If your Instagram reels are not showing up properly on your profile or in hashtags, there could be a few reasons for this. Here’s a quick rundown on some of the most common issues and how to fix them.
Your reel violates Instagram’s community guidelines
Instagram reels must adhere to the platform’s community guidelines. If your reel contains nudity, hate speech, harassment, or other prohibited content, Instagram may restrict its distribution. You’ll get a notification if your reel was removed for violating guidelines. The only fix is to create a new reel that follows the rules.
Your reel is still under review
Newly posted reels go through a review process before appearing publicly. This process usually only takes a few minutes, but can occasionally take hours. Be patient and wait for the review to complete. Do not delete and repost the reel, as that will just restart the review.
Your account is shadowbanned
A shadowban is when Instagram secretly restricts your account without notifying you. Shadowbans typically occur if you violated policies, used bots/third-party apps, or participated in aggressive follow/unfollow behavior. Reels, posts, stories, and other content from shadowbanned accounts have limited visibility. Appeal the shadowban and avoid further policy violations to get your account back in good standing.
Your reel was posted at a bad time
The Instagram algorithm favors reels posted during peak hours when more users are active on the app. Try posting your reels in the morning, early afternoon, or evening for better visibility. Avoid late nights and early mornings when fewer people are scrolling Instagram.
You used banned hashtags
Certain hashtags are restricted by Instagram and won’t help your reel get discovered in searches. Avoid using banned or shadowbanned hashtags. Do research to find trending and relevant hashtags that are allowed and actively used on the platform.
Your reel isn’t optimized
Well-optimized reels have the best chance of being shown to more viewers. Follow these best practices:
- Use eye-catching thumbnails to stand out in the feed
- Hook viewers in the first few seconds with interesting visuals or sounds
- Use trending audio and viral meme formats when relevant
- Add engaging captions to provide context
- Use a consistent editing style for smooth transitions
- Keep reels short, between 15-30 seconds
- Encourage comments by asking questions
Your account lacks engagement
Accounts with low engagement and followers generally have less reach on Instagram. Post consistently, engage your audience, use relevant hashtags, and collaborate with others to build your presence organically. Once your account metrics improve, your reels should start getting more visibility.
You have low reel views
If your previous reels had poor view counts, the algorithm will bury your new reels as well. Deleting old flopped reels can reset things. Also focus on improving the watch time and retention of new reels by making them more engaging from start to finish.
You used third-party apps
Instagram restricts reach for accounts using third-party services to boost likes, comments, views, and followers. Avoid these apps as they violate Instagram’s terms. Focus on creating high-quality reels that genuinely resonate with viewers.
Your reel wasn’t shared or reposted
Reels gaining traction get shared by users to their own feeds and stories. Reposts signal to the algorithm that a reel is popular. Try creating more shareable reels with viral trends and themes. Also share and repost quality reels from others.
Your account is business or creator
Instagram’s algorithm favors reels from personal accounts at the moment. Businesses and creators see lower organic reach as the app tests out its TikTok competitor. Utilize paid promotion through Instagram Ads if needed to supplement reach.
Your reel uses banned music
Instagram blocks audio from some songs in reels due to copyright issues. Avoid using music owned by certain labels and publishers without proper licensing. For trending songs, try remaking the instrumental beat or finding covers to legally use.
Your niche is oversaturated
Niches with high volumes of reels like comedy, dance, or motivational scenes make it harder to stand out. Differentiate yourself with a unique style or perspective within crowded niches. Also target long-tail low competition hashtags.
You have low overall usage
To understand your interests and preferences, the Instagram algorithm analyzes your activity across the app. Consistently using Instagram to like posts, comment on reels, send DMs, etc boosts the visibility of your own content.
Your account is too new
New accounts have limited visibility until they establish a history of quality content and engagement. Patience and consistency are key. Avoid spam tactics that could get a new account banned. Let your account mature gradually.
You have low overall engagement
Accounts that rarely comment on or like others’ posts tend to rank lower in Instagram’s algorithm. Engage with content from those you follow, comment thoughtfully on reels/photos in your niche, and like posts daily to signal you are an active member of the Instagram community.
Troubleshooting tips
If your Instagram reels aren’t showing up, here are some troubleshooting steps to take:
- Check Instagram’s status page for any platform-wide issues
- Make sure your app is updated to the latest version
- Force close and restart the Instagram app
- Log out and log back into your Instagram account
- Check your internet connection
- Try posting from a different device
- Clear the Instagram app’s cache and data
Still having problems? Reach out to Instagram’s support team for personalized help troubleshooting and fixing your issue.