You’re spending hours creating Instagram Reels, but they’re barely reaching anyone beyond your existing followers. Meanwhile, other coaches in your niche seem to effortlessly rack up thousands of views. What’s going on?
The problem isn’t your message or expertise. You’re likely making one (or several) common algorithm mistakes that are quietly killing your reach. Understanding how Instagram’s algorithm actually works can transform your content from invisible to unavoidable.
Let’s break down the seven most critical mistakes coaches make with their Reels and how to fix them.
1. Ignoring the First 3 Seconds
Instagram’s algorithm tracks how many people watch your Reel all the way through and how quickly they scroll past it. If viewers bounce within the first few seconds, the algorithm interprets your content as unengaging and stops showing it to new people.
The mistake: Starting with a long intro, your logo, or saying “Hey guys, welcome back to my channel.” By the time you get to the point, most viewers are already gone.
The fix: Hook viewers immediately with a pattern interrupt. Start mid-action, ask a provocative question, or make a bold statement. Try opening with phrases like “Stop doing this in your coaching business” or “Here’s what nobody tells you about…” Your logo and personal intro can wait until viewers are already invested.
2. Posting at the Wrong Times for Your Audience
Many coaches post whenever it’s convenient for them, not when their ideal clients are actually scrolling Instagram. This creates an immediate disadvantage because Instagram prioritizes fresh content in the first hour after posting.
The mistake: Publishing your Reels at random times or when you happen to finish creating them, without considering when your audience is most active.
The fix: Check your Instagram Insights to see when your followers are online. Go to Professional Dashboard > Insights > Total Followers > scroll down to see the most active times. Test posting during these windows for 2-3 weeks and track which times generate the most immediate engagement. The algorithm rewards Reels that gain traction quickly.
3. Using Banned or Overused Audio
Audio choice matters more than most coaches realize. Instagram deprioritizes Reels that use certain flagged audio tracks, and oversaturated trending sounds won’t help you stand out either.
The mistake: Using the same viral audio everyone else is using weeks after it peaked, or unknowingly selecting audio that contains copyrighted material or has been flagged by Instagram.
The fix: Use trending audio early in its lifecycle (within the first few days) or create original audio by speaking directly to camera. Original audio from your niche is particularly powerful because it establishes you as a thought leader. When using trending sounds, look for tracks with 5,000-50,000 uses rather than millions.
4. Focusing on Vanity Metrics Instead of Saves and Shares
Views are nice, but Instagram’s algorithm cares most about deeper engagement signals. The platform wants to surface content that people find so valuable they save it to reference later or share it with friends.
The mistake: Creating entertaining but forgettable content that gets likes but doesn’t drive saves or shares. Many coaches make Reels that are mildly interesting but lack the utility or impact that makes people want to keep them.
The fix: Create “save-worthy” content by including actionable tips, frameworks, templates, or insights people want to reference later. End your Reels with a call-to-action like “Save this for when you need to…” or “Share this with a coach who needs to hear it.” Educational content that solves specific problems typically performs better for coaches than purely motivational content.
5. Inconsistent Posting Schedule
The Instagram algorithm rewards accounts that post consistently. When you disappear for weeks and then suddenly post five Reels in one day, you’re training the algorithm to see your account as unreliable.
The mistake: Posting sporadically based on motivation or when you have time, creating an irregular pattern that confuses the algorithm and your audience.
The fix: Establish a sustainable posting rhythm and stick to it. Whether that’s three Reels per week or one per day, consistency matters more than volume. Batch-create content during dedicated sessions so you always have Reels ready to post on schedule. The algorithm learns to anticipate your content and primes your audience to see it.
6. Neglecting Captions and Accessibility
Many coaches treat captions as an afterthought, using generic phrases or skipping them entirely. This is a massive missed opportunity because Instagram can’t “watch” your video, it reads text to understand what your content is about.
The mistake: Using minimal captions like “Watch till the end” or relying solely on on-screen text without proper captions. This makes your content less discoverable and excludes viewers who watch without sound (which is the majority).
The fix: Write detailed, keyword-rich captions that describe what your Reel covers. Include relevant industry terms, problems you’re solving, and phrases your ideal clients actually search for. Add closed captions to your videos (you can use Instagram’s auto-captions feature). This makes your content accessible and helps the algorithm understand and categorize your Reel properly.
7. Not Giving the Algorithm Time to Learn
Instagram’s algorithm doesn’t instantly know who will love your content. It tests your Reels with small audiences first, then gradually expands reach based on performance signals. Many coaches give up too quickly when a Reel doesn’t immediately pop off.
The mistake: Posting a Reel, checking it obsessively for the first hour, seeing low views, and concluding it “flopped.” Then changing your entire strategy based on one or two underperforming posts.
The fix: Give each Reel at least 48-72 hours before evaluating its performance. Some Reels gain momentum slowly as the algorithm finds the right audience. More importantly, track patterns across 10-15 Reels rather than judging individual posts. Look for what topics, formats, and hooks consistently perform well, then create more of that content. The algorithm learns what works for your account over time, not from a single post.
The Bottom Line
Getting Instagram Reels views isn’t about gaming the system or following some secret hack. It’s about understanding what the algorithm rewards and aligning your content strategy accordingly.
The algorithm prioritizes content that keeps people on the platform longer, generates meaningful engagement, and gets shared. When you create valuable, consistent content that hooks viewers immediately and gives them a reason to engage deeply, the views will follow.
Start by addressing one or two of these mistakes this week. Test, measure, and refine. Your next Reel could be the one that breaks through.