Why Am I Getting Less Likes on Instagram

With over a billion active users on Instagram, still not getting enough likes can be frustrating. But why do you need those likes? They’re super important. They indicate that your followers resonate with the content, and that matters big time for your account’s growth.

Likes are like a report card for your posts. More likes mean more users are seeing your brand, buying stuff, and believing in what you share. But if you’re scratching your head wondering why you’re not getting enough, don’t stress!

So, if you’re wondering, ‘Why am I getting less likes on Instagram?’ this guide will sort the mystery out for you. It’ll help you determine why your likes are low and give you tips to pump up those numbers.

How To See Your Likes on Instagram

Likes on Instagram play a crucial role, serving as a valuable metric to gauge the impact and reach. The number of likes reflects the level of audience engagement, indicating how well the content resonates with followers. For influencers, a high number of likes can enhance their credibility and attract potential brand collaborations. Likewise, businesses leverage likes as a measure of content effectiveness and audience interest.

Instagram allows users to see their likes on posts. Here is a step-by-step guide if you’re wondering how to see your likes on Instagram:

1. Open Instagram: Log in to your Instagram account using the mobile app.
2. Navigate to Your Profile: Tap on your profile picture at the bottom right corner of the screen. This will take you to your profile page.
3. Select the Post: Choose the specific post for which you want to see the likes. Tap on the post to open it.
4. View Likes: Underneath the post, you should see the total number of likes displayed. Tap on the number of likes (it will appear as “others” if you view someone else’s post). Here, a list will appear showing the usernames of people who have liked your post.

Why Am I Getting No Likes on Instagram?

Several factors contribute to decreased likes on your Instagram content, often impacting engagement. Understanding these reasons can help refine your content strategy and regain traction. 

Here are several key factors that might be leading to fewer likes on your Instagram posts:

Posting At the Wrong Times

The timing of your posts might impact engagement, as your audience may not be active when you share content. If your Instagram targets a U.S. audience, their online presence varies throughout the day.

If your followers are college students with daytime availability, posting during the day yields better engagement than posting at night.

To determine your audience’s active hours, consider using social platform analytics tools. These tools provide insights into your followers’ peak activity times on Instagram. Understanding these patterns helps optimize your posting schedule for maximum engagement.

Beyond timing, these tools offer additional insights. They reveal when your audience engages the most and which posts resonate best. This aids in crafting content that captivates your followers.

Shadow Ban

Your posts might be receiving less attention due to a phenomenon called shadowbanning. This tactic is where Instagram limits a user’s post reach to decrease visibility.

There are various reasons this could happen:

• Using automated tools for liking or commenting on others’ posts.
• Employing hashtags associated with spam or inappropriate content.
• Being excessively active on the platform.

If you suspect a shadowban, ensure compliance with Instagram’s terms of service because violations can trigger a shadowban. Moreover, refining hashtag use is crucial. Instead of a barrage of tags, opt for relevant ones per post—for example, #italy for a post specifically about Italy rather than generic tags like #travel.

Avoid automated tools for likes/comments as they breach Instagram’s terms and could lead to shadowbanning.

If these social media best practices don’t resolve the issue, consider reducing your posting frequency. Paradoxically, this showcases active participation without overwhelming or violating community standards.

Bots and Fake Accounts

Instagram recently began a crackdown on bots and fake accounts, which might explain the drop in your likes. Bots have a reputation for generating fake engagement by indiscriminately liking numerous posts.

You might be experiencing a decrease in Instagram likes due to removing fake followers. A reduction in spammy comments on your posts could also be a sign.

The silver lining is that this decline has nothing to do with your content quality. It’s a widespread issue impacting all Instagram accounts. It’s a positive sign that Instagram is purging spammers, ensuring that every like you receive comes from a genuine person.

Low Following

While it’s thrilling to have a post that skyrockets with likes, it doesn’t guarantee a repeat performance every time. Previous high engagement might have resulted from catching a trend or nailing your hashtag game.

Accounts consistently gaining large numbers of likes often have a huge following. So, expanding your follower base and increasing visibility are the keys if you want to continue scoring more likes.

If you want to gain followers in the short term, purchase inexpensive IG likes. It is one of the best ways to get followers. These likes can give your profile a visibility boost, helping its growth. However, the long-term strategy involves regularly sharing valuable content and creating engagement to steadily build your following.

Lack of Engagement

Engaging with comments on your posts is crucial because Instagram’s algorithm takes engagement rates into account. Besides responding to followers on your profile, there are other avenues to foster genuine connections. This includes interacting with posts where you’ve been tagged or participating in your friends’ posts.

