By Jules Samuel | Est. 8 min
Likes are a key metric on Instagram that signals engagement, visibility, and credibility. In an increasingly competitive platform environment, likes help posts reach a wider audience by influencing the Instagram algorithm. But what kind of post ideas are most likely to get these coveted likes? In this guide, we’ll break down popular, high-engagement post types, from humorous and creative content to Reels and interactive posts, each backed by data on what resonates with Instagram users worldwide. Let’s dive into what makes these post types so effective and how to use them to boost your Instagram strategy.
1. Humorous and Funny Content
Humor is a universal connector, and on Instagram, funny content ranks as one of the most engaging post types. According to Statista, 50% of global Instagram users prefer funny content, which makes humor a powerful tool for boosting likes and engagement. Here are some examples of funny posts:
- Memes: Memes are widely relatable and easily shareable, making them a popular format. Brands can create memes that relate to current trends or specific industry-related humor to connect with followers.
- Lighthearted Quotes: Short, witty quotes that relate to everyday situations or niche industries can grab attention and resonate with followers.
It’s essential to ensure that your brand’s humor aligns with its identity. If your brand tone is formal, consider light humor that’s still relatable. For more casual brands, feel free to use memes, puns, or even humorous behind-the-scenes moments to add a personal touch.
2. Creative and Informative Content
Creative content appeals to 46% of users globally, as Statista highlights. Visually engaging posts, like artistic graphics, unique layouts, and photo manipulation, attract more attention and encourage likes.
Informative posts that provide practical insights or helpful tips appeal to 41% of users. Educational content performs especially well when presented in carousel formats, which allow users to swipe through step-by-step guides, facts, or tutorials, making it ideal for engagement (Later).
Best Formats:
- Carousels: Perfect for informative content, carousels help users engage with multiple pieces of information at once.
- Infographics: Visually rich infographics simplify complex topics, making them ideal for sharing on Instagram.
Creative and informative content that’s useful and visually appealing often inspires users to like, save, and share the post, driving higher engagement.
3. Celebrity and Major Milestone Posts
Instagram users love posts involving celebrities or significant milestones. Brandwatch analyzed these posts and found that celebrity posts, such as Messi’s World Cup celebration, and milestone announcements (such as Ronaldo’s family news) drive record engagement. Here are examples of viral celebrity content:
- Messi’s World Cup Victory: With over 60 million likes, this post broke records, proving the power of personal and historic moments.
- The “World Record Egg”: An outlier designed to “break Instagram,” this post went viral, showing how simple, crowd-focused content can achieve massive reach.
Brands can emulate this engagement by celebrating their own milestones or collaborating with industry influencers for impactful posts. Even if your brand doesn’t work with celebrities, you can share posts celebrating key moments, like anniversaries or product launches, to boost engagement. Some post types gain likes quickly, but combining this with a plan to purchase followers can help grow your audience faster.
4. Engaging and Inspirational Content
Instagram is a place for motivation and positivity, with 37% of users engaging with inspirational content, and 36% looking for engaging posts (Statista). Motivational quotes, success stories, and goal-setting posts attract likes by offering value and encouragement. Here are examples of inspirational themes:
- Motivational Quotes: Posting quotes that inspire or uplift resonates well with followers, especially in fitness, wellness, and lifestyle niches.
- Success Stories: Share stories of customer achievements or brand milestones to inspire your audience.
Carousels work well for inspiration because users can swipe through multiple quotes or success stories. Stories and Reels are also ideal formats for sharing motivational content that encourages followers to engage and share.
5. User-Generated Content (UGC) and Community-Centric Posts
User-generated content (UGC) adds authenticity to your brand and builds trust with your audience. Followers love seeing real people using your products, which encourages likes and engagement. Later’s research indicates that UGC posts, like customer photo dumps or brand ambassador spotlights, perform exceptionally well. Here are some ways to encourage UGC participation:
- Branded Hashtags: Create a unique hashtag for followers to use when sharing their experiences. Reposting these photos adds value to their participation.
- Community Campaigns and Challenges: Hosting challenges, like a photo contest, encourages followers to participate and share.
Launch branded challenges or ask followers to share their personal experiences, tagging your brand. By resharing these posts, you create a sense of community that resonates with followers.
6. Carousel Posts for High Engagement
Carousel posts have a high engagement rate due to the multiple interactions per post, as Later notes. They are ideal for keeping followers engaged longer and increasing likes and shares. Here are some effective carousel themes:
- Step-by-Step Guides: Tutorials and instructional carousels keep followers swiping and interacting with each slide.
- Before-and-After Photos: Transformation posts are particularly engaging in niches like fitness, beauty, and home decor.
Use carousels to tell a story, highlight customer testimonials, or showcase product details. Each slide should provide value and encourage users to swipe through for a more immersive experience.
7. Interactive Content: Polls, Q&As, and Contests
Interactive posts like polls, Q&As, and contests increase follower participation and help build community. Instagram’s Stories format is ideal for interactive content, inviting followers to engage with features like questions, quiz stickers, and polls. Below are our recommendations for engagement:
- Polls and Quizzes: Use these in Stories to gather insights, which boosts engagement and gives followers a voice.
- Contests: Hosting a contest that encourages followers to like, comment, or tag friends increases post visibility.
Usually, stories and carousels work well for interactive posts, making it easy for followers to engage directly, leading to more likes and shares.
8. Reels and Short-Form Video Content
Instagram Reels are among the most engaging post types due to Instagram’s focus on promoting video content. Reels reach a wide audience and generate significant likes, particularly when incorporating trending audio or timely topics. Here are some effective reel themes:
- Quick Tutorials or Tips: Short, informative videos, like recipes or workout routines, perform well and are shareable.
- Behind-the-Scenes Clips: Showing candid moments, like a day in the brand’s life, helps connect with followers personally.
Participate in trending challenges or audio clips to enhance discoverability. Reels offer an excellent opportunity to reach new followers and increase engagement.
9. Seasonal and Holiday-Themed Posts
Posts centered around holidays or seasonal themes are effective in drawing attention. Followers enjoy celebrating special occasions, and brands can boost engagement by joining in. Here are some examples of effective season content:
- Holiday Greetings and Wishes: Simple holiday wishes show appreciation and resonate with a broad audience.
- Festive Giveaways: Hosting a holiday giveaway encourages more engagement and interaction with your brand.
We recommend that you plan content around holidays or seasons relevant to your brand, and encourage followers to participate by sharing their holiday-themed experiences.
10. Behind-the-Scenes (BTS) and Personal Content
Behind-the-scenes posts build a more personal connection with followers by showing the “real” side of the brand. Sharing personal or BTS content fosters transparency and trust, making followers feel more connected. Here are some types of BTS content:
- Sneak Peeks: Offering previews of upcoming products or events builds anticipation.
- Daily Operations: Sharing moments from daily brand activities helps followers understand the brand’s mission and culture.
Emphasize unfiltered, candid content to make BTS posts more relatable. Followers often like and share genuine moments that add depth to the brand’s story.
Conclusion
Experiment with different post types to discover what resonates most with your audience. Each post type brings unique engagement potential to your Instagram strategy, from humorous content to behind-the-scenes moments. By trying various formats and adapting to your followers’ preferences, you can boost likes, foster community, and grow your reach on Instagram.
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