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How to Get More Instagram Likes – The Dos and Don’ts

Professional Instagram marketers will tell you that they can usually tell in the first five minutes whether an Instagram post will perform well or not – whether that post will fly, or die.

The Instagram algorithm favors posts that get a lot of likes and comments quickly, and it shows those post to more of the account’s followers, and potentially in the “top posts” section of hashtag feeds. By contrast if you post a lot of images that get very few likes, your account may be throttled back by the algorithm, and your future posts shown to fewer of your followers.

So yes, that post you’re about to post matters, in fact EVERY post matters.

In this blog post we’ll unpack the mystery of what makes Instagram posts fly instead of die. We’ll go in-depth into some of the most viral Instagram posts from Tailwind members over the past month, and some of the least viral, to uncover 11 actionable tips that you can use to get more likes on your Instagram posts.

Why Would You Want to Get More Instagram Likes?

Likes (and comments) feed the Instagram algorithm.

If a high percentage of the people who see your post like it, Instagram will show it to more of your followers. A virtuous circle.

If you consistently get low engagement (likes and comments) on your posts then your subsequent posts will show for less of your followers, and likely get even less engagement.

The speed at which you accumulate likes is an important factor in the Instagram algorithm, and may be the deciding factor in whether one of your posts shows up in the “top posts” section for a hashtag.

Comments are important to the Instagram algorithm too. You can find out how to get more Instagram Comments in our companion blog post.

How to Get More Instagram Likes

The Do’s

Capture natural beauty

Allow your audience to project themselves into your images

Create a sense of wonder

Rally support

Stand for something

Be funnier (than usual)

Tell a story

Enlist the right celebrity for the job

Anthropomorphize (attribute human personality to something that isn’t human)

Ace the trend

Do the (seemingly) impossible

How to Get Fewer Instagram Likes

The Don’ts

Don’t be abstruse (overtly complicated, like that choice of word)

Don’t take the focus off your audience

Don’t let the mundane look mundane

Don’t appear impersonal

Don’t be a downer (womp womp)

Don’t make liking into a moral choice (Can I “like” divorce?)

Don’t break the illusion (keep it aspirational)

Don’t make your appeal too specific

Don’t make your visuals overly complicated

Don’t worry if your promotional posts get fewer likes (they will)

Don’t stray too far off message

We condensed 12 months of research on Instagram into under an hour for this Instagram Marketing 101 webinar. If you’re looking to learn everything you need to know about Instagram marketing in under an hour, you’ll love this webinar.

Awesome Examples from Tailwind Members:

1a. Capture Natural Beauty

This Post Got Likes

This Instagram post by @southernliving got +57% more likes than their average post

On the road again [email protected] #SLFall

A photo posted by Southern Living (@southernlivingmag) on Nov 20, 2016 at 4:54pm PST

1b. Don’t be abstruse (overtly complicated, like that choice of word)

This Post Didn’t Get Likes

This Instagram post by @southernliving got nearly half as many likes as their average post

And so it begins ? #FootballSeason #MySouthernLiving ?: Regram via @theoldtry

A photo posted by Southern Living (@southernlivingmag) on Sep 2, 2016 at 6:41am PDT

2a. Allow your audience to project themselves into your images

This Post Got Likes

This Instagram post by @brides got +70% more likes than their average post

Everything about this pink-hued wedding gown is #Goals — The backless top and flowing, dotted fabric is just ? Need more wedding dress inspo? Tap link in bio! | ?: @daniloandsharon

A photo posted by BRIDES Magazine (@brides) on Nov 17, 2016 at 9:10am PST

2b. Don’t take the focus off your audience

This Post Didn’t Get Likes

This Instagram post by @brides got fewer than a third as many likes as their average post

Groom style = looking dapper, in your bow tie, on the dock ? | ?: @joyymichelle

A photo posted by BRIDES Magazine (@brides) on Nov 17, 2016 at 6:57am PST

3a. Create a sense of wonder

This Post Got Likes

This Instagram post by @designmilk got +84% more likes than their average post

If you have major #wanderlust, follow our sister IG @designmilktravels to fuel your passion for #travel. #aerialview of #NorthBondiBeach by @gabscanu

A photo posted by Design Milk (@designmilk) on Nov 15, 2016 at 1:33pm PST

3b. Don’t let the mundane look mundane

This Post Didn’t Get Likes

This Instagram post by @designmilk got nearly half as many likes as their average post

If you need more #moderndesign in your life, don’t forget to follow our sister IG @designmilkeveryday for cool, affordable #homegoods, like these #succulent #planters by @yiyi.mendoza!

A photo posted by Design Milk (@designmilk) on Nov 14, 2016 at 6:22pm PST

4a. Rally support

This Post Got Likes

This Instagram post by @jamienotis got +102% more likes than her average post

It’s official: We are trying for our Rainbow Baby! And we could use your help! Please pray & send lots of good, happy, healthy vibes our way!!! (I blogged about where we are now, our sweet angel baby, Johnathan, and how we are trying for our #rainbowbaby! Link in bio!) #mafs #marriedatfirstsight #marriedlife #babyhehner ?

