Instagram Views 101: The Metrics of Views and Impressions

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Karen Lin

Instagram 101 | Feb 16, 2024

Want More Real Instagram Followers?

Hey there, aspiring influencers! Are you eager to see your Instagram views count increase and your posts leave lasting impressions on your followers? Look no further because this is the ultimate guide just for you.

Instagram views and impressions are vital metrics for gauging your content’s impact and reach. Many views indicate that your posts resonate with your audience and your content engagement rate is high. On the other hand, impressions reflect the number of times your content appears on users’ feeds. This highlights your visibility and potential. 

Understanding views and impressions will help you fine-tune your content strategies and stay relevant. Are you ready to build your presence on Instagram? Let’s embark on this adventure together and turn your Instagram dreams into a reality!

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What Are Instagram Views, and How Are They Sorted?

Instagram views directly measure how many times your followers and other users have watched your video content. Unlike likes or comments, views specifically focus on engagement with your videos, which is essential for connecting with audiences. 

Furthermore, knowing how Instagram sorts your view is key to knowing who actively engages your posts.  So, how are Instagram story views sorted? Instagram keeps the algorithm of sorting profiles to appear at the top of the view list a secret. However, here’s a hint of how Instagram sorts your story views.

Instagram sorts the first fifty views on your story, showing those who viewed your story recently first. However, after 50 views, the view order is according to engagement, highlighting the users you engage with the most. 

Users topping your Instagram views list are not just any users. They are the ones you frequently interact with. Understanding this sorting process helps to know who you actively engage with and focus on meaningful interactions with your audience. These views are useful for assessing your content’s performance, attracting brand partnerships, and refining your content strategy. 

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Instagram Views: How To Get More Views on Instagram

As an ambitious influencer, you must know how to get more views on Instagram to increase your video reach. Gaining more Instagram views requires a strategic approach and a commitment to creating engaging and valuable content. Let’s explore different strategies on how to get more views on Instagram:

  1. Understand Your Audience

Research your audience’s interests and preferences. Ensure that your content caters to their needs and desires, aligns with their expectations, and provides value to them.

  1. Focus on Creating High-Quality Content

Create visually appealing, high-quality content that will engage your target audience. Use high-resolution images and well-edited videos to capture attention and encourage your audience to view your posts.

  1. Have a Consistent Posting Schedule

Consistency is key on Instagram. Know your audience’s active hours and create a consistent posting schedule to engage them and return for more. Use Instagram insights to determine the best times to post when your audience is available.

  1. Engage with Your Audience

Respond to comments and direct messages promptly. Building genuine connections and engaging with your audience encourages them to share your content with others, thus, increasing views.

  1. Leverage Instagram Stories and Reels

Use Instagram Stories and Reels to show behind-the-scenes clips, tutorials, or funny clips. Instagram stories and reels usually receive more visibility, increasing your total views.

  1. Use Hashtags Wisely

Add relevant and popular hashtags to increase your video discoverability. Research trending hashtags in your niche and learn how to include them in your content to boost your views.

  1. Analyze Instagram Insights

Use Instagram Insights to analyze your content performance and identify what works best. With Instagram insights, you can understand what content has more views and engagement, then optimize your strategy accordingly.

Remember that growing your Instagram views takes time and effort. Stay consistent and engage with your audience to foster a strong following.

Instagram Views: How To Check Your Instagram Video Views

Checking your Instagram views is crucial to understanding the performance and impact of your video content. You can gain valuable insights from these metrics, refine your content strategies, and connect with your audience more effectively. So, how can you see who viewed your Instagram video? Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to check your Instagram video views:

  1. Open the Instagram app and ensure you have the latest version of the Instagram app on your device.
  2. Open your story by tapping on the “Your Story” icon at the top left corner of the screen.
  3. You will see “Activity” at the bottom left corner when your story opens. Tap it, and the total number of video views will appear. You can scroll down through the usernames to see those who viewed your Instagram videos.

Note that you can’t see the people who view your Instagram reel videos. However, you can see its total views and the amount of likes and comments. To see who views your Instagram reels, follow these two steps:

  1. Go to your account page and tap the reel you post. You will see the total views and a few usernames of those who liked it.
  2. Click the number of views to see a detailed page of those who liked your video.

Regularly checking your IG views helps you track the success of your video content. This also gives you a deeper understanding of what types of videos interest your audience. Consistency, authenticity, and creativity in your content will increase your Instagram views and influence on the platform.

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Instagram Views: How To Check Your Instagram Profile Views

As an aspiring Instagram influencer, monitoring your Instagram views is crucial as it provides valuable insights into your content performance. However, can you see who views your Instagram profile? Yes, you can do this by switching to an Instagram Business account. Follow the ten steps below to check your Instagram profile views: 

  1. Open the Instagram app on your mobile device.
  2. Tap the profile icon at the bottom right corner of the screen to access your Instagram profile.
  3. On your profile page, click the three horizontal lines at the top right corner of the screen. 
  4. Click “Settings and Privacy” and scroll down. Select “Account type and Tools” under the “For Professionals” section.
  5. Tap “Switch to professional account” and “Continue.” 
  6. Select a category for your business and tap “Done” to confirm.
  7. Return to your profile page and click the three horizontal lines at the top right corner of the screen
  8. From the menu, choose “Insights” and tap “Accounts Reached” under “Recent Highlights”
  9. Click “Profile Visits” below “Account Activity” to see your Instagram profile views.
  10. Tap “See all” for more detailed insights. You can check your profile views for the past seven days. However, you can’t see who those accounts belong to.

