The Explore Page is Instagram’s discovery hub. It shows users content they don’t already follow but are likely to engage with, based on their interests. This means it’s one of the most powerful organic ways to reach new eyes.
According to Hootsuite, the process for how content lands on Explore has several algorithmic stages: selection of candidate posts, early ranking, and then a final ranking of what appears.
If your content gets featured there, you gain reach, authority, and often new followers—without paid ads.
A key signal is how much interaction your post gets shortly after it goes live. Likes, comments, shares, and saves in the first minutes or hour help Instagram see your content as engaging and worthy of more exposure.
Instagram’s own creators resource outlines how these signals help ranking systems understand what users will enjoy.
Also, Hootsuite notes that “shares as a top ranking signal” is becoming more important.
How to use this tip:
Instagram’s AI learns your content’s themes and audience interests over time. When you post around a few core pillars, it becomes easier for the system to predict which users will like what you post.
Later’s blog on getting on Explore emphasizes that consistency with content type, topic, and style—improves your chances.
Also, in its deep dive on how the algorithm works, Later highlights that Instagram uses factors like content type, past engagement, and relevance to decide what to show.
How to use this tip:
Not all interactions are equal. Instagram treats saves and shares as strong indicators of content value because they imply deeper engagement or intent to revisit.
Later’s “How to Get on Instagram Explore” guide lists educational, inspirational, or emotion-driven content as triggers for saves and shares.
Hootsuite also points out that Instagram’s algorithm is leaning into rewarding content that people share or message to others.
How to use this tip:
Explore content isn’t just feed images. Reels are heavily weighted in Explore, but carousels and static posts still have power—especially for saves and deeper content.
Later’s “How the Instagram Algorithm Works in 2025” confirms Explore and Reels ranking systems value engagement speed, content similarity to user preferences, and recency.
Also, Planoly mentions that average watch time is among key metrics the algorithm uses.
How to use this tip:
Because Instagram’s algorithm changes and audience behavior shifts, you can’t rely on a “set-it-and-forget-it” approach.
Use Instagram Insights and third-party tools to track which posts reached new users (non-followers), which got saves/shares, and which formats performed best.
Buffer’s content on Instagram algorithms discusses how observing performance trends helps you double down on what works.
And Hootsuite’s analysis of the Explore process shows how machine learning models instantly adjust what content surfaces based on recent signals.
How to use this tip:
Getting on Explore is more than luck. It’s strategy, timing, creativity, and continuous learning.At That RANDOM Agency, we specialize in helping brands crack discovery algorithms—by combining storytelling with data-driven tactics. If you want to boost your reach, get seen, and grow your audience organically, let’s talk.
