Instagram Content Ideas To Stop The Scroll

Your content has exactly 0.3 seconds to make someone go from scrolling to stopping and engaging with your brand. In this wild world of Instagram, how do brands cut through the noise and still hit those KPIs?

If you’re trying to boost brand awareness, drive conversions or build a loyal community that connects with your brand’s mission, your Instagram content should be more than just ‘aesthetic’ — it needs to make a strategic impact. It all comes down to mixing creativity with intention. That means aligning your tactics with your goals and testing different formats to see what hits hardest at every stage of the user journey.

Once upon a time, Instagram was just a photo-sharing app. In 2025, it’s so much more than that. It’s your digital storefront, your stage and your community hub. Grid posts, Stories, Reels and even Lives have a role to play. Testing, tweaking and tracking what resonates with your audience will eventually turn into saves, shares and DMs — this is where the magic lives.

Keep reading for 13 actionable Instagram content ideas and how to make your content execution easier and more impactful. 

Today’s top Instagram brands don’t just post their products, they make product posts interactive and unskippable. No one wants to feel like they’re being ‘sold to’ on social media. But add a little bit of spice with some personality, a story and a trending sound and now you’ve got a standout post — and a sale. 

Rare Beauty goes beyond simply posting lipstick swatches, they show real people applying them, pairing the post with empowering captions and ASMR-worthy Reels. Another great example of a brand who creatively share product posts is Chamberlain Coffee — their product posts feel like a casual chat with a cool friend. Bright colors, messy countertops, relatable memes and overall vibes that scream ‘this is so me’. The result is skyrocketing engagement and saves.

Some examples to get your creative product showcase game on point:

• Before and after reveals: Perfect for beauty, wellness or fitness brands - people love a good glow-up.
• How-to’s and demos: Show your product in action, whether it’s a skincare routine or how to style a pair of sneakers.
• UGC spotlights: Repost UGC creators and real customers (with permission!) to build trust and authenticity.
• Moodboards and aesthetics: Tap into lifestyle content that sells a vibe, not just a product.
• Behind-the-scenes drops: Give sneak peeks of how your product is made or packaged, which gives fans a peek behind the curtain while building trust. 

When you lead with personality, you’re inviting your audience into your world — here are some other content creation ideas for Instagram to help drive sales and build your brand’s online personality. 

1. Product Demos and Tutorials 

You’ve got a product to promote and you want to show your audience exactly why they need it. Product demos and how-to tutorials are your cheat codes for showing your product’s value and gaining confident customers. 

Dyson’s visual tutorials had us all feeling like hair designers at home. From the iconic Airwrap to their next-gen vacuums, Dyson’s Instagram content leans into high-gloss, high-impact demos that show off exactly what their tech can do. You’ll often see slow-motion swirls of hair being styled or dirt being vacuumed up in one sleek swoop. Their videos highlight the features in action, no lengthy captions needed. The visual speaks volumes.

What's more compelling than seeing your product in action? Demos and tutorials are more than a lead generation tool; they also help you build meaningful connections. They give your audience that ‘OMG I need this’ moment right in their feed with no guesswork required.

2. Product Teasers 

Think of a trailer before the blockbuster. Product teasers are similar, they’re all about the art of keeping them guessing. Nothing gets followers tapping that share button faster than a little mystery. When done right, teasing a new launch on Instagram is the digital equivalent of a wink, like a subtle nudge that something’s coming without giving it all away.

Instead of revealing the whole product, give your audience just enough to spark curiosity — an ingredient close-up, a blurred-out bottle, a cryptic caption or a dreamy flat lay of a few key components. This strategy not only builds anticipation but also invites your community to play along by guessing what’s coming next.

Sol de Janeiro has mastered the slow reveal. Before launching a new product, they often post sneak peeks of the scene profile and the product in action, showing its texture and teasing the scent. Naturally, the comments consistently explode with fans trying to predict the scent.

The best part is that product teasers drive organic engagement without feeling salesy. When you make your followers feel like they’re in on the surprise, your audience is engaged, hyped up and ready to click ‘add to cart.’

