Growing on Instagram is a great way to improve your brand’s image and increase sales. However, it can be tough to grow on that platform. One way to grow is to elevate your account with Instagram likes. This article will explain the importance of likes and how to gain likes on Instagram.
What Are Likes on Instagram?
When someone double-taps your photo or clicks the heart button, they have liked your post. Liking a post shows that you enjoyed the user’s content. Instagram likes can feel encouraging for users, making them want to create more content. But there are many other reasons you should gain likes.
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How Instagram Likes to Help an Account to Grow
All Instagram users can benefit from getting more likes. As mentioned, likes can encourage users to make more content. However, there’s more to it than just the feel-good sensation. Instagram engagement is another reason your posts should get as many likes as possible.
Engagement shows how often your Instagram followers are interacting with your content. Besides sharing and commenting on your Instagram posts, liking them is a great way to show engagement.
So, why does engagement matter? When you gain more likes on Instagram, the algorithm shows your content to more people. Your posts become more visible not only to your followers but to non-followers as well.
One way non-followers see your content is through the Explore page. The Explore page shows content that the algorithm has determined the user may enjoy. So not only does your content reach more Instagram accounts, but it can also reach profiles who will probably want your profile. If someone sees your content on their Instagram feed and likes it, they may give you a follow and like your content.
Another reason why likes are so important is because of social proof. This is when people are more inclined to listen to a user if they have many supporters around them. If you’re creating a tutorial, for instance, many likes show people that the tutorial was helpful for most people.
Fewer people will see your posts if you’re not getting many likes on Instagram. It’s as simple as that. Of course, if you have a smaller account, you may feel like you are in an inescapable situation. Your Instagram posts don’t have many eyes on them, so you cannot get that many likes on Instagram.
Let’s explain how to gain Instagram likes regardless of account size.
How to Get Instagram Likes
Here are some proven ways to gain more likes, and thus more followers, on Instagram.
Figure Out Your Audience
First, you must learn who your audience is. How old are most of them? What do they post on Instagram? Who do they follow? Knowing the answer to these questions can help your account grow, and you can look it up in Instagram Insights.
Make Quality Instagram Posts
The first and most obvious way to get likes on your content is to create posts that resonate with your audience. The first step is ensuring each Instagram post has sharp imagery and audio. However, it also needs to be something your target audience resonates with.
What makes for high-quality photos can be subjective. Obviously, you want sharp pictures that are visually appealing and follow the rule of thirds. But besides following good photography rules, your photo must add value to your followers. It can be an inspiring photo that excites users for your products or an informative tutorial.
You can create great content by researching who your target audience is and what they enjoy. Another way is to:
Look at Similar Brands for Inspiration
No matter how obscure your niche is, there’s a good chance that you can find an Instagram account as part of your competition.
When looking at the competition, it’s easy to compare yourselves to them too much and feel down about it. Instead, use them as a source of inspiration. Look at their posts and see how you can use elements of their photos and videos for your own content. This isn’t to say you should rip off their content, but instead, breathe your own twist into it.
Not only that, but you should look for ways to improve on the weak spots of your competition. Your competitors may not target all of your audience’s pain points, or there may be ways to reach your audience better than they do.
Use Relevant Hashtags
Hashtags have been an Instagram app staple for a long time. They are so common that some people forget about them when implementing an Instagram content strategy. However, hashtags still matter in 2024.
Hashtags allow your content to gain more visibility. You can post hashtags in the caption and the comments of your posts. However, some people use all of the trending hashtags and as many as possible. This is not a good strategy. Instead, you should choose up to five hashtags.
Your hashtag strategy should consist of a few tags catering to your niche. These tags shouldn’t have much competition but should have some sort of following. You can also add a trending hashtag if your post is relevant. And feel free to use a viral hashtag or your own branded tag. Viral hashtags can get your post lost because so many users post under that tag, but sometimes, you can get lucky. Meanwhile, a branded hashtag can help your brand gain more recognition.
If you don’t get as many likes on Instagram as a result of your hashtags, don’t be afraid to try something different. The right hashtag combination can differ from person to person.
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Post Videos
Some people still see Instagram as a platform for photos only. However, videos are an Instagram algorithm favorite. If you can make an engaging video, you can gain likes and improve your Instagram profile visibility.
