How to Get Discovered on Instagram Reels (According to Instagram)
If you want to skyrocket your growth on social media, Instagram Reels is where it’s at.
So many creators are attributing their boost in followers, engagement, and sales to using this feature that Instagram launched in August 2020. And it’s safe to say that you’re missing out if you’re not at least giving it a shot for building your brand.
Now, I’ve previously shared 10 Instagram Reels ideas and even offered some tips to help you boost engagement on the Reels you upload. But how exactly do you get discovered on Instagram Reels and land your video on the dedicated Reels tab?
Well, it all starts with making a great video.
How to Get Discovered on Instagram Reels (According to Instagram)
Luckily for us creators, Instagram isn’t being secretive about how their algorithm works when it comes to boosting great Instagram Reels. They actually published all the details for getting discovered. And I’m going to break down the key points for you.
1. Create Reels That Are Entertaining or Inspirational
As viewers, we are most likely to enjoy and interact with videos that we find to be entertaining (by making us laugh, for example) or those that serve as a source of inspiration. By creating content that falls in one of these categories, you’ll be more likely to get discovered on Instagram Reels since it’s what a lot of people are looking for.
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If you want to entertain, consider telling a funny story of something that happened in your personal life or business. To be inspirational, talk about some challenges you’ve overcome to get to where you are now. There are lots of ways you can make this work for any brand, so test out some ideas and see what resonates with your audience. Also, don’t be afraid to incorporate both entertaining and inspirational content into your Reels.
2. Play Around With Text, Filters, and Camera Effects
Reels offers a lot of great features that allow us to have fun with the videos we create. For instance, you can add text to tell a story or share tips in a video where you aren’t speaking. You can also add different filters or try different camera effects for a fun, creative look.
3. Use Music From the Instagram Music Library
When creating videos that you’re publishing online, you never want to risk your hard work getting removed for a copyright violation. This means you don’t want to have your own music playing in the background of your Reels. Instead, you’ll want to use music from the actual Instagram Music Library so your video won’t get taken down.
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You can also use popular original audio that other creators have shared. After all, that’s really what Reels and TikTok are based on… Taking others’ sounds and using them to make something of your own. Just find ways to put your own unique spin on the trends you participate in if you really want to get discovered on Instagram Reels. Original ideas stand out!
4. Be Willing to Experiment and Have Fun
At the end of the day, people can tell when you’re genuinely having fun with the content you’re creating. And that’s exactly the type of creators most of us want to follow! So, enjoy the Reels you’re filming and allow yourself to experiment with new ideas. When you do, you’ll soon find out what you enjoy creating and what your audience enjoys watching.
And Finally, Avoid These Things When Filming Reels
Yep, there are a few things that are considered frowned upon when it comes to Instagram’s algorithm and how Reels are ranked in their dedicated feed. Here’s what you should avoid if you want to get discovered on Instagram Reels:
- Don’t upload blurry, low-resolution videos. Remember how poor the video quality was back in the day? People don’t really tolerate that now. With the top-notch cameras available on our phones, there’s no reason to upload a video that’s blurry and pixelated.
- Never have watermarks from other apps. This is a huge no in the Instagram world, as they’ve already come out and said they’re de-prioritizing Reels that are uploaded with a TikTok logo. So, if you’re creating content for both, you may want to film in the camera app.
- Don’t add a border around your video. I’m not sure that I’ve seen anyone using borders to decorate their Reels, but that’s probably a good thing because Instagram says it’s a no!
- Never cover a majority of your video with text. People want to be able to see the image on the screen. They don’t want it to be obscured by text. If you’re adding text to your Instagram Reels, keep it small but still legible.