How To Get Your Reels Recommended On Instagram

Published on March 4th, 2025

Instagram has been making significant improvements to how Reels are ranked and recommended.

The primary goal is to serve the right Reels to the right audience at the right time, allowing creators of all sizes to gain visibility and expand their reach.

In April 2024, Instagram announced initial updates to Reels recommendations, and now, these changes have been fully launched. This means that the Reels you see today are more relevant, personalized, and timely than ever before.

For creators, this is a game-changer. With enhanced recommendations, you can grow more quickly as new audiences discover your content.

In this post, we’ll break down how Instagram ranks Reels, shifting engagement behaviors, and how you can maximize these changes to grow your audience.

How Instagram Ranks and Recommends Reels

Instagram uses a combination of signals to determine which Reels people might enjoy. These signals include:

User Activity: Watch time, retention, shares, likes, and comments help Instagram assess a Reel’s engagement potential.
Audience Matching: Instagram identifies people with similar interests and suggests content based on what they are engaging with.

The Reel Recommendation Process

When you post a Reel, it is shown to both followers and non-followers. For non-followers, Instagram initially recommends your content to a small, targeted audience that is likely to enjoy it. Based on the engagement from this initial group, the best-performing Reels are gradually shown to larger and wider audiences.

This ranking process helps level the playing field, allowing content to be distributed based on engagement rather than just a creator’s follower count.

Shifting Engagement Behaviors on Instagram

User behavior on Instagram is constantly evolving, and these changes are shaping how creators can be discovered. Here are some of the most significant trends Instagram has noticed:

1. Increase in Reels Consumption and Recommendations

Global video watch time on Instagram grew by double-digit percentages year-over-year in Q4 2024.
People are sharing Reels more than ever, with over 4.5 billion Reels reshared daily across Instagram and Facebook.

As people spend more time watching and sharing recommended Reels, creators have a higher chance of reaching new audiences.

2. More Opportunities for Creator Growth

Instagram’s recommendation system helps users explore their interests while also giving creators an opportunity to be discovered.
Creators who consistently publish engaging Reels and follow Instagram’s Recommendation Guidelines have the best chances of increasing their reach and gaining new followers.
Viral potential has increased significantly, meaning a well-received Reel can spread to a massive audience more quickly than before.

How to Take Advantage of These Changes

Now is the best time for creators to build an audience on Instagram. As more people engage with recommended content from accounts they don’t follow, it’s crucial to optimize your strategy for discovery. Here’s how:

1. Post Regularly

Consistency is key. Posting frequently increases your chances of being discovered by new audiences.
Since Instagram actively promotes Reels to non-followers, every post is an opportunity to reach a new audience.

2. Create Standalone Content

Reels should make sense to viewers who may not be familiar with you.
Hook viewers in the first three seconds to ensure they stay engaged.
Use Instagram Insights to monitor your view rate and adjust your content strategy accordingly.

3. Use Audio to Enhance Engagement

Adding trending sounds or original audio can make your Reels more engaging.
Even if you prefer photo posts or carousels, incorporating audio can help increase visibility.

4. Experiment with Different Content Styles

Not every post will go viral, but testing different formats can help you understand what resonates with your audience.
Use trial Reels, which allow you to test content with non-followers before deciding whether to share it with your followers.

5. Embrace the Unpredictability of Recommendations

The new recommendation system means reach can be unpredictable, but this levels the playing field.
View this volatility as an opportunity to explore new ideas and reach new people.

Read More: Instagram Tests Dislike Button For Comments

Success Story: @pov_husband’s Explosive Growth

Many creators have already seen massive success thanks to these updates. One notable example is @pov_husband, who shares unique takes on home cooking. Since launching in April 2024, the account has:

Garnered over 1.2 billion views across Reels
Grown from 0 to 2 million followers in less than a year

This success story highlights how Instagram’s updated recommendation system can help creators rapidly expand their audience.

Final Thoughts

Instagram’s improvements to Reels recommendations have created more opportunities than ever for creators to reach new audiences.

By understanding how content is ranked and aligning your strategy with engagement trends, you can significantly increase your reach and growth on the platform.

Key Takeaways:

✅ Post consistently to maximize visibility.
✅ Make your content easy to understand for new audiences.
✅ Use trending audio to boost engagement.
✅ Experiment and track performance to refine your strategy.
✅ Take advantage of the new recommendation system to grow faster.

As Instagram continues evolving, those who adapt and create engaging, recommendation-friendly content will be the biggest winners. Start implementing these strategies today and watch your reach soar!

For more tips and updates on Instagram growth, check out the latest creator guidelines here.