It’s not just regular videos that you should post. Try making Reels. Reels are short-form, vertical videos that Instagram heavily promotes. Think of them as the platform’s version of TikTok videos. When you create some amazing Reels, you can gain more Instagram engagement and get likes quickly.
Post Instagram Stories
Another way to gain Instagram engagement, and thus more likes, is to post Stories. Stories are 24-hour posts that can be personal or promote a limited-time offer. Because Stories disappear, many people overlook them. However, their short lives can create some FOMO, prompting you to gain more likes for people who wish to participate in the Story before it’s gone.
Try Switching to an Instagram Business Account
If you have not created a business account already, you should. You can go to Edit profile and click “Switch to a professional account,” your account is now dedicated to your business.
So, why does it matter? One reason is that you can pay to boost your posts. You can gain more engagement organically through word-of-mouth. However, Instagram is still a place where money talks. If you pay to boost your posts, you can gain more likes on Instagram. The ads are also highly customizable. It’s easy to increase your Instagram presence by creating content that appeals to your potential audience and then broadcasting it for them to see when you boost your posts.
Another reason you should switch to a business profile is that you get access to Instagram insights. With insights, you can see who your audience is, when they are active, and how well your posts perform. Insights are a valuable tool for any of the many social media platforms you’re on.
Collaborate with Instagram Influencers
If you want more likes, collaborate with other users. If you’re a business, you can gain a following by asking an influencer to promote your product. The influencer has a loyal audience who listens to their every word. So if you choose an influencer with a similar audience and collaborate, you can gain more likes.
We should mention that influencers don’t have to be million-follower accounts. If you’re a small business, you may feel that paying a large influencer money is something you can’t afford. However, there are micro-influencers with a smaller, more dedicated following. These influencers are easier to work with and can help you gain more likes.
Support Instagram Users Who Follow You
One way to get more likes is to have an engaged audience. To engage your audience, one thing you can do is to show that you care. You can do this in several ways.
First, you can like or respond to comments that you receive. This shows that you’re humble and not above other people. People may be more inclined to like or follow you because they know you’re listening.
Another great way to gain engagement is to repost user-generated content. This is content created by your fans. Not only can your fans gain more exposure, but you can gain more likes.
This is not to say that you have to engage with every single user that comes your way. Often, there will be so many users that it can be difficult for you to engage with them all. But be sure to engage with some of the more interesting comments or answer any questions about your business.
Have a Giveaway
People love free stuff, which is why a giveaway can be a great way to boost engagement. On Instagram, a giveaway is usually when you give a gift card, video game, or another item to one or several lucky users.
Usually, the giveaway rules are that the person must like your post and follow your account. You may also add rules like commenting. Because a giveaway can be a great way to farm engagement, you can gain more exposure.
With that said, a giveaway should be an occasional thing. Many people will do a giveaway when they reach a milestone, such as reaching a certain amount of followers. Also, a giveaway may not help you to reach your target demographics. But as an occasional method, it is effective.
Create Carousel Posts
Another amazing social media marketing strategy is to create more carousel content on Instagram. These are posts that have multiple photos on them. Carousel content can include tutorials, a slideshow of your products, or a collection of user-generated posts.
Post Memes
Another way for your Instagram to grow and get likes is to post the occasional meme. Memes can center around your niche or just be relatable to many people. Many users will create their own memes, but you may be able to get away with reposting a meme you found somewhere else. If possible, be sure to credit the person who made the meme.
Memes are a great way to gain likes. However, unless the meme caters to your niche, it may not be a way to gain followers interested in your products. But as an occasional strategy, posting memes is effective.
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Always Update Your Instagram Account Strategy
Trying all of the above can be frustrating and not getting as many likes as you want. However, few content strategies are ever effective the first go-around. It can take a good while to figure out what your audience likes and dislikes.
Not to mention, tastes change. Your audience may evolve, and so should your Instagram strategy. As a result, you should spend some time each month to look at your insights. If your insights look great, you should post more content like that. If your insights aren’t doing so well, think about how you can change your strategy to gain more fans.
How to Get More Likes on Instagram Posts: Conclusion
Instagram is a platform where your business can thrive if you know what you’re doing. You can gain more likes if you find your target demographic and post fantastic content they will enjoy. It can take a bit to find the right hashtag cocktail or figure out what content most resonates with your audience. But if you keep trying, you can see growth.
