How to Get More Likes on Instagram: It Goes Beyond Just Social Media Popularity

The number of likes on a post is a good indicator of popularity and the Instagram account that published it. It’s also an acknowledgment of the value of your content to other people. Even more important, is how your likes correlate to Instagram’s all-knowing algorithm. The algorithm keeps track of your likes to measure your performance on the platform. 

Knowing how to get more likes on Instagram is about scoring high on content value and performance. You’ll need to create quality content for likability, value and visibility. Even if you can’t please everybody on Instagram, you’ll still be pleasing the right people for your brand. You’re also targeting the platform’s algorithm so it’s a win-win. Here’s how to get more likes on Instagram to boost your social media presence and popularity.

1. How to Get More Likes on Instagram for Free: Tag Your Way to the Top

If you are just starting out you might question how to get more likes on Instagram for free.  Whether you have private or business Instagram accounts, start by utilizing the tagging feature. Tagging family, friends, or followers is a way to reach users with at least one degree of separation from you. Try tagging the followers of the people you tag, in order to get more Instagram likes. Just practice common courtesy and ask before you tag. 

Tagging followers should only be done if you’re sharing their Instagram posts. Whether it’s just something interesting or helpful, or it’s related to your business. Knowing who to tag and how to get more likes on Instagram to get noticed is helpful. Especially, when you’re part of an event. Make sure to take lots of photos that include attendees. When you post the photos, tag the event and event location. Then ask people who attended the event to tag themselves in the comments section. 

Tagging your business location is a must if you have a brick-and-mortar store. If you don’t, just tag your general location or even the nearest popular landmark. This way, your business will always show up when people do a search within that location. Another way of using tagging to get more likes on Instagram is to share posts featuring products you use. Then tag the brand of the product. Even if the post isn’t about promoting your own brand, it’s a way to make your presence known on Instagram.

2. How to Get More Likes on Instagram: Use a Smart Hashtag Strategy

If you are wondering how to get more likes on Instagram start with hashtags. Hashtags are another smart start to getting Instagram likes and followers for free. Everybody knows how to use hashtags. So, you need a smarter and more sophisticated hashtag plan to get more Instagram likes. Every hashtag you use is automatically included in the hashtag results and pages for content that use that particular hashtag. Instagram users are allowed to follow hashtags. So, having an intelligent Instagram strategy using hashtags can land your post on the feeds of many potential new followers. Remember the following when choosing the best Instagram hashtags for a post

• Use a generic hashtag that describes your business and niche/industry and a few of its popular iterations. If you run a coffee business #coffee, #coffeeaddict, #coffeelover, and #coffeetime are basics that should be used. Pick relevant hashtags like these that have been posted the most number of times.
• Select hashtags that are niche specific and have a low post volume, but are still relevant to your own post. Using the aforementioned coffee business, you’d want to utilize #organiccoffeebeans, #organiccoffeeroasters, and #organiccoffeebeans alongside the basics.
• Create branded hashtags to build brand awareness.
• Always combine popular industry hashtags with niche hashtags and branded hashtags (if you’re using them) for free Instagram likes.
• Regularly check out your biggest competition, some of their most engaged followers, and your most engaged followers. Check out what hashtags do these Instagram users like to use. You’ll stay up-to-date with the trending hashtags in your industry and among your target audience.

3. How to Get More Likes on Instagram: Time Your Posts Right

Another crucial tactic for how to get more likes on Instagram is knowing when your target audience is active. Curious why this is important? Simply because when your followers are online they can give you their likes instantaneously. When it comes to your posting timetable, you have to follow your audience’s online schedule. When do most of your audience log into their Instagram account? What hours of the day and days of the week are they most active? How to get more likes depends on your follower’s demographics. Do you know your audience’s age, location, interests, and activities?  These factors determine when they like to spend time on Instagram.

First, do some industry research to get a ballpark time frame. Then, look at your analytics to see when your Instagram posts get the highest views and engagement. Cover all your bases and check out your competitors’ pages to see when their most popular posts were published. Last, ask yourself When is the best time to post on Instagram? You’ll maximize your opportunities on how to get more likes on Instagram when you post consistently.

4. How to Get More Likes on Instagram: Try an Instagram Contest

How to get more likes on Instagram AND earn more followers? Run a contest. It’s a surefire way to get more Instagram likes and followers. Plus, you can expect to keep racking up the numbers for the entire duration of your contest. An Instagram contest takes more planning and management than just creating and publishing a regular post. However, the returns are also greater and Instagram users love free stuff.

Just remember to run a contest that appeals to your target market.  When you appeal to your audience the participation will be limited to people who are genuinely interested in your business. Keep your contest simple, i.e., stick to the time-tested formula of “Follow, like, comment, and share to win!” Go ahead, get creative and run a photo contest, for example, to generate more active and enthusiastic engagement. Don’t forget to promote your contest on other social media platforms as well.

5. How to Get More Likes on Instagram: Practice Proactive Engagement By Asking Questions and Engaging With Users Outside Your Feed

This important tip on how to get more likes on Instagram revolves around engagement. Seeing your like counter rise requires you to initiate engagement on your post. You’ll want to engage in other users’ Instagram posts as well. Not sure how to get more likes this way? Start by asking questions and extending your reach outside your feed.