A photo posted by Jamie Otis (@jamienotis) on Nov 12, 2016 at 7:41am PST

4b. Don’t appear impersonal

This Post Didn’t Get Likes

This Instagram post by @jamienotis got three and a half times fewer likes than her average post

My person: @doughehner …and my sweet fur babies, of course. ? ?❤️?

A photo posted by Jamie Otis (@jamienotis) on Nov 8, 2016 at 12:49pm PST

5a. Stand for something

This Post Got Likes

This Instagram post by @glossier got +102% more likes than their average post

“Never stop believing that fighting for what’s right is worth it.”—Hillary Clinton

A photo posted by Glossier. (@glossier) on Nov 9, 2016 at 9:06am PST

5b. Don’t be a downer (womp womp)

This Post Didn’t Get Likes

This Instagram post by @glossier got two thirds as many likes as their average post

#art Alyson Shotz, “Law of Motion”

A photo posted by Glossier. (@glossier) on Nov 12, 2016 at 3:45pm PST

6a. Be funnier (than usual)

This Post Got Likes

This Instagram post by @theeconomist got +106% more likes than their average post

Hello world! Introducing Huasheng, the first female cub born this year at the Chinese Giant Panda Protection and Research Center in Shanghai, east China. Photographers were invited to capture her first encounter with the great outdoors. Credit: Xinhua/Fan Jun #Shanghai #China #giantpanda #panda #conservation

A photo posted by The Economist (@theeconomist) on Nov 5, 2016 at 3:07pm PDT

6b. Don’t make liking into a moral choice (Can I “like” divorce?)

This Post Didn’t Get Likes

This Instagram post by @theeconomist got around half as many likes as their average post

Breaking news: We thought you’d like to know that Angelina Jolie has filed for divorce from her husband Brad Pitt after two years of marriage and 12 years together. This story has no economic implications whatsoever. Credit: Mark Ralston/AFP #gratuitouscelebritydivorcestory #angelinajolie #bradpitt #divorce

A photo posted by The Economist (@theeconomist) on Sep 20, 2016 at 8:17am PDT

7a. Tell a story

This Post Got Likes

This Instagram post by @ohreverie got +121% more likes than their average post

Would you want this to be you? ? What an amazing moment! ? Double tap if you like this and follow @swoonworthyproposals . . Inspo via @ohsoperfectproposal | Photo via @theparisphotographer | Congrats to Arti & AJ . . —————- #lovehim #iloveyou #couple #amore #engagement #romantic #noi #bridetobe #futurewife #relationshipgoals #jetaime #lovestory #marryme #mrandmrs #proposal #perfectproposal #ohsoperfectproposal #shesaidyes #compromiso #engagementparty #engagementsession #ohwowyes #imengaged #imengaged #engagementring #jewelrygram #diamondring #weddingrings #heproposed #ringbling

A photo posted by Engagement Ring Registry (@ohreverie) on Nov 26, 2016 at 7:01am PST

7b. Don’t break the illusion (keep it aspirational)

This Post Didn’t Get Likes

This Instagram post by @ohreverie got one seventh as many likes as their average post

Yay of nay! ❤️ via @fashiomoments congrats @kaataliese . . . . . . . . . . . . . ————— Other great accounts: @taylorswift @kendalljenner @nickiminaj @katyperry @selenagomez @treysongz @kyliejenner @ddlovato @khloekardashian @kingjames @arianagrande @selenagomez @justinbieber

A photo posted by Engagement Ring Registry (@ohreverie) on Sep 12, 2016 at 6:57am PDT

8a. Enlist the right celebrity for the job

This Post Got Likes

This Instagram post by @randomhouse got +247% more likes than their average post

@emmawatson is now leaving copies of MOM & ME & MOM on the NYC subway! Written by Maya Angelou, it was her seventh autobiography sharing her deeply personal relationship with her mother. @booksonthesubway @oursharedshelf #regram #momandmeandmom #MayaAngelou #bookstagram #booksonthesubway #nyc #EmmaWatson

A photo posted by Random House (@randomhouse) on Nov 9, 2016 at 3:06pm PST

8b. Don’t make your appeal too specific

This Post Didn’t Get Likes

This Instagram post by @randomhouse got hearly half as many likes as their average post

Our Labor Date TBR list is all set for the long weekend! Comment with your #LaborDayReads for a chance to win this amazing stack. #️⃣#️⃣#️⃣ #bookstagram #contest #igbooks #beachreads #summerreading #thegirls #thegirlsbookclub #emmacline #lastdaysofnight #grahammoore #beholdthedreamers #imbolombue #knownandstrangethings #tejucole #blackeyedsusans #juliaheaberlin

A photo posted by Random House (@randomhouse) on Sep 1, 2016 at 2:07pm PDT

9a. Anthropomorphize (attribute human personality to non-humans)

This Post Got Likes

This Instagram post by @the_pug_diary got +389% more likes than their average post

But what do you mean it’s only Wednesday? Photo by @uchini_the_pug ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Want to be featured on our Instagram? Tag your photos with #thepugdiary for your chance to be featured.

