Why are My Instagram Reels Not Getting Views? Explained

Creating a perfect Instagram Reel is no cakewalk! Countless things go into making the reels attention-worthy. From shooting and editing videos to creative transitions, every piece should fit like a jigsaw puzzle. So, a reel not getting views can be heartbreaking, and you’re not alone in this struggle. Many content creators have experienced limited reach and minimal views. 

If you are sailing in the same boat as many digital creators, this blog is for you. Stick around as we delve deeper into why your reels aren’t grabbing more eyeballs. We will also see what best-performing reels are doing right.

Let’s get started. 

Why is My Instagram Reel Not Getting Views? 

Instagram reels are the next big social media sensation — and no, we aren’t making this up! 

On Instagram, reel content gets 22% more engagement than conventional posts. 

But if users love to scroll through the reels, why are your reels not getting views?  While there are thousands of factors for non-performing reels, low-quality content is a major reason. 

Let’s see why your Instagram reels are not  getting views: 

1. You don’t have an Interesting Hook 

You open a reel and see a fashion influencer giving a scarf tutorial without any audio or text overlay. 

Would you keep viewing it? 

Most probably not! Why? Because there’s nothing that can keep you hooked. 

For Instagram, the first three seconds are counted as a view.  And that’s why an engaging hook becomes your savior. 

Hooks persuade people to continue viewing reels. Without a hook, there’s no way to keep the viewer on the edge of their seat. If you can’t capture your audience’s attention within the first couple of seconds, your reels might not get traction. They would keep scrolling, eventually skipping your fabulous content. 

The solution: You must spend a lot of time creating a hook that will entice your audience. Check out the above image to get some inspiration for attention-grabbing hooks.  

2. You haven’t adapted to the Changing Algorithm 

Instagram is turning into a saturated space. To ensure that its users have a streamlined experience, Instagram keeps changing its algorithm. 

Now, if you haven’t stayed on top of these updates, your reel views might be affected. 

For example, the Instagram algorithm will not push reels that are blurry, low-resolution, or recycled. 

If you are still doing so, your reels might lose their momentum and fail to gain any views. 

The solution: Stay updated and adapt your social media content strategy with the algorithm change. 

3. You Don’t Schedule the Post at the Right Time 

Timing is everything when it comes to increasing Instagram Reel views and reach. 

How, you may ask? 

Let’s understand this with an example: 

Your followers are based on the eastern US coast. However, your reels are getting views and engagement from India. It doesn’t serve the purpose, right? 

But what is going wrong here? The time! 

You schedule posts at 12:00 EST every noon, right after people return from lunch. Now, here’s the catch. In India, it is 9:30 PM, when (native) users are mostly active. This results in dwindling views and engagement. 

The solution: Find out when your audiences are active the most and schedule your posts accordingly. To simplify the process, you can use tools that provide comprehensive social media content scheduling. 

4. Your Reels are Too Long (and Boring) 

Hundreds of reels are watched every second. However, not every reel gets five-digit views. 

Reduced human attention span is a major reason. It is just 8 seconds, less than that of a goldfish. So, if your reels are longer than 15 seconds, there is a high possibility they will not get views. 

The solution: While there is no ideal duration, 7 to 15-second reels will likely hold viewers’ attention until the end. 

Get professional and stunning Reels generated by the power of AI that can be straightaway posted on social media.

Choose wide animations from 5000+ multimedia options and create captivating reels with Predis.ai's Instagram Reel Maker.

5. You haven’t Optimized Your Reels 

Reel creation is incomplete if it isn’t optimized. Optimizing reels not only enhances their reachability but also catches more eyes. 

So, if your Instagram reels are not getting views, it is crucial to optimize them.

The solution: Write compelling captions, add interesting thumbnails, and add relevant hashtags. 

6. You are Using the Wrong Hashtags

Hashtags make your reels more visible. Yes, even in 2024! 

Instagram’s algorithm works behind the scenes to streamline content categorization. So, by adding relevant hashtags, you nudge the algorithm, saying, “This is what my reel talks about.” 

However, overloading your post with unrelated hashtags will not add value. Instead, it will throw the algorithm off-center, affecting your reel’s reach and visibility. 

The solution: Make sure you are using relevant hashtags in the right quantity. Always remember that Instagram pushes high-quality content. So, enhance the reel post with relevant hashtags to send the right signals. 

If you are struggling with hashtags, try Predis.ai. Its Hashtag Generator feature helps you find the best hashtags quickly. 

