How to get more Instagram Likes in 2025

Are Instagram likes still relevant in 2025? Yes—they directly impact how Instagram’s algorithm works.

The platform ranks posts based on user behavior on the Instagram Explore tab, such as likes, shares, saves, and comments. So, it analyzes your past interactions to predict what you’ll engage with, and likes are a key signal. 

Struggling to increase your likes? You’re not alone. 

We’ll walk you through actionable tips to increase your Instagram likes, from optimizing your profile to hosting contests and adapting based on analytics.

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9 Ways to Get More Likes on Instagram

Getting more likes on Instagram isn’t about luck but knowing what works. From optimizing your profile to leveraging Instagram’s features, there are actionable steps you can take to see real results.

1. Include Multiple Images Per Post

Carousels vs. single-image posts—which gets more engagement? 

Carousels win hands down. On average, carousels get 154 more interactions than single-image posts and consistently see growth in engagement year over year.

Why do they work so well? Instagram’s algorithm loves posts that keep users engaged longer. Swiping through a carousel increases time spent on your content, signaling the algorithm to push your post to more users. 

Plus, carousels let you combine photos and videos in one post, making you more creative. For example, turn blog posts, infographics, or customer testimonials into swipeable content that feels fresh and engaging.

How to make the most of this strategy: 

• Hook Your Audience: Stop the scroll using bold visuals or intriguing text on the first slide.
  
  
• Mix Media: Combine photos, videos, and graphics to keep viewers curious about what’s next.
  
  
• Use CTA: To boost interaction, add captions like “Swipe to see more” or “Check out the last slide!”
  
  
• Focus on Value: Carousels allow up to 20 slides. Use each slide to add value and tell a cohesive story.

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2. Hold a Contest or Giveaway

Running an Instagram contest or giveaway is one of the most effective ways to increase likes, comments, and shares. Instagram’s algorithm picks up on this activity, boosting your post’s visibility and helping you reach a wider audience. 

Plus, giveaways are fun and interactive, building excitement around your brand and attracting new followers.

However, make sure to follow Instagram’s promotion guidelines:

• Set Clear Rules and Eligibility Requirements: Clearly define your promotion's terms, including who can participate (e.g., age or residency restrictions).
  
  
• Release Instagram from Liability: Include a statement that the contest does not sponsor, endorse, or administer Instagram.
  
  
• Avoid Misleading Tags: Don’t encourage participants to tag themselves in content where they are not featured inaccurately.
  
  

Choose a prize your audience will value—like your product, service, or trending item. Keep it simple: “Like this post, tag a friend, and follow us to enter.” At the end, share the results in a post or Story to maintain transparency and build trust.

3. Ask Followers to Tag Friends

Each time someone tags a friend, your post reaches a new audience without requiring additional effort or ad spending. This interaction also signals to Instagram’s algorithm that your content is engaging, which can lead to greater visibility on feeds and even on the Explore page.

• No Misleading Tags: Do not ask users to tag themselves in photos or videos they’re not featured, as this violates Instagram’s policies.

• Clear Rules for Promotions: If tagging is part of a contest or giveaway, ensure your post includes clear rules, eligibility requirements, and a statement releasing Instagram from responsibility for the promotion.
  

According to Instagram tagging and mentioning rules, your account’s privacy settings also affect how tags work.

• If your account is public, anyone can view the tagged post, and the person you tag will receive a notification.
  
  
• But, for private accounts, only approved followers can view the post, and the tagged person will only get a notification if they follow you.

4. Use the SEO Keywords and Hashtags

Using SEO keywords and hashtags on Instagram is a proven way to make your posts more discoverable and improve their search ranking. Here's how to do it effectively:

• Add Keywords to Captions: Use Instagram SEO keywords your audience searches for. You can discover these using tools like Google Trends or Instagram’s search bar.
  You can also use TikTok's search engine—it’s more advanced than Instagram's, and trends typically start there and then carry over to Instagram. 

Choose simple keywords to make your content more relevant for users and algorithms. For example, instead of generic phrases like “New post,” try “Top tips for solo travelers exploring Europe.” 

• Use 3-5 Specific Hashtags: While Instagram allows up to 30 hashtags, the UGC Factory team suggests using 3-5 highly targeted hashtags instead of generic hashtags.
  
