How to boost an Instagram Reel for more views
Sign up for Mojo Teams and start creating professional content for all your business needs
You've got the right mindset if you want to know how to boost Instagram Reels to get more views from a wider audience! Reels are extremely engaging and can accumulate views more rapidly than many other Instagram features.
Take advantage of the immense potential behind high-quality Reels. Reels can help you "hit it big" with your audience and grow your following on the platform.
In this article, we'll discuss how to boost an Instagram Reel and automatically turn it into a paid ad. We'll also discuss 4 ways you can boost your Reel organically for free.
And if you need a Reels editor, discover the magic of the Mojo app.
Just boost your Reels (paid option)
In July 2022, Instagram released a Reels update about how you can boost an Instagram Reel on the platform.
Now, you can turn high-performing Reels into paid ads that will expose you to an even wider audience.
With just a few clicks, an existing Reel can replace the need to create all new, original paid ad creative - saving you time and (hopefully) boosting engagement. Let's walk you through how to boost a Reels and turn it into a paid ad:
- Open the Instagram app.
- Go to the Reels tab on your account (must be a public business account).
- Click on the Reel you'd like to boost (must meet the requirements, discussed below).
- Tap the 3 dots in the bottom corner.
- Select "Boost Reel."
- Choose a goal for the boost. Your goal may be to get more profile visits or more website traffic.
- Define your target audience or let Instagram do it automatically.
- Fund your Instagram account for paid ads.
- Select the budget and duration of the boosted Reel campaign.
- Confirm the paid ad settings and boost your Reel!
Again, this is how you boost an Instagram Reel as a paid ad. While this will help you increase impressions and get seen by significantly more users, boosted Reels only perform well if they have great content.
That's why it's exceptionally important to create Reels that will resonate and interest your target audience. A lot of that has to do with how you create the Reel upfront. Stay tuned for 4 cost-free ways to boost Reels views.
Which Reels are eligible for boosting?
When it comes to boosting Instagram Reels, there are some guidelines that have to be followed.
According to Instagram, for a Reel to be eligible for boosting, it must meet the following criteria:
- Must be less than 60 seconds in length
- Must have a 9:16 vertical aspect ratio (full-screen experience)
- Cannot be shared to Facebook
- Cannot have third party intellectual property (no copyrighted music, stickers, etc.)
Think you can follow that?
How to boost your Reels views for free
While you can invest in Instagram ads for your business, there are plenty of things you can do to boost Reels for free.
Not to mention, even if you pay Instagram to boost your Reels, that doesn't guarantee that you'll get the views you want - let alone conversions into followers or website traffic. Your Reels may show up in the Feed, but that doesn't equate to views.
Set yourself up for success by boosting the quality of your content. If you have an engaging and highly valuable Reel that is worth the watch, you have a better chance at getting the attention you're looking for.
4 cost-free ways to boost Reels views
All of these suggestions will help you create high-quality Instagram Reels that are great for your brand (and great for boosting).
These 4 tips should be used every time you create a Reel.
1 - Get to know Instagram's algorithm
Viral Instagram Reels that gain mega popularity overnight are often made famous by the Instagram algorithm. If you're on the "good side" of the algorithm, you may see huge success that keeps growing exponentially.
Unfortunately, knowing how to hack the Instagram algorithm is an extremely difficult task. We actually have an entire article that explains the Instagram algorithm in plain speak, so check it out!
Do your research to understand what helps you get noticed by the algorithm. In general, Reels that get high engagement via likes, comments, shares and saves will gain momentum on the platform.
So, make sure that your videos are highly interactive and entertaining!
2 - Go organic
If you want to boost an Instagram Reel for free, you'll have to put in a little extra work. Research what has been working for your account or your industry in terms of organic growth and engagement.
Maybe your competitors do really well with behind-the-scenes Reels. Maybe you see more engagement when you post on the weekend. Maybe daily posting has expanded your reach.
Consider every aspect of your organic marketing strategy. These are things that you have some control over (and that you don't have to pay for).
Focus on Reels that have had the most organic success. Most likely, paying a few dollars to get seen by more people will be well worth the investment - if you know your Reel is good.
3 - Stay on-trend
The Instagram algorithm likes if your account appears to be relevant and on-trend with other users on the platform.
So, if there is a trendy song going around, include it in your next Reel to boost. Instagram often prioritizes posts that pick up on the latest trend. That means you may gain additional exposure without having to pay for it!
Keep an eye out for trendy audio, stickers, filters and types of Reels going around.
4 - Up your hashtag game
Choose relevant hashtags that your target audience will likely be following or searching for. Investigate what competitors use and what is trending on popular Reels.
Take a look at your top-performing Instagram hashtags and be sure to include them strategically in Reels. This is yet another way to get seen by more of the right people.
Instagram Reels editor
As you can see, boosting Reels as paid ads can be very helpful in growing your audience, but isn't required.
Either way you choose, put your best foot forward with optimized Reels that will excite your target audience and grow your brand in a meaningful and sustainable way.
That's why we recommend that you try out the Mojo video editing app.
With over 400+ premade templates and the ability to customize your videos to perfectly match your branding, you can create viralworthy Reels that keep viewers interested and inspire them to explore the rest of your content.
Plus, Mojo's simple drag-and-drop feature and auto captions make it really easy to create awesome Reels within minutes. See what you can create in the Mojo app!
Looking to upgrade your social content? Subscribe to Mojo Pro today and get started!
