Memes Instagram Reels Mistakes Beginners Make | ViralNow
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Strategy4 min readFeb 3, 2026

Memes Instagram Reels Mistakes Beginners Make

Avoid these common mistakes when starting Memes content on Instagram Reels.

Avoid these common mistakes when starting Memes content on Instagram Reels. Instagram Reels is brand deals and lifestyle integration—Instagram's audience has more purchasing power and brands pay premium rates, and Memes creators can leverage cross-pollination with your Instagram feed, Stories, and DMs—building relationships that compound over time to reach Internet-savvy users, Gen Z and Millennials. Here's everything you need to know.

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Beginner Mistakes for Memes Creators on Instagram Reels

Avoid these common mistakes when starting Memes content on Instagram Reels.

  • Instagram rewards visual polish more than TikTok. Aesthetic matters. Remove TikTok watermarks or get deprioritized
  • For Memes, engagement from your existing followers first, then shares to Stories and DMs (Instagram's social DNA)
  • Instagram's audience is slightly older (18-44) and values aesthetics and lifestyle content—adapt your Memes approach accordingly
  • Learn from successful Memes creators on Instagram Reels specifically

Pro Tip: ViralNow helps Memes creators optimize every video for Instagram Reels.

Memes-Specific Strategies on Instagram Reels

What works for Memes content on Instagram Reels:

  • Internet-savvy users, Gen Z and Millennials on Instagram Reels have specific preferences—learn them
  • Use #memes, #funny, #viral to reach your Memes audience
  • Content ideas like Trending meme formats and Original memes resonate with Memes viewers
  • Instagram Reels is brand deals and lifestyle integration—Instagram's audience has more purchasing power and brands pay premium rates—leverage this for Memes

Measuring Memes Success on Instagram Reels

Track whether your Memes content is working:

  • engagement from your existing followers first, then shares to Stories and DMs (Instagram's social DNA)—this is Instagram Reels's primary signal
  • Engagement rate matters more than follower count for Memes
  • Profile visits indicate Internet-savvy users, Gen Z and Millennials want more from you
  • Compare week-over-week, not video-by-video
  • Growth is slower but more stable than TikTok—followers are more loyal and engaged long-term

Pro Tip: ViralNow tracks these metrics and shows what's working in your Memes content.

Instagram Reels Platform Considerations for Memes

Understanding Instagram Reels's unique characteristics:

  • Instagram Reels uses a two-phase system: first showing to your followers, then expanding to non-followers on the Reels tab and Explore if engagement is strong
  • cross-pollination with your Instagram feed, Stories, and DMs—building relationships that compound over time benefits Memes creators for discovery
  • Instagram's audience is slightly older (18-44) and values aesthetics and lifestyle content
  • Use 5-10 targeted hashtags. Hashtags are more searchable here than TikTok—people actually follow hashtags on Instagram

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the biggest mistake Memes creators make on Instagram Reels?

Inconsistency kills momentum on Instagram Reels. Growth is slower but more stable than TikTok—followers are more loyal and engaged long-term For Memes specifically, another common mistake is ignoring what Internet-savvy users, Gen Z and Millennials actually want—posting what YOU want instead of what resonates. Check your analytics: engagement from your existing followers first, then shares to Stories and DMs (Instagram's social DNA). Let data guide your Memes content strategy.

Why do some Memes accounts stop growing on Instagram Reels?

Stagnant content. If you keep making identical Memes videos, Internet-savvy users, Gen Z and Millennials gets bored and engagement drops. Instagram Reels uses a two-phase system: first showing to your followers, then expanding to non-followers on the Reels tab and Explore if engagement is strong. When engagement drops, Instagram Reels stops pushing your content. Evolve your Memes content, try new formats, adapt to what's working.

How do I know if I'm making mistakes with Memes content on Instagram Reels?

Check Instagram Reels analytics. For Memes content: Low engagement from your existing followers first, then shares to Stories and DMs (Instagram's social DNA)? Your hooks need work. Low shares? Content isn't resonating emotionally with Internet-savvy users, Gen Z and Millennials. Low comments? You're not sparking conversation. Use data to diagnose problems instead of guessing.

What Instagram Reels-specific mistakes should Memes creators avoid?

Instagram rewards visual polish more than TikTok. Aesthetic matters. Remove TikTok watermarks or get deprioritized Specific to Instagram Reels: Use 5-10 targeted hashtags. Hashtags are more searchable here than TikTok—people actually follow hashtags on Instagram. Also, understand that Instagram's audience is slightly older (18-44) and values aesthetics and lifestyle content Adapt your Memes content accordingly—what works on TikTok may not work here, and vice versa.

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