How to Know If Your Instagram Reel Is On Explore?

Instagram’s recent update includes what brands and creators have been waiting for, Insight Rails. Since its introduction in 2019, Rails has become an integral part of Instagram. This feature is now central to the app and is easily accessible from the homepage, feed pages, and explore page.

Instagram’s efforts to promote Reels are paying off. Most brands and influencers are experimenting with this format. But, as users have taken to the feature (there are currently 169,000 Google searches for “Instagram Rails” every month!), brands have become surprisingly eager to see the results of their efforts.

Before the recent update, the only way to check Reel performance was:

Go to the Reels tab in your account to see how many views each piece of content has (shown below each thumbnail).

Open an individual Reel to see how many likes and comments it has received

And while you can still use these steps to quickly review a specific piece of content, you can now measure and track the performance of your larger rails strategy through Instagram Insights.

Instagram Explore is an awesome feature that lets you discover all sorts of amazing content customized to fit your preferences.

You can easily access it by clicking the magnifying glass icon at the bottom of the app.

Once you’re there, you’ll be able to browse through a feed that’s chock full of stunning photos and videos from users all over the world.

The best part? The recommended content is based on your activity and interactions on the platform, so you’ll surely find interesting things you’ll enjoy.

And with options for exploring content ranging from popular hashtags to location-based posts, the possibilities are virtually endless.

It’s an excellent way to find new inspiration, make connections, and discover fresh perspectives.

It’s also where your Reel can get more exposure and views from a wider audience.

1. Check your insights

One of the easiest ways to tell if your Reel is on Explore is to check your insights. Insights are analytics that shows you how your Reel is performing and where your views are coming from.

To access your insights, tap the three dots icon on your Instagram Reel and then tap View Insights. You’ll see a breakdown of your views, likes, comments, shares, saves, plays, and reach.

You’ll also see a graph that shows you where your views came from:

• Home (your followers)
• Explore (people who don’t follow you)
• Profile (people who visited your profile)
• Hashtags (people who searched for hashtags)
• or Other (other sources)

If you see many views from Explore, your Instagram Reel is on Explore, reaching more people.

2. Check the comments

Another way to tell if your Reel is on Explore is to check the comments.

You may notice some comments from users who don’t follow you or have verified badges, indicating that they found your Reel on Explore.

You may also see comments like “I saw this on Explore” or “Explore brought me here” that confirm that your Reel is on Explore.

3. Check the likes

Another indicator that your Reel is on Explore is the number of likes.

If you see a sudden spike in likes or a higher-than-usual number of likes for your Reel, it may mean your Reel is on Explore and getting more attention.

Create Engaging and Relevant Content

Create content that’s as engaging and relevant as possible!

With the right approach, you can create posts your audience can’t resist interacting with, ultimately helping you gain more exposure and grow your brand.

Some ways to create engaging and relevant content are:

• Use high-quality images and videos that capture attention and tell a story.
• Write captivating captions that spark curiosity and conversation.
• Use strategic hashtags that help your content get discovered by relevant users.
• Add location tags showing where your content was created, or your business is located.
• Experiment with formats and features like Reels, carousels, Stories, IGTV, etc.