When working to boost engagement on Instagram, questions about how to please the Instagram algorithm always come to mind. How does it work? What should you post? How can you leverage it? These are all valid concerns publishers face when revamping their Instagram strategy. 

Don’t worry–the algorithm isn’t unbeatable, and many strategies you’re probably already using will easily carry over into 2025. Here are our best tips for maximizing your engagement with Instagram’s algorithm. 

Instagram algorithm basics

Before we dive into engagement strategies, let’s break down how the Instagram algorithm works in 2025. Instagram is no longer a chronological feed and hasn’t been for a while. Instead, content is ranked on relevance and popularity; basically, user behavior determines what is pushed and what is not. 

The algorithm tracks user preferences through metrics such as likes, comments, shares, saves, and views. The more your audience engages with specific content, the more the algorithm will recommend similar content. This applies across all areas of Instagram–Reels, Stories, Explore, and the feed–with the algorithm tailoring content based on each area’s unique metrics. 

The goal here is to curate the most personalized content for your audience that they will be most likely to engage with. Understanding these metrics is key to accomplishing this. 

Tips for increasing Instagram engagement

Now, let’s learn how to leverage the Instagram algorithm to help boost engagement. Some of these tips are not new, but how publishers should implement them into their strategy may change. Let’s take a look. 

Pay attention to engagement metrics 

The popularity of engagement metrics changes on Instagram constantly, but these five should always be a focus: likes, comments, views, saves, and shares. These primary metrics spark action from the algorithm and show engagement potential. When an Instagram receives an uptick in activity, it signals to the algorithm that this is ‘compelling content’ to distribute to larger audiences.

In 2024, we found Instagram sharing especially important to high engagement rates. We talk more here about the importance of sharing content on Instagram and how to create shareable content.

Use hashtags 

Hashtags are far from outdated–in fact, they’ve become an even more integral part of working with Instagram’s algorithm to reach your ideal audience. However, the way you use them has evolved. It’s no longer helpful to hide hashtags in the captions or weigh down the back end of a post with 30+.

Aim to use 5-15 relevant hashtags per post to best target your audience. Keep it focused! Check out our guide for more tips on using the best Instagram hashtags and learn about the five types of hashtags you should be considering.

CTA’s in the captions 

Describing your videos and photos is just as important as the content itself. Captions are great places to include call-to-actions (CTAs) that prompt valuable conversations and signal the algorithm of an engagement worth posting. Asking authentic questions that invite feedback is a great place to start. You can also use polls, the “life if you agree” strategy, or encourage users to share with friends. 

Instagram SEO 

For users to engage with your content, they have to be able to find it. One way to accomplish this is by using Instagram SEO techniques to increase your content’s discoverability and show up on the Explore page. Optimizing your profile is the first step, strategically using keywords in profiles, captions, and relevant hashtags. Leave no copy untouched! 

Cross-promote content 

Repurposing content across multiple channels is a simple way to boost engagement on Instagram. Meta streamlines cross-promoting Instagram content on Facebook and Threads, helping you reach different audiences. Instagram Collabs is also a powerful tool for increasing visibility and engagement. Collaborations with users who align with your brand can expand your reach and spark meaningful interactions. 

Consistency and diversity

Above all, Instagram’s algorithm prioritizes diverse, engaging content posted consistently. While this will vary for each publisher, the goal is predictability–your audience should know when to expect your content. It’s also nice to mix it up and keep your audience entertained.

Here are a few examples of diverse content you can try that is performing well on Instagram at the moment:

• Stories stickers. Stickers are the special features you see on stories, such as emoji sliders, polls, and question boxes. These can boost engagement and make your audience more involved with your content. 
• Carousel posts. Attaching up to 20 videos and text graphics to carousels makes them super beneficial to boosting engagement. Carousels appear multiple times on a person’s feed, increasing your chances of reaching your audience. We also have some data on the benefits of Instagram carousels, which is pretty promising.
• Relatable memes. If you can make your content fit an entertaining meme, go for it. Memes are funny and relatable, inspiring action in every engagement metric– especially when using a trending photo! 
• Shareable graphics. Graphics, quotes, screenshots, or other types of repurposed content are made to boost engagement. Quotes are some of the most shared posts on Instagram, and Threads screenshots are trendy now. 
• Instagram Reels. These short video gems are just as popular as ever. The algorithm still favors Reels; users can spend hours scrolling and engaging with this feed. 

This may seem like a lot, and it is. Consistency and diversity alone are a lot to handle, but adding all the other Instagram best practices can overwhelm the workload. Creating a posting schedule is ideal for maintaining post consistency, and AI-driven social media management tools are golden for planning and scheduling content in advance.

True Anthem can help streamline your social media efforts by automating daily tasks and analyzing your content for success. Reach out to us for more info or request a demo to get started.