Instagram caption strategy in 2026
The algorithm weighs saves, shares and DM sends more than likes. Captions that teach something worth saving outperform one-line jokes for most niche accounts. Put hashtags in the first comment to keep the caption clean and readable.
Reels need a scroll-stopping hook in the first line and on-screen text in the opening frame. Carousels need slide-one tension: a bold claim or question that makes swiping inevitable.