Log in
Build Your Site
How to Go Viral on Instagram: 10 Proven Strategies for 2025
Discover how to go viral on Instagram in 2025 with 10 proven strategies — from mastering Reels to using tools like Wegic to boost reach and engagement.
Maybe you’re posting consistently, following trends, and even experimenting with Reels, yet your Instagram content barely moves the needle. To be honest, I’ve been there too, how to go viral on Instagram while mine don’t. The truth is, in 2025, Instagram's algorithm is smarter and more competitive than ever.
With over 2 billion users and an endless stream of content(data from Demandsage), you should realize that the key to going viral on Instagram lies not in chance encounters but in well-defined strategies. In this blog post, I’ll walk you through what is viral on Instagram and teach you how to get a post to go viral with ten key strategies I've compiled.
Whether you’re a personal brand, startup, or creative entrepreneur, these 10 proven strategies will help you boost your reach, spark engagement, and finally get your content in front of the right audience.
What Does It Mean to Go Viral on Instagram?
For beginners, it is natural to have confusion about what is viral on Instagram. Actually, how to go viral on Instagram doesn’t just mean getting a few free likes or landing on your friends’ feeds. It means your content breaks through your usual audience bubble and reaches thousands or even millions of people. Particularly, most of whom have never seen your account before.
Key Signs That You’ve Gone Viral
Your post is heavily shared or saved. For instance, if your typical past posts averaged around 50 saves, a particular post suddenly surges to 500 saves within a few days.
Engagement from non-followers and the number of new followers rise dramatically. It's a good and significant sign that you've broken through your original reach.
You notice a rapid spike in reach or impressions. Wonder how many likes to go viral on Instagram, or how many views do you need to go viral on Instagram?Generally, Instagram posts with 10,000 to 20,000 likes or views in the first few hours are considered viral. Yet, the definition of virality is relative to your industry and account size.
Why It Matters
Virality is the fastest way to grow an audience on Instagram, especially now that organic reach is harder than ever. With ad costs rising and attention spans shrinking, one viral Instagram video can do more for your brand than weeks of paid promotion. If you're wondering how to be viral in 2025, it often starts here, with relatable, emotionally resonant content.
How Instagram’s Algorithm Plays a Role (2025 Update)
Sometimes it's not the fault of your content when you feel like your best post went unnoticed. It's how it didn’t align with what the algorithm wants.
-
Relevance & Watch Time: The algorithm prioritizes content that aligns with users' interests and is watched all the way through, especially for Reels and video posts.
-
Shares & Saves > Likes: In 2025, Instagram places more weight on "deeper engagement" metrics. Shares, saves, and comments are now far more valuable signals than simple likes.
-
Early Engagement: How your audience interacts with your post within the first 30–60 minutes—likes, comments, shares—can heavily influence whether it gets pushed to a wider audience via Explore or Reels feeds.
-
Account Health: The algorithm also evaluates your account’s overall credibility: posting consistency, content quality, and how actively your followers engage with you over time all matter.
How to be Viral: 10 Proven Strategies
Leverage Reels and Short-Form Video
By 2025, Instagram Reels will continue to be a primary avenue for reaching new audiences. The platform's algorithm favors videos that are concise and immediately eye-catching. Statistics show that Reels receive 22% more interaction than standard video posts (data from Demandsage).
Therefore, it is important to understand how to go viral on Instagram reels. In that short 15 to 30-second Reels video, you have to throw out a particularly attractive highlight in the first 3 seconds to hook the audience immediately. Moreover, choosing the right audio and using visually appealing thumbnails can also help you create a viral Instagram video.
Meet Shairy Aroro, the creator behind "Cards by Shairy". She shares her handmade greeting cards and cool explosion-shaped gift boxes on Instagram Reels. Her Reels, which mainly show the production process, have attracted a lot of attention. Several of her videos have been viewed millions of times and have attracted a gigantic number of fans.
Use Emotion to Drive Shares
Facts may inform, but emotion persuades. If material can make people feel immersed, it is more likely to be shared. Advertising analyst Jonah Berger puts it well: "Sharing happens when 'we care'." Investigations into social distribution have confirmed that content that is particularly beneficial or exciting has a remarkable dissemination effect.
