Instagram in 2026 is completely different than it was even last year. Like, what worked in 2025 is basically useless now. The algorithm changed again. People use the app differently. Instagram started pushing new stuff and buried the old stuff. A lot of people are still doing what worked in 2024 and can’t figure out why their likes keep tanking. They’re stuck using dead strategies without realizing Instagram moved on months ago.
But some creators figured out what actually works right now. Their likes are climbing while everyone else is stuck or going backwards. And honestly, they’re not doing anything complicated. Just stuff that matches how Instagram actually works today. Here’s what’s really working to get more likes in 2026.
11 Proven Methods to Get More Instagram Likes in 2026
1. Reels Are Still Where Discovery Happens
Look, if you’re serious about growing likes in 2026, you’re making Reels. Not because they’re cool. Because Instagram still pushes them harder than anything else for reaching new people who don’t already follow you.
Ones that hook people in the first second. Give them actual value. Make them curious enough to check out your profile. Just posting random Reels hoping they’ll blow up doesn’t work. Strategic Reels designed to get discovered do. Creators getting consistent likes are mixing Reels with their other content. Not ditching everything else, just making Reels a big part of what they do because that’s what Instagram wants right now.
2. Carousels Are Killing It Right Now
Something weird happened with carousels lately. They’re getting insane engagement compared to single photos. Multiple creators have noticed their carousels crushing everything else by huge margins. Makes sense though. Carousels keep people swiping, which means they hang out with your content longer. Instagram sees that and goes “oh people really like this” and shows it to way more people.
Single photos still work, but creators getting the most likes right now are using carousels heavily because the numbers clearly show they perform better at the moment.
3. Buy Instagram Likes to Support Growth Momentum
Even when you’re using the right strategies in 2026, growth can still feel slow. Reach is competitive, and early engagement is harder to earn than ever. That’s why some creators choose to buy Instagram likes from trusted providers like Media Mister focus on real-user engagement and even offer free Instagram likes, letting creators test the boost before committing.
This initial engagement can improve social proof, help posts look active during the crucial first hour, and encourage organic users to interact naturally. When paired with strong content and consistency, buying likes can help accelerate momentum responsibly.
4. Saves Are Huge Now
Instagram’s algorithm in 2026 cares about saves way more than it used to. Maybe even more than likes honestly. Creators optimizing for saves are watching their likes go up as a side effect. More saves means more reach means more people see it means more likes from those new people.
So what gets saved? Stuff people will actually use. Tips worth coming back to. Information they’ll need later. Recipes. Workouts. How-to guides. Lists of resources. Anything practical that someone would want to reference again.
5. First Hour Is Critical
The first 30-60 minutes after you post matter way more now than they used to. Instagram tests your new post with a small group fast. If those people engage quick, the post gets pushed to more people.
Creators getting good likes are treating that first hour like their life depends on it. They’re posting when their audience is actually online so people are there to engage immediately. They’re responding to every comment in that window to keep things moving. Posting and then ignoring it for hours doesn’t work anymore. That first hour decides if your post lives or dies.
6. Hooks Better Be Good
Attention spans are even worse in 2026 than they were. People scroll faster. There’s more stuff competing for attention. Basic hooks don’t work anymore.
That first second has to make someone stop immediately. For Reels, that’s something visually striking or a line that creates instant curiosity. For regular posts, it’s an image that stands out or a caption opener that grabs you. Creators getting solid likes test their hooks constantly. Try different stuff and track what actually makes people stop versus what gets ignored. Then do more of what works.
7. Captions Are Getting Longer
Short captions or just emojis don’t perform anymore. The algorithm in 2026 measures how long people spend with your content. Longer, valuable captions keep them there longer, which signals your content’s worth showing to more people.
Creators with high engagement are writing captions that actually provide value. Opening with a hook. Sharing stories. Teaching something. Asking questions that make people want to comment. Giving them a reason to actually read instead of just glancing.
Doesn’t mean rambling for the sake of length. Means writing captions that add genuine value beyond the picture. Captions that make the post worth engaging with even if the image wasn’t there.
8. Hashtags Still Work But Differently
Hashtags definitely still work for discovery in 2026. Just differently than they used to. Massive hashtags with millions of posts are pointless your stuff gets buried in seconds. Tiny hashtags with a few hundred posts don’t give enough reach. The sweet spot now is hashtags with 50K-500K posts.
Creators getting discovered through hashtags are actually researching which ones their audience searches. They’re using 10-15 super relevant hashtags per post and switching them up based on what the content’s about.
9. Engage With People
The algorithm literally tracks how much you engage with others. Accounts that leave real comments, respond to their own comments fast, and have actual conversations get boosted. Leaving thoughtful comments on posts from potential followers. Responding to every comment on their posts within that first hour. Answering DMs fast. Actually participating instead of just yelling into the void.
When they genuinely engage with other accounts, those people check out their profile. Some follow and start liking their stuff. Plus the algorithm rewards the engagement with better reach overall.
10. Consistency Matters More Now
Accounts posting regularly get favored. Accounts posting all over the place get buried. And it’s not just the algorithm. People in 2026 have more content options than even.
Creators growing their likes are posting on real schedules. Three to five times a week minimum. Every single week. For months. That consistency builds momentum that compounds as the algorithm increasingly favors you. One viral post doesn’t matter as much as consistent solid performance over time. The creators with steadily increasing likes are the ones showing up reliably, not the ones hoping to get lucky.
11. Data Tells You Everything
Guessing what might work doesn’t cut it anymore. Instagram Insights in 2026 gives you so much data that there’s no excuse for not using it. Creators maxing out their likes check their analytics after every post. They spot patterns. They make more of what works and ditch what doesn’t. They let data drive their strategy instead of going with feelings.
If carousels consistently beat single images, make more carousels. If posts at 7 PM always crush posts at 2 PM, always post at 7 PM. Let the numbers tell you what to do.
Conclusion
Getting more Instagram likes in 2026 isn’t about tricks or hacks. It’s about understanding what Instagram rewards right now and doing that stuff consistently. Make Reels for discovery. Use carousels for engagement. Optimize for saves. Nail that first hour. Hook people immediately. Write valuable captions. Use smart hashtags. Engage with people. Post consistently. Check your data.
Instagram in 2026 rewards specific stuff. The creators figuring out what that is and actually doing it are the ones watching their likes climb while everyone else stays flat or drops. Not complicated. Just requires paying attention to what’s working now instead of what worked last year. And then actually doing it consistently instead of half-assing it for two weeks and giving up.