20 Calls to Action To Use When Posting on Instagram
Have you ever posted amazing content on Instagram but got crickets in return? I've been there.
The problem isn't your content – it's probably how you're asking people to engage with it. It all comes down to encouraging engagement from your audience by using strategic calls to action, otherwise known as CTAs. I want to share my top Instagram CTAs that actually work, backed by real experience and data, that I use in my OWN instagram strategy.
Why Your Instagram CTAs Matter More Than You Think
Let's get real for a second. When I first started on Instagram, I thought people would naturally know what to do with my content. Boy, was I wrong! Here's the truth: your followers are busy, scrolling fast, and might not even notice you have something valuable to offer – unless you tell them directly.
But here's what's really interesting... CTAs aren't just about selling. They're about building relationships with your audience, one tap, one action, one like, one comment, or one share at a time.
The 20 Must-Know Instagram CTAs
I've tested hundreds of CTAs over the years, but these 20 are my go-to winners. They're not just random prompts – each one serves a specific purpose in your Instagram strategy. Some build engagement, others drive sales, and a few do both. I've grouped them by type so you can easily pick the right one for your goals. Let's dive into each one and see exactly how they work.
Engagement Boosters
Vote for your favorites in the comments: People love sharing opinions. Ask them to choose between two options for your business – maybe a new logo or product color.
Double tap if you agree: This is my go-to for quick engagement. It's simple, easy, and people love showing support this way.
Guess which one is a lie: This is perfect for weekend content when you want to keep things light and fun.
Save & Share Champions
Swipe to learn more: Use this for carousels. I've found that many people don't notice it's a carousel unless you tell them!
Save this for later: Perfect for multi-step guides or lists. Remember: people won't remember seven tips, but they'll save them for later if you remind them.
Share if you agree: Great for those "aha moment" posts that really resonate with your audience
Direct Communication Drivers
DM me for the link: This is gold for sales. Why? Because DMs create stronger connections than any other Instagram interaction.
Ask me anything: Don't just limit this to Stories – it works great in regular posts too.
Ask me in the comments: This works especially well when you've shared useful but incomplete information.
Content Discovery CTAs
Link in bio: Yes, it's basic, but don't assume people know to look there!
Check out our highlights: Perfect for directing people to FAQs or more detailed information.
Read more on the blog: If you have a blog (and you should), don't forget to promote it.
Interactive Elements
Take a screenshot: I use this a lot in Reels or Stories with quick-moving text.
Tap and hold to read: Perfect for content-heavy Stories or Reels.
Introduce yourself in the comments: People love talking about themselves, especially in B2B spaces.
Growth-Focused CTAs
Follow for more tips: Use this strategically in Reels and Carousels that reach new audiences.
Head to Stories to find out: Creates curiosity and drives Story views.
Comment with your favorite emoji: An easy win for quick engagement.
Share so others can learn too: Great for educational content.
Comment "KEYWORD" and I will DM you the link: This is a newer CTA that I started using this year, that will trigger an automation in ManyChat so that a link will directly be sent to their DMs
Why These CTAs Work (And How to Use Them Right)
Here's something most people don't realize: CTAs aren't just about immediate conversions. They're about building engagement habits. When your audience regularly interacts with your content, magic happens.
The Instagram algorithm starts showing your content more often, and your audience becomes more likely to take action when you do have something to sell. Think of it like this: you're training your audience to engage with you, one small action at a time.
Pro Tips for Using These CTAs
The key to successful CTAs is variety and authenticity. I never use the same CTA in every post – instead, I rotate between three or four different ones each week to keep things fresh. It's crucial to match your CTA to your content type. For example, "save this" works perfectly for helpful guides, while "share if you agree" fits better with relatable content.
Your CTA should flow naturally from your content rather than feeling forced or tacked on. As you try different CTAs, pay close attention to which ones get the best response from your audience. This data will help you refine your strategy over time.
Your path to better engagement starts with choosing three or four CTAs from this list that align with your brand voice. Test them in your content over the next week, and carefully track how your audience responds to each one.
Remember: the best CTA is the one your audience actually engages with, so don't be afraid to experiment until you find what works for your unique followers.
Want to grow your Instagram account?
If you're trying to grow your Instagram account with a content strategy, you're most likely not seeing many results. You need a content strategy and a growth strategy that are both possible for you to execute with your bandwidth.
In this class, we will define what each of them are and how to create both for your business. Includes a bonus Growth Strategy Planner!
Manu Muraro is the founder of Your Social Team, an Instagram strategy and templates business that helps ethical brands with a sense of humor grow their organic engagement and sales using Instagram.
Your Social Team also offers Your Template Club, a Canva template subscription to help social media managers and busy business owners get more results and save time.
Born and raised in Brazil, Manu moved to the U.S. in 2000, right out of college, to work for Cartoon Network, where she made an award-winning career in creative for 15 years.
Manu started Your Social Team in 2017 and has worked with brands like Teachable, Brit+Co, James Beard Foundation, Open Table before shifting focus to women founded small businesses and social media professionals.