With the decrease in algorithmic feed and organic reach, Instagram marketing is more important than ever before, and brands will need to be more strategic.
It’s no longer enough just to get more followers or likes. In this crowded social space, brands have to make themselves heard and produce content that will resonate with their audience. That’s where Instagram views come in. Does the number of Instagram views really make a difference to brand growth? Let’s take a closer look.
Why Do Instagram Views Matter?
Instagram views are the number of times other users view your photo or video. Unlike likes or comments, views aren’t dependent on user engagement. If you look at someone’s post and scroll past it, even if it is just a second, it counts as a view. Many brands strategically choose to buy Instagram views as a way to boost their initial visibility and attract organic engagement.
Here are three key reasons why Instagram views matter for brands:
1. Views Signal Interest to the Algorithm
It’s about the Instagram algorithm, which decides what posts to show to users based on interests and interactions. When a post gets more views, it means it’s resonating with users, and Instagram will know that the content is working. This means that Instagram may display that post to a larger set of people and even get more engagement.
It is a positive feedback loop in which more views get more visibility which will result in more views. The more views your Instagram posts get, the more reach for brands.
2. Views Contribute to Account Authority
Account authority refers to the influence and trust that Instagram has assigned to your brand’s profile. In SEO, it’s similar to domain authority or page authority. Account authority impacts how prominently your content appears in places like hashtags, recommended posts and the Explore page.
While Instagram doesn’t share specifics, industry experts believe views are one of the metrics used to calculate account authority. The more views your posts generate, the more authority your account builds over time. Higher authority leads to greater visibility for future content.
3. Views Signal Social Proof
Decision-making is very much influenced by social proof. It means the tendency for people to look to the actions of others to behave. Take, for instance, a restaurant with a full dining room versus an empty one.
Views on Instagram are like social proof of how popular your content is and how worth engaging with it is. If someone doesn’t hit like and you can see that thousands of others have viewed your post, it looks more attractive. Brands on Instagram build trust and credibility by having high view counts.
Do Instagram Views Directly Impact Growth?
Now that we’ve covered why views matter let’s explore whether they directly impact business growth metrics like brand awareness, website traffic and sales.
Brand Awareness
Instagram views are a direct indicator of brand awareness since the more views you get on your posts, the more people will see your content. It is a familiarization process where each view of an Instagram user exposes them to your brand.
If your content keeps popping up on the Explore page or in hashtags with a gazillion views, you’ll be getting more brand attention. It doesn’t mean they’re going to follow or engage with your account immediately, but they’re still being exposed to your content consistently.
Several other studies have exhibited how much an increase in the visibility and awareness of the brand on Instagram can have a positive effect on metrics such as brand favorability and purchase intent. Those incremental views definitely compound the lifting of brand awareness.
Website Traffic
Driving website traffic is a top goal for many brands leveraging Instagram. Since you can add clickable links in Instagram posts and bios, views present an opportunity to direct visitors to your site.
However, the connection between views and website traffic is more nuanced. Instagram doesn’t show the number of times a link has been clicked. Still, it stands to reason that more views will lead to more link clicks and traffic, right?
Industry experts have found that there isn’t a direct 1:1 correlation between Instagram views and website clicks. For example, a post with 100,000 views could have only 300 website clicks. Higher engagement metrics, like comments, have a stronger relationship with traffic.
That said, more visibility from views still increases the chance of capturing relevant website clicks compared to a post few people see. So, while each view doesn’t guarantee a click, it helps get your link in front of more potential visitors.
Sales Impact
When it comes to ecommerce brands, the real metric that matters is sales revenue. Can Instagram views actually impact sales?
The short answer is yes, but similar to website traffic, it’s not a direct 1:1 relationship. 100K views may generate 500 in sales for one brand but 5,000 for another. Many other factors are at play, like product price point, target audience and overall funnel strategy.
While not every view leads to a sale, more visibility gives brands significantly more chances to spark interest, drive visits to the website or store, and ultimately convert sales. Even if a small percentage of views convert, more exposure compounds over time into revenue growth.
Tips to Get More Instagram Views
Hopefully, you now better understand the impact Instagram views can have on brand awareness, website traffic and sales. But how exactly can your brand score more post views on Instagram?
Optimize Hashtags. Leverage hashtag research tools to find low-competition yet high-volume hashtags related to your niche. Adding a mix of popular and long-tail hashtags helps increase discoverability.
Geo-Tag Locations. Enable geo-tagging in your posts to appear in the designated location as well as related hashtags. Geo-tags work particularly well for local stores driving foot traffic.
Post at Peak Times. Analyze your follower demographics and use Instagram analytics to determine when your audience is most active. Post during those high-traffic windows for maximum visibility.
Create Swipe-Worthy Visuals. Eye-catching photos and videos that look instantly captivating as users scroll will earn more views. Lean into trends like stop motion for engaging video.
Promote with Ads. Running paid promotions like photo ads or carousels can help accelerate views. You can target followers of competitors to try and capture their attention.
Develop a Reel Strategy. Instagram Reels have exploded in popularity and deliver massive visibility. Creating fun, entertaining reels aligned with trends can drive tons of views.
Partner with Influencers. Influencer collaborations come with a built-in audience. Negotiate an Instagram Reels guest appearance or sponsored post and leverage influencer views.
While buying views and using bots to increase numbers might seem attractive, this is ultimately a waste of time and money. Instead, build content that people want to read and then spread it widely with hashtags, locations, and influencer partnerships for true organic growth.
Key Takeaways
Gaining Instagram views should be a priority for any brand investing in the platform:
- Views signal interest in the Instagram algorithm, which can increase overall reach and engagement.
- More views also build account authority, so your future posts appear higher in rankings.
- High view counts act as social proof and peer validation to attract even more eyes.
- While not directly correlated, more views increase the chances of driving traffic, raising awareness and ultimately converting sales.
Brands should analyze their performance data and double down on content formats and distribution strategies that consistently generate more Instagram views. Track sales revenue and site traffic carefully as you scale views to optimize based on ROI.
While challenger-disruptor brands can find instant virality, organically growing views take time. Set realistic targets, stay patient and keep refining your visual presence. It is also critical to maintain a strong connection and value exchange with your engaged community.