How Do You Make the Explore Page on Instagram?

Posted on 30th Oct, 2025.

TL;DR (The Short Version)

The Explore page appears when you tap the magnifying glass on the Instagram app.
It features a range of content from creators, typically in niches that interest you.
Showing up on the Explore page requires as much interaction/engagement as possible from your audience.
Tips to get on the Explore page include engagement-boosting captions and creating Instagram Reels.
Read on for more!

For any aspiring creator, landing on Instagram’s Explore Page feels like striking gold. It’s where your content can be seen by thousands of new people who don’t already follow you, AKA the ultimate chance to grow your audience and boost engagement. But how exactly do you get there? Is it luck, timing, or strategy?

In this guide, we'll explore (no pun intended) what helps you get to this coveted page and how it can help your growth. Let's get into it.

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What Is the Explore Page, Exactly?

The Explore Page is a personalised feed of posts, Reels, and Stories that Instagram curates for each user based on their interests and behaviour. Think of it as the Instagram equivalent of TikTok's FYP. In simple terms, it’s the app’s way of saying, “Here’s more of what you like.”

When someone engages with a certain type of content, for example, travel videos, outfit inspiration, or skincare routines, Instagram’s algorithm looks for similar posts and displays them on their Explore Page.

That means there’s no single Explore Page; everyone’s is unique. Your goal as a creator is to make content that appeals to people beyond your current followers, so the algorithm recognises its wider potential. To access this page, open the Instagram app and tap the magnifying glass icon at the bottom of the screen. You've probably scrolled your Explore countless times before, even without realising what it is!

How the Explore Algorithm Works

To understand how to get your posts on the Explore Page, it helps to know what Instagram is looking for.

The Explore Page algorithm prioritises content based on interest, engagement, and recency. In other words, it asks three main questions:

Will this user be interested in this content?
Is this content already performing well?
Is this content recent and relevant?

The algorithm relies heavily on small indicators that show how people are responding to your content, such as likes, comments, and shares, saves (when users bookmark your post), watch time on Reels, profile visits from your post, and interaction history between you and the viewer

The more engagement your post gets early on, the more likely Instagram is to show it to a wider audience, which is how it can end up on Explore. Plus, since Explore is based on interest, you'll be more likely to appear on the Explore page of people interested in your niche.

Create Content That Encourages Interaction

The first step to landing on Explore is simple: create content people want to engage with. The algorithm rewards posts that spark meaningful actions, not just likes (although boosting Instagram likes are a must), but also saves, shares, and comments.

Ask a question in your caption to invite responses or use our engagement-boosting captions for more interesting.

Using carousel posts (multiple photos or clips) can also be a good idea since people spend longer scrolling through them. Posting tutorials, tips, or how-tos that people will want to save for later can increase saves, while including a humorous or slightly controversial detail - we're talking pineapple on pizza, nothing offensive - will increase comments.

When people spend time on your post or interact with it, Instagram sees it as high-quality content worth recommending to others.

Focus on Reels (They Dominate Explore)

If there’s one type of content with the highest chance of appearing on the Explore Page, it’s Reels. Instagram has prioritised Reels for discovery, and many videos on Explore come directly from this format.

To make your Reels more discoverable:

Use trending sounds early (but make them relevant to your niche).
Keep your Reels short (10 to 20 seconds performs best).
Include captions or text overlays, since many users watch with sound off.
Add a strong hook in the first three seconds to grab attention fast.

Consistency helps too. Posting Reels regularly signals to Instagram that you’re an active creator, which boosts your chances of being featured on the Explore page.

Frequently Asked Questions

What determines your Explore Page on Instagram?

Your Explore Page is shaped by the Instagram algorithm, which studies what you like, save, share, and comment on. It also looks at the types of accounts you follow and how long you spend viewing certain posts. The more you engage with specific content, such as travel videos, fashion tips, or fitness Reels, the more Instagram fills your Explore Page with similar posts. Essentially, it’s a personalised reflection of your interests and habits on the app.

Is the Explore Page the same for everyone?

No, everyone’s Explore Page is unique. It’s tailored to each user’s activity, so what you see will differ completely from someone else’s feed. For example, if you often interact with food or lifestyle creators, your Explore Page will prioritise that type of content.

For your best chance at appearing on the Explore Page, encourage interaction on your profile, post regularly, and engage in Reels and carousel posts.