Instagram Engagement Strategies: How to Get More Comments
Maya Singh
July 16, 2025
Maya Singh
July 16, 2025
Engagement Tactics
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12 minutes read
Hate the endless stream of "🔥🔥🔥" and "Promote it on @whatever" bot comments on your posts? You're not alone. While we can't magically banish them forever, we can help you drown them out by getting more real comments from real people.
Here’s the deal: the platform's algorithm is a fickle beast, but it loves a good chat. The more people who genuinely interact with your account through likes, shares, and especially comments, the more your posts get shown. According to recent insights, the algorithm now heavily prioritizes content that sparks creativity and connection. Getting people to engage with your posts is a win-win for you and the platform.
So, if your comment section is a ghost town, don't sweat it. We've got your back. We’ve already covered how to get more likes on Instagram, but this time we’re diving deep into the art of the comment. Here are nineteen killer instagram engagement strategies to get the conversation started.
The first and most crucial strategy is deceptively simple: reply to the comments you already have.
Think of it as a gentle act of reciprocity. When you show up for your audience, they're more likely to show up for you. Replying shows you're listening and that you value their opinion, which is the bedrock of building a loyal community. It turns a monologue into a dialogue.
When you respond, followers are more likely to keep the thread going, and others will jump in just to get a reply from you. It’s a small investment that builds powerful connections. And hey, if you get a comment in a language you don't understand, don't worry, there are ways to copy comments on Instagram for a quick translation.
Collaboration posts on Instagram, especially with other creators, can create a massive buzz. But a word of caution: don't just do a lazy digital meet-and-greet. Properly executing these “Collab” type posts is key to making them work.
The match has to be perfect for your audience. The messaging needs to be tight, and you must bring real value to the table. Give their followers a reason to follow and engage with you, and vice-versa. Don't let it be a wasted opportunity.
If you can be witty, weird, or wonderfully you in your captions, you'll generate far more engagement. Don't be afraid to be yourself. Let your personality shine through.
Authenticity is magnetic. When you give your audience a chance to connect with the real you, the value of your followers—and your engagement—will skyrocket.
Puppies and cats basically own the internet. Let's be honest, it's often easier to get a thousand likes on a cat picture than on the most profound thought you've ever had.
People can't resist cute animals. If you want to improve Instagram engagement, posting multiple pictures of your furry friends is a no-brainer. Animal influencers are a real thing, sometimes making more money than human ones. Because nothing says 'human progress' like monetizing a dog's yawn. So if you have a pet, you know what to do.
Timing is everything. Posting late on a Monday night is like throwing a party when everyone's already asleep. You need to know when your audience is most active and ready to chat.
There are tons of analytic tools that show you the best times to post on Instagram for your specific audience. Use them. It’s a simple way to get an unfair advantage over competitors who are just posting whenever they feel like it.
Sometimes the simplest way to get something is to ask for it. Seriously.
Of course, the content has to be worth commenting on in the first place. But ending a thoughtful post with a direct question or a call to action can work wonders. Try asking followers to tag a friend who'd agree or answer a question you've posed. You'd be surprised how many people are happy to chime in.
Instagram can feel like a sea of sameness, with every photo neatly tucked into its little square box. But you don't always have to color inside the lines.
Scaled content (like vertical or horizontal photos) breaks the pattern and immediately grabs attention. It’s a simple visual trick that makes people pause their scroll and take a closer look. It won't work for everything, but when used creatively, it gets people talking.
Let's not forget that social media is supposed to be… well, social. If you want to spark a conversation, you need to give people something to talk about. Post something funny, surprising, or even a little controversial.
You don't have to start a war in your comments, but content that triggers an emotion—laughter, shock, curiosity—is content that people feel compelled to respond to. These are fantastic Instagram content ideas for when you're feeling stuck.
Nothing draws people in like a human face. Science even proves it! We are social creatures hardwired to connect with other people.
