--- title: "12 tips to boost your Instagram engagement" description: "Using Instagram? Here are 12 free tips you can start using today to get more out of every post. Simple, quick and they actually work." url: "https://www.mickyweis.com/en/engagement-on-instagram/" source: "https://www.mickyweis.com/en/engagement-on-instagram/" published: "2018-10-24T09:44:09+00:00" --- ![instgram flere folgere](https://www.mickyweis.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/instgram-flere-folgere.png) It’s no secret that Instagram is booming, and the platform has recently introduced a live feature, much like Facebook. I dare say it’s going to become very popular among its many users. Since Facebook owns Instagram, the similarities are massive, and new features are constantly being launched. I’ve previously written about [Instagram ads and marketing.](https://www.mickyweis.com/en/get-more-followers-instagram/) Today, we’ll take a closer look at how you can get more out of your Instagram posts — for free. Let’s get started! Jump to section [Toggle](#) ## Call to actions Which posts go viral the most? The ones where people engage — obviously! Not getting many comments on your pictures? You can change that. ### Tag a friend It’s always fun to share funny photos with friends. That’s why cute, funny or quirky cat videos get loads of comments. We all know a cat person, right? Something everyone can relate to — like Mondays being tough. You can also cheekily ask questions that lead people to tag their friends (but note that this is not allowed in competitions). Examples: - Do you also have a friend who is always late? (If you sell watches) - We all know someone who loves Nutella (If you sell Nutella) ### **Ask questions** Another “easy trick” is asking questions. **For example:** - Where can I buy this? (Everyone wants to look smart and helpful) - Where would you like to travel? (If you’re a travel agency) - How do you bake the perfect bun? (If you’re a supermarket) ## Caption & hashtags The million-dollar question many Google when starting with Instagram marketing is: What should I write to accompany my photos, and how many hashtags should I use? Let’s explore this a bit more. ### **Number of hashtags** There are many rumors about how many hashtags you should use. Most [studies](http://minimaxir.com/2014/03/hashtag-tag/) show that using up to 20-30 relevant hashtags gives the most visibility. ![Instagram Hashtags & Likes](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%20980%20735'%3E%3C/svg%3E) ### **Use relevant hashtags** When you start typing a hashtag, you’ll get a list of suggestions. Make sure to choose hashtags that are not overly saturated but still have decent activity. It’s hard to give precise recommendations on which hashtags to use in your specific niche. I suggest testing different sets of hashtags and seeing how your posts perform afterward. ### Bonus tip: U**se your to-do app or notes on your computer** One downside of Instagram is that it’s a mobile app, and writing long captions and hashtags on your phone can be tedious. Of course, you can connect a Bluetooth keyboard — many bloggers do this. Alternatively, use a note-taking app that syncs between your phone and computer. This allows you to write your content on your computer, then copy it into Instagram on your phone. You can also save templates for different types of posts and hashtags. **Apps I’ve used:** - Wunderlist – my current to-do app - Evernote – one of the most used note-taking apps worldwide - Notes (pre-installed on Apple devices) ### **Caption** When you post, you’ll add hashtags as covered above. You’ll also include a small text — called a caption. This small piece of text should be motivational, inspiring or invite interaction. Unfortunately, you can’t do a Kim Kardashian and just post a black photo and expect millions of likes. You need to offer valuable content that creates space for interaction. ## Post often **and consistently** Just like there’s a lot of advice about hashtags, there’s also plenty regarding posting frequency. Naturally, this depends on your level of fame. If you’re Kendall Jenner with 70 million followers, you don’t need to post as often — growth happens naturally. For the rest of us — bloggers, small creators or professionals looking to grow — data-based recommendations are: - 1 to 2 photos per day - 5 to 10 stories per day - 1 to 2 live videos per week ## **Follow other users** Being part of a social network means following others too. It’s about being active and engaged on the platform. Check out the top influencers and bloggers in