A photo posted by Kristy Beck (@the_pug_diary) on Nov 30, 2016 at 2:27am PST

9b. Don’t make your visuals overly complicated

This Post Didn’t Get Likes

This Instagram post by @the_pug_diary got fewer than half as many likes as their average post

Is everyone else excited about iPugmoji by @thebatmanpug like I am? ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Want to be featured on our Instagram? Tag your photos with #thepugdiary for your chance to be featured.

A photo posted by Kristy Beck (@the_pug_diary) on Sep 15, 2016 at 4:55am PDT

10a. Ace the trend

This Post Got Likes

This Instagram post by @kelleynan got +285% more likes than her average post

This is a shot from last year, but hoping my Thanksgiving dinner guests don’t mind looking at turkeys AND Christmas trees this year! Getting ready to start decking those halls early- anyone else planning to have simultaneous decor?? Now, back to being glued to the tv the rest of the night ? You can catch my full Christmas home tour from last year on the blog under “Home Tours” ❤️ https://liketk.it/2pyVI @liketoknow.it #liketkit #ltkhome

A photo posted by Kelley Nan (@kelleynan) on Nov 8, 2016 at 4:06pm PST

10b. Don’t worry if your promotional posts get fewer likes (they will)

This Post Didn’t Get Likes

This Instagram post by @kellynan got fewer than half as many likes as her average post

I finally got the bar cart I’ve been coveting!! (You can get it on sale right now for $135 ?) ON THE BLOG, I’m sharing more details on this little lady, along with details from last weekend’s ladies night I hosted in my home as a fall kick-off. You can link to KELLEYNAN.com directly through my profile, and I’ve linked the bar cart and accessories on the blog and here ➡️ https://liketk.it/2pf29 @liketoknow.it #liketkit #ltkhome *Thank you to World Market for sponsoring this bar cart* #discoverworldmarket

A photo posted by Kelley Nan (@kelleynan) on Sep 23, 2016 at 6:36am PDT

Kelley Nan was kind enough to comment on the disparity between the engagement on these two posts: “The bar cart was posted with a goal to generate affiliate sales while the full room shoot was a resurrected photo from last year’s Christmas during the holiday transition. Not much Christmas decor had been shown yet so people seemed to be more excited. In general terms, I know when I post a full room shot, it is going to do better than when I post a close-up. But, if I am promoting a sale or specific product, I do typically do closer shots. The higher the engagement, the more Instagram “shows” the photo, too. The full room view had so much engagement early on that it had a reach of 353K (3 times my followers).”

11a. Do the impossible (like making paleo look delicious)

This Post Got Likes

This Instagram post by @paleoglutenfreeeats got +1119% more likes than their average post

When you have a rainy day and all you want to do is sit inside and eat this Gluten free & Paleo chocolate cake?… And work, of course! It literally never ends– and I love it!?? Just wanted to say thanks for being such a fun crowd to be with and give you a little rainy day vibes. ✌?️ . . . #fromscratch #cake #refinedsugarfree #foodstagram #glutenfree #chocolatecake #huffposttaste #chocolatelover #buzzfeast #foodstagram #thekitchn #cakestagram #paleo #foodstyling #jerf #forkyeah #paleodiet #vanilla #beautifulcuisines #feedfeed #sweettooth #bhgfood #foodgawker #frosting #marthabakes #cleanandjerk #pgminseason #wiltoncakes #paleo #foodblogfeed

A photo posted by Kaylie | Paleoglutenfree.com (@paleoglutenfreeeats) on Nov 16, 2016 at 5:42pm PST

11b. Don’t stray too far off message

This Post Didn’t Get Likes

This Instagram post by @paleoglutenfreeeats got two thirds as many likes as their average post

All the Christmas feels? What is it with me this week? I actually am feeling quite festive due to all the holiday baking going down? . . . #fromscratch #mintchocolatechip #refinedsugarfree #foodstagram #glutenfree #christmas #huffposttaste #chocolatelover #buzzfeast #foodstagram #thekitchn #cakestagram #paleodiet #foodstyling #jerf #forkyeah #paleodiet #vanilla #beautifulcuisines #feedfeed #sweettooth #bhgfood #foodgawker #frosting #marthabakes #cleanandjerk #pgminseason #wiltoncakes #paleo #foodblogfeed

A photo posted by Kaylie | Paleoglutenfree.com (@paleoglutenfreeeats) on Nov 17, 2016 at 9:36am PST

Watch your Analytics

Watching what posts are working for 100,000+ different brands and bloggers is fascinating, but you can learn as much by keeping a close eye on what works for you. Use an analytics tool like Tailwind Instagram Analytics to quickly learn what your audience responds to.

If your #Instagram post gets likes fast it’ll fly not die. Here’s 13 tips to get more likes.Click to Tweet

How to get more Instagram comments

How to get more Instagram followers

How often should I post to Instagram?

This one Instagram hashtag strategy works for anyone

Video: How to Get More Likes on your Instagram Posts

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