_edited.png)
How Social Media Has Changed: The Shift to Views (And What It Means for You)
- sweettalkmedia
- Apr 7
- 3 min read
As we wrapped up Q1, we were excited to see that views are now the key metric Instagram is tracking. One of the highlights we were thrilled to share with our clients was how their content contributed to over 18,000 views for the quarter. This shift towards views as the most important metric marks a major change in how we approach social media—and it’s something you need to understand.
In this blog, we’ll dive into why views are now prioritized, what it means for your content strategy, and actionable ways to create content that encourages views and repeat watches.
Everything Is Content (Seriously, Everything!)
Social media is becoming more of an entertainment platform than ever before. People are no longer just mindlessly scrolling—they’re turning to Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube for a quick break from reality, whether it’s during lunch, between tasks, or while lounging on the couch after a busy day. On average, people pick up their phones 96 times a day and spend around 3–4 hours on their screens daily, making social media one of their primary sources of entertainment and connection.
Now, instead of focusing on likes or follows, the emphasis is on views—how many times people watch your content, how often they return to it, and how engaging it is. If your content grabs attention and keeps people watching, you’re increasing your visibility and signaling to Instagram that your content is worth sharing with more people, which leads to even more views.
Actual Ways to Create Content That Drives Views
Creating content that attracts views doesn’t have to be overwhelming, even if you’re not the biggest fan of social media. Here are some easy ways to make content that grabs attention (and views):
Use Instagram Templates: Templates are a quick and simple way to create professional-looking content. Instagram has tons of customizable templates for posts, stories, and reels. Just plug in your info and you’re good to go.
Repurpose Content Across Platforms: Repurpose your Reels on TikTok, YouTube Shorts, and Facebook. This helps your content get seen by different audiences and keeps the engagement flowing across platforms.
Behind-the-Scenes Content: People love to see what happens behind the scenes. Whether you’re showing how your product is made or the team behind your brand, this type of content is authentic and keeps people coming back.
Storytelling with Text: Not into making perfect videos? No problem! Adding text to your videos is a great way to tell your story, share a message, or add humor without needing high-production video. It’s quick, easy, and effective in making your content more engaging.
Editing Apps Like CapCut: Not comfortable with video editing? Apps like CapCut make it simple to enhance your videos with text, music, and transitions. One quick tip: Instagram doesn’t always love fonts and watermarks from external apps. But don’t let that stop you—test it out and see what works for your audience. What matters most is what your audience enjoys, not the rules Instagram enforces.
New Feature: Instagram Trial Reels
In case you didn’t know, Instagram recently introduced a new feature called Trial Reels. This is a fantastic way to test out reels that you might not think are quite up to your usual production standard—or if you’re experimenting with new ideas. Instead of committing right away, you can test the waters with a Trial Reel, see how your audience reacts, and then adjust accordingly. It’s a great way to take the pressure off creating perfect content every time!
The Power of Views on Social Media
Growing on Instagram is all about views. When people watch, rewatch, and engage with your posts, Instagram takes the hint and pushes your content to even more users. It’s a cycle: more views → more reach → even more views. To kickstart this process, try incorporating some of the suggested video content ideas into your strategy and see how they can help foster a space where more views are generated.
Stay Connected with Us
If the last three months have flown by and you haven’t quite taken control of your social media yet—don’t worry! We’ve got you covered. You can sign up for a one-on-one consultation or book a workshop for your team by emailing us.
Also, be sure to sign up for our newsletter, The Pastel Paper, launching soon. We’ve got sneak peeks of an exciting new series that will help you thrive during an economic downturn. Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram and LinkedIn for more tips and updates!
MORE FROM SWEET TALK
BUNDLES: Get A Sweet Deal
Comments