your niche and follow them. There’s a good chance they’ll follow you back, and there could be potential for a shoutout. ## **Comment on others’ posts** Remember old-school forums like ARTO? (If you’re my age, you probably used it.) What made platforms like that successful was how people interacted with each other. The same logic applies to Instagram. If you want more engagement on your own posts, engage with others. Comment, like, join conversations. All of this contributes positively to Instagram’s algorithm (owned by Facebook), boosting your overall score. ## Shoutout for shoutout Some big names naturally gain followers quickly. Take Brooklyn Beckham, for example. His parents — David and Victoria Beckham — tag him in all relevant posts. With their following, he’s grown to 8 million followers. Wild, right? You don’t have to be famous or have celebrity parents to grow a following. Instead, find other Instagram users in your niche at roughly the same level as you. **Ideas for shoutouts** - Team up with another Instagram user and create content together that you both post on your profiles - Be a guest Instagrammer for a company — maybe even the one you work for - Create content that inspires replication or trends — like beautiful cake recipes paired with great photos ## Tag your lokation When posting a photo, Instagram lets you add a location. When others browse that location, they’ll see your post — boosting your chances of being discovered. Under “Add location,” you can choose nearby places. ## **Tag brands, places and friends** If you’ve built a strong relationship, tagging relevant brands can help you become more visible. For example, if you post a picture of yourself in a great outfit, tag some of the most well-known fashion profiles. Bloggers do this a lot — and brands, too — because it increases the chance of being featured by others, giving you more exposure.   Just make sure your tags make sense and are relevant to the content.   ![Micky Weis](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%2072%2072'%3E%3C/svg%3E) ### Micky Weis Freelance fractional CMO · 17 years in digital marketing · Copenhagen Micky Weis er en af Danmarks mest erfarne digitale marketingeksperter med næsten 17 års erfaring. Han arbejder som fractional CMO og specialiserer sig i SEO, organisk vækst, AI i marketing, affiliate og kommerciel strategi. Han har arbejdet med brands som Hummel, Matas, Tattoodo og Firtal, og driver i dag sin egen praksis, Weisio, fra København. [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/mickyweis/) [Get in touch](https://www.mickyweis.com/en/external-cmo/) ## Got a comment? Commenting requires a login right now. If you have a question about this, send it over and I will reply directly. [Get in touch](https://www.mickyweis.com/en/external-cmo/) [Log in](https://www.mickyweis.com/wp-login.php?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mickyweis.com%2Fen%2Fengagement-on-instagram%2F%23kommentarer) ## Read next [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%20758%20429'%3E%3C/svg%3E)](https://www.mickyweis.com/en/instagram-algorithm-2026/) Instagram ## [Has Instagram’s algorithm changed in 2026?](https://www.mickyweis.com/en/instagram-algorithm-2026/) If you work with Instagram on a daily basis, you’ve probably asked yourself at some point: Has Instagram’s algorithm actually… 10 Jun 2026 · 10 min [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%20758%20429'%3E%3C/svg%3E)](https://www.mickyweis.com/en/video-marketing/) Inbound & content ## [Video marketing: How to decide if it fits your marketing strategy](https://www.mickyweis.com/en/video-marketing/) I often experience that companies underestimate how large the role video plays in how we consume content online today. Whether… 13 Mar 2026 · 12 min [![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%20758%20429'%3E%3C/svg%3E)](https://www.mickyweis.com/en/discord-pr/) Social media ## [Should Discord become your next brand community?](https://www.mickyweis.com/en/discord-pr/) Digital communities are playing an increasingly significant role in everyday life. This development is changing how companies should approach PR… 2 Mar 2026 · 10 min Usually replies within 24 hours ## Want me to look at yours? Tell me what you are sitting with. You get an honest answer — including if the answer is that you do not need me. - ✓ **No pitch**You get an answer, not a sales meeting. - ✓ **No lock-in**Month to month, if we go ahead. - ✓ **Straight to me**No account manager in between. [Follow along on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/mickyweis/)