Believe it or not, the algorithm doesn’t hate you. You just might not know how to work with it to get it on your side. Trust me, the algorithm wants to help you more than it wants to hurt you. While there are several different algorithms at play on Instagram, one of the most important ones is the Explore Page. Instagram’s Explore Page is one of the most powerful tools for achieving organic growth on Instagram. If you want to expand your reach, gain new followers, and increase engagement, mastering the Explore Page is essential. In this guide, we’ll break down how the Explore Page and its algorithm work. I’ll also share 10 actionable strategies to help you get featured!

What is Instagram’s Explore Page?

The Explore Page is a curated feed of content tailored to each user’s interests. It showcases posts, Reels, and Carousels based on Instagram’s algorithm, making it a prime place for users to discover new content. In other words–no two explore feeds are the same.

Unlike the home feed, which consists mostly of content from accounts a user follows, the Explore Page presents a mix of recommended posts. This means that getting featured here exposes your content to a vast, untapped audience—making it a game-changer for organic growth on Instagram.

How Does Instagram’s Explore Page Algorithm Work?

Instagram uses personalization to determine what appears on each user’s Explore Page. According to Instagram’s official blog, the algorithm takes into account:

• User Activity: What content someone interacts with the most.
• Engagement Metrics: Likes, comments, shares, and saves signal a post’s quality.
• Content Type and Format: Instagram prioritizes Reels and interactive content.
• Timeliness: Recent and trending posts are more likely to be featured.

Instagram’s AI constantly learns from user behavior, so the key to reaching the Explore Page is consistently creating engaging content that aligns with audience interests.

Why is the Explore Page Important for Creators?

Getting featured on the Explore Page can provide a huge boost for content creators by:

• Increasing visibility: When your content is featured on the Explore Page, it reaches non-followers who are most likely to engage with it.
• Boosting engagement: The more interactions your content receives, it signals to Instagram to promote your content further.
• Driving follower growth: When your content lands on the Explore Page, it’s exposed to new audiences translates into organic growth on Instagram.
• Enhancing monetization opportunities: More engagement can attract brand partnerships and sponsorships.

10 Actionable Strategies to Get on the Explore Page

Now that you know how the explore page works and why it’s beneficial to be on it, here are my 10 best tips to follow if you want to be recommended!

1. Create High-Engagement Reels

It’s no secret that Reels are Instagram’s priority content format. Not to mention, they dominate the Explore Page. Creating high-engagement Reels warrants a whole blog post, but I wanted to give you a few general guidelines to make your Reels stand out:

• Use attention-grabbing hooks! Whether that’s text-based or movement-based.
• Use psychological triggers to keep people engaged throughout the Reel

I dive into my personal Reels strategy in my brand new free class. You can watch it right now by saving your spot here. Plus, if you stay till the end, I’ll gift you 45 Reels hooks that you can use when creating your own Reels.

2. Post When Your Audience is Most Active

Timing plays a crucial role in engagement. Use Instagram Insights to determine when your followers are online and post during peak hours. Higher engagement in the first hour increases the likelihood of reaching the Explore Page.

3. Use Strategic Hashtags and Keywords

Instagram now prioritizes searchability, making hashtags and keywords essential. Use a mix of niche, industry, and trending hashtags (as long as it’s relevant to your Reel). You’ll also want to incorporate keywords into your captions naturally.

4. Leverage Carousel Posts for Increased Engagement

Carousels allow users to swipe through multiple images, increasing the time spent on your post. Instagram’s algorithm rewards longer engagement, so make the first image attention-grabbing to encourage more swipes. 

5. Encourage Saves and Shares

Posts with high save and share rates have a better chance of appearing on the Explore Page. To do this, you’ll want to:

• Create educational content that users want to reference later.
• Post relatable topics that encourage sharing.
• Write captions that prompt followers to save your post.

I cover this in my class by sharing my G.A.I.N. Framework so you’ll know exactly how to tap into creating high-value content.

6. Collaborate with Other Creators

Partnering with creators in your niche exposes your content to their audience. Consider cross-posting with your content creator friends (either in Stories or your feed). You could also co-host Instagram Lives and collaborate on Reels!

7. Stay Consistent with Your Aesthetic

While variety in content is good, a cohesive visual identity helps make your posts recognizable. Your visual aesthetic is a great way to trigger familiarity and intrigue from the get-go. To do that, you’ll want to make sure that your:

• Colors, fonts, and filters align with your personal brand.
• Feeds have a harmonious layout to keep users engaged.

This blog post details the process of establishing your Instagram aesthetic.

8. Engage with Comments

The more interactions your post gets ASAP, the more Instagram will push it to new audiences. To boost early engagement, you’ll want to respond to comments quickly to encourage discussions, share the post on your stories and direct followers to engage, and use interactive features like polls for quick and easy engagement.

9. Optimize Your Captions for Engagement

Captions should not just be descriptive but interactive. Encourage users to engage by asking open-ended questions and calls-to-action (CTAs). On a larger scope, you can also share relatable stories that provide more vulnerability and invite your audience to relate to and share their own stories.

10. Analyze and Adapt Based on Insights

Use Instagram Insights to track what content performs best and adapt your strategy accordingly. Notice which posts receive the most engagement and tailor your content strategy to increase engagement later down the line. Pay attention to how different post types perform and what times and days your audience is most active and engaged.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even with a strong strategy, there are certain mistakes that can prevent your content from reaching the Explore Page, such as:

• Posting low-quality images or videos. Instagram prioritizes high-resolution, professional-looking content.
• Ignoring engagement. If you don’t reply to comments or interact with followers, your engagement will drop.
• Using irrelevant hashtags. Poor hashtag strategy can cause Instagram to miscategorize your content, reducing reach.

Wrapping Up: The Path to Organic Growth on Instagram

The Explore Page is an invaluable tool for organic growth on Instagram. By creating high-quality content, engaging actively, and leveraging Instagram’s features strategically, you can significantly increase your chances of getting featured. I can’t wait for you to start implementing these strategies today. More importantly, I’m excited for you to watch your reach and engagement soar!