What does boosting a post on Instagram do? It’s a shortcut to increasing your post’s reach and having it seen by your target audience. Boosting is used by:
- Brands
- Non-profits
- Influencers
- Anyone
Every day, over one billion people check their Instagram accounts. You can use this massive reach to build your brand (personal or business), generate sales, nurture leads and attract new customers.
If you’re willing to spend some money to increase your Instagram post’s reach, boosting a post is a good option.
P.S. We’ll discuss cost a little bit further down in the article.
What Does “Boosting a Post” Mean on Instagram?
What does boost post mean on Instagram? It means that you pay Instagram to do the following:
- Create or use an existing post
- Pay Instagram (not a third party) to boost a post
While boosting sounds like creating an advertisement, it’s much easier. You use an existing post to boost.
And you can boost many types of Instagram posts.
What Type of Instagram Posts Can You Boost?
Any type. You can boost
- Carousels
- Reels
- Stories
- Photos
- Videos
If you have a post with product tags in it, you can boost that post, too.
How To Boost a Post on Instagram?
Once you know how to boost a post on Instagram, you can begin using the feature in minutes. We’re going to explain how to boost your post using:
- Computer🖥️
- Mobile devices📱
Boosting Instagram Posts from Your Computer
It’s quick and easy to learn how to boost an Instagram post on your computer – Mac or Windows. Just follow the steps below:
- Log into your account
- Click your profile picture
- Click the post you want to boost
- Click the Boost post button under the post
And then you’ll have to follow the steps on the screen, add your payment information and begin boosting your post.
Boosting Instagram Posts from Your Mobile Device
If you want to boost posts on your mobile device, you’ll follow the same steps:
Step #1: Open your Instagram app
Step #2: Log into your Business account (Professional dashboard)
Step #3: Click on the post you want to boost
Step #4: Tap Boost Post
Why Can’t I Boost a Post on Instagram?
You may not be able to boost a post because you’re not on a business account, there are copyright issues, your account is restricted, your ad has been rejected, or your video resolution is wrong.
How Much Does it Cost to Boost a Post?
You’ll pay, on average, $0.50 to $1.00 per click for a boosted post on Instagram. But if you’re in a very competitive niche, you may pay $3.00+ for a boost.
Some industries will pay just $0.20 daily.
If you want to boost a post, you do have the option of setting a daily spending limit. Controlling your costs is important when growing an account, and you may want to consider Instagram growth services, too, because they may be cheaper in the long term.
How To Boost an Instagram Reel?
You can boost Instagram reels, but they need to be eligible for a boost. You can read the official Instagram guidelines here, but they include:
- Reels must be less than one minute long
- 9:16 aspect ratio (vertical format)
- Reels that do not contain GIFs, interactive stickers, camera filters, or third-party IP or copyrighted music
If your reels meet these requirements, you can go to the reel in your profile grid and hit Boost Post. You can follow the same instructions we just outlined above.
Why Can’t I Boost a Reel on Instagram?
If you’re unable to boost your Instagram Reel, consider factors like account status, content violations, age restrictions, advertising policy breaches, budget settings, payment issues, audience targeting, technical glitches, or location restrictions. Ensure your Reel aligns with Instagram’s guidelines and contact Instagram support for assistance.
How To Boost an Instagram Story?
Stories can easily be boosted, too. You can boost your active Story by following these steps:
- Navigate to your Profile
- Tap your profile picture
- Tap Boost at the bottom of the Story
You’ll need to fill in all of your details, such as audience and budget. Instagram will walk you through the steps to finish boosting your post.
How To Boost an Instagram Post Using Accounts Center?
If you have the following, you can use Accounts Center to boost a post:
- Facebook account (personal)
- Instagram account (business or creator)
You’ll need to connect both accounts to use this feature, and once you do, the rest is simple:
- Go to your profile
- Tap the post you want to boost
- Tap Boost Post
If you haven’t connected your Instagram account to your Facebook, you’ll be prompted to connect your accounts and can simply continue through the steps on the screen.
