If your Instagram reels are getting 0 views, don’t worry – you’re not alone. Many users have been experiencing this issue in 2023 where their reels don’t seem to be surfacing on the Explore page or getting any engagement. There are several potential reasons why your reels may not be getting views which we’ll explore in this article, along with troubleshooting tips to help fix the 0 views problem.
Why Are My Instagram Reels Getting 0 Views?
There are a few main reasons why your Instagram reels may not be getting any views:
- Your reel doesn’t follow best practices – Make sure your reel is high quality, not too long, uses popular audio, has appealing visuals, etc.
- Your reel isn’t well optimized – Use relevant hashtags and captions so the Instagram algorithm understands your content.
- Your account has low engagement – Accounts with low follower count and engagement often struggle with reach.
- Your reel got unlucky – Sometimes the algorithm just doesn’t pick up your reel, especially if you’re a smaller creator.
- You posted at a bad time – Try posting when your key audiences are most active on Instagram.
- Shadowban – If your account has been shadowbanned, your reach will be severely limited.
How to Fix Instagram Reels 0 Views
If you want to solve the 0 views issue on your Instagram reels, here are some tips:
Optimize Your Reel
First, optimize your reel to increase its chances of being picked up by the algorithm:
- Use high-quality video – 1080p resolution or above is best.
- Keep reels under 30 seconds long.
- Use popular audios that are trending.
- Have eye-catching and engaging visuals.
- Add relevant captions and hashtags.
Engage With Your Audience
Having an engaged audience signals to the algorithm that your content is high-quality. Ways to build engagement include:
- Reply to commenters on your posts.
- Engage with other accounts by liking and commenting.
- Do collaborations and shoutouts with micro-influencers.
- Run giveaways and contests to get more comments.
- Ask questions in captions to spark discussion.
Use Strategic Hashtags
Hashtags help Instagram determine your reel’s topic so it can show it to relevant audiences. Use a mix of popular and niche hashtags:
- Include 1-2 popular hashtags like #reels, #reelsinstagram, #reelit, etc.
- Add 5-10 specific hashtags related to your niche and content.
- Research hashtags with high volume but low competition.
- Create your own unique branded hashtag.
- Space out hashtags rather than bunching them together.
Post at Optimal Times
Posting when your audience is most active on Instagram will help increase your views. Use Instagram Insights to determine peak times and post 1-2 reels per day during those hours.
Leverage Paid Promotion
Running Instagram ads can help get your reels in front of larger, targeted audiences. Consider boosting your best-performing organic reels with $5-10 per day budgets.
Collaborate with Nano or Micro-Influencers
Doing reel collabs with pages in your niche that have 1k-100k engaged followers can help expose your content to new audiences and gain more views.
Improve Your Instagram Profile
Having an optimized, professional-looking profile builds credibility and makes users more likely to watch your reels. Update your bio, use a branded profile pic, add story highlights, etc.
Connect with Other Creators
Engage with creators in your niche by commenting on their content, sharing their reels, and tagging each other. This community building helps increase discovery of each other’s reels.
Check for Shadowban
Use third-party ban checker tools to test if your account has been shadowbanned, restricting your reach. If so, try to fix the issue by avoiding banned hashtags, spam comments, etc.
Patience and Persistence
Keep optimizing your reels and engage with your audience consistently. As you build up your account, the algorithm will start recommending your reels more over time if you stick with it.
Why You Shouldn’t Buy Fake Views
While it’s tempting to simply buy fake views to resolve the 0 views issue, this is risky and inauthentic. Instagram actively cracks down on fake engagement and may penalize your account, so it’s best to avoid services selling bot views, likes, and followers.
Focus on creating high-quality reels that genuinely resonate with real audiences. Consistency and patience is key – buying fake views offers no long term benefits.
How Long Does It Take for Reels to Get Views?
There is no definitive answer, as each reel differs based on factors like your account size, optimization, etc. However, here are some general timelines:
- Within 1 hour – If your reel is extremely well optimized and you have a strong existing audience, it may get views quickly.
- 12-24 hours – For most established accounts, reels often start getting some views within the first day.
- 1-4 days – It typically takes 1-4 days for a new or growing account to start seeing reel views come in.
- 1-2 weeks – Give your reel up to 2 weeks before deeming it a failure. The algorithm can take time to pick up on new accounts.
Have patience, continue optimizing your reels, and keep engaging your audience. Over time as you build credibility, your views will become more consistent.
Common Instagram Reels Questions
Why do some reels get views quickly?
Reels that gain traction fast tend to be from accounts with strong pre-existing follower bases and high engagement. They also use very trendy audios, leverage influencer collaborations, or piggyback on viral trends to get quick views.
Can reels go viral overnight?
Yes, it’s possible for reels to suddenly go viral and gain huge visibility overnight. This usually happens when they strike a chord with audiences very well and get shared rapidly through reshares or story tags.
Do hashtags on reels actually help?
Yes, hashtags are still critical for reels as they help Instagram understand your content and determine who to show it to. A good hashtag strategy improves discoverability.
Is the reels algorithm different than the feed algorithm?
Yes, Instagram has a separate algorithm for determining which reels to push based on content factors like duration, engagement, audio trends, etc. Understanding how to optimize for the reels algorithm is key.
Can I reuse feed video as a reel?
You can reuse feed video for reels, but you’ll maximize performance by tailoring video specifically for the vertical reels format. Also, recycle only evergreen video, not outdated content.
Do Instagram reels allow links?
No, Instagram reels do not support swipe up links like Stories. The only links you can include are in your reel caption or profile bio.
Can I embed a reel on my website?
Not directly, but you can download your reel video file and re-upload it to embed on a site. Alternatively, you can embed an Instagram post that contains the reel.
How long should my reel be?
Ideally 10-25 seconds. 30 seconds max. Shorter reels tend to perform better as they maintain viewer attention and completion rates.
Summary
Troubleshooting Instagram reels that get 0 views takes patience and persistence. Optimize your content for the reels algorithm, engage your audience consistently, leverage influencer collaborations, and use strategic hashtags. Avoid buying fake views and give your reels 1-2 weeks to start picking up traction. With time and effort as you establish credibility, your reels can consistently get on the Explore page and reach new audiences.