The Real Reason Your Reels Aren’t Getting Views
- Will Staber
- Mar 26
- 1 min read
If you’re putting effort into Instagram Reels and they’re still flopping, it’s easy to feel discouraged. You’ve followed the trends, added music, included hashtags—so why isn’t it working?
Here’s the truth: most Reels fail because they don’t capture attention in the first 3 seconds.
In a world of endless scrolling, the opening moments of your video are everything. People decide almost instantly whether to watch or keep scrolling. That means your first few seconds need to be bold, curious, or visually engaging. Start with movement, a punchy line of text, or a surprising statement that makes people want to see more. Don’t leave your hook for the middle or end—it’s too late by then.
The second issue? You’re trying too hard to go viral. Chasing trends is fine, but what works best is content that’s relevant to your audience. Educational tips, behind-the-scenes clips, transformation stories—these are the kinds of Reels that not only get views but also build trust.
So if your Reels are underperforming, shift your focus. Hook fast. Offer value. And remember—consistency beats perfection every single time.
Will Staber
Digital Strategist | Grab Social
Great points here - especially about the importance of those first 3 seconds. I struggled with low-performing Reels too, even when following trends. What really helped me improve was analyzing what kind of content actually kept viewers watching. Tools like viewverio.com gave me insight into audience behavior and engagement patterns I hadn’t noticed before. Once I adjusted my hooks and stopped obsessing over going viral, things finally started to click.