Mastering the Instagram Algorithm in 2025: 10 Key Strategies You Need to Know

Instagram is evolving, again. And if you’re still using the same strategies from last year, chances are your content isn’t reaching the people it should. The platform is constantly updating how it ranks and distributes content, which means you need to stay ahead of the game to grow your audience, increase engagement, and attract new followers.

Right now, and I’m breaking it down into 10 key strategies that will help your content get more visibility and engagement.

1.Content Classification: Post What’s Trending

Instagram is pushing content that aligns with trending topics. If no one is talking about it, your content might not get traction. Before creating, take a few minutes to research what people have engaged within the last 72 hours. Look at similar creators in your niche, how many shares, likes, and comments are they getting? If the numbers are low, it’s a sign that Instagram isn’t prioritizing that content right now.

2. Trial Reels: Your Growth Hack

Trial Reels are Instagram’s newest way to reach non-followers. Instead of your content going to your existing audience, it gets pushed out to new people, helping you grow faster. Test hooks, video lengths, and content types to see what works best. If a Trial Reel performs well, you can send it to your full audience and maximize its impact.

3. Remove All Watermarks

Instagram is not pushing content with watermarks from other platforms. Whether it’s a TikTok logo or a YouTube Shorts watermark, remove it before reposting. Otherwise, your content will get suppressed, and you’ll lose potential reach.

4. Use Trending Music to Boost Engagement

Music plays a big role in Instagram’s algorithm. Using trending audio with an up-arrow symbol increases the chances of your content being discovered. If you’re going to add music, make sure it’s a trending sound to get the best results.

5. Hashtags: Focus on Quality Over Quantity

Instagram’s CEO has made it clear that hashtags aren’t as powerful as they used to be. However, if you do use them, make sure they are relevant, not banned, and actually have engagement. Use a mix of:

• Topic-related hashtags (what the video is about)
• Audience-targeted hashtags (who would enjoy this content)
• Location-based hashtags (if your content is specific to a city or region)

6. Keep Your Videos Under 90 Seconds

While Instagram allows three-minute reels, the reality is that people don’t stick around that long. Unless you’re telling an engaging story with a strong hook and emotional appeal, keep it short. The sweet spot? Under 90 seconds.

7. Video Length Should Match the Content

Not all videos need to be short, and not all need to be long. If your content requires a step-by-step tutorial, don’t cut it short just to fit a trend. Instead, focus on what delivers the most value. Pay attention to how your audience interacts with different lengths and adjust accordingly.

8. Turn On "Suggest My Profile"

This is one of Instagram’s easiest growth hacks. When users follow a competitor or someone in your niche, your profile can be suggested as well, but only if you enable this feature. Go into your settings and turn on "Suggest My Profile" to increase your chances of being discovered.

9. SEO Matters: Optimize Your Captions and Highlights

Instagram is improving its search functionality, meaning SEO is key. Use relevant keywords in your captions, profile, and story highlights. This increases the chances of your content showing up in search results, both on Instagram and even on Google.

10. Remixes: Leverage Viral Content

Remixes are a great way to increase visibility by reacting to content that’s already performing well. When a post in your niche goes viral, remix it and add your own take. Whether you agree, disagree, or simply provide additional insights, this strategy can drive massive engagement to your page.

If you’re serious about growing on Instagram in 2025, you can’t rely on outdated strategies. By focusing on trending content, leveraging Trial Reels, optimizing for SEO, and using the right engagement tools, you can stay ahead of the algorithm and get your content seen by more people. Which of these strategies are you already using? I’d love to hear your thoughts!