Posts with faces regularly outperform posts with any other type of content. It might feel like a cheat code, but it works like a charm. People want to engage with the person behind the account. Give them a chance to.
Memes are the love language of the internet. But don't just repost old, tired memes from other accounts. Create your own.
This strategy is pure gold if you already have a community with inside jokes. No matter how professional your brand is, content that makes people laugh will always drive comments and connection.
A Q&A is a brilliant way to generate comments while also getting priceless insight into your audience's minds.
Ask your followers to drop their questions in the comments. You’d be blown away by the engagement even small accounts can generate with this. Plus, you get a direct line to what your audience is curious about, giving you a treasure trove of future content ideas.
Not everyone is a dedicated feed-scroller. Many users spend most of their time tapping through Stories. Since Stories are pinned to the top of the app, they're prime real estate.
Whenever you publish a new post, share it to your Stories with a “New Post” sticker. It’s a simple nudge that reminds your most engaged followers to check it out. And since Stories disappear in 24 hours, you don't have to worry about being repetitive. You might even have your story go viral.
Everybody loves free stuff. EVERYBODY.
A well-run giveaway is one of the fastest ways to get a flood of comments. The key is to offer something your audience actually wants. Too many people offer worthless or untargeted prizes and then wonder why their engagement tanks. Make the prize awesome and relevant, and the comments will follow.
Your captions are your voice. Don't treat them as an afterthought. While short, punchy captions have their place, longer, more thoughtful captions can create a much deeper connection.
If you're going to write a longer caption, think it through. Tell a story. Share a vulnerability. Ask a meaningful question. A well-crafted caption gives people something to sink their teeth into and respond to.
Hashtags are not just decoration; they are discovery tools. Using specific, niche hashtags helps your posts show up in searches and on the Explore page.
This exposes your content to new users who are already interested in your topic, making them more likely to comment and follow. It's estimated that using the right hashtags can boost engagement by over 12%. That's a solid return for a little research.
An Instagram takeover is when you let another user—usually another influencer—take over your account for a day. It's a fantastic way to cross-pollinate audiences.
Their followers come to your page to see what they're up to, and your followers get fresh content from a new perspective. It’s a fun, dynamic way to shake things up and a core part of any modern Instagram marketing strategy.
Emojis are a sneak attack for boosting engagement. They add personality, break up text, and draw the eye. You don't want to go overboard and write in hieroglyphics, but a few well-placed emojis can make your captions more engaging and fun.
The numbers don't lie: users are almost 3 times more likely to engage with videos than with static images. The meteoric rise of TikTok proved that people crave dynamic, engaging video content.
Instagram gives you multiple ways to share videos (Reels, Stories, feed videos). Use them. Share interesting, helpful, or entertaining videos, and you'll see your comments climb. And don't worry, you don't need a Hollywood budget; there are plenty of great apps for making Instagram videos.
This is probably the simplest tip on the list, but it's incredibly effective. Whenever you post, take a few extra seconds to tag any relevant people, brands, or the location.
When you tag an account, they get a notification. This simple act grabs their attention and makes them far more likely to drop a comment or even share your post. Went to a cool restaurant with friends? Tag your friends, the restaurant, and the location. It's a web of potential engagement, all from one post.
Alright, let's wrap this up. The Instagram algorithm is basically a moody, fickle god; it's always changing its mind, and you're constantly trying to figure out how to stay on its good side.
The secret isn't to perfectly predict its every whim—that's impossible and, frankly, a waste of your precious energy. The real goal is to improve your Instagram engagement by nurturing the community that chose to follow you.
These instagram engagement strategies are your playbook for navigating this digital circus. They are gentle invitations to spark real conversations and build genuine connections. Give these tips a shot. We promise your comment section will thank you for it.
While these strategies are proven to work, every account is unique. Get a personalized audit that analyzes your specific account data and provides tailored recommendations for growth and monetization.
I'm a huge podcast junkie, and I absolutely love hosting mastermind dinner parties to connect with other inspiring entrepreneurs.