  Terms like #food or #travel are often overcrowded. Instead, choose niche options like #VeganDinnerIdeas or #BackpackingTips to attract the right audience.
  
  Remember, Instagram does not index hashtags added in comments.

• Write custom alt text for Images. This improves accessibility and helps the algorithm understand your content. While Instagram generates alt text automatically, it’s often generic.
  
  So, write it yourself to provide a detailed description and include relevant keywords for better SEO. If you forgot or didn’t know about this, no worries—you can edit alternative text on Instagram before or after posting your photo. 

5. Include Post Location

This is especially useful for travel, retail, or food-related content. When you tag a location, your post appears in searches for that area, making it easier for people to discover your content.

‍For example, diners often use Instagram to explore food options at specific restaurants. By tagging your location, potential customers can find your posts when researching meals or venues. 

If your content is visually appealing, likes and engagement will follow organically. 

Vogue Living | Known for gorgeous beaches and incredibly fresh food, the Italian hotspot of #Puglia is fast becoming known for its impressive design, too.... | Instagram‍

6. Go With Memes and Trends

Memes are highly relatable and often humorous, making them more likely to be shared, which increases your content's reach. 

However, ensuring that the memes or trends you use align with your brand's voice and are appropriate for your audience is crucial. Misusing or forcing memes can backfire, so always consider your audience's preferences and the context of the meme, as RyanAir did.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DFH5y3zsEhT/?hl=en‍

7. Mix Up Instagram Content Types

Metrics like video views, post likes, and Story replies contribute to your overall performance. They keep your audience engaged and ensure your posts are seen across different app sections.
For example, share a teaser on Stories that links to an entire post or use Reels to highlight behind-the-scenes content that complements your feed.
But, if you’re short on time, prioritize feed content over Stories. A post that resonates with your audience can generate saves, shares, and comments, boosting your visibility and engagement. 

Use Stories to supplement your strategy when possible, and focus on creating impactful feed posts that position you as an expert and grow your audience.

8. Tag Other Accounts

When you tag collaborators, featured brands, or individuals, they’re notified and are more likely to engage with your content through likes, comments, or even a reshare. Tagging also works in harmony with Instagram’s algorithm. 

Active engagement—through tagging, comments, and reshares—helps Instagram better understand your target audience, improving the likelihood of your content appearing in relevant feeds.
To take it further, engage actively with the accounts you tagged. Respond to their comments, reshare their content as UGC (User-Generated Content) in your Stories, or comment on their posts.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C3GE4CkpmUg/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=12849afd-9359-43f2-978c-fa06c88ccf52‍

9. Schedule Instagram Posts at the Right Times

Timing matters on Instagram. Since timeliness is a key ranking factor in Instagram’s algorithm, posting when your audience is likely scrolling their feed greatly impacts the engagement rate. 

Use Instagram analytics to find your followers’ peak activity times for reliable insights. While the best times vary by audience, research suggests these general times are often effective:

• Monday: 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
  
  
• Tuesday: 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.
  
  
• Wednesday: 11 a.m.
  
  
• Thursday: 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
  
  
• Friday: 4 p.m.
  
  
• Saturday: 9 a.m.
  
  
• Sunday: 7 p.m.

Can you buy likes on Instagram?

Yes, you can buy likes on Instagram—but should you? The answer is a clear no. It’s neither sustainable nor recommended for several reasons.

• First, buying likes goes against Instagram’s Community Guidelines. If caught, your account could face penalties, including a potential ban.
  
  
• Additionally, most purchased likes come from fake accounts or bots without a genuine connection to your brand or content. These fake interactions don’t contribute to real engagement or growth and can harm your account’s credibility.

Instagram’s algorithm frequently purges fake likes, leaving you with fewer authentic interactions than before. Beyond this, inflated counts give you a false sense of success, which may lead to poor decisions about your content strategy. 

How to Organically Increase Your Instagram Likes?

Growing your Instagram likes doesn’t require shortcuts like buying fake engagement. Instead, focus on organic strategies like creating high-quality content, engaging with your audience, using targeted hashtags, and experimenting with different content types like Reels and carousels. 

Looking to supercharge your Instagram strategy? At UGC Factory, we’ve created 50,000+ UGC ads that generated $100+ million in sales. Let us craft a content plan to help you achieve fast results—schedule a call for a quote today!