It’s that simple.
How To Boost an Instagram Post Without a Meta Ad Account Connection?
Instagram now allows you to create ads without having a presence on Facebook, but this feature is still being rolled out and may not be available everywhere.
If you’re boosting a post for the first time, you no longer have to connect to a Facebook Page or Meta Ad account. You can manage all of your ads right on Instagram itself.
Keep in mind that this feature is only available to people who are boosting for the first time.
The process of boosting a post without a Meta Ad connection is very simple:
- First, open the Instagram app and navigate to your profile.
- Tap a post that you want to promote.
- Tap the Boost post button.
- Select your goal: visit your profile, visit your website, or message you
- Select your audience: suggested, create your own and special ad category
- Choose your daily budget and your duration (set duration, or run until you pause it)
- Review your details and add your payment option.
- Tap Boost Reel to complete the process.
- It’s a quick and simple process when you don’t have to deal with the hassle of connecting your Meta Ad account.
While you can use Ad tools to boost your posts, it’s easier to just navigate to your post and tap the Boost Post button.Â
Why Should I Boost My Instagram Posts?
If you’re looking to expand your reach and engagement, boosting a post has many benefits, including:
1. Quick and Simple
Boosting a post is a quick and simple way to get more traction for your posts. You can boost any post that you want (as long as it meets community guidelines) without having to go through the hassle and complexities of using Facebook Ads Manager.
The simplicity of boosting a post is one of its biggest advantages.
2. Add CTAs
Another advantage of boosting a post is that you can add a call-to-action asking viewers to contact you, shop your page or learn more about your account.
CTAs can help you reach your goals, whether it’s to increase sales or boost brand awareness, and this is something that you can’t add to a regular post.
3. Optimize for Your Goals
Boosting a post also allows you to optimize for specific goals you may have for your brand, such as:
- Increasing engagement – likes, comments, shares, etc.
- Website Traffic
- Getting more inquiries from potential customers or clients
4. Target Your Desired Audience
Another big advantage of boosted posts is that you can target the right people – people who will be interested in your content.
You can create your own audience based on:
- Locations
- Interest
- Age and gender
Keep in mind, though, that the audience options are more limited than what you’ll find in the Ads Manager.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Boost an Instagram Post After Posting?
Yes, you can boost an Instagram post after posting. As long as the post meets community guidelines, you can boost any post on your account.
Can I Choose who sees my Boosted Post?
Yes, you can choose a target audience when boosting a post. The current audience options are: suggested audience (people similar to your audience), custom and special ad category (for posts related to politics, social issues, employment, housing or credit).
Are there any Restrictions on what I can Promote on Instagram?
Yes. You cannot promote or boost any posts or stories that violate Instagram’s community guidelines. You must also meet video resolution requirements. Restricted accounts also cannot boost posts.
How Can I Track the Performance of a Boosted Instagram Post?
Whenever you boost a post on Instagram, you can track its performance in your Insights tab. Check the Ad Tools tab for your performance data. You can view your reach, interactions, ad taps and profile activity.
Can I Edit a Boosted Post After it's been Promoted?
No. Once your boosted post has been reviewed and published, you cannot edit the image, text or video. Make sure that your post is perfect before boosting it.
Can I Boost a Post on a Personal Instagram Account?
No, you cannot boost posts or stories from personal Instagram accounts. Only business accounts have access to this option.
Is Boosting a Post Worth It?
It can be. If it’s a promotional post that would work well as an ad, then boosting it would be worth it. Boosting a post is an inexpensive form of promotion, so it’s worth experimenting with to see if it works for you.
Bottom Line
Boosting a post on Instagram is another way to expand your reach and help grow your account. It’s a form of advertising that’s subtler and sometimes more engaging than a traditional advertisement.
Now that you understand how boosting works, give it a try and see how it works for your account. You may find that the immediate traction boost helps you reach your goals.
