Tips for Getting on the Instagram Explore Page

If you're promoting a brand or business on Instagram, you want to get as much exposure as possible. And one of the best ways to do so is to get on the Explore page. This area within the app allows you to get in front of the right audience, generate more impressions, and gain new followers. It's prime real estate, and brands should learn to take advantage of it.

If you don't know how the Explore page works, it's a personalized space containing images and videos uploaded by Instagram accounts you don't follow. The posts on your Explore page are related to the type of content you engage with the most. If you like or comment on beauty-related posts, your Explore page will show similar content.

Here are some tips on how to show up on the Explore page and maximize your brand's reach on Instagram.

Get Inspired by Posts on Your Explore Page

If you want to make it onto other people's Explore pages, you can start by looking at what kind of posts are popping up on yours. That way, you can get valuable insights into other brands' strategies and get inspired to create your own.

Here are some questions to ask yourself while you're observing the content on your Explore page:

• How do other brands make their posts engaging? What calls-to-action are they using?

• What kind of content does Instagram like to feature within your niche? Are they short how-to videos, colorful infographics, or before and after photos?

• What keywords and hashtags are working for other brands?

Analyze Your High-Performing Posts

Aside from studying the content on your Explore page, you can also look at your high-performing posts to analyze what you did right. Check your Instagram Insights and see if any of your posts have made it onto the Explore page.

The posts that Instagram has featured are the types of content that resonate with your audience the most. Do they like engaging with posts that have meaningful captions? Or are they more interested in bold images and carousels?

Create Reels

Reels are the latest feature on Instagram, and the algorithm highly favors content made in this format. You can reach thousands of users through Reels even if you don't have a massive following. The best part is you don't need advanced video-making or editing skills to create unique and engaging Reels. Your videos can be simple but still highly effective.

One of the easiest ways to create a Reel is to take photos and put them together in a slideshow. You can make it more interesting by including background music from Instagram's sizable library of songs. You can also hop on trends if you don't want to think of new concepts.

The most important part about creating Reels is to keep them short and make the first few seconds as catchy as possible.

Take Advantage of Other Instagram Formats

Reels may be the king of all Instagram formats right now, but that doesn't mean you should forget about the others. It's worth experimenting with static content, especially if it suits your niche. You can use high-quality images to showcase your products, boost interest, and increase your chances of getting on the Explore page.

Carousels are especially effective in driving engagement. Here are some ways you can get creative with your carousel posts:

• Promote a product by showing all the different ways you can wear, style, or use it.

• Show how effective your product or service is through before and after reveals.

• Take your audience through the journey of how you designed and created your product or service.

• Feature a series of customer reviews to strengthen brand trust.

• Feature user-generated content to foster a sense of community and brand loyalty.

Time Your Posts Strategically

It's crucial to time your posts when your followers are most active. That's because when a new picture or video immediately has high engagement, the Instagram algorithm sees it as worth featuring on the Explore page.

The best time to post will depend on your location, audience, and niche. To check what time your followers are usually on the app, look at your analytics in Instagram Insights.

Be Strategic With Your Hashtags

Contrary to popular belief, hashtags aren't obsolete. Their popularity may have waned over the years, but they can still increase your discoverability and help you land a spot on the Explore page.

Instagram tries to categorize all posts so it can present content to the right audience, and you're helping the algorithm by including hashtags. Here are some tips on how to choose the right hashtags for your niche:

• Check what kind of hashtags your competitors are using and see if there are any you can add to your list.

• Find niche hashtags by using Instagram's related hashtags tool. These can be more effective than popular hashtags with millions of posts.

• Check Instagram Insights to see if your chosen hashtags contribute to your total number of impressions.

Host a Giveaway or a Contest

No matter what your niche is on Instagram, your audience will appreciate it if you run a contest or a giveaway. They're the best way to get people excited, grow your following, and secure a spot on the Explore page.

When planning for your contest or giveaway, it's crucial to identify your goals. Do you want more followers, or do you want more engagement? Or maybe you want your audience to post user-generated content? Make sure your mechanics are in line with your objectives.

To further increase your chances of making it to the Explore page, you can run your contest or giveaway with another business. You can even partner with an influencer who shares the same values as your brand. That way, you can double your exposure.

The Bottom Line

It doesn't matter if you're new to Instagram or already have thousands of followers on the platform. All brands and businesses should aim to get on the Explore page. It's the best way to gain exposure, boost engagement, and increase conversions without spending a dime on ads.