6 ways to hack the explore page

The Explore page is your ticket to massive exposure.

It's where Instagram shows users content they might like based on what they already engage with.

So, how do you get in on that action?

I've compiled 6 tricks that've worked for me and some of the biggest names I've consulted for.

Let's get into it 👇

1/ Retention

This is the most important tip. So it goes first.

Instagram, and social media in general, is all about keeping eyeballs on screens.

The algorithm absolutely loves it when people watch your videos all the way through.

So, focus on making content that keeps viewers hooked from start to finish.

Try this:

Use a strong hook in the first 3 seconds to grab attention.

Then, about halfway through, throw in something unexpected - a surprising fact, a plot twist, whatever fits your style.

Think of it like a second hook.

You worked hard to earn attention in the first 3 seconds, but it’s just as important to hold that same attention right through to the end.

Check out this Reel as an example:

jeremylynchofficial

View more on Instagram

Here you see:

The instant hook (GTA look & feel in real life)

In the first 3 seconds, the girl talking to me + walking shows the progressive nature.

As soon as the girl leaves the frame we hear the two dudes we are approaching talking.

This creates a new intrigue (new hook) then we fight.

Then more of the same, new characters, props & interactions are introduced as soon as one interaction ends.

This keeps the viewer hooked and thus the view retention is high, the algorithm then pushes it.

2/ Trends

You've got to keep your finger on the pulse of what's hot in your niche.

Spend 15-20 minutes a day scrolling through your own Explore page.

What types of posts keep popping up? What hashtags are everywhere?

Move from a consumer of social media to a researcher.

But please don't just copy trends.

Put your own spin on them.

Be unique, be you.

3/ Reels

If you're not making Reels, you're missing out.

Big time.

They're Instagram's golden child, and they're your fast track to the Explore page.

I would aim for 3-5 Reels a week.

You can keep them short and snappy - 15 to 30 seconds.

Or push them a little longer, but you have to be confident in your ability to retain attention throughout.

4/ Timing

Posting when your audience is most active can increase your chances of hitting the Explore page (use your Instagram Insights to find out when your followers are online).

But to know when this is, you’ll need to have been posting for at least a few months.

Otherwise, you simply don’t have enough data to know when your audience is most active.

If you're just starting out, here's what you do:

1. Spend a few months playing around. Post at different times, different days.

2. Keep a record of how each post does. Likes, comments, saves, shares.

3. After a while, you'll start seeing patterns. Maybe your 3 PM posts are smashing it, but the 9 AM ones are getting crickets.

Once you've got a few months of data under your belt, you can choose a regular posting schedule.

Timing's important, but it's not everything.

A banging post at the "wrong" time will still outperform a rubbish one at the "right" time.

So focus on quality first, then fine-tune your timing.

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Now, back to the explore page breakdown...

5/ Hashtags

I want you to forget about using 30 random hashtags.

Instead, go for 5-10 highly relevant, researched hashtags.

Mix broad terms with niche-specific ones.

Here's a little trick:

Type five bullet points one row down from each other.

Then below them, add your hashtags.

This way they will appear underneath the fold so they don’t make your caption look ugly but will still register with the algorithm.

If you’ve got a brand name or phrase you want to build traction around then add that on top of your 5-10.

You might have seen #viralacademy pop up here and there 👀

6/ Collaborate

Team up with other creators (typically those with 10,000-50,000 followers) in your niche for a coordinated content push.

This can amplify your reach and engagement, signalling to the algorithm that your content is worth featuring on Explore.

Start by identifying 5-10 micro-influencers whose audience demographics align closely with your target market.

Reach out and propose a mutually beneficial collaboration where you'll create content together or cross-promote each other's accounts.

You could try a "duet" style Reel, start a challenge together, or even just shout each other out.

I've seen collaborations double, even triple engagement rates.

Plus, the algorithm loves seeing connections between accounts.

It's a win-win.

To wrap up…

You've got to keep a close eye on what's working and what's not.

If something's hitting, do more of it.

If it's flopping, figure out why and adjust.

This will never be a "set it and forget it" game.

You've got to stay on your toes.

PART 2: SOCIAL MEDIA NEWS

TikTok's New Cover Preview

You can now see how your thumbnails will look in your grid before posting. This is a big one for those of you that love to keep your profile looking clean. You've also got 7 days after posting to adjust if needed.

Delete & Re-Edit on TikTok

This is interesting - within 24 hours of posting, you can now reset your in-app edits (filters, text, effects) without losing your original engagement.

Instagram Testing Single-Tap Pause

They're moving away from hold-to-pause on Reels to a single tap. Might seem small, but early data shows it's making a big difference for tutorial content. People are actually stopping to look at the details now.

Instagram's WhatsApp Connection

If you're running a business account, you can now add WhatsApp chat stickers to your Stories. Not available everywhere yet, but worth keeping an eye on if you're using WhatsApp for business.

What I'm really noticing here is how the platforms are focusing on creator convenience. They're fixing those small annoying things that used to make posting more complicated than it needed to be.

Did any of these updates catch your eye or spark some new ideas? Hit reply and let me know!

Anyway, that’s all for this week.

I’ll see you next Thursday,

Jeremy

Don't forget to use the tips from my past newsletters to keep improving. (Missed an issue? Catch up here).

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