Checking your profile and Instagram views is essential to gauge your popularity and identify the effectiveness of your content. Though you can’t see who visits your profile, you can view the percentage and the exact number of profile visits.

How To View Private Instagram Accounts

Are you wondering how you can view private accounts on Instagram? Viewing private Instagram stories without the account owner’s permission is impossible, as Instagram prioritizes user privacy and security. However, checking others’ Instagram stories can inspire you to create good content that will increase your Instagram views. There are two alternative ways you can view private Instagram accounts. They include:

  • Send A Follow Request: Sending a follow request is the easiest way to view private Instagram accounts and stories. Once you send a follow request, the account owner can approve or deny it. You can view their private stories and engage with their content if approved. Respecting others’ privacy and waiting for approval is essential when accessing private accounts on the platform.
  • Instagram Viewers App: This is not only for viewing private accounts. You can view private stories without appearing on their Instagram views. These apps respect user privacy and follow Instagram’s community guidelines, ensuring an ethical approach to accessing private content. However, many of these apps may be scams. As such, you should download trusted apps like Path Social’s Web Viewer for Instagram.

How To Boost Your Impressions on Instagram

Impressions on Instagram represent the total number of times your post (images and videos) appear on users’ feeds. They measure every instance your post appears on a user’s screen, whether they engage with it or not. Like Instagram views, they measure the reach of your content and help you understand its performance on the platform. Here are five ways to boost your Instagram impressions.

  1. Collaborate with Other Influencers: Collaborate with other Instagram influencers or brands in your niche to expand your reach and attract new followers. These relationships introduce your content to a broader audience.
  2. Use Instagram Reels: Use Instagram reels to create short and entertaining videos. Instagram puts reels in the Explore tab, thus increasing the chances of your video appearing on the users’ feeds.
  3. Post at Peak Times: Note the peak times when your audience is most active on Instagram, and schedule your posting activities accordingly. This increases the chances of your content visibility and impression.
  4. Share User-Generated Content: User-generated content fosters a sense of community and boosts engagement. Encourage your followers and audience to create videos relating to your brand, share and credit them. By doing this, you can increase your content impression.
  5. Promote Your Instagram Videos On Other Platforms: Promote your Instagram videos on all social media platforms like TikTok, Facebook, and Twitter. This drives traffic, attracts new followers, and increases your Instagram views and impression.

Who Are Anonymous Instagram Viewers?

Anonymous Instagram viewers are people who view users’ profiles, posts, or stories without revealing their identity. They don’t appear on your Instagram views and can be anyone, including casual followers, strangers, and other influencers. Though Instagram does not have a feature for anonymous viewing, they use third-party tools or fake accounts to maintain anonymity.

Have you ever accidentally viewed someone’s Instagram story and wished you could hide your identity? Then you should learn how to view stories anonymously without appearing on users’ Instagram views. As an influencer, you can also anonymously view other people’s content to stay current on the latest trends and gain inspiration. Let’s see how you can view other influencers’ stories anonymously to tap into their strategy.

How To View Instagram Story Anonymously Without Appearing on Instagram Views

Do you want to view someone’s Instagram to gain insights into their content strategy and engagement tactics without them knowing? All you have to do is learn how to view Instagram stories anonymously! Let’s explore three Instagram story viewer secrets and tips to view Instagram story anonymously without appearing on users’ Instagram views. 

  1. Use Another Account

Creating another IG account is an easy way to view someone else’s story secretly. Using another account, you can follow the profile of whose stories you want to watch without revealing your identity. However, ensure the account is not traceable to you and comply with Instagram’s terms of service regarding account usage.

  1. Airplane Mode

Another way to view Instagram stories anonymously is to enable airplane mode on your device. This is how it works. Open the Instagram app, load the story you want to watch, and turn on airplane mode before it finishes loading. The story won’t register your view since airplane mode disconnects your device from the internet. However, this method has limitations; you may appear on the person’s Instagram views once you are active.

  1. Third-Party Tools

Various third-party tools like Path Social’s Instagram Story Viewer let you anonymously view people’s IG stories. These tools only require you to enter the username of whose story you want to view. You then generate a link to watch the stories without disclosing your identity. You don’t even have to create another Instagram account to use these tools. Also, you can be confident that you won’t appear on the person’s Instagram views.

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Can I Buy Instagram Views To Increase Views and Impressions?

“Can I buy Instagram views to increase my views and impressions” is a question many Instagram influencers ask. There is no direct answer to that. Though buying Instagram views can rapidly increase your total views, they are usually from bots and inactive accounts. Note that Instagram’s algorithm can detect fake views, resulting in poor visibility and negatively impacting organic reach.

Buying views also violates Instagram’s policies and affects your account’s credibility. Thus, it’s better to create captivating content and authentically engage with your audience to get real views. Building a genuine following takes time and effort but ensures a loyal and supportive audience that values your content. 

Overall, avoid buying fake views, as it negatively affects your account in the long run. Instead, you can seek the services of an organic growth agency like Path Social. These agencies help you to build your Instagram followers and get quality organic views on your Instagram stories and reels.

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How Can You Build Organic Followers and Increase Instagram Views?

For influencers, it’s crucial to prioritize authentic growth and engagement over buying fake Instagram views. Genuine interactions and high-quality content will lead to a loyal and active audience. Understanding views, impressions, and audience preferences is essential to refine your strategy and expand your influence. Getting more Instagram views and impressions is quite tasking, so you should partner with Path Social.

Path Social is an organic growth agency that helps build authentic followers and increase views on Instagram. With its expertise, you can attract an authentic audience and boost your visibility and influence as an IG influencer. Start growing your Instagram followers and increasing views today.