Why Saves and Shares Matter More Than Likes on Instagram

In a world where everyone’s obsessed with likes, it’s time to shift your focus.

Instagram’s algorithm is always watching, and while likes are a visible ego boost, they’re no longer the most valuable metric. In fact, if you’re serious about growth, saves and shares deserve the spotlight.

Likes Are Passive, Saves Are Intentional

A like is a tap. A save is a choice.
When someone saves your post, it means they found it valuable enough to revisit. This is a major signal that your content is informative, inspirational, or offers long-term relevance — all things the algorithm favors.

Shares Expand Your Reach

Every time someone shares your post to their Stories or DMs, they’re personally recommending your content. This gives you exposure to audiences you wouldn’t reach otherwise…for free.

Shares don’t just validate your content. They amplify it.

The Algorithm Pays Attention

Instagram doesn’t just serve content with the most likes. It surfaces content that’s getting saved and shared because that tells the algorithm:
“This is valuable. More people should see this.”
That’s how posts go viral. That’s how accounts grow.

How to Get More Saves and Shares

• Create content your audience needs (think checklists, tips, infographics, templates.)

• Make relatable content that your audience wants to send to friends or repost to Stories.

• Include subtle CTAs: “Save this for later” or “Share this with someone who needs it.”

Final Thoughts

If you’re chasing likes, you’re playing the short game. If you’re optimizing for saves and shares, you’re building long-term engagement, trust, and reach.
And that’s the strategy that works.

Want help creating content your audience can’t help but save or share?
Let’s chat . I build strategies that do exactly that.