How to Boost Instagram Reels for More Views and Likes

You’ve followed all the trends—snappy hooks, viral audio, seamless edits—but still, your content gets buried. With the platform’s algorithm-first feed, brands and creators must boost Instagram Reels intentionally to stand out. Otherwise, even polished videos can vanish in the scroll.

In 2025, Reels dominate engagement on Instagram. With over 3 billion monthly active users, the competition is massive and the algorithm favors videos that grab attention fast. Without a strategy to boost your videos, even your best content risks getting lost in the noise.

The good news? Successful creators aren’t just lucky—they’re strategic. They’re following smart, intentional steps to make sure their Reels get maximum exposure.

In this blog, we’ll show you how to boost Instagram Reels effectively, using proven tactics that increase views, encourage engagement, and work with the algorithm, not against it.

What does it mean to boost Instagram Reels?

To boost Instagram Reels means to turn your Reel into a paid promotion using Instagram’s built-in tools from Meta.

Unlike an organic push—where you rely on hashtags, trends, and timing to get noticed—boosting is a direct way to pay and get your content in front of more people.

Boosting is a simple form of Instagram advertising. With just a few taps, you can promote a Reel to reach a wider audience beyond your followers.

You choose your goal (like getting more views, profile visits, or website clicks), set your target audience, budget, and duration, and Meta handles the rest.

It’s not the same as going viral naturally. While organic reach can be powerful, it’s often unpredictable. Boosting gives you more control, helping you grow faster with a small investment.

Whether you’re a creator, influencer, or small business, using Meta’s in-app tools to boost Instagram Reels is an easy, effective way to get more views and likes from the right people.

Criteria your Instagram Reel must meet before boosting

But before you start throwing ad dollars at your Reels, Instagram has specific requirements your video must meet. If your Reel doesn’t meet these basic requirements, you won’t be able to run it as an ad.

Here’s what to check before hitting that Boost button:

• Under 90 seconds: Short and sweet wins. Instagram only allows Reels that are 90 seconds or less to be boosted.
• Vertical format (9:16): Your video must be shot in vertical style—the same way people naturally hold their phones. This gives the best viewing experience on mobile.
• No copyrighted audio, GIFs, interactive stickers, or third-party filters: Only use sounds from Instagram’s audio library or your own original audio. Copyrighted audio will make your Reel ineligible.
• Must not be cross-posted to Facebook: If you shared your Reel to Facebook at the same time, you can’t boost it. Keep the post Instagram-only if you plan to promote it.
• Business or creator account required: You need to switch from a personal profile or Business account to access boosting features. It’s free and gives you insights, ads, and more tools.

Instagram wants boosted Reels to feel natural, look good on mobile, and follow their content rules. When your video meets all these criteria, you’re ready to unlock more reach and potentially go viral.

When should you boost your Instagram Reel?

Not every Reel is worth promoting. You need to boost the right ones at the right time.

Here’s when brands should hit that “Boost” button to get the most out of it:

• Reels that already have strong, early engagement: If your Reel is already getting likes, shares, and comments in the first few hours—boost it! That means people like it, and with a little push, it can reach thousands more. Let algorithms work in your favor.
• Evergreen content: Content that remains relevant over time, like “how-to” tips, motivational messages, or life hacks, is ideal for boosting. These kinds of videos keep working for you long after posting, so a one-time boost can give you steady results for weeks.

• Timely or trend-driven Reels: On the other end of the spectrum, if you used a trending sound or hopped on a viral topic, boost fast! Timing matters. Promoting a Reel while it’s still trending helps you ride the wave and show up in more people’s feeds while the buzz is high.
• Branded content or partnership posts: If you’re an influencer working with a brand or doing a paid collab, boosting helps get your content in front of more of the right audience. It adds value for your partners and increases your chances of landing future sponsorships.
• Reels with a clear call to action (e.g., visit link in bio): Reels that tell viewers exactly what to do next—like “click the link in bio,” “follow for more,” or “shop now”—are perfect for boosting. The more people you reach, the more clicks, sales, or signups you can get.

Boosting Instagram Reels is a powerful strategy for brands and creators who want to scale their impact.

Just remember: Quality content comes first, strategy comes second, and boosting gives your best-performing Reels the push they need to go even further.

How to boost Instagram Reels: Two ways

Whether you want to grow your following, increase link clicks, or start conversations via DMs, boosting Instagram Reels is one of the easiest ways to expand your reach without overcomplicating your strategy.

