Instagram Stories: Images or Videos – Which Format Is Posted More Often?
Did you know that more images are posted than videos in Instagram Stories? Data from SocialInsider.io in 2025 paints a clear picture of the format distribution across brand accounts:
- Images → 57%
- Videos → 43%
So why do images still dominate? One reason is scalability. Brands that post up to 80 Stories per month often rely on pre-designed image templates to maintain that pace. For smaller accounts, image-based Stories provide a low-risk way to stay active without heavy production demands.
However, brands with the highest engagement rates tend to strike a deliberate balance. They don’t just switch formats randomly — they choose the format based on the intent of the content:
- Short announcements? → Images
- Product demos, behind-the-scenes glimpses, or UGC takeovers? → Always videos
A study by The Social Shepherd found that Instagram Stories attract 500 million daily active users. This number has steadily grown since their launch and shows no signs of slowing down — a compelling reason for marketers to share content there and connect with their target audience.
Brand Stories also boast a completion rate of 88.2%. If you post Stories, you naturally want viewers to watch from start to finish. The key is to share captivating content that keeps audiences engaged throughout each individual Story segment.
Instagram the Third Most Popular Social Media App
You might be wondering why Instagram is so important. To answer this question look at the following chart and the description.
The bar chart shows the most popular social networks worldwide as of February 2025, measured by the number of monthly active users, based on data from Statista. The figures are given in millions. The chart reveals that Instagram, with 2 billion monthly active users, shares third place with WhatsApp – behind Facebook (3.07 billion) and YouTube (2.53 billion).
How Interactions in Instagram Stories Influence the Algorithm
Imagine you post a series of Stories on a specific topic. Because your followers find them interesting, they respond with likes or leave comments. If this happens repeatedly, it signals to the Instagram algorithm that your Stories are engaging — and Instagram is more likely to push your account into the Explore feed of other users.
The algorithm notices when someone interacts with your content and prioritizes it in their feed. Instagram favors content that generates strong engagement. More interaction within your Stories can lead to several advantages:
- Higher chances of appearing in followers’ feeds
- Better ranking in the Explore section
- Improved discoverability among potential followers
- Greater authenticity and trust
- Higher engagement rates, which are a valuable achievement for your account
The more often users interact with your content — for example by liking, commenting, sharing, or sending direct messages — the stronger your engagement. That’s why Stories are crucial for Instagram growth.
When your Stories receive high interaction, the following can happen:
- Your content appears at the very top of followers’ feeds
- Your content is recommended in the Explore tab
- Your content is suggested to new Instagram users
This increased visibility leads to more viewers and more engagement, making your Stories more successful. But first, you need tactics to encourage followers to interact with your Stories. You could find countless strategies through a quick Google search — but below, we’ll share some of the most effective ones.
The 5 Data-Driven Hacks for More Reach and Visibility
Below, you’ll find the 5 most effective hacks to gain more reach and visibility on Instagram Stories.
Hack #1 – The 3-2-1 Posting Rule for Maximum Visibility
“3 Stories with engagement stickers, 2 with value, 1 with a CTA.”
This is one of the most effective methods:
1 – First, create 3 Stories with engagement stickers.
These could include polls, quizzes, or “Ask me anything” stickers. The goal is to prompt followers to interact with you or with each other. When engagement happens, Instagram takes note and recognizes your content as valuable.
- Example Story 1: Poll – “When exploring the city, do you prefer a delicious pizza or a big kebab?”
- Example Story 2: Quiz – “Which Instagram feature do you use the most?”
- Example Story 3: Question sticker – “What was your best vacation ever?”
2 – Then, create 2 Stories that provide value.
Share tips, how-to guides, fun facts, or mini tutorials. The aim is to offer useful content that keeps viewers watching longer.
- Example Story 4: “3 tricks to instantly improve your Story quality”
- Example Story 5: A quick before/after demo of photo editing
3 – Finally, post 1 Story with a clear Call-to-Action (CTA).
This should encourage viewers to take a specific action, such as clicking a link, visiting your profile, or checking out a product.
