Imagine your posts being seen and liked by millions of people all over the world. Think about how cool it would be if your follower count suddenly shot up and everyone knew your name or brand. That’s what it means to go viral on Instagram.
With over 2 billion people using Instagram every month, the platform has become more than just a social media app; it’s a big chance to show the world what you’ve got. Going viral on Instagram is like becoming a superstar on the internet overnight.
In this guide on how to go viral on Instagram, we won’t promise that you’ll become an overnight sensation, but we will give you tips and tricks to increase your chances of success. We’ll explain how Instagram’s algorithm works and how you can create and schedule content on Instagram that people will want to share. We’ll show you how to stand out from the crowd and make a name for yourself.
But do you know who currently holds the record for the most followers? It’s none other than Cristiano Ronaldo, with over 618 million followers as of January 2024.
However, if you’re just starting out, you can’t expect to get that many followers. But you can follow the ensuing tips to learn how to go viral on Instagram in 2024!
A Secret to Going Viral: Social Champ!
Social Champ’s scheduler lets you plan, create, and publish stunning Instagram content in advance, so you can spend less time posting and more time winning online!
How to Go Viral on Instagram: 10 Tips & Tricks
If you’ve ever wondered “how to go viral on Instagram overnight”, you’re not alone. Instagram is like a magic stage where anyone, from storytellers and influencers to brands, can make a normal day feel special.
When a post goes viral on Instagram, it can help you grow a lot, get lots of likes and comments, and become really popular, something even money can’t buy! But going viral isn’t just about luck.
It’s a mix of science and art that needs careful planning, creativity, and knowing what to do and when. Whether you’re just starting out making content or you’ve been marketing for a while, you need to have a plan in place.
Understand Your Target Audience
Research and Identify Your Target Audience
Before you post anything, it’s important to know who you’re making content for. Your posts should be aimed at a particular group of people – this makes your content more relatable and shareable. Think about who your ideal follower is based on their age, where they live, what they like to do, and other important characteristics.
Analyze Their Interests, Preferences, and Behaviors
Instagram has tools that help you learn more about what your target audience likes and dislikes and how they behave. Knowing what they interact with and when can help you decide what kind of content to create and the best time to post it.
Make Top-Notch Posts
High-quality posts can catch their eye on Instagram, where people quickly scroll through their feeds. Quality posts are attention magnets. Crystal-clear visuals, rich colors, and professional polish stop the scroll, boost engagement, and build brand trust. However, quality goes beyond resolution – composition, lighting, and storytelling matter too. You must optimize for both visual impact and fast loading and tailor your style to your audience for maximum Instagram success.
Use High-Resolution Images and Videos
A snapshot of Instagram post
Pictures and videos that look good are super important. Blurry or low-quality posts can stop people from liking or sharing your content. You might want to get a good camera or learn how to take awesome photos with your phone.
Develop a Consistent Visual Style and Theme
Having a feed that looks neat and organized can be really pleasing to the eye. It’s also a key part of making your brand easily recognizable. This could mean using the same colors, filters, or overlays all the time.
Incorporate Storytelling Techniques
People remember and share great stories. Every post you make should tell a story that pulls people in, whether emotional, funny, or informative. This will make them want to share your content with others.
Utilize Hashtags Effectively
A snapshot of Instagram post If you’re curious about “how to go viral on Instagram overnight using hashtags?” you need to know this. Hashtags are like clues that guide users to your posts. Use them cleverly to help more people find your content.
Research Popular and Relevant Hashtags
Look for hashtags that are popular amongst posts similar to yours. Tools like Social Champ’s hashtag generator can help you see what’s trending right now.
Use a Mix of Broad and Niche Hashtags
While general hashtags can help more people find your posts, specific ones can draw in an audience that’s more interested and engaged.
Avoid Using Banned or Unrelated Hashtags
Be careful about which hashtags you use. Using banned ones can limit who sees your post, and using ones that don’t match your content can damage your reputation.
