Struggling to reach 100K views on your Instagram Reels? You are definitely not alone, but you are also not out of options! Instagram algorithms are constantly evolving, so achieving genuine views on Instagram Reels (for free) requires more than just luck. You need to understand your audience, create engaging content, capitalise on relevant trends, and optimise every clip for visibility and engagement. 

This article breaks down everything you need to know to achieve 100K views on Instagram Reels or TikTok, and also shares some tools that can help you save hours and maximise your chances of going viral.

Why Aren’t My Instagram Reels Getting Views

Before we discuss how to get 100.000 views on Reels, let’s address the burning question: "Why aren’t my Instagram Reels getting any views?"

Here is the list of the most common reasons:

• A weak or boring hook in the first two seconds
• Poor video quality or formatting
• No captions (many users watch videos with their sound off)
• Posting at the wrong time
• Not using relevant hashtags or trending sounds
• Lack of engagement signals (likes, shares, and comments)

Addressing these issues is the first step towards getting Reels seen. Below, we are going to discuss some tips to get those views.

Understand Your Target Audience

If you want your Reels or Shorts to perform well, you can’t just create content in a vacuum. You need to speak directly to your target audience. The better you understand your audience, the more likely your content is to resonate, be shared, saved, and rewatched (which the algorithm loves).

Start by defining who your content is aimed at. Are they young entrepreneurs? Or busy parents? Fitness beginners? Or fashion and make-up fans? Then, dig deeper. What are their pain points, interests, and goals? What kind of content do they engage with the most: emotional stories, humour, quick tips, or transformations? What makes them stop scrolling? What makes them stay?

Once you know the answers to these questions, you can create Reels ideas that connect with your audience. Instead of making broad, generic videos, try to focus on what feels personalised and relevant for your audience.

AI Video Cut makes this easier. If you have already recorded long-form content such as a webinar, podcast, tutorial, or product demonstration, the tool can help you extract the parts that match the interests of your audience. Just focus on what your audience loves, pick a prompt, and AI Video Cut can help you transform your long footage into videos that are ready for your chosen platform and speak to your audience.

 Understand the Algorithm

The Instagram algorithm does not randomly select which Reels will go viral. It rewards content that people love to watch and engage with. Here is what matters most:

• Watch time: Are people watching your Reel all the way through, or even watching it more than once? This is a strong signal of quality and relevance.
• Engagement: The more likes, saves, shares, and comments your video receives, the more likely it is to be shown to a broader audience.
• Content quality: Videos with high-resolution, clear visuals, and sound in the correct format (9:16 for Reels) rank better.
• Trend relevance: Videos that use trending sounds, effects, or formats are more likely to be featured on the Explore or Reels tab.

The closer your content matches these criteria, the more views you will get. Tools like AI Video Cut ensure your content meets those criteria. It clips your long videos down to the most engaging moments, adds automatic captions to boost watch time, and formats videos correctly for TikTok, Reels, or Shorts. It also helps you add catchy hooks, titles, and even descriptions. It is like giving the algorithm exactly what it wants without spending hours figuring it out yourself!

Ride the right trends (Without losing your voice)

Trending audio, filters, and challenges can be your best allies, but only if you use them correctly. The algorithm favours content that taps into current trends because it is more likely to keep users engaged. However, simply mimicking what everyone else is doing won’t earn you 100K views on Instagram. You need to combine participating in trends with authenticity.

For instance, a business coach could use a popular meme sound to illustrate a common client challenge or transformation. A podcaster could add a trending effect when sharing a bold statement from their latest episode. These tips make your content familiar to the algorithm and appealing to viewers.

Platforms such as Instagram also naturally boost videos that use trending sounds. However, tools such as Reels Views Generator apps or “free views for Reels” extensions are risky and unreliable.  Riding a trend authentically can achieve the same result organically.

Hook Viewers in the First 2 Seconds

What is the most important part of any Reel? The first two seconds. If viewers don’t stop scrolling immediately, the algorithm is not going to promote your content to a wider audience. Videos with a strong hook are the backbone of viral content. Here are some examples of hooks that work:

• “You're editing your Reels all wrong! Here’s why.”
• “Here’s how I got 100K views on my first video.”
• A dramatic before-and-after transformation.
• Relatable micro-problems, such as “If you hate hearing your voice on camera…”

These formats trigger curiosity, emotion, or recognition, which keeps people watching and boosts the view count of your Reels.

Add Captions to Increase Engagement and Accessibility

Are you still not adding captions? You are missing out on thousands of free Instagram Reels views. 80% of users watch Reels without sound, particularly in public or at work. Without captions, your message might not be understood, and viewers will swipe away. Subtitles improve accessibility, increase watch time and completion rate, and directly impact the reach of your content. What is more, captioned Reels look more professional. They help you to tell a clearer story, even with chaotic or fast visuals.

AI Video Cut automatically generates captions and lets you customise their style to fit your brand and fix transcription errors in the built-in text editor. It is the easiest way to organically increase your Instagram Reels views without using dodgy growth services or unreliable tools.

Use the Right Hashtags to Get Discovered

Hashtags are still one of the most effective ways to increase the number of views of your Instagram videos when used strategically. Do not just copy and paste what’s trending. Mix high-volume hashtags with niche-specific ones to ensure your Reel is categorised correctly. Try this combination:

• Broad reach: #explorepage, #trending, #instagood, #trendingreels, #instatrend, #reelsoftheday, #discoverme, #reelstrending, #viralcontent.
• Niche-specific: #FitnessReels, #CoachMarketing, #HealthyLifestyle, #VideoEditingTips, #PodcastHighlights, #FoodReels, #NatureLovers

Find the right hashtags that fit your content! Hashtags tell the algorithm who your video is for and improve distribution to the right audience.

Monetize Your Reels

Reaching 100.000 views on Instagram isn’t just about boosting your metrics. It can generate real revenue! Once you reach higher engagement levels, as a creator, you are eligible for Instagram Reels monetisation programmes, including bonuses, branded content deals, and affiliate opportunities.

However, achieving this requires consistency without burnout.

This is where AI Video Cut comes in. Instead of spending hours manually editing, captioning, and repackaging content, you can use your saved time to engage with your audience, promote your content, and monetise it. 

How AI Video Cut Can Help You Hit 100K Views

Here is how AI Video Cut can help you:

• Turn long videos into short Reels in minutes.
• Use AI to identify viral moments.
• Add captions automatically to improve viewer retention.
• Generate titles and descriptions for SEO.
• Edit clips directly in your browser with the new AI Video Cut Editor.

This strategy enables you to publish more high-quality Reels in less time, which means greater reach, faster growth, and a quicker path to monetisation.

You don’t need to buy views or rely on sketchy reels views apps. If you want real views on Instagram Reels for free, focus on audience, quality, and consistency. And if you're going to do that without spending hours editing, let AI Video Cut do the hard work. It is your AI-powered shortcut to better content, more views, and less burnout.

Try AI Video Cut now and start creating viral Reels in minutes.