Ask Questions in Your Post to Get More Likes and Comments

Why not create a regular post that’s a straightforward call to action to get more likes and comments? Asking your followers a question will benefit you in a number of ways. First, you’ll encourage people to like and comment on your post. Next, you’ll learn more about what they’re looking for — which will be extremely helpful in creating more, interesting content. Just as importantly, your followers will appreciate your genuine curiosity. Especially if they know that you’ll follow through and deliver results based on their answers. 

Curious about how to ask a question on Instagram? You can make this a regular thing, e.g., have Q&A Wednesdays (or whatever day you prefer). Create a schedule for funny questions to ask on your Instagram story. It’s a great way to build credibility and a loyal following. Plus, it’s an essential factor if you are wondering how to get more likes on Instagram.

Engage With Users Outside Your Feed

Social media has made it so much easier to build connections and if you’re a business on Instagram, you’re given a direct line to your target market. All you have to do is reach out. Take the first step and engage with users outside your feed to get more likes on Instagram. This means making the time to visit some of your followers’ profiles to like and comment on some of their posts — this is like standing outside your store to exchange pleasantries with people in your neighborhood. 

Engage With Users Outside Your Instagram Feed

Social media has made it so much easier to build connections. If you’re a business on Instagram, you’re given a direct line to your target market. All you have to do is reach out. Take the first step on how to get more likes and engage with users outside your Instagram feed. This means making the time to visit some of your followers’ profiles. Be sure to like and comment on some of their Instagram posts. This is like standing outside your store to exchange pleasantries with people in your neighborhood. 

Don’t be shy and interact with potential followers who are active on other business pages within your area of interest. If you have a bakeshop, for example, you can find users who are following #cookieart or #cookiemonster. Engage with them and make your presence known.

Be generous with your Instagram likes and comments as well. Give likes and comments to your followers, potential followers, and even your competition. Learn the best practices on how to reach out on Instagram to build valuable connections.

6. How to Get More Likes on Instagram: Get Real With Behind-The-Scenes Content

Using Instagram filters may be standard procedure but try other tactics when practicing how to get more likes. Forego those photo editing apps and stick to a few basic Instagram photos. Raw and unfiltered behind-the-scenes Instagram content can be just as effective in getting more likes on Instagram. BTS content gives your followers and other users a more intimate viewing experience. This can be an exciting, refreshing or amusing break from enhanced images that are a dime a dozen. It can also boost your brand’s authenticity and overall likability. If you own a coffee shop, post a few videos of your #coffeeart fails, not just the perfect ones. Your post will definitely gather more likes than usual and more followers. Plus, it will stand out among other posts on this hashtag thread.

7. How to Get More Likes With an Instagram Takeover

Curious about how to get more likes on Instagram with an influencer collaboration? Host an Instagram takeover. Not only is it an exciting and fantastic option but you’ll drive a fellow influencer’s audience straight to your profile. It’s a better alternative to having an influencer promote your brand or product on their page. Plus, you’ll gain access to their considerably bigger follower base. You’ll get more likes from the influencers’ followers, gain followers, and drive up engagement from your own Instagram followers. In fact, it’s one of the easiest ways to get new followers in minutes. Collaborate to post videos and other user-generated content to your Instagram stories. Just be sure to partner with an influencer who’s a perfect match to your brand’s goals, content, and audience.

8. Develop Good Social Listening Skills to Get More Likes on Instagram

Social listening is a marketing strategy that involves having your finger on the pulse of your target market. It takes knowing and understanding what your target audience thinks about you and things closely related to your business. You need to listen and analyze what they say on social media. A social media listening strategy requires comprehensive market research. But, you don’t necessarily need marketing experts if you want to know how to get more likes on Instagram. You can gauge popular sentiment among your target audience and keep up with what’s trending. First, know the right keywords to search for. Then use all social media platforms to find your target audience and learn more about them. Keep an eye on what your competitors are doing and use Instagram Insights and other tools to analyze audience behaviors.

9. Get More Likes on Instagram by Sharing Memes

If you want to know how to get more likes on Instagram, share Instagram memes. It’s one of the easiest, most effective, and most fun solutions you should try. Making people laugh out loud, giggle or smile almost always works in subtly persuading them to hit like and share. Memes are one of those rare social media trends that have managed to remain popular for years. In a place where “15 minutes of fame” is the actual lifespan of nearly all viral content memes are everlasting. Just don’t overdo it — believe it or not, it’s too easy to fall into the meme rabbit hole. Incorporate memes into your content strategy so they’re consistent with your overall messaging, brand goals and target audience. Utilizing memes is a brilliant Instagram strategy to gain more users and more engagement.

Final Thoughts on How to Get More Instagram Likes to Level-up Your Relevance, Expand Your Reach, and Accelerate Your Growth

When formulating and perfecting your plan for how to get more Instagram likes here are a few things to consider. Keep in mind that how to get more likes is not just about getting ahead in a popularity contest. A few popular Instagram posts do not translate to considerable, rewarding, and lasting growth. Keep your eye on the big picture while evaluating and improving individual elements of your content strategy. Instagram popularity is great. But, for your popularity to be meaningful and rewarding, you must establish a solid footing. Consistently take the right steps with content that delivers value to your audience and you’ll see your Instagram likes grow. 

Growing on Instagram is a laborious, uphill climb. Getting help from an expert, like Path Social, is what you need to reach your growth goals faster. Take advantage of Path Social’s advanced, proprietary AI targeting technology. We’ll help to find genuinely interested and engaged followers. Additionally, our in-house team of social media specialists help deliver your content to the right audience through organic promotion. Start growing and gaining Instagram followers today.