When a workmakes the audience laugh, cry, or applaud, they will recommend it to their friends and then click the share button. To take advantage of this, design content that tells an authentic story and ties into your audience’s principles or lifestyle. Don’t just post product pictures; you have to bring out the brand’s flavor. Want to know how to go viral on Instagram? Make people feel.
Image from Pandora's ad video
A great example is Pandora's "Unique Collection" video (Mother’s Day campaign). This is a simple yet touching story about offspring identifying their mother by using touch. As anticipated, it became popular all of a sudden, and the number of views increased rapidly. Decorations are nothing; the feeling of love is what matters most. That’s the strategy for creating a successful viral Instagram video.
Engage Proactively with Your Audience
How to be viral on Instagram? Viral material doesn’t emerge on its own; after all, digital platforms encourage interaction. If someone leaves a comment or a private message, it means they are interested, and the algorithm of a certain platform can also see that. Industry experts and Instagram officials have said that replying to comments can help your content rank larger in the algorithm.
In practice, this requires being proactive: responding to private messages, replying to comments, and live streaming from time to time. For example, one little-known indie band I observed had modest engagement before they began doing weekly Instagram Lives, answering fans’ questions, and sometimes singing requested songs. Those live events gradually drew thousands of viewers who felt their ideas and feelings were valued and sent private messages to express their support.
If you're aiming for how to go viral on Instagram, genuine interaction will definitely work. Their participation can have a far more real influence than any individual label could.
Craft a Unique and Consistent Visual Identity
If someone looked at your profile, would they immediately know what you do? On Instagram, making all your pictures look consistent is actually a very effective Instagram viral trick. Find a way to both help build awareness and assist their efforts to understand tips for going viral on Instagram.
You can achieve this effect by choosing 2-3 distinctive colors across Reels, Stories, and dynamic posts, and using a consistent editing style. If you want to have the best Instagram views, it is very critical to maintain consistency. Useful tools such as Canva or Lightroom presets can also make this easier.
You can check out the account @thebrokeblackgirl. Dasha uses soft pink tones, comfortable fonts, and a clean layout to make her work stand out. This instantly recognizable image style has become an Instagram viral trick in itself— fans can recognize her work immediately, which also brings her the best Instagram views. Over time, her feed became a case study in how to go viral on Instagram via careful design.
Encourage User-Generated Content (UGC)
User-generated content (UGC) is so influential because it feels real, natural, and convincing, which are critical factors in going viral on Instagram. Studies show that over 90% of consumers trust UGC more than traditional brand content, making it one of the smartest Instagram viral tricks you can leverage.
To encourage UGC, create low-barrier participation, like hashtag competitions, testimonials, and customers sharing usage stories. When individuals feel involved, they’re more likely to create viral Instagram videos.A well-crafted hashtag brings people togetherand sparks viral Instagram hashtags to share. Therefore, the smart thing to do is to choose Instagram tags that are related to your brand and catchy enough to serve as hashtags to go viral on Instagram. This will directly improve your reach and help generate the best Instagram views organically.
Let’s talk about this cost-effective skincare brand, The Ordinary. They launched #TheOrdinaryRoutine, inviting enthusiasts to share their skincare routines. The campaign quickly turned into a flood of user Reels, many of which becameviral Instagram videos. Makes it clear that focusing on community is more than just a fad. They are fundamental in learning how to go viral on Instagram today.
Collaborate with Relevant Micro-Influencers
By 2025, one of the most effective ways to create a viral Instagram video will be to work with micro-influencers. These producers usually have between 5,000 and 50,000 fans and have become well-connected with their audiences.
You can use platforms such as Upfluence or look at viral Instagram hashtags to find them. When looking for a partner, the crucial thing is to find the right one; size is secondary. It is recommended that when you find matching content, it is best to choose real and natural content, and avoid advertising content that is too deliberate. That’s a good way to answer how to go viral on Instagram naturally.
Image from plantkween on Facebook
Let me talk about this awesome Instagram account @plantkween. As a small influencer who focuses on indoor plant care, it has partnered with home furnishing brand IKEA USA to promote sustainable living via lifestyle Reels. Because the audience and the product are so well matched, this collaboration made many posts popular, with followers easily growing and interaction being particularly high.
