Landing a feature on Instagram's Explore Page is one of the most underrated ways to get discovered on the app.
As an algorithmically-curated feed of content, the Explore Page can help you:
Reach the right audience
Boost your engagement
Accelerate growth on the platform
So, how do you secure a spot on Instagram's Explore Page? We're sharing 10 tried-and-tested tips below.
How Does the Instagram Explore Page Algorithm Work?
Instagram's Explore Page algorithm curates content on a user-by-user basis, making every Explore Page unique. It does this by tracking the type of content users regularly interact with, and showing related posts on their Explore Page.
According to Instagram, this content exclusively comes from accounts you don’t already follow, since the purpose of the Explore Page is “to help you discover new things.”
Keeping this in mind, landing a coveted spot on Instagram's Explore Page can give your content a serious boost in engagement — especially as you'll be reaching people who already engage with similar posts or videos.
How to Get on the Instagram Explore Page: 10 Must-know Tips
Instagram's Explore Page is curated by the app’s algorithm, which decides what content to serve users based on two main factors:
What type of posts a user has previously engaged with
How much engagement (including likes, comments, and shares) a relevant post has
In other words: The number one way to get your posts on the Instagram Explore Page is to make them as engaging as possible. But there are other things you can do to improve your chances too. Discover 10 tactics below:
Take a Look at Your Own Explore Page
Start Making Reels
Post When Your Audience Is Online
Experiment With Different Post Formats
Use Strategic Hashtags
Partner With Other Brands and Creators
Run Contests and Giveaways
Add Keywords to Your Post Caption
Use Instagram Analytics to See What’s Working
Try Instagram Explore Ads
Tip #1: Take a Look at Your Own Explore Page
Before you start creating new content, take a step back and do some research. Spend time on your own Explore Page and ask yourself:
What types of posts are featured?
What hashtags and keywords are used in the captions?
What makes these posts so engaging?
Once you have a better sense of what works, you can take inspiration from those posts to create your own.
Tip #2: Start Making Reels
It's no secret, Instagram is prioritizing Reels.
The popular video feature is showing no signs of slowing down, so it’s important to make Reels a big part of your strategy in 2022 — especially if you want to get on the Explore Page.
Tip #3: Post When Your Audience Is Online
Your content has a much better chance at increased reach and engagement if you post when your audience is online.
That way you can increase your engagement and the chance to land a spot on the Explore Page — talk about a major win!
Tip #4: Experiment With Different Post Formats
Another way to boost engagement on Instagram is by experimenting with different post formats.
Think: Single static images, carousels, and video content.
The takeaway? While it's great to mix up the formats you're using, getting creative with carousel posts can help you get more engagement.
Tip #5: Use Strategic Hashtags
Hashtags may not be as popular as they were in 2012 but they’re still a valuable tool for discoverability and increasing your odds of appearing on the Explore Page.
Think of them as a way to label your content. Instagram will try its best to label your posts accurately, even if you don’t have hashtags, but including them makes categorization simpler for the algorithm.
It also makes it easier for Instagram to serve your posts to the most relevant users.
Tip #6: Partner With Other Brands and Creators
Partnering with brands and creators on Instagram means you can easily tap into each other’s audiences — a handy tactic to increase your engagement and secure more Explore Page features.
And in any good partnership, the collaborators should share something in common. That way, content that comes out of your collaboration resonates with both audiences equally — leading to higher engagement.
It’s the perfect recipe for landing on tons of Instagram Explore Pages!
Tip #7: Run Contests and Giveaways
On Instagram, contests and giveaways are an effective way to encourage engagement from your community, reach new audiences, and get on the Explore Page.
Tip #8: Add Keywords to Your Captions
Adding keywords to your post's caption can help the Explore Page's algorithm understand what your content is all about.
The best Instagram captions have:
A killer first line that introduces the topic and convinces you to keep reading
A specific call-to-action (if you want viewers to leave a comment or go to your website, tell them!)
Clear, descriptive language that’s easy for the average user to understand
A consistent tone of voice so your audience can differentiate you from other brands
While all of the above elements are important, the third point is the most essential to get on Instagram's Explore Page.
By using relevant, descriptive keywords in your Instagram captions, you can help the algorithm label your content correctly.
TIP: When writing your captions, brainstorm possible keywords that you weave throughout your copy.
Tip #9: Use Instagram Analytics to See What’s Working
Sometimes your best-performing Instagram posts will surprise you. A photo, video, or Reel that you didn’t think would resonate does, and vice-versa. That’s why it’s crucial to track your social media performance.
Getting on the Instagram Explore Page is a great way to grow your audience on Instagram fast, and if you follow these 9 tips, you’ll increase your chances of landing that coveted feature.
So test out Reels and carousels, go heavy on the hashtags, run a contest or two, experiment, keep track of your performance, and have fun!