How to Get Views on Instagram Reels: 5 Strategies That Actually Work

Real talk: getting views on Instagram Reels can feel like shouting into the void sometimes.

You film. You edit. You add the perfect caption. Then... 47 views. Maybe 63 if you're lucky. Meanwhile, someone posts their cat doing nothing literally and gets 500K views overnight. What gives?

Here's what I learned after posting Reels for two years (and yes, I had plenty of flops along the way). There's actually a pattern to what works. It's not random luck or some secret algorithm hack that gurus sell for $997.

Over 200 billion Reels get watched every day across Instagram and Facebook. That number is wild. But it also means there's room for your content if you know what you're doing.

5 Proven Strategies to Boost Your Instagram Reels Views

These strategies work together. You don't need to use all 5 at once. Start with a few that make sense for your content, then build from there. Some will give you quick wins. Others take time but create lasting results. Let's start with the strategy that gets your Reels moving fast.

1. Give Your Reels a Quick Boost

Look, I'll be straight with you about this one.

Sometimes your best content needs a little push to get noticed. That's just how Instagram works now. The algorithm looks at early engagement to decide if your Reel is worth showing to more people.

Platforms like Socialplug specialize in Instagram Reel views that can give you that initial momentum. Think of it like priming the pump.

When your Reel gets views quickly after posting, Instagram's algorithm picks up on it. The platform thinks, "Okay, people are interested in this," and starts showing it to more users. It's kind of a snowball effect.

What makes Socialplug different from other service providers? They deliver views that look natural. Not bots. Not fake accounts that disappear in a week.

Here's what that initial push does for you:

• Gets you past the dreaded "low views" stage faster
• Signals to Instagram that your content deserves more reach
• Builds social proof (people watch videos that others are watching)
• Helps you compete with accounts that have bigger followings

The process is simple. Pick how many views you want. Drop in your Reel link. Most orders get delivered within a few hours.

But here's my advice (and I mean this): Don't just rely on this. Use Socialplug to kickstart things, then focus on the organic strategies below. That combo? That's where you'll see real growth.

Check out Socialplug.io if you want to test it out. They have options specifically for Instagram Reels.

2. Your First Second Better Be Good

You know how you scroll through Reels, right? Swipe, swipe, swipe. Something catches your eye, and you stop.

That's what you need to create. That stop-the-scroll moment.

I used to waste the first 3 seconds of my Reels with intros. "Hey everyone!" or "In today's video..." Nobody cares about that stuff when they're scrolling at lightning speed.

The viewers who stop are the ones who see something immediately interesting. Not in 5 seconds. Not after your intro music. Right away.

What actually works as a hook:

• Drop a bold statement right off the bat ("This changed everything for me...")
• Show something visually weird or unexpected
• Ask a question that makes people curious ("Ever wonder why...?")
• Put text on screen that promises value fast

Skip the small talk. Get to the point in literally one second.

3. Shorter Usually Wins (Even Though It Feels Wrong)

This one feels counterintuitive.

You'd think longer videos give you more time to deliver value, right? More time to explain things, show your personality, and tell a story.

But here's what happens in reality: people's attention spans are shot. We're talking 8 seconds on average. Maybe less if they're tired or distracted.

Instagram loves when people watch your entire Reel. That completion rate matters a lot to the algorithm. So a 7-second Reel that people watch all the way through beats a 60-second Reel where people bail halfway.

The sweet spot I've found? Somewhere between 7 and 15 seconds.

4. Trending Audio Is Your Friend (Use It Early)

Audio makes a bigger difference than most people realize.

Instagram pushes content that uses trending sounds. Why? Because users are already engaging with that audio. The platform knows it's popular.

I used to ignore trending audio. Thought it was too "bandwagon." Then I tested it and saw my views jump by like 3x on the same type of content.

Here's how to find trending audio before everyone else jumps on it:

• Check Instagram's Reels Trends feature (it shows you rising audio)
• Scroll the Explore page and notice which sounds keep popping up
• Watch TikTok's trending sounds (a lot of trends start there first)
• Follow creators in your niche and watch for patterns

5. Timing Matters More Than You'd Think

Posting at random times is like throwing darts blindfolded.

Sure, you might hit the target. But why make it harder than it needs to be?

When you post during hours your followers are actually on Instagram, they see your Reel right away. That early engagement is huge. It tells Instagram "people like this content," and the algorithm starts showing it to more users.

Studies say the best times to post are generally:

• Wednesday around 11 AM
• Friday morning between 10-11 AM
• Weekday afternoons

But honestly? Your audience might be different.

Final Thoughts: Your Action Plan

Getting views on Instagram Reels isn't luck. It's a strategy.

You now have 5 proven methods to boost your Reels:

1. Jump-start with Socialplug for initial momentum
2. Hook viewers in the first second
3. Keep Reels short (7-15 seconds ideal)
4. Use trending audio early
5. Post when followers are active

Pick three strategies from this list. Implement them this week. Track your results.

Then add more tactics as you learn what works for your audience.

The creators getting millions of views aren't doing anything magical. They're just using these proven strategies consistently.