Jump on Timely Trends & Audio
If you want to learn how to go viral on Instagram, you need to take a look at the approach and strategies used by those popular creators. Check out their popular and viral Instagram hashtags, audio choices, and how they tell their stories.
To stay ahead of the curve, keep an eye on the Reels Explore page, popular music charts, viral Instagram hashtags, and current cultural trends. Trend analysis tools such as TrendTok and Later can help you spot trends before they become popular.
The creative team behind the channel @goalguys is famous for their 30-day challenge videos, often using pop music as the background, but tweaking the theme to make it more in line with the "self-enhancement" type of content they do. There was a particular Reel that used the popular funny sounds at the time to show their "failed challenges," and it attracted millions of views.
Post at the Right Time
Even if the information flow on a social media platform is not completely chronological now, posting things when the audience is most active can still greatly enhance the initial interaction. This small tactic can help if you’re wondering how to get a post to go viral without spending extra budget.
By 2025, tools like Instagram Insights, Later, and Metricool will make it easier to see when your followers are active. What do the experts say? You'd better dig into peak times on Instagram rather than just looking at specific times, such as 7:30 PM or 10 AM on Monday.
For example, accounts such as @plantyou usually share vegan recipes around 5 or 6 p.m., when everyone is getting ready for dinner. She would try these things out in Stories from time to time, and that would drive traffic. These approaches allow her Reels to regularly receive millions of views. Timing plus strategy is a strong formula for going viral on Instagram. These two combined will make you powerful.
Optimize Your Captions for Connection and Save
One of the secrets to how to go viral on Instagram without spending any money is to write captions that people will want to save. Saves tell Instagram, "This is valuable content."
If you’re a brand or creator, try adding quick value nuggets in the caption:
-
"Here’s my 30-day skincare routine that cleared my acne."
-
"Save this before your Japan trip!"
-
"Try this hook formula in your next post."
Ask thoughtful questions. Rather than "Ideas? ", try "Which tip will you try first?" Captions that spark discussion are more likely to get people engaged and boost the chances of your post becoming a viral Instagram video.
Track What Works and Double Down
Virality is often the result of constant testing, monitoring, and enhancement. Those creators and brands that grow very quickly don’t just release products and then sit back and wait for good luck to come. They study what works and then work harder at it.
Instagram’s built-in Insights feature allows you to see critical metrics such as how many people you reached, how many saves and shares you got, how many people visited your profile, and how much audience retention you have for your Reels videos. They can also use third-party tools like Later, Metricool, or Not Just Analytics to see more specific data, like which posts led to an increase in followers or how effective hashtags are.
For example, if you notice that your carousel of "5-minute skincare tips" is consistently more popular than your product photos, that’s a sign. Don't just get excited about it — create work that people can relate to. Try remixing the same topic into a short video, a Q&A story, or a live conversation.
Here’s the loop to build on:
-
Post diverse content (e.g., Reels, carousels, behind-the-scenes, storytelling)
-
Track what gets saved/shared/commented on
-
Repurpose the top 10% into new angles or formats
-
Test again — and evolve based on results
This is especially critical if your goal is learning how to go viral on Instagram in a crowded and ever-developing environment.
Mistakes to Avoid When Trying to Go Viral on Instagram
After reviewing my comprehensive strategy for success through actionable steps, we should now examine some common mistakes made by brands and creators. These missteps often block your progress in understanding how to go viral on Instagram.
Chasing Trends Without Adding Your Twist
Sure, trending audio and formats can get attention, but only if you bring something new. Copying a viral Reel word-for-word makes your content blend into the noise, which is not a good way to go viral on Instagram effectively.
-
Why it fails: Audiences scroll past content they’ve "seen a million times."
-
Do this instead: Use trending templates, but change the context, setting, or punchline. Think remix, not replay.
-
Example: Everyone’s doing "what I ordered vs. what I got", but a creator flipped it into "What I wore vs. what I wanted to wear." This slight twist is a powerful Instagram viral trick that makes your post stand out.
Ignoring the Hook in the First 3 Seconds
In 2025, scroll speed is ruthless. If your Reel doesn’t grab attention immediately, it’s gone. Even if you have great content, weak hooks can cost you the best Instagram views. Knowing how to be viral starts with understanding just how short your window of influence is.
-
Why it fails: Users make a decision in under 2 seconds whether to watch or swipe.
