How to Get on Instagram’s Explore Page: 10 Proven Tips
Landing on Instagram’s Explore page organically is a great (and cost-efficient!) way to get your content in front of new audiences. If you’re a social media marketer or content creator trying to figure out how to be on Explore on Instagram, this guide will walk you through what really works.
Let’s break it down.
What is the Instagram Explore Page and How Does it Work?
Open your Instagram app, and you’ll see a list of icons at the bottom of your screen (which you probably know like the back of your hand). That little magnifying glass next to your home feed? That’s the Explore Page — the place where you want your content to pop up and reach some of the 500 million users browsing for interesting photos, reels, accounts and more.
Getting your content there can feel like solving a mystery. So let’s put on our Sherlock Holmes hat and uncover how Explore actually works.
Feed vs. Explore: What’s the Difference?
Quick recap before we dive into the details:
- Instagram Feed primarily shows users content from accounts they already follow.
- The Explore page recommends content from accounts they don’t follow but Instagram thinks they’ll like based on their behavior.
It’s like having a personal art curator, constantly guessing what people will enjoy next.
Instagram also suggests some content on the Feeds, and this is where it can get a little confusing… But for now, let’s focus on Explore.
Watch our colleague, Isabel explain the secrets of the Instagram algorithms 2025:
How Instagram Decides What Goes on Explore
The Instagram algorithms (yes, there are more of them!) look at several signals before choosing which content appears on Explore. Think of it as a mini audition your content has to pass.
And this is the list of criteria your judges look into:
- Watch time: How long users stick with your content. This is the #1 ranking factor in 2025, so focusing on originality and quality pays off.
- Engagement (likes, saves & shares): Are people liking, saving or sharing your post — and doing it soon after you post? That rapid engagement can launch your content onto Explore. In fact, according to Instagram, these signals matter much more in Explore than they do in Feed or in Stories.
- Authenticity: As I wrote before, Instagram favors content that’s original. Reposts or watermark-heavy clips won’t make it.
- Consistency: If you consistently post high-quality content and play by Instagram’s community rules, you’re in a good spot.
- Account standing: No copy-catting or shady tricks, just consistently engaging content.
Instagram refers to Explore traffic as “unconnected reach” or the “unconnected recommendation system”.
Here’s how the Explore algorithm works:
- Step one: Instagram gathers a big pool of content based on what a user has liked, saved, or watched before.
- Step two: It ranks that pool and picks the best posts to actually show on a user’s Explore page — the ones most likely to grab his or her attention.
In short, the algorithms find content from all over Instagram and rank it by looking at what similar users have engaged with.
That’s why your content can land on Explore even if someone’s never seen your account before. Especially if they already interact with brands or creators like you.
To put it simply: The better your content performs, the more likely it is to land on Explore.
Want to Boost your Chances of Landing on Explore? Let’s Dive into the Top 10 Strategies
1. Post High-Quality, Original Content
No surprise here. If you want unconnected reach, don’t just post anything just for the sake of posting frequently.
Try not to fall in that trap. Focus on quality instead.
Listen to your audience. Create content that resonates with them and solves their problems. Build a page around a specific niche — the more focused and consistent you are, the better your chances of landing on Explore.
2. Use Relevant Hashtags (Avoid Spammy Ones)
The Explore page of Instagram works like a search engine. When users search, the right hashtags help surface your content.
More and more people use social platforms like Instagram to search. That’s why understanding SEO basics is essential if you want to learn how to be on Explore on Instagram.
Need help with choosing the right hashtags? The Instagram Hashtag Generator of Metricool is your go-to tool. It’s free and helps you discover hashtags that are not only popular but also tailored to your content.
3. Engage with Your Audience in Comments and DMs
Engaging with your audience makes your account feel human and trustworthy. It helps you gather direct feedback on what’s working, what could be improved, and builds loyalty.
And yes, accounts that interact regularly are more likely to be featured on Explore.
Want to make managing comments and DMs easier? Metricool offers a unified inbox that keeps everything in one place.
4. Test New Formats and Features (Reels, Audio, Collabs, etc.)
Instagram’s constantly adding new formats and features. Trying them out and using the ones your audience engages with the most can give you a visibility boost.
Reels
Even though Reels are seeing a bit less interaction year by year due to algorithm changes and rising competition, they’re still the format with the most reach on the platform. If you’re trying to be on Instagram Explore, Reels should definitely be part of your content plan.
To make sure your Reels get recommended:
- No watermarks from apps like TikTok or CapCut. Instagram wants original content, not recycled videos.
- Keep it under 3 minutes. Even educational content should be concise.
- Make it original. If you’re reacting to a video or image, use tools like the green screen effect to transform it and make it your own.
- Stay in good standing. Check your account status in Instagram settings to see if there are any restrictions.
Carousels, Posts & Audio
Reels aren’t the only way to grow. Regular posts and carousels still perform well, especially when people share them. Here’s an insider tip straight from Adam Mosseri: add audio to your posts or carousels. Instagram loves to promote new features, and audio posts are still relatively new. Our study confirms: posts with built-in audio get a visibility boost.
Stories
Even though Stories don’t help you reach new audiences, they’re the best way to keep your current community engaged. And as you might’ve seen in our 2025 trends video, community building is more important than ever.
So don’t just repost feed content. Use interactive elements like Q&As, polls, and stickers. They boost engagement — and that keeps your followers coming back.
More engagement = more visibility.
Collabs
Collaborations put your content in front of someone else’s audience. That means more reach and higher chances of landing on Explore.
Use Metricool to analyze your content and spot patterns:
- Which formats drive engagement?
- Which posts boost your reach?
5. Partner with Influencers
Working with influencers in your niche can give your brand a serious boost.
Cross-promote content. Repurpose influencer-created posts. And make sure it aligns with your brand voice to keep things consistent.
6. Stay Active and Consistent
No need to post every day, but keep a regular rhythm. Consistency helps build momentum — and Instagram loves that.
Use Metricool’s planner to schedule your posts ahead of time and never miss a beat.
7. Use location tags strategically
Location tags aren’t just for travel bloggers. They’re a great way to get discovered by new audiences on the Instagram Explore page.
Just make sure the tag is relevant to your post. Spammy tags can hurt more than help.
8. Monitor Your Account Status Regularly
A healthy account = more visibility. Check your account status regularly to make sure you’re in good standing with Instagram’s guidelines.
9. Post When Your Audience is Active
Timing matters. Posting when your audience is online means more immediate engagement — and that gives your post a better shot at Explore.
Metricool shows you the best times to post based on your specific audience. It’s color-coded and super easy to read.
10. Analyze Posts Appearing on Your Explore Page
Analyze carefully what type of content appears on your own Explore page and find out what made them stand out. Note common formats, themes, or styles that grab your attention — and apply those insights to your own content.
As an inspiration, read how the influencer hacked the Instagram algorithm to reach 70k followers in 2 weeks (and how Metricool helped her achieve that — wink-wink 😉)
Final Thoughts: How to Be on Explore on Instagram
It’s not about gaming the system. It’s about knowing what works, staying consistent, and showing up with content that adds value.
Want a shortcut to all this?
Metricool helps you:
- Discover the best times to post
- Track what works (and what doesn’t)
- Find hashtags that actually bring in reach
- Manage all your messages from one place
