How to Get More Views on Instagram in 2025 (Beyond Just Hashtags)

You’re posting, you’re showing up, and your content looks good, but your views are stuck. Sound familiar?

For small business owners, Instagram is one of the best ways to get discovered, stay top of mind, and turn followers into buyers. But in 2025, posting a nice photo with a block of hashtags isn’t enough. The algorithm and your audience expect more.

If your views have stalled or your content isn’t gaining traction, you don’t need to post more. You need to post smarter. This guide breaks down what actually drives reach in 2025 and how to make it happen without burning out.

But you don’t have to figure it all out manually. Whether you’re launching products or managing clients, Alkai, your AI social media assistant, helps you create high-performing content that gets seen, without the guesswork.

Key Takeaways

• Instagram favors Reels, carousels, and searchable captions, not static photos or long hashtag lists.

• Saves, shares, and watch time matter more than likes when it comes to boosting Instagram engagement in 2025.

• Strategic timing and consistency outperform high-frequency posting.

• You can grow without showing up daily, especially with a smart content system.

• Alkai helps solopreneurs and small teams plan, write, and post content that drives real reach and stronger Instagram engagement in 2025.

Why Views Are Down (Even When You’re Posting Often)

In 2025, the Instagram algorithm doesn’t reward how often you post; it rewards how well your content performs. If people scroll past, skip your video, or drop off before the end, your reach will suffer, even if you're posting daily.

That’s frustrating, especially for small business owners who are already putting in the work. But the problem usually isn’t your effort; it’s your strategy.

To grow your views on Instagram now, your content needs to:

• Solve a problem or answer a question right away

• Encourage interaction (saves, shares, replies, swipes)

• Get posted at the right time, not just whenever you have a free moment

📌 With Alkai: You get a personalized Weekly Plan built for your niche. It includes post ideas, high-performing formats, and the best times to share so your Instagram content strategy actually works. No more posting and hoping.

Even during busy weeks or holidays, here’s how to stay consistent: How to Automate Your Social Media for the Holidays.

Why Reels Still Drive the Most Views (When You Use Them Right)

Reels remain the top format for reach on Instagram. In 2025, they outperform carousels by 36% and generate up to 2.25× more reach than single-image posts.

But not all Reels perform equally.

Trendy audio and random clips aren’t enough anymore. Instagram’s algorithm now favors Reels that are relevant, valuable, and engaging from the start, especially for small business owners trying to grow with purpose.

To stand out, your Reels need to:

• Hook your audience in the first 3 seconds

• Speak directly to your audience’s challenges or interests

• Match your brand’s look, feel, and tone

Examples:

• A wellness coach opens with “The detox mistake I’ll never make again,” and walks through it in under 30 seconds

• A jewelry brand shows “3 ways to style this chain” in a quick, replayable montage

  
  

📌 With Alkai: The Reels Generator gives you niche-specific hooks, visual ideas, and ready-to-post captions. You choose the vibe, Alkai drafts the post.

Explore this year’s top Instagram Reel trends to inspire your next video: Top Instagram Reel Trends in 2025 Every Small Business Should Try

Why Carousels Are a Must for Service Providers and Product Brands

Reels might bring in the most reach, but carousels are powerful when it comes to engagement.

Carousels encourage swipes, saves, and longer time spent on your post, which are all signals the algorithm uses to boost reach. In fact, carousels drive 12% more engagement than video posts on Instagram, making them a top-performing format for Instagram engagement in 2025.

Whether you’re selling a service or a product, carousels give you a way to break down what you do in a format that drives reach and builds credibility.

Examples:

• A freelance designer shares “5 homepage mistakes to avoid”. Each slide is clear, visual, and useful

• A candle brand walks through “How we create our best-selling scent,” using behind-the-scenes photos

📌 With Alkai: You can turn ideas, FAQs, or service breakdowns into polished, 5-slide carousels that match your brand’s visuals with no design experience needed.

Need help brainstorming? Here are some Instagram Reels ideas tailored to small businesses.

Best Instagram Formats for Small Business Owners in 2025

If you're a solopreneur or small business owner trying to decide what kind of Instagram content to prioritize this year, the data is clear: not all post formats perform the same. 

Understanding how each format impacts visibility and engagement is key to building a smarter Instagram strategy that gets results without burnout.

📊 Reels deliver the highest reach

Reels average 2.25× more reach than single-image posts. Because Instagram continues to prioritize short-form video, Reels are pushed in Explore and suggested feeds, helping you get discovered by new audiences, even with a small following.

🌀 Carousels drive the most engagement

Even though Reels get more visibility, carousels earn 12% more engagement than Reels. They’re ideal for solopreneurs who want to educate, explain, or build trust without being on camera. Swipes, saves, and shares all signal value to the algorithm.

📷 Static images perform the weakest

While useful for brand visuals or quick announcements, single-image posts now have the lowest reach and interaction. Relying too heavily on them could hold back your growth.

What This Means for Your Content Strategy

If you're running a business solo or with a small team, the smartest move is to pair Reels for reach with carousels for deeper engagement. This combination helps you get discovered and build relationships, without posting daily or reinventing the wheel.