3. Behind-the-Scenes Looks 

Spoiler alert: audiences are done with overly curated feeds that feel more like glossy ads than real life. Authentic, behind-the-scenes (BTS) are your scroll-stoppers! BTS content builds trust, drives engagement and creates the kind of emotional connection that fuels brand loyalty. It’s storytelling with heart, so don’t be shy about pulling back the curtains on how your brand really works.

Alo regularly features sneak peeks into their design meetings, product testing sessions and even influencer photoshoots. Their BTS content is about the culture of mindful movement. It brings followers into the community and adds that exclusive ‘you're on the inside’ feeling.

Whether you're a solo creator packing orders in your living room or a full-blown team brainstorming in a conference room, your process is powerful. Share it. Own it.

4. User-Generated Content and Testimonials 

User-Generated Content (UGC) and testimonials are perfect to use when it comes to building credibility and community on Instagram. We’re all more likely to trust a glowing review from a real customer over a polished product ad. UGC and real reviews validate and humanize your brand, while turning customers into your best marketers.

Think about it: when someone sees a product in action from someone they relate to, the trust factor goes way up. And when you share those customer photos, unfiltered reviews or even video shoutouts on your Stories or main feed, it shows your audience that you care.

CeraVe is a great example of building community. The skincare brand that turned customer love and loyalty into a range of community-based marketing campaigns. By highlighting genuine testimonials from dermatologists and skincare lovers alike, they’ve grown a fiercely loyal online following. Whether it’s reposted GRWM videos or ‘CeraVe saved my skin’ comments turned into graphics, their content screams trustworthy — without losing that‘stop-and-stare factor.

UGC and testimonials are a win-win, and are great social proof for your brand and spotlight for your community. It’s the kind of content that makes people stop, tap and trust.

If Instagram were a party, Stories would be the spontaneous, fun convos happening in the kitchen — fast-paced, real-time and where all the best energy live. With over 500 million users watching Stories daily, there’s no better place to drop in with content that’s quick, clickable and impossible to ignore.

The beauty of Stories is that they’re here today and gone tomorrow, which makes them the perfect playground for timely updates, authentic moment and interactive content that boosts engagement and visibility thanks to the Instagram algorithm's love for active accounts.

Countdowns and product drops are gold. Whether it’s Alo Yoga teasing a new activewear drop or Apple hinting at the next big launch, the countdown sticker is your BFF for building hype. It's interactive, eye-catching and literally creates a sense of urgency (hello, FOMO again).

And don’t forget stickers! Questions, emoji sliders, links — they’re not just fun toys, they’re algorithm boosters. The more people engage, the more often you show up. Think of it as a mini engagement engine baked right into your content.

Stories may disappear after 24 hours, but the impact they make can stick around way longer (in addition to living in your ‘Highlights’ section). So if your Instagram feed is the glossy magazine spread, let your Stories be the real-time reality show. Raw, reactive and ready to connect. Read on for other ways to make your Instagram Stories more engaging and interactive.

5. Polls, Quizzes and Q&As

Let’s talk about the unsung heroes of Instagram engagement: interactive stickers. You know, those little Instagram polls, quizzes and Q&A boxes you can drop into your Stories? They can boost engagement and even conversions when done correctly. 

These features are powerful tools to spark conversations, gather insights and make your audience feel like co-creators of your brand story. The best part? They take seconds to set up and deliver instant feedback, which are perfect for brands who love real-time reactions.

Take Starbucks, for example. The brand used poll stickers to let fans vote on their favorite seasonal drinks — Pumpkin Spice vs. Peppermint Mocha? You bet that got people tapping. 

So the next time you’re stuck on what to post in Stories? Don’t overthink it too much. Throw up a poll, ask a question or run a quiz.

6. Flash Sales and Limited Offers

There’s nothing quite like a ticking clock to get people tapping ‘Add to Cart’ faster than you can say “limited edition”. Flash sales and time-sensitive promos are where urgency meets exclusivity.

Instagram Stories are the perfect stage to launch these blink-and-you’ll-miss-it moments. Think countdown stickers in Stories, bold graphics on the feed or even Reels with a quick voiceover and ‘Only 24 hours left!’ text overlays. It’s all about feeding that sense of FOMO in real time.

