When people say "more views" on Instagram, they often mean different things: how often a Reel was watched, how many people opened a Story, how many accounts were shown a post at all. Instagram now mainly shows "Views" (how often something was watched) and "Reach" (how many different accounts); older terms such as plays or impressions still appear in many guides. None of these can be improved until it is clear which one is meant.

This guide covers Reels and Stories together because the underlying question is the same: where do viewers drop off? How to build a profile is covered in the guide on followers, how to trigger reactions in the guides on comments and shares.

Step 1 of 5

First decide which number you mean

Open the Insights of a Reel and of a post. Two questions are enough: how often was it viewed, and how many different accounts did it reach? If the first figure is clearly higher than the second, people are seeing it more than once, a good sign. If both are close together, each person watches it only once.

For Reels, also look at the average watch time and at how many viewers are not among your followers. These are the figures you can actually change.

ChecklistStep 01

For the last five Reels, views, reach and watch time are noted.
It is recorded what share of viewers do not follow.
You know which of these numbers you want to improve next month.

Step 2 of 5

Rebuild the intro of a Reel

If a Reel starts with a logo or greeting, some viewers leave before it gets to the point. Replace the opening with the result or the question: the finished dish instead of the ingredient list, the transformed room instead of the directions.

A short line of text in the image immediately shows what it is about and also works with the sound off. A recurring format with the same opening every time makes building easier.

ChecklistStep 02

The first seconds show the result or the question.
A line of text is in the image from the start.
Subtitles are turned on.
The Reel's cover image is readable in the profile grid.

Step 3 of 5

Align length with the drop-off point

Insights show, alongside the average, how long viewers stay engaged over the course of the video. Find the point where the curve dips, and finish cutting the next video before that point. A Reel does not have to be long, it only has to be exactly as long as its content.

This works in both directions: if viewers watch the Reel to the end, the content may support a second Reel.

ChecklistStep 03

The drop-off point of the last three Reels is noted.
The next reel ends before this point.
Reels that were watched to the end have received a follow-up topic.

We produce Reels for you every month, in a fixed structure and in your visual style.Instagram offer from Social Rocket

Step 4 of 5

Keep stories short and start with the most important thing

A story is a sequence of screens, and people drop off at every transition. Put the most important point first, and split a long story into several short ones that are published on the same day. Anyone who has seen the beginning will not necessarily see the end.

A sticker that invites a response (question, poll) gives the viewer something to do and shows you who is really engaged. The guide on comments explains what this looks like.

ChecklistStep 04

The first story in a sequence states the most important point.
Publish no more stories per day than you can meaningfully fill.
One story per week invites a response.

Step 5 of 5

Film once, show multiple times

A shoot that performed well can be shown again in several ways: as a Ausschnitt in your story, as a carousel with the key messages, as a reel with a different opening. Most of your followers have not seen everything.

Wait a few weeks before doing so, so that the content does not feel repetitive, and change the opening and the cover image each time.

ChecklistStep 05

The three most successful pieces of content from the last few months are marked.
A second format is planned for each one.
A date for showing it again is set in the plan.

What you can compare in four weeks

In four weeks you can compare:

A tableViews, reach and watch time of your latest Reels side by side.
A drop-off pointYou see where viewers leave and have cut against it once.
A pattern in StoriesYou see which Story loses the most viewers.

Frequently asked questions

How long should a Reel be?

As long as its content. If the curve in the Insights dips at some point, everything after that is too much.

Why do fewer people see my Stories than I have followers?

Not every follower opens Stories every day. What matters more is that the number does not drop sharply from one Story to the next.

Are hashtags necessary?

A few relevant ones do no harm. More important are the terms in the post text and in the image.

Where can I see how many viewers are not followers?

In the insights of a Reel, split into followers and non-followers. A high share of non-followers shows that the Reel reached strangers; whether they follow afterwards depends on the profile (see the guide on followers).

Agency · Instagram

Reels and Stories on Social Rocket

We design your presence on Instagram once and produce Reels and posts every month in your visual style, and on request also the ad creatives.

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SREditorial team Social Rocket. This guide was written by our editors and is reviewed regularly. It contains no links to providers that sell followers, likes or views.