then create content that adds your unique perspective. Instagram literally pushes content that uses trending audio to people who are engaging with that sound. It’s a built-in discovery system and a lot of creators just… ignore it.
Check the Reels tab every day. Notice which sounds keep showing up. Jump on them early before they peak, not after. The timing actually matters here. A sound that’s trending upward is gold. A sound that’s been everywhere for two weeks is basically dead.
And please don’t just recreate what everyone else is doing with the audio. Put your spin on it. That’s what makes people follow you instead of just scrolling past.
5. Post When Your People Are Actually Active
Timing massively impacts your initial view momentum. Your audience isn’t online 24/7. Post at 3am when everyone’s asleep and your Reel misses that crucial early engagement window. Miss the window and the algorithm moves on.
Go into your Instagram Insights and actually look at when your specific followers are active. For most accounts mornings around 7-9am and evenings around 5-7pm work well — but your audience might be totally different. Test it. Give each timing experiment at least two weeks before drawing conclusions.
6. Use Hashtags Strategically to Reach New People
Hashtags help Instagram figure out who should see your content and can seriously expand your views beyond your existing followers. Three to five really niche-specific hashtags plus two or three broader trending ones. That’s the formula that consistently works for me.
Too many hashtags looks spammy. Too few and you’re missing free discovery. The niche ones put you in front of people who actually care about your content. The broader ones give you a shot at reaching new audiences. Caption or first comment doesn’t matter, pick one and be consistent.
7. Make Content People Want to Watch Multiple Times
Replay views count. So content that earns replays is quietly one of the best things you can create.
Tutorials work amazing for this because people pause, try the step, rewatch to check. Looping videos where the end flows back to the beginning rack up replays almost automatically. Even just adding hidden details background text, subtle jokes, Easter eggs gives people a reason to go back.
When someone watches your 12-second Reel four times, that’s 48 seconds of watch time and four view counts from one person. That’s massive for your metrics. Tutorial-style content where viewers need to pause and rewatch steps, or entertaining content with jokes that hit better on second viewing, naturally encourage this behavior.
8. Use Stories to Drive Your Reel Views
Most creators post a Reel and just hope people find it. Meanwhile their followers have no idea it exists because they missed it in their feed.
Stories are a direct line to your audience. Tease the Reel before you post it. Tell people it’s up afterward. Add a poll that gets people curious enough to go watch. Those early views from existing followers are what trigger the algorithm to test your content with bigger audiences. Don’t skip this step.
Conclusion
None of this is complicated but very few people do all of it consistently. Start with the hook, nail your timing, keep it short, use trending audio and hashtags properly, build replay value into your content, and cross-promote through Stories. Layer in a views boost when you need early momentum.
Do it consistently for a month and your numbers will look completely different. That’s just how the algorithm works when you stop fighting it and start working with it instead.
(DISCLAIMER: The information in this article does not necessarily reflect the views of The Global Hues. We make no representation or warranty of any kind, express or implied, regarding the accuracy, adequacy, validity, reliability, availability or completeness of any information in this article.)
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