Dos and Don’ts To Reach New Audiences on Instagram (Organic Reach Guide)

Dos and Don’ts To Reach New Audiences on Instagram

If you are asking how to get more reach on IG, you are really asking one thing:

“How do I get my content pushed to people who do not follow me yet?”

The good news is that Instagram is very clear about what it likes and what it does not. Small technical choices and a few habits around posting can make a big difference to whether your Reels and posts land in new feeds or quietly die in your own.

Below is a practical checklist of dos and don’ts that match how the platform works today, plus how to turn that extra reach into actual conversations and leads using Inrō.

4 ways to improve your Instagram organic reach

Let’s start with the part everyone cares about: 4 ways to improve your Instagram organic reach that you can apply this week.

1. Like and reply to comments in the first 24–72 hours

Instagram cares a lot about early engagement. When people comment and you are active in the thread, three good things happen:

• Your replies double the comment count
• Commenters get notified again and may come back
• Instagram reads the post as “active” and keeps testing it with more people

Make it a habit to:

• Reply to every meaningful comment on a new Reel or post
• Like comments as they come in
• Ask quick follow up questions to keep threads going

This is one of the simplest answers to how to get more reach on IG that almost nobody executes consistently.

If you are using Inrō, you can also set up auto DMs for specific keywords in comments so that “great Reel” can turn into a thank you message, or “here is a resource” and then into a lead.

2. Share when your audience is online

Generic “best time to post” charts are okay, but your Insights and monthly recap tell you exactly when your audience is active.

Use that data to:

• Schedule key posts and Reels inside those windows
• Run DM campaigns or live launches at those times
• Avoid posting important content at 3 a.m. for your main time zone

This is one of the easiest ways to extend Instagram reach without changing your actual content. Same Reel, better timing, more non follower reach.

3. Upload the highest resolution you can

Instagram has been clear that low quality uploads hurt distribution. They do not want to recommend grainy, pixelated clips.

Follow these simple rules:

• Record in vertical format
• Aim for at least 720p and 30 fps, ideally 1080p or higher
• Avoid heavy compression or repeatedly downloading and re uploading clips between apps
• Check your export settings if you are editing outside Instagram

When your Reels look sharp, they feel native to the platform and are more likely to be promoted.

4. Post your content on other platforms at the same time

Cross posting is not about tricking the algorithm. It is about giving your ideas the best chance to spread.

When you release a new Reel:

• Share it to Stories with a short hook
• Post a cutdown version to TikTok or YouTube Shorts at the same time
• Share a still frame or carousel on your feed if it makes sense

This does two things for your Instagram reach:

• People discover you elsewhere and then come search for you on IG
• You get more chances to test hooks and topics and see what performs

If a Reel pops off on another platform, bring that exact hook and angle back to Instagram and plug it into your best performing format.

What to avoid if you want more reach on IG

The “don’ts” are just as important. Instagram has been explicit about certain behaviors that limit how far your content travels.

Engagement bait

Things like:

• “Comment YES if you agree”
• “Tag 3 friends or this will happen”
• “Save this if you want more content like it” in a spammy, repeated way

These tricks might spike surface level engagement, but Meta has said many times that engagement bait is devalued. Your short term numbers may look good while your long term reach drops.

Instead, ask questions that start real conversations. For example:

• “What part of this would you try first?”
• “Coaches, would you rather fix your hooks or your offers first?”

Third party watermarks

If you upload TikToks or Shorts with their original watermark still visible, do not expect big reach. Instagram has repeatedly signalled that videos with clear third party branding are less likely to be recommended.

Best practice:

• Edit a clean master
• Export without watermarks
• Upload directly to each platform

If you must repurpose, use tools or workflows that remove the watermark or export from original files.

Videos longer than 3 minutes

Instagram wants Reels to feel fast and watchable. Very long videos:

• Are harder to finish, which lowers your average watch time
• Are less likely to get recommended to cold audiences

For growth content, aim for:

• 7–15 seconds for quick hits and hooks
• 15–60 seconds for deeper tips and storytelling
• Save anything longer for live streams, carousels, or video series

Short and sharp is still one of the best ways to extend Instagram reach.

Low quality video (less than 720p and 30 fps)

If your video is:

• Blurry
• Shaky
• Heavily compressed

Instagram’s system treats it as low quality. That makes it harder to recommend, even if the idea is strong.

Practical fixes:

• Shoot in good light
• Clean your camera lens
• Use a tripod or stable surface
• Check your export settings

Posting content you did not create

Re uploading other people’s content without clear transformation, permission or credit is risky for two reasons:

• It can violate copyright and community guidelines
• Instagram wants to promote original content

Curated or remixed content can work, but make sure:

• You are transforming it (commentary, edits, mashups)
• You are not claiming someone else’s creation as your own
• You are ready for lower reach than your original posts

If you want to build a brand that lasts, your highest performing Reels should be clearly yours.

Turn new reach into real results with Inrō

More reach is not the end goal. You want:

• More qualified followers
• More people in your DMs
• More customers and clients

Once you apply these dos and don’ts and start seeing more non follower reach, plug Inrō into your account so you do not waste it.

With Inrō you can:

• Trigger automatic DMs when someone comments a keyword on a Reel
• Use an AI agent to answer questions in your brand voice
• Tag people based on interests and source, like REEL:HOOKS or REEL:BAR-OWNERS
• Run DM campaigns to those segments when you launch something new

So your playbook becomes:

1. Use the dos in this article to get your Reels in front of new people
2. Avoid the don’ts that quietly cap your reach
3. Add clear CTAs into your best posts and Reels
4. Let Inrō handle replies and follow ups

That way, every time you figure out how to get more reach on IG, you already have a system in place to turn that attention into relationships and revenue.

Try Inrō to boost your Instagram growth and sales.

Attract more leads, target them with DM campaigns, and automate your interactions on Instagram!

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