-
Do this instead: Start with movement, a bold statement, or a question. Use text overlays to "tease" what’s coming.
-
Example: Instead of "Here’s my morning routine," try: "This ONE thing fixed my skin after 5 years of acne 👇." That opening line alone could change how many best Instagram views your post attracts.
Focusing on Follower Count, Not Engagement
It’s tempting to think more followers = more reach. But engagement rate is a bigger factor in how to be viral. Accounts with 1,000 loyal fans who comment, save, and share outperform 100K ghost followers. The former possesses the real secret behind how to be viral in the long term.
-
Why it fails: The algorithm promotes posts with high engagement, not big follower counts.
-
Do this instead: Respond to every comment, run polls in Stories, and DM new followers with a thank-you.
-
Reminder: A small but active community can take your post viral through organic sharing alone and is often the missing link in how to be viral without paid promotion.
Overloading Captions Without Purpose
Long captions can work, but only if they hold attention. If your post looks like an essay with no formatting, most people won’t even tap "more," killing its chance to become a viral Instagram video and undermining your efforts at how to go viral on Instagram.
-
Why it fails: Walls of text = scroll-away behavior.
-
Do this instead: Use short paragraphs, emojis, bold hooks, or bullet points. Lead with value.
-
Better example: Using"How I doubled my freelance income in 30 days 💸 (without burning out):👇" instead of "Hey guys, I wanted to share a little bit about my day…"
Why Creators Are Turning to Wegic to Build Their Brand in 2025
Creating viral content is just the first step. But knowing how to go viral on Instagram consistently and having a strategy beyond that is what sets creators apart in 2025. To truly grow your presence, you need a home base. That’s why many creators and small businesshosts are turning to no-code platforms like Wegic.
When someone discovers you through a Reel or viral post, they’ll likely want to dive deeper: learn your story, browse your work, or even make a purchase. Knowing how to get a post to go viral is great, and Wegic gives you a central place to guide that journey seamlessly. You gain a place ready to turn best Instagram views into lasting fans and make money through social media.
Explore Wegic from zero to a fully functioning website.
https://wegic.ai/
Explore Wegic and make it your home base manager, cause :
-
From Viral Post to Full Personal Brand in Minutes: Gone are the days of waiting weeks for a custom website. With Wegic, you can build a sleek, mobile-optimized creator site in just a few minutes. All you need is a voice and a vision. If you’ve ever wondered how to be viral, this is your next step after visibility — turn popularity into a personal brand that grows with you. Knowing how to get a post to go viral is just the beginning; converting attention into brand value starts here.
-
Tailored for Instagram Creators: Wegic is made for people like you — creators, influencers, and small businesses who live on platforms like Instagram. Imagine this: You post a viral Instagram video, maybe a skincare transformation Reel, and thousands of people click your bio. Instead of sending them to a messy link-in-bio, you guide them to your Wegic site. That’s how to go viral on Instagram and actually benefit from it. You can showcase your "Routine Picks," product links, before-and-after stories, and email signup all in one place.
-
Fast, Customizable, and Always Yours: With Wegic, your page loads fast, and your mobile website design looks good on any device, and is fully customizable via natural commands. Want to rebrand after you learn how to be viral on social media? Just type it: "Make my page match the pink tones of my new post". Wegic will adjust automatically.
Wrapping Up
Going viral on Instagram in 2025 isn’t just about asking how many likes to go viral on Instagram. It’s about understanding the evolving Instagram algorithm, creating emotionally resonant content, and staying relentlessly consistent, which goes beyondfree Instagram views. Whether you’re an independent creator or a startup in development, these 10 proven approaches can help you stand out in a complex information environment.
Moreover, with tools such as Wegic, content planning and presentation become simpler, easier to visually catch the eye, tell stories in a more contagious way, and turn those explosive events into real growth. When thinking about how to go viral on Instagram, it’s best to combine powerful story content with platform features that can turn traffic into real results. Now is a good time to apply it, try it out, and then communicate by using subsequent posts.
Written by
Kimmy
Published on
Jun 20, 2025
Share article
Read more
Our latest blog
Webpages in a minute, powered by Wegic!
With Wegic, transform your needs into stunning, functional websites with advanced AI
Free trial with Wegic, build your site in a click!