📌 With Alkai: You don’t have to guess what to post. Alkai helps solopreneurs and small teams create high-performing Reels and 5-slide carousels with branded visuals, optimized captions, and niche-specific posting schedules.

Why Keyword-Rich Captions Matter More Than Hashtag Lists

In 2025, Instagram’s search functions more like Google. Captions are now a key part of how the platform understands and distributes content.

📣 Instagram’s CEO, Adam Mosseri, has clarified that hashtags are no longer a primary tool for increasing post reach. While they still help categorize content, they don't significantly boost visibility. Instead, Instagram’s algorithm now relies on analyzing the actual content, especially keywords in captions, to determine who should see it. This shift highlights the importance of writing clear, relevant captions that reflect what your post is about.

A strong first line with targeted keywords tells both the algorithm and your audience exactly what to expect. Without that, your content may never reach the right people. 

Example:

❌ Instead of: #momboss #productivityhacks #grind

✅ Try: “Here’s how I plan a week of content while running my bakery solo.”

📌  With Alkai: The Caption Generator gives you SEO-friendly, searchable captions and niche-relevant CTAs so you never have to start from scratch. Learn how keyword-rich captions can boost your visibility on Instagram’s Explore Page here.

Why Timing and Consistency Beat Daily Posting

You don’t need to post daily. What you need to post is when your audience is actually online, and to show up consistently.

Posting 3–4 times per week at strategic times often performs better than daily posting with no plan. This is a core shift in effective small business content strategy.

Example:

 A skincare founder was posting at noon with low views. She switched to 8 PM using Alkai’s recommended schedule and doubled her reach, posting just 3 times a week.

📌 With Alkai: Your Weekly Plan tells you when to post, based on audience behavior and platform performance. Not sure when to post? Here’s when your Instagram audience is most active in 2025.

Why Brand Consistency Builds Recognition (and Reach)

If your content looks different every time, people won’t recognize you, let alone stop to engage.

Consistency in tone, color, layout, and video style builds trust and familiarity. And that leads to better reach, stronger brand recall, and more conversions.

Example: 

A business coach uses the same dark blue background, voiceover style, and pacing across all her Reels. Now, her content stands out instantly even before someone reads the caption.

📌 With Alkai: Set your Brand Kit once. Alkai applies your logo, colors, fonts, and end cards across every post, so you always look polished and professional.

Don’t Forget: Engagement Fuels Visibility

While Reels and carousels are key for reach and engagement, how you show up outside of posting also plays a big role in growing your views.

Here’s what still matters in 2025:

Share your posts to Stories 

When you share a Reel or carousel to your Stories with added context, it gives your content a second chance to be seen and encourages taps back to the original post. Just avoid reposting without a hook or caption; it can hurt your reach.

Engage with other accounts

Thoughtful comments, DMs, and story replies to accounts in your niche (and your audience) signal activity and boost visibility. The more you show up authentically, the more Instagram sees your profile as active and relevant.

📌 With Alkai: You get more than just post ideas. Alkai helps you stay consistent with full weekly plans, content prompts, and engagement tips tailored to your content goals.

Final Thoughts

If your Instagram growth has stalled in 2025, the problem isn’t your effort; it’s your strategy. The platform has evolved, and to stay visible, small business owners need a smarter and more consistent way to show up.

If your Instagram growth has stalled, it’s not because your content isn’t good; it’s because Instagram engagement in 2025 depends on strategy, timing, and content that performs.

Whether you’re sharing behind-the-scenes content, launching a product, or teaching something valuable, your content deserves to be seen by the right people. That’s where Alkai comes in.

As your AI social media assistant, Alkai helps you:

✅ Create high-performing Reels, carousels, and captions tailored to your niche.

✅ Build a weekly Instagram content strategy without the guesswork.

✅ Stay consistent with done-for-you post ideas and content planning tools.

✅ Schedule posts across Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.

✅ Show up with polished, on-brand visuals. No editing skills required.

You’re building a brand worth seeing. Alkai makes sure it gets discovered consistently. Try it now for free, no credit card required.

FAQs

Do hashtags still help on Instagram in 2025?

A little, but keyword-rich captions and content that gets saved or shared matter much more.

What type of Instagram post gets the most views?

Reels that answer a question or show a process tend to perform best. Carousels that teach or explain are close behind.

How often should I post to grow?

3–4 times a week is ideal. Prioritize value, timing, and clarity over just posting frequently.

What’s the best time to post on Instagram in 2025?

It depends on your niche and audience. Alkai recommends the best times based on your past engagement and current trends.

Are Reels better than Stories for reach?

Yes. Reels are shown to new audiences via Explore and suggested feeds. Stories nurture your current followers but don’t increase visibility much.

Can Instagram posts go viral without trending audio?

Absolutely. A clear hook, niche-specific value, and strong storytelling are more important than trending audio in 2025.

Does the Instagram algorithm prefer business or creator accounts?

Not directly. The algorithm favors content that performs well, regardless of your account type.

Is it okay to post the same content to Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook?

Yes, especially if you adapt each version slightly. Alkai helps you repurpose posts with platform-specific tweaks automatically.

Can Alkai help with Reels and captions if I don’t like writing?

Yes. Alkai generates hooks, full captions, and content prompts based on your niche. You can edit them or use them as is.