You’ve got a great story to tell. You’ve designed a beautiful graphic, captured a behind-the-scenes moment, or have a hot take you’re dying to share. You post it to your Instagram Stories, only to find that just a handful of your followers have actually seen it. Oof.
It’s a frustrating reality: the algorithm decides who sees your content, but the good news is that you can give it a little nudge. The secret to getting more views isn’t about luck; it’s about being strategic with the tools Instagram gives you.
Every tap, every swipe, and every interaction on your Story sends a signal to Instagram’s algorithm that your content is worth watching. So, how do you get those taps and swipes?
Today, we’re going to break down 8 simple, high-impact strategies that will help you supercharge your Instagram Story views and turn passive viewers into engaged followers.
Let’s dive in and start boosting that reach.
8 Proven Strategies to Get More Eyes on Your Stories
1. Ask Yes/No Questions in Polls
Interactive stickers are your best friend when it comes to boosting engagement. The yes/no poll is the simplest and most effective. It’s a low-effort way for your audience to interact with your content, and every tap signals to the algorithm that your Story is engaging.
The psychological reason this works so well is that it requires very little commitment—a single tap—to give a response. This makes it much more likely that your audience will participate.
- Putting It into Practice: Don’t overthink it. Ask a question directly related to your niche or even your daily life. “Do you prefer long-form content or Reels?” or “Did you start your day with a coffee?” You can also use it to ask for feedback, such as “Should I create a blog post on this topic?”
2. Make Videos
While a beautiful static graphic has its place, video content captures attention far more effectively on Stories. Video is dynamic, it adds a personal touch, and it holds a viewer’s attention for longer.
The more a person watches, the more the algorithm favors your content. You don’t need a high-tech studio; a simple “talking head” video shot from your desk is often more than enough to create a personal connection.
- Putting It into Practice: Even a simple, 5-second video of you talking directly to the camera is enough to make a difference. Use a mix of static images and video to keep your content fresh and engaging.
3. Post Regularly Throughout the Day
Consistency is a key signal to the Instagram algorithm. The more you post (within reason), the more you keep your profile at the front of your followers’ Story feeds. This keeps you top of mind and increases the total number of people who will see your content.
Remember, Stories only last for 24 hours. Spreading your content out ensures you’re showing up at different times when your audience is active, covering various time zones and engagement windows.
- Putting It into Practice: Aim for a few posts spread out over the day rather than a big batch all at once. This ensures you’re showing up at different times when your audience is active. For example, a morning coffee shot, a mid-day tip, and an evening Q&A.
4. Use Quizzes
Quizzes are like polls but with an extra layer of intrigue and education. They challenge your audience and make them feel smart when they get the answer right. Quizzes are an excellent way to provide value and boost engagement at the same time. This turns a passive viewing experience into an active learning moment.
- Putting It into Practice: Use a quiz to test your audience’s knowledge about your niche. “Which of these is the most important for ranking on Google?” or “Can you guess the name of this marketing term?” You can also use them for fun, lighthearted content that’s still on-brand.
5. Share Your Opinion
Nothing sparks conversation quite like a hot take or a strong opinion. When you share your perspective on a relevant topic, you’re inviting people to engage with you, either by agreeing or respectfully disagreeing. This can lead to a direct message or a reply, which is a powerful signal to the algorithm. More importantly, it helps you attract the right kind of audience—people who resonate with your values and message.
- Putting It into Practice: Start a Story with “Unpopular opinion…” followed by your take on a trend in your industry. This is a surefire way to get people talking.
6. Give Shoutouts to Other Profiles
Tagging other creators, brands, or even customers in your Stories is a win-win situation. It’s a simple act of community building that can lead to reciprocal shoutouts and new eyes on your content.
Tagging others also gives your content a chance to be seen by their audience and signals to the algorithm that you are a connected and active part of the community.
- Putting It into Practice: Tag a collaborator, a brand whose product you love, or a customer who has shared a great review. You can also host an “ask me anything” and give shoutouts to the people who asked the questions.
7. Subtitle Your Stories
A significant number of people watch Stories with the sound off, especially if they’re in public. Adding subtitles ensures your message is never lost. It makes your content more accessible and keeps viewers from swiping away in frustration because they can’t hear what you’re saying. This is a simple but powerful way to respect your audience and improve their viewing experience.
- Putting It into Practice: Use Instagram’s built-in caption sticker to automatically transcribe your voice or type it out manually for a cleaner look. You can also use a third-party app to create animated captions that are visually engaging.
8. Tell a Story
This may seem obvious, but building a narrative arc across a series of Stories is incredibly powerful. This could be a day in your life, the journey of creating a new product, or a simple tutorial that unfolds over several frames. It encourages people to tap through to the end and creates a more memorable experience. A good story creates a clear beginning, middle, and end, making your audience feel like they’re on a journey with you.
- Putting It into Practice: Start with a hook like “I’m about to show you how I did this…” and use each subsequent Story to reveal the next step of the process. You can use polls or quizzes in between frames to keep the audience engaged.
The Bottom Line
Getting more views on your Instagram Stories isn’t a game of chance; it’s a game of strategy. By using these simple, high-impact techniques, you’re not just posting content—you’re optimizing it for engagement and telling the algorithm that your content is worth pushing to more people.
But remember, while these tips are powerful, they are most effective when paired with authenticity and consistency. Don’t feel pressured to use every single one every day. Instead, pick a few that feel natural to you and your brand and focus on mastering them. The most successful creators aren’t necessarily the ones with the best cameras or the most followers; they’re the ones who understand how to use the platform’s tools to their advantage. Start implementing these strategies today, and watch your Story views climb.
Ultimately, your goal is to build a community that trusts you, a brand that stands out, and a business that grows. These Story-building tactics are the first steps on that journey.
Which of these tips are you going to try first to boost your Story views? Let me know in the comments!