There are two main ways you can boost Instagram Reels—natively in the Instagram app or with a third-party tool like Vista Social.

How to boost Instagram Reels using the Instagram app

If you just want to boost your Instagram Reels while you’re already in the app, you can easily do so.

Step 1: Select a Reel to boost

Start by opening your Instagram app and heading over to your profile grid. From there, scroll through your posts until you find the Reel you want to boost.

It’s best to pick one that’s already getting good traction—such as likes, saves, shares, or comments—because Instagram’s algorithm tends to favor content that’s already performing well organically. This gives your boost a stronger starting point.

Step 2: Tap “Boost post” under the Reel

Once you’ve found the right Reel, tap the Boost post button underneath it to start the promotion process.

Make sure you’re using a professional account—creator or business—as personal profiles won’t have access to this feature.

Step 3: Choose your goal

Instagram will then prompt you to choose a goal, or what you want people to do when they see your Reel.

You can select from four options:

• Visit your profile: Best for boosting brand awareness or gaining more followers
• Visit your website: Best for generating website traffic, making sales, or increasing bookings
• Send you a message: Best for increasing engagement with your audience
• A mix of actions: Don’t settle for just one goal; aim to boost awareness and traffic

To effectively boost Instagram Reels, align your goal with what you want your audience to do after seeing the Reel.

Pro tip: Your call-to-action (CTA) text changes depending on your goal—for example, “Visit Profile,” “Learn More,” or “Send Message.” Pick the one that aligns best with your campaign.

Step 4: Select your audience

Now it’s time to decide who will see your boosted content.

You can go with Instagram’s suggested audience (which is automatically generated based on your existing followers), or create a custom audience by specifying location, age, gender, and interests.

Any custom audiences you’ve previously created will also appear here if you want to select one of those.

Step 5: Set budget and duration

Now it’s time to determine how much you want to spend and how long your boost will run.

You can set a daily budget starting from just $1, and the boost can last anywhere from 1 to 30 days.

Keep in mind that if you’re boosting from an iOS device, Apple’s service fees may apply. Local taxes can also affect your total spend, and there might be budget caps depending on your account history.

Start small if you’re new to boosting, then scale up once you see what works.

Step 6: Review and launch the boost

Before you hit the final button, take a moment to review all your settings—goal, audience, budget, duration, and CTA. Make sure your payment method is correct, then tap Boost post to submit.

Your ad will go through a short review process by Meta, which usually takes just a few minutes. Once approved, your Reel will begin running as a sponsored post and start appearing to users beyond your organic reach.

By following these simple steps, creators can take full control of their content’s reach and performance. Remember to boost Instagram Reels that already show promise, align your goal with your marketing objective, and target the right audience for best results.

How to boost an Instagram Reel using Vista Social

You can also boost posts within Vista Social if you’re already logged in managing your content calendar or analyzing your performance. This makes the process easy, rather than opening and closing a bunch of different apps.

Follow these steps to get started.

Step 1: Head to your content calendar

Log into your Vista Social dashboard (if you’re not already in there) and click Calendar in the left sidebar.

Make sure you have your Instagram account selected in the left sidebar to view all of your previously published Instagram content.

Step 2: Select the Reel you want to boost

Click on the Instagram Reel you want to boost to open up more information.

You’re able to see details like:

• The number of impressions your post has received
• How many people your Reel has reached
• The total number of shares, likes, comments, and views your Reel has gotten
• The overall average watch time for your Reel

You’re also able to boost your Reel by clicking the Boost button at the bottom of the post window.

Step 3: Input your boost settings

If you’ve previously boosted a post with Vista Social, you may already have the boost settings (i.e., budget, audience, location) saved. If so, you can simply select those settings from the dropdown menu.

Otherwise, you’ll want to click the + to add boost settings. A pop-up will appear where you can input info like the name for your boost settings, the profile your Reel belongs to, and then the ad account you’ll be using for the boost.

If you haven’t previously connected your ad account, you can do that in your Vista Social settings. Once you’ve selected the correct ad account from the dropdown, the additional settings will appear.

These settings let you choose details like:

• Your boosted post budget
• How long you want your boost to run
• The audience you want to see your post

You can choose saved audiences from your ad account, or create an audience by adding in work position, location, interests, age, and gender information for your target audience.

Click Save boost, then Vista Social will push your boost live. You can now sit back and watch your Reel generate even more buzz.