7. Your Video Quality is Not Good

We all know that Instagram is a visually motivated platform. This means your video quality and engaging thumbnails are another important factor in making sure that your content reaches a wider audience.

So, when shooting and editing your content, make it as aesthetic as possible. Finally, upload the content in the highest resolution so as to visually hook your audience.

8. You post inconsistently

When you want to see results, you need to show the algorithm that you are serious. The only way to do that is to post content consistently and engage with your audience regularly.

So, set up a content calendar, plan content in advance, create and tool with a scheduler to make sure the content goes out at the right time, no matter what. Predis AI has a content calendar and scheduler, which you can use to schedule content and remain consistent.

9. You are posting content with a TikTok watermark

There was a phase when people used to cross-post TikTok content with watermarks and all. But, Instagram does not promote such content as it supports native content first.

So, if you have to use content that you created for TikTok, then take some time to remove the watermark and edit it properly before publishing it on Instagram.

10. You are not using Trending audio

Trending songs are a great way to improve the discoverability of your videos. Adding them to your reels can also help you boost your views.

Thankfully for us, Instagram has made it easy to find trending audios. You could just swipe through reels for a few seconds, and you are guaranteed to find at least one within a few minutes.

11. You are not looking at your analytics properly

Treating your analytics as your customer feedback is how you achieve success. Every time you post a reel, make sure to analyse the numbers behind it. See how many views, saves, and likes each reel gets, based on which you can gauge the type of content your audience prefers.

12. You do not engage with your audience

Engagement is a two-way street. When you interact more with your audience, they will interact more with you. This will improve your future reel views and also improve brand loyalty.

Therefore, the next time you post a reel, take some time and interact with the comments, answer questions. Who knows, you might even get your next post idea from here.

13. Your reel is not shareable

Instagram algorithm pushes the reel to your immediate audience, after which its view count depends on the quality of your reel. If it is shareable, then your audience will take care of putting it in front of more people.

14. You have a lot of Bot followers

Getting more followers and fake engagement can look cool at the beginning, but it will backfire in the long run. When Instagram detects a lot of fake engagement, it can inhibit your content from reaching more people and, as a result, get a limited amount of views.

15. You might be shadowbanned

A shadowban is when Instagram curbs the growth of your profile without notifying you. This can be because you knowingly or unknowingly violated the rules of Instagram.

To avoid getting shadowbanned, follow their guidelines properly, stop using banned hashtags, and engage with suspicious or bot activity.

How to Make Your Instagram Reels More Noticeable? Quick Tips

Now you know why your Instagram reels are not getting views, let’s see how to fix them. Here are some quick tips: 

Tip 1: You have the First Few Seconds to create a Strong Impression 

As we mentioned earlier, you only have a couple of seconds to create an impression. Therefore, seize your audience’s attention within the first few seconds. 

For starters, create an enticing hook to make the post more captivating. Some interesting hooks include:

• Wait till the end 
• I have a little secret
• Instead of doing this

While hooks are important, don’t drag them. Jump right to the main content so people don’t have to wait long for the main stuff.  

Tip 2: Know What Your Audience Wants

While this may sound cliché, it needs to be said repeatedly because it’s critical. 

Stick to your core brand story. Don’t mix narrative, as it may affect the user experience, resulting in dipped engagement and views. 

For example, if your core business is a premium clothing line for women, stick to content ideas like fashion hacks. Switching the content to health tips or beauty hacks will make your audience lose interest.

Tip 3: Create Trends and Let Others Follow

Making reels on trending content is a sure-shot way to get more views. However, copying others’ content may not give long-term results. So, rather than following a trend, create a new one and let others walk on your path. 

This will help you in two ways: 

• Doing so gives you the advantage of being the early movers. People love original and creative content, which attracts more views. 
• Besides, with more creators tagging you, the possibility of your profile getting visibility increases manifold. 

While this may require thorough research and experimenting with new approaches, it can be rewarding in the long run. 

Getting More Views on Instagram Reels is Easier with Predis.ai

Reels not getting views can be disheartening. While going viral with your reels may seem impossible, it’s not difficult. 

There’s no rocket science behind it! All you need to do is learn the nuances of Instagram’s algorithm and know the best practices to fix non-performing reels. 

While there are several ways to incorporate these practices, one is to use tools like Predis.ai. This comprehensive suite of tools has advanced features that make the task easier. 

Whether you want to create an Instagram reel, analyze competitors, or generate hashtags, everything is in one place.  To learn more about the amazing features of Predis.ai, sign up and check it out yourself. 

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Guide: Best Times to Post Reels on Instagram