Engage With Your Audience
Being active on Instagram is like a two-way street – the more you interact, the more interaction you get back.
Respond to Comments and Direct Messages Promptly
Start conversations with your followers by replying to their comments and messages as soon as you can.
Like and Comment on Other User’s Posts
When you support other creators by liking and commenting on their posts, they might do the same for you. This can help more people see your posts.
Collaborate With Influencers and Brands
Teaming up with influencers or brands can help you reach more people and make you seem more credible in your field.
Post Consistently and at Optimal Times
Posting consistently keeps you in the game, but posting at the right time can really help more people see your posts.
Establish a Consistent Posting Schedule
Having a set schedule for your posts lets your followers know when to expect new content from you. This can make them more loyal and engaged.
Determine the Best Times to Reach Your Target Audience
You can use various tools, including Social Champ, to find out when your followers are most active. Try to post at these times to get the most visibility.
Use Instagram Insights to Analyze Post Performance
Take some time to look at your post data in Instagram Insights regularly. This can help you understand what’s working, what’s not, and what you might need to change to get better results.
Cross-Promote on Other Platforms
Think of Instagram as the main spot for all your content. You can then share that content on other platforms as a way to reach more people.
Share Your Instagram Posts on Other Social Media Platforms
You can get more people to visit your profile by sharing your Instagram posts on other social media sites and always linking back to your content.
Embed Instagram Content on Your Website or Blog
Adding your Instagram feed to your website or blog can catch the attention of people visiting your site and make them want to follow you.
Collaborate With Other Content Creators for Cross-Promotion
Teaming up with other influencers or creators in a related industry can help you reach each other’s followers and find new audiences. For example, if you sell shoes, you can partner with a makeup brand to cross-promote both the brand’s products.
Utilize Instagram Stories and Live Videos
With the popularity of short-term content, Instagram Stories and Live Videos are great ways to engage with your followers and make your posts go viral.
Create Engaging and Interactive Instagram Stories
Use all the features available – like polls, questions, countdowns, and swipe-up links – to create interactive stories that keep your followers returning for more.
Go Live to Connect With Your Audience in Real-Time
Live videos let you connect with your followers right away. Plan engaging topics or Q&A sessions to grab and hold their attention.
Use Features Like Polls, Questions, and Swipe-up Links
Adding interactive elements to your Instagram Stories can make your followers feel more connected to your content. It further encourages them to share it.
Tell a Story With Your Content
A snapshot of Instagram post Craft a Narrative for Your Posts
No matter what you’re posting about – a product, a personal experience, or a moment in time – think about the story you want to tell and how you can arrange your content to tell it effectively.
Use Subtitles, Overlays, and Captions to Enhance Your Story
You can also add subtitles, overlays, and captions to your story to make it more inclusive. Taking this initiative will allow you to reach an audience that may have hearing impairments.
Aim for Emotional Engagement
Posts that make people feel something – whether it’s happiness, sadness, wonder, or inspiration – are more likely to be shared. Try to make your story connect with your followers on a personal level.
User-Generated Content
Content created by your followers can be a powerful way to show off your brand or profile. This step can also get more people to share and engage with your posts.
Encourage Followers to Share Their Own Content
Run themed campaigns or use a catchy hashtag to inspire your followers to post about your brand. This not only increases engagement but also gives your brand a genuine and authentic feel, attracting new audiences through the power of peer recommendations.
Repost High-Quality User Content
If a follower makes a really good post, you could share it on your own feed (as long as they’re okay with it). This shows that you appreciate them and are part of the community.
Hold Contests and Giveaways
You could hold contests or giveaways that ask users to make and share posts about your brand or products.
Monitor Trends and Stay on the Pulse
A snapshot of Instagram post Being ahead of the game can help you catch onto popular topics and hashtags before everyone else does.
Check Instagram’s Explore Page Often
The Explore page is a great place to find trending content. You can use it for inspiration and to keep track of what’s becoming popular.
Join in on Viral Challenges and Hashtag Campaigns
Taking part in viral challenges or starting your own can get your content shared more quickly.