Strategic engagement across various fronts can significantly enhance your visibility. Never underestimate your existing followers, either. By encouraging their participation, you can create a stronger bond and transform them into loyal fans. However, if you’re experiencing fewer likes, it’s worth delving into the root cause to understand what might be behind it.

Not Posting Regularly

Consistency is key on most social media platforms, and Instagram is no exception. Regular posts tend to yield better results. If your Instagram has been on the back burner lately, it’s common to notice a dip in your likes. The ins and outs of the Instagram algorithm remain a bit of a mystery, but it favors accounts posting consistently. Accounts that don’t update frequently might get sidelined, receiving less visibility.

Your followers are more inclined to interact when they see a steady stream of content from you. Building a narrative or story within your posts can take it up a notch. It fosters a personal connection and engages your audience on a deeper level.

Why Am I Getting Views But No Likes on Instagram?

Have you ever noticed how your posts rack up views but fall short of likes? It’s like having a party where everyone shows up but forgets to join the fun. Well, there are a few reasons behind this Instagram mystery. Explore the following reasons if you’ve wondered, “Why am I getting views but no likes on Instagram.”

Choosing The Wrong Hashtags

Hashtags on Instagram are instrumental in expanding your post’s visibility. However, using incorrect or irrelevant popular hashtags can adversely affect engagement. Overused or generic hashtags like #instadaily or #Instagood might attract views but not necessarily likes. These hashtags are often saturated with millions of posts, making it difficult for your content to stand out.

Instead, focus on niche-specific hashtags like #vintagefashionblogger to increase exposure by getting more likes. Also, target hashtags that relate to your post or describe your post.

Not Creating Relevant Content

Irrelevant or out-of-sync content with your audience’s interests can lead to views without engagement.
Your followers expect certain content based on what initially attracted them to your profile. If your content shifts away from this expectation or lacks content relevance, they might view it but hesitate to engage. It’s crucial to understand your audience’s preferences and what resonates with them and consistently deliver content that meets those expectations. 

Content Isn’t Engaging

Engagement on Instagram thrives on content that sparks emotions, conversations, or actions. If your content lacks these qualities, it might not compel viewers to hit the like button. Engagement-worthy content often involves a mix of factors:

• Visual Appeal: Striking visuals, high-quality images, or creative graphics immediately capture attention.
• Compelling Captions: Captions that tell a story, ask questions, or share interesting facts can prompt engagement.
• Call-to-Action (CTA): Encouraging your audience to engage through specific actions like liking, commenting, or tagging friends can significantly boost interaction.

10 Top Audience Engagement Strategies for Instagram Influencers and Businesses

Influencers and businesses must implement effective engagement strategies to garner more likes. These audience engagement strategies offer fantastic ways to boost audience engagement on Instagram:

1. Copy your top-performing posts: Analyze your most successful posts—those with high engagement—and replicate their style, content, or themes. This can give insight into what resonates best with your audience.
2. Post carousels: Carousels allow you to share multiple images or videos in a single post. Use them to tell a story, share tips, or showcase different aspects of your content.
3. Use Instagram Stories to your advantage: Stories offer a dynamic way to engage. Use polls, questions, quizzes, or interactive stickers to encourage audience participation and gather feedback.
4. Make your images stand out: Create visually appealing images that catch the eye. Use high-quality photos, unique angles, vibrant colors, or a consistent aesthetic to stand out.
5. Create more short-form video content: Leverage the popularity of video content. Short, engaging videos, such as tutorials, behind-the-scenes glimpses, or quick tips, often captivate audiences.
6. Make the most of the Collab feature: Collaborate with other creators or brands using the Collab feature. It not only expands your reach but also introduces your content to new audiences.
7. Go live: Live sessions foster real-time interaction. Use them for Q&A sessions, behind-the-scenes moments, product launches, or collaborations, encouraging audience participation through comments and reactions.
8. Write captions that drive engagement: Craft compelling captions that prompt responses. Ask questions, share personal anecdotes, or encourage users to share their thoughts to stimulate interaction.
9. Host a fun giveaway contest: Organize contests or giveaways to incentivize engagement. Encourage likes, comments, and shares as part of the entry requirements.
10. Experiment with different reel features: Reels offer diverse tools like filters, effects, and audio. Experimenting with these features can make your content more engaging and trendier.

Grow Your Instagram Following With Path Social

Now you know the answer to ‘Why am I getting less likes on Instagram.’ Getting fewer likes might feel disappointing, but it doesn’t mean everything’s falling apart. It could mean your content strategy needs tweaks, or you’re not reaching the right audience at the right moments. Acting early is key to fixing this.

Are you ready to build a lasting Instagram community? Join Path Social and tap into our decade-long expertise, leveraging our in-house platform of influencers and proprietary AI targeting algorithm. Gain organic, engaged followers that last. Start growing your Instagram presence today!