Ever scrolled through the Instagram Explore page and thought, “How do people get their posts here?” You’re not alone. Getting on the Instagram Explore page is like winning the social media lottery. When your content shows up here, it can seriously boost engagement, grow your visibility, and connect you with a wider audience that wouldn’t normally see your posts.
The trouble is, getting there is easier said than done. But here’s the good news – it’s not just about luck. It’s about playing smart and giving Instagram what it wants. In this guide, you’ll discover proven, actionable tips to help you get on the Instagram Explore page and gain the organic exposure your brand deserves.
Introduction to Instagram Explore Page
The Instagram Explore page is a personalized feed that shows posts from accounts you don’t already follow but are likely to be interested in. You can access it by tapping the magnifying glass icon at the bottom of your Instagram app. What you see on this page isn’t random – it’s tailored by Instagram’s explore feed ranking system, which considers several factors.
At its core, the explore page algorithm looks at past user activity (likes, comments, and shares) and creates the feed based on your interest. It evaluates the engagement metrics (like comments, saves, and time spent on posts) of a particular piece of content to determine if it should reach more users.
Instagram prioritizes relevant content by analyzing both recency and how aligned it is with your activity history. In short, the more engagement your posts get and the more they match the interests of others, the more likely they’ll appear on the Explore page.
8 Tips to Get Your Posts on the Instagram Explore Page
Working to get your content featured on the Explore page is totally worth the investment. Here are the top strategies to help you get featured:
1. Get to Know Your Audience Interests
Creating content that resonates with your audience is everything. Start by digging into the Instagram posts your followers already engage with the most. What themes or styles are they drawn to? Use Instagram Insights to track which posts get the most likes, comments, and shares.
Dive deep into your followers’ interests – whether it’s fitness tips, style inspiration, or cooking hacks, pay attention to what matters to them. You can also study what influencers in your niche post and what their audiences respond to.
This isn’t about copying; it’s about seeing what’s working and giving it your twist. Build your content strategy around what truly excites your audience. This, in turn, improves your chances of appearing on the Explore page.
2. Share Engaging Content
Your content needs to spark interaction – think comments, shares, and saves. But what makes something engaging? It’s not always just about being visually stunning (though that helps!). It’s about storytelling and inviting your audience into the conversation. Try Carousel posts that tell a story or walk through a process step-by-step.
The more time people spend swiping and engaging, the more Instagram will think, “Hey, this post is legit!” Also, mix in interactive content – polls, questions, or contests can inspire conversations in the comments. This organic interaction signals to the platform that your post deserves more visibility, increasing your shot at the Explore page.
3. Use Relevant Geotags and Hashtags
Tagging helps Instagram understand where your content fits into the broader ecosystem, boosting its chance to appear on Explore pages. Start with a mix of broad, niche, and trending hashtags to increase reach. For example, use a mix like #photography (broad), #lifestylephotographer (niche), and #WeekendVibes (trending).
Don’t spam 30 unrelated hashtags – focus on 10-15 relevant ones. And when you tag a location, Instagram can push your post to people searching that spot or nearby. For instance, using #SohoSunday for a café or event venue could make your post discoverable to local users.
4. Use Compelling Captions with CTAs
Your caption isn’t just there to fill space – it can affect how much your audience engages with your post. Start strong with attention-grabbing lines like, “Have you ever tried THIS?” or “Let’s settle the debate.” But don’t stop there. Encourage users to take action with clear, engaging CTAs.
Whether you ask them to “Tag a friend who needs this!” or “Save this post for later,” a strong CTA can inspire engagement. Creative CTAs drive meaningful interactions, making your content more likely to catch the Instagram algorithm’s eye. Craft every caption with a purpose – direct users, inspire comments, and drive shares.
5. Publish Reels Content
Reels are short, snappy videos with a dedicated section and are more likely to pop up on the Explore page. Why? Because Instagram prioritizes them due to their popularity with users. To maximize the impact of Reels, tap into what’s already resonating with users. Incorporate trending themes and pay attention to the kinds of content that go viral, like challenges or tutorials.
You can also find trending songs and add them to your Reels, as Instagram boosts content with hot audio. Watch out for trending patterns (like certain transitions or video cuts). Reels can expose your content to massive audiences with the right mix of creativity and timeliness.
6. Post at the Right Time
Even the best content can flop if it’s posted when your audience is offline. Timing is everything if you want to appear on the Instagram Explore page. To figure out when to post, check out Instagram Insights, where you can see when your followers are most active. But remember, consistency also matters.
Once you know your audience’s peak times, make it a habit to post when users are online and engaged. Peak times vary, but mornings and early evenings work best for many industries. Posting at optimal times helps your content get that crucial initial engagement needed to push it onto the Explore page.
7. Work with Influencers
This is a simple yet strategic way to expand your reach beyond your existing followers. Influencers help you tap into similar accounts with built-in, engaged audiences, driving up your exposure and engagement. But think beyond just shoutouts or product placements –get creative with your collabs, host an Instagram live Q&A together, co-create a Reel, or even collaborate on a contest or giveaway.
Influencer partnerships spark conversation and engagement, which boosts your content’s performance. The more interaction your posts generate, the more likely they’ll catch the attention of Instagram’s algorithm, giving them a shot at making the Explore page.
8. Try Out Explore Feed Ads
Explore Feed Ads allow you to put your content directly into the Explore feed, gaining immediate exposure. Unlike regular ads, these are positioned alongside organic content on the Explore page, so users who discover new creators this way will find your ad more natural and less intrusive.
To get the most from Explore Feed Ads, tailor them to align with what’s currently popular in your niche. You can select your target audience using filters like interests and behaviors, ensuring the ad reaches the right people. Head to the Instagram Ads Manager and choose placement in the Explore feed. If done right, Explore Feed Ads can supercharge your visibility and make it easier to connect with new users overnight.
Benefits of Appearing on the Explore Page
Landing a spot on the Instagram Explore page can be huge for creators and businesses alike. Firstly, it increases reach as your content gets exposed to people who don’t already follow you. That naturally translates to follower growth – the more eyes on your posts, the more likely people will hit that follow button.
Beyond that, it significantly boosts both brand visibility and brand awareness. You’re no longer just in front of your regular audience; you’re getting in front of more users who might have otherwise missed your Instagram profile. Plus, more people discovering your posts opens the door to higher engagement.
The Explore page helps people discover content they want to interact with, so when your posts show up there, you’re more likely to build lasting connections with potential followers or customers.
Get Featured on Instagram Explore Page
The Instagram Explore page is like the golden ticket to reaching a new world of followers and engagement. With so many Instagram accounts fighting for attention, it can be tough to stand out. But not everyone knows how to crack the code.
Everything clicks into place once you understand how to get on the Instagram Explore page and what the platform values – engagement, relevance, and consistency. It’s all about smart strategy and great content. Get featured on that Explore tab, and the ripple effect could skyrocket your visibility, boost your audience, and open doors to big opportunities.