Pay Attention to Current Events and Timely Moments
Making posts that relate to current events, holidays, or cultural moments can engage your followers by tapping into what’s on their minds.
Related Article: 12 Tips on How to Get on the Instagram Explore Page
How to Increase Followers on Instagram?
Instagram is a super popular app, with over a billion people using it monthly. This makes it a great place for people and businesses to get noticed.
Make Your Instagram Profile Attractive
Your Instagram profile is the first thing people see. So, make sure it’s interesting and tells people about you. Use a good profile picture, write a short and catchy bio about yourself, and add links to your website or any new activities you’re doing.
Post Top-Notch Content
On Instagram, the better your photos and videos, the more likes and comments you’ll get. Use apps to make your photos look professional and match your style.
Post Every Day
Try to post at least once a day on Instagram. This keeps your followers interested and can even get you new ones. Just remember, all your posts should be interesting and useful; quality matters more than quantity.
Use the Right Hashtags
Wondering how to go viral on Instagram hashtags? Your answer is here.
Hashtags can help more people find your posts on Instagram. Do some research and use hashtags that are popular and relate to your post.
Interact With Other Users
Be active on Instagram. Reply to comments on your posts, like and comment on other people’s posts, and join in conversations that interest you. This can make you more noticeable and bring in new followers.
Start Contests and Giveaways
A snapshot of Instagram post People love contests and free stuff. Start these on your account, and ask users to follow you and tag their friends to enter. This can get you lots of new followers.
Team Up with Influencers
Working with influencers (people who have lots of followers) can help you reach more people. Pick influencers who have followers similar to the ones you want and who match your style.
Use Instagram Stories and Reels
Instagram Stories and Reels are really popular. Use them to share fun, behind-the-scenes stuff, how-to guides, or sneak peeks of new products.
Check Your Progress
Use Instagram’s tools to see what’s working and what’s not. This can help you figure out what gets the most likes and comments and brings in new followers.
Tell People About Your Instagram Account
Lastly, tell people about your Instagram account wherever you can – on other social apps, your website, emails, and any other places you talk to people.
Remember, getting more Instagram followers won’t happen straight away. But if you keep trying and use these strategies, you’ll start to see your follower count go up.
Related Article: Top 10 Most-Liked Instagram Posts of All Times
What Is the Best Time to Post on Instagram?
Mastering the art of “when to post” can be the difference between a lonely tumbleweed rolling through your comments and a vibrant community buzzing around your latest masterpiece.
Forget about universal truths and magic formulas. The sweet spot for posting isn’t some mythical 3:17 AM on a Tuesday in Antarctica (although, if that works for you, who are we to judge?). Instead, think about human behavior. When are your ideal followers most likely to be glued to their phones, minds free and thumbs twitching?
Globally, the midday lull (11 AM – 3 PM local time) is a prime contender. It’s when busy bees are taking a coffee break, students are escaping lectures, and office workers are scrolling during lunch. This window lets you catch them as their attention is freed, ready to be swept away by your witty caption or awe-inspiring photo.
But don’t underestimate the power of the post-work wind-down (7-9 PM local time). After a long day, people are craving entertainment and connection. Hit them with your most visually stunning content, something that makes them laugh, think, or simply escape the daily grind.
How Does Instagram Decide What to Show First?
Firstly, it’s important to know how Instagram decides what posts to show. Instagram shows posts from accounts that users interact with the most. This means that the more likes, comments, shares, and views your posts get, the more likely they appear in your followers’ feeds. So, posting when your followers are most active helps get more interactions.
When Is Generally the Best Time to Post on Instagram?
Some studies have tried to find out the best times to post on Instagram. According to research, the best overall times are Tuesday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Best times are Monday and Thursday at 2 p.m. On Wednesday at 11 a.m. and Friday from 10 to 11 a.m.
But remember, these are just general times and might not work for everyone.