You can also create boosts while publishing your content as well. If you’re scheduling a Reel that’s part of a promotion, and you know you’re going to want to put ad dollars behind it, you can also add boost settings during the scheduling process:

Now that you know the steps, what Reel will you boost first?

How much does it cost to boost Instagram Reels? 

Boosting your Instagram Reels to get more views and likes is easier (and more affordable) than you think. There’s no cost per click or per 1,000 views. You simply set a daily budget, and Instagram runs your promotion based on how long you want it to last.

What affects the cost? A few key things:

• Time of year: Prices can go up during busy seasons like holidays when more people are running ads
• Your goal: Whether you’re aiming for more profile visits, website traffic, or video views, your chosen objective can influence how Instagram allocates your budget
• Your Reel’s performance: If your Reel is already doing well, boosting it could cost less because the algorithm already loves it

Bottom line: You’re in control. Start small, set your budget, and let Instagram do the rest to get your content in front of more people.

Best practices for boosting Instagram Reels

Boosting your Instagram Reel is great but it works even better when your content is already getting attention.

Think of it like this: The more organic buzz you create before you hit “Boost,” the better your results. And don’t stop after boosting—keep pushing that Reel to get even more likes, views, and shares.

Want more reach and real results? Start with these easy wins:

• Use trending audio & hashtags: Hop on what’s hot! This gets your Reel in front of more people fast.
• Reply to comments in the first 30 minutes: Quick replies = more engagement = more reach.
• Share to Stories and pin top comments: Stories give extra visibility, and pinned comments add social proof.
• Repurpose boosted Reels into carousels or short Stories: Get more mileage from one Reel by breaking it into related content pieces for extended reach.

With these pro tips, you’ll set your boosted Instagram Reels up to perform better across the platform.

Common mistakes to avoid when boosting Reels

When you’re aiming to increase your Reels performance via paid promotion, it’s easy to fall into traps that waste your budget and lower your impact. Don’t let these mistakes eat up your budget and kill your reach.

Here’s what to watch out for:

• Boosting Reels with low engagement: If your Reel didn’t get much attention to begin with, boosting it won’t change that. Focus on content that already has good likes, comments, or shares.
• Targeting too broadly or narrowly: Too wide and you waste your money. Too narrow and you miss potential fans. Use Instagram’s insights to find the right fit.
• Not aligning boost with overall campaign goals: Boosting just to boost? Stop. Make sure your Reel supports a goal, like getting more followers, views, or clicks.
• Ignoring analytics post-boost: Boost, then bounce? Nope. Always check your analytics to see what worked and what didn’t so your next boost performs even better.

Make your Instagram Reels work smarter, not harder

Instagram Reels are a powerful way to grow fast, but just posting isn’t enough. To boost Instagram Reels the right way, brands need to be smart.

Use Instagram’s boost tools, or take it further with Vista Social. It helps you schedule, track, and promote your top Reels with ease. You’ll get more views, real engagement, and real results.

Don’t waste time boosting every video. Just focus on the best ones. Boost smart. Track what works. Grow faster.

Sign up for your  Vista Social account now to explore our features and take your social media strategy to the next level.

Boost Instagram Reels FAQs 

Is it better to boost right after posting or wait?

It’s best to boost a Reel when it starts getting good attention on its own. If your Reel begins to get likes, comments, or shares naturally, that’s your sign to boost it. This helps you ride the momentum and reach more people.

If you boost too early, before your Reel gains any organic reach, it may not perform well. On the other hand, if you wait too long, you might miss the best time when your audience is most interested. So the sweet spot? Boost during early signs of going viral.

Do I need Meta Ads Manager to boost a Reel?

Nope. You don’t need Meta Ads Manager to boost a Reel. You can do it straight from the Instagram app or inside your Vista Social dashboard.

Just tap on your Reel, select “Boost Reel,” and choose your audience, budget, and goal (like more views, profile visits, or messages).

If you want more advanced options—like detailed targeting or running multiple ads—Meta Ads Manager is helpful. But for quick and easy boosts, the Instagram app and Vista Social’s boosting capabilities work just fine.

Can I boost a Reel from a desktop?

Yes! While Instagram’s in-app boost feature is made for mobile, you can use Vista Social on your desktop computer to boost any of your posts.

Does boosting a Reel guarantee more followers?

Boosting can get you more views and likes, but not always more followers. Gaining followers depends on your content.

If people like what they see, they’ll follow. If not, they’ll scroll by. Some creators get thousands of views with only a few new followers. That’s why it’s important to post high-quality, interesting content that speaks to your target audience.