Gymshark has made a whole brand identity out of time-limited sales. Their infamous Blackout Sale is announced via high-intensity Reels and Stories — complete with countdowns, hype edits and influencers showcasing their favorite fits — and it sells out almost instantly every time.

Flash sales work best when you stir excitement and urgency; and Instagram has all the tools to make it pop. Because in the end, nothing drives action quite like a deal that might disappear any second.

7. Story Takeovers and Influencer Collaborations

Nothing spices up your Instagram Stories like handing over the mic. Whether it’s a charismatic team member, a trusted influencer or a creator your audience loves, Story takeovers are great for engagement and pulling the ‘curtain’ back to your behind-the-scenes process.  

Letting someone else run the show (for a day, at least) gives your brand a major refresh. If you’re collaborating with influencers, it also brings their followers directly into your world. Think of it like a virtual open house — except it’s much easier and full of personality.

Jewelry brand Mejuri constantly partners with lifestyle creators for behind-the-scenes content, mini style edits or casual ‘a day in my life’ takeovers. Their Instagram Stories feel more like FaceTiming a friend than being marketed to, which helps build trust and engagement.

And it’s not just about creators. Some of the best takeovers come from your own team. Your social lead, head designer or product manager can pop in to share their day, answer FAQs or tease a new launch. It adds a layer of realness that no polished campaign can fake.

So, the next time you’re planning out your content calendar, ask yourself: Who can take the reins for a day? Because sometimes, the best way to connect is to step aside and let someone else tell the story.

Reels are fast, fun short-form videos that are ridiculously effective at boosting visibility. So, if you’re not serving up snackable video content yet, now’s your sign to hit ‘record.’

Ryanair is a great example of a brand cleverly leveraging humor into Reels. By turning planes into the butt of its own jokes, Ryanair flipped boring brand content on its head and made air travel meme-worthy. They have a fairly simple formula: self-awareness + low-budget edits + trending audio = algorithm bait.

Ryanair always opens strong, and often uses trending Instagram songs and audio. Add captions (because we all scroll on mute). And keep it snappy — under 15 seconds is your sweet spot. These quick hits boost discoverability, encourage shares and keep your content in the Reels loop longer. Because here’s the thing: in 2025, Reels aren’t just a ‘nice to have’, they’re the front door to your brand.

Read on to discover more ways to make the most of your Instagram video content. 

8. Trending Audio and Challenges

If you're not hopping on trending audio and viral challenges, are you even trying to grow on Instagram?

In 2025, the right song is everything. From the first beat drop to that perfectly timed lip-sync, the right soundtrack can transform even the simplest Reel into an attention-grabber. Pair that with a trending challenge or visual format and boom, you’ve got yourself a piece of content that’s optimized for discovery.

Just ask Aritzia, which regularly uses trending Reels sounds to give its minimalist product styling a fun, relatable twist. Reels often blend seasonal outfit inspiration with popular audio, making its content feel fresh and hyper-shareable. 

The key? Don’t just use trending audio for the sake of it. Make sure it aligns with your brand tone and message.  In the world of Reels, music is more than background noise — it’s a discoverability hack you can’t ignore. 

9. Mini Tutorials and Tips

If there's one thing the Instagram algorithm loves, it’s content that actually helps people. Enter: mini tutorials and bite-sized tips. These snappy, value-packed clips are total gold for engagement, because they serve up quick wins that make viewers feel smarter, savvier and more confident — all in under 30 seconds.

Think about it: we're living in a world where everyone’s attention span is shorter than a TikTok trend cycle. That’s why educational content that gets straight to the point performs like a dream. Whether it’s a how-to, a styling hack or a niche pro tip, this format lets you flex your expertise while building trust.

Wellness brands like Golde are getting in on the action, showing off easy matcha recipes or morning routines that feature their products in totally natural, non-salesy ways. With these posts, education meets aspiration — and it works.

Pro tip: keep your captions clear and your visuals crisp. Viewers should be able to learn something without turning the sound on, because we all know half the audience is scrolling on mute. 

10. Day-in-the-Life or Process Videos