- Example Story 6: “Get my free Story templates now – Link below 👇”
Hack #2 – Die „Prime Time“-Story
The second strategy focuses on finding the best time to post your Instagram Stories. In general, you should first identify your target audience and consider where they are located. There’s no universal posting time that works for everyone — results vary depending on your audience.
The recommended approach is to research first, then post your Stories at a specific time. Afterwards, try posting at a different time to see if interactions increase or decrease. This way, you can determine your own optimal posting time after a short testing period. Storytelling plays a key role in succeeding on Instagram. Stories have the power to evoke emotions. By incorporating narrative elements into your content, you’re not only sharing information but also creating a personal connection with your audience — something that naturally boosts interaction.
Our recommendation: Post at a specific time and monitor the interaction. Then, post at another time and compare whether engagement rises or falls. Only by experimenting will you discover the best posting time for your chosen social media platforms.
Hack #3 – Series Stories Instead of Single Posts
Series-based Stories work better because they encourage followers to keep watching and follow along. However, this step requires a bit more care. Clear your mind of daily routines and distractions, and focus entirely on brainstorming.
Grab a notebook and think about what your followers are most interested in. Make a list — the longer, the better — as it will give you more material to work with. If you can’t think of any topics, do a quick Google search. For example: imagine you’re a fast-food blogger and type into Google: “What are fast-food fans most interested in?” One possible answer that might appear on the first page could be: “The 10 largest fast-food chains in the world.”
You can also ask AI for suggestions, but it’s always best to write your own Stories. AI-generated content often lacks the personal touch that makes Stories truly engaging. Success requires effort — no pain, no gain.
So, what are you waiting for? Take the time to find topics for your Stories, think carefully about how you’ll present them, and draw that creative magic straight from your heart.
Another tip: watch other bloggers or channels on YouTube, Instagram, or other platforms for inspiration.
Warning: Never copy their methods if you want to stand out. Audiences are always drawn to fresh, original content. Recycled or copied posts don’t grab attention — but innovative Stories can motivate potential followers to hit that follow button.
Hack #4 – Strategic Use of Links and Hashtags
Here, we focus on the use of links and hashtags and their role in expanding organic reach.
Placing links on Instagram is important because they influence both the visibility and engagement of users with content outside the platform.
Links in Instagram Stories offer the following benefits:
- Increased traffic to external websites
- The ability to share content that goes beyond the Story itself
- Improved interaction with followers.
For example, if you showcase your products or services in a Story and include a link to your shop, you give followers the opportunity to directly access the product or service. This can boost potential sales or service bookings.
As for hashtags, they are still an effective way to increase the visibility of your posts. It’s smart to identify relevant hashtags that match both your content and your target audience. They also help your Stories gain more exposure. Choosing the right hashtags related to your content can significantly expand your Stories’ reach.
Hack #5 – Content Recycling from Reels & Lives
Content recycling from Reels and Lives means repurposing already created content from Instagram Reels or livestreams. This strategy offers several great benefits:
- More visibility for your content
- Less effort, greater impact
- Saves time and resources
- Reaches a larger audience
Wniosek
In 2025, Instagram Stories are an indispensable tool for increasing reach and engagement. The analysis shows: while images still slightly dominate, videos deliver higher interaction rates. Successful accounts use a strategic mix, clear Story series, and targeted engagement elements.
The most effective approaches include:
- The 3-2-1 posting rule for maximum visibility
- Posting at your personal “Prime Time”
- Series-based Stories that keep viewers engaged
- Links & hashtags for extra reach
- Content recycling from Reels & Lives for efficiency and impact
Key insight: Story interactions signal relevance to the algorithm — which increases the chances of being shown in the feed, the Explore section, and to new users.
Additional resources & guides:
- Offizielle Instagram-Story-Guides: https://about.instagram.com/features/Storys
- The Social Shepherd – Instagram Statistics & Insights: https://thesocialshepherd.com/
- io – Story Performance Reportsazit: https://www.socialinsider.io/