Five years back, on August 5, 2020, Instagram launched a new form of video interface called Reels. It was similar to TikTok vertical videos with a duration of up to 60 seconds. Shortly, Reels go viral; people started consuming them endlessly. Creator switched from square long IGTV videos to short vertical Reels, as it became the fastest method to go viral in 2025.
We cannot deny the fact that Reels are engaging, but not every Reel goes viral. So what's the secret behind a Reel going viral? In this blog post, we will explain how to use Reels to go viral in 2025. You need to follow the 7-step strategy to make any Reel viral on Instagram
Steps to Use Instagram Reels to Go Viral
Instagram Reel has evolved since it was launched. Now, we have some useful features that can be utilized to make your Reels engaging. If you follow these steps carefully, your Reels will get more traction and views than others.
1. Follow the AIDA Principle of Marketing
AIDA stands for Attention, Interest, Desire, Action. It's a golden rule of marketing that still works like a charm in terms of Reel. Structure your reels following this principle, and your engagement will be much higher than usual
- Keep the first 3 seconds of your Reel with an attention-grabbing visual. It may or may not be related to your content.
- Then the next 5 to 10 seconds should be something that brings interest to the viewer; it can be a question, curiosity, facts, etc.
- Next, you can add a desire to have the solution to the problem you described earlier.
- At last, end up with an action such as like, share, follow, or save the Reel.
2. Don't miss the Thumbnail
Just like YouTube videos, Instagram allows you to add a thumbnail along with a video description. Thumbnails are the first impression of your Reels; if they hook the audience, then they are going to watch it.
Usually, Instagram gives you the option to choose any frame from your Reels as a Thumbnail, but you can also upload a custom image as a Thumbnail. It's totally your preference which one you want to use.
With the new update, Instagram automatically plays 3 seconds of your Reel if it comes in the focus area of the user's feed. That is why your first 3 seconds of Reel make it a win-or-lose game.
3. Choose Trending Songs
Your Reel content matters, but if you combine it with trending songs, it becomes an engagement bomb. Instagram algorithm automatically promotes Reels made on songs which is already loved by viewers. That's why it has a separate option to check trending songs so creator can use it easily in their Reels.
It is not mandatory to have trending songs in your Reels, but it supports your content to get discovered faster in the feed.
4. Avoid short descriptions
Usually, people don't read the descriptions when they are watching Reels. But it's an essential part of your Instagram search system. Your description helps Instagram understand the context of the Reel. That's why it's better to avoid short descriptions even if they're not read by viewers.
When you describe your reels, use the keywords that can be searched on Instagram, and add some intro about your account, and always remember to add relevant hashtags at the last. A description of about 30-50 words is considered a good start, but it can be longer.
5. Relevant hashtags
Hashtags are used to categorize your content for a specific community on Instagram. It doesn't limit it but actually promotes it to the relevant audience. Additionally, it makes your content searchable, so anyone looking for certain keywords will see your post in the search feed if it has matching hashtags.
If you feel confused about which hashtag to use in your Reels, check out our article on the best hashtags to make your Reel viral.
6. Use stickers for Engagement
Similar to Instagram stories, you can add stickers in your Instagram reels. This opens an opportunity to spark an engagement with your audience. There are certain ways you can engage with stickers as follows:
- User Ask a question sticker to let your audience ask something about your Reels
- Use Polls to gather opinions from your audience.
- Play a Quiz with your audience to make it more engaging.
- You can use the mention sticker to increase profile visits by tagging your account
- Sliders can also be used to increase interaction
Making your reels more interactive is beneficial in a way that every interaction with your reel makes your reel more valuable, and it appears in more people's feeds. Not only that, but the person who interacts will also see more of your content suggested by Instagram.
7. Promote your Reels
Promoting it doesn't mean you need to pay Instagram to get views on your reels. Promote your reels organically by adding them to your stories, asking your friends to share them on their stories, and collaborating with other small creators to increase your reach even further.
Sometimes it seems awkward, but remember, Instagram is social media, not broadcasting media. It is made to connect with people and share. So go for it, and remember not to spam with bulk messages to unknown people.