Know Who Your Followers Are
Knowing who your followers are can help you decide when to post. Think about where they live (their time zone), how old they are (which can tell you about their daily routine), and what they do for a living. For example, if most of your followers are students, they might use Instagram more in the afternoon after school. If they work, early morning or evening might be better.
Use Instagram Insights
If you have a business account on Instagram, you can use a tool called Instagram Insights. This tool gives you information about when your followers are most active on Instagram. This can help you decide the best times to post. You can also use Social Champ’s “Best time to post” feature to determine the ideal time to publish content. This feature is powered by AI and historical data, allowing you to find the most optimal posting time.
Try Different Times and See What Works
Lastly, don’t be afraid to try different things. Post at different times and days and see when you get the most likes and comments. Keep track of what works and change your posting times based on that.
While there are general guidelines for the best times to post on Instagram, the “perfect” time depends on who your followers are. So, use Instagram Insights, know your followers, and don’t be afraid to try different things. By doing this, you’ll be on your way to getting more attention on your Instagram posts.
What Happens When You Go Viral on Instagram?
When we say “going viral,” we mean that a post on social media gets really popular, really fast. Imagine a post being liked and shared by thousands, or even millions, of Instagram users very quickly.
What Happens Next
Once your post goes viral, you’ll see a lot more likes, comments, shares, and overall activity on your post. More people will follow you because they found your profile through the viral post. This is a great chance to make yourself or your brand more well-known.
Possible Challenges
But going viral isn’t always easy. It’s common to lose some followers after the initial excitement of the viral post. Some people might follow you because of the viral post but unfollow you when they find out your other posts don’t interest them.
Another challenge is keeping up the excitement. It’s great if your viral post keeps getting attention, but you need to work hard to keep that excitement going with your other posts.
Making the Most of Going Viral
When your post goes viral, make sure to use the opportunity. Reply to comments to build connections with your new followers. You could also start a Q&A in your Instagram Stories to interact more with your followers.
Remember, going viral on Instagram is a great boost, but it’s not the final goal. The real key is to use this attention to create long-lasting engagement and growth.
Going viral on Instagram can be exciting but also challenging. It helps you get more visibility and interaction, but it also comes with challenges like keeping the momentum and managing follower numbers. Knowing what to expect when you go viral can help you handle these challenges better.
Common Myths of Being Viral
Here are some common misunderstandings and mistakes about becoming popular quickly (or “going viral”) on Instagram:
- Instant Popularity: Some people think that a post can become very popular overnight. But in reality, this usually takes time and hard work. Your post might not get millions of views right away, but it doesn’t mean it won’t become popular later on.
- Instagram Sharing Your Photos: There’s a false belief that Instagram can use your photos however they want. This misunderstanding probably comes from not fully understanding Instagram’s rules, but it’s untrue.
- Shadow Banning: Some people think Instagram can hide or lower the visibility of your content without telling you, a concept known as ‘Shadow Banning’. While Instagram does have ways to decide which content shows up more, it doesn’t secretly ban users from being seen.
- Always Changing Rules: Many people think the rules for what gets shown on Instagram are always changing, making it hard for posts to be seen. In reality, while there are some updates, the basic ways Instagram decides what gets shown stay the same.
- Need Lots of Followers to Go Viral: Some people believe you need many followers to go viral. But even accounts with fewer followers can become popular if their content connects well with people.
Remember, understanding these misconceptions and avoiding these mistakes can help you create a better strategy for Instagram.
Final Thoughts
To put it simply, when you learn how to go viral on Instagram, you’ll realize it isn’t a difficult puzzle that only a few can solve. It’s like a subject in school that you can excel at if you know your followers well, post good content regularly, use hashtags wisely, and interact with others effectively. Keep in mind that becoming famous on Instagram isn’t about getting popular overnight.
It’s more about creating a real bond with your followers over time. The tips we’ve mentioned in this blog can guide you in creating content that people can relate to and potentially become very popular. So, apply these tips today and watch your Instagram account become an exciting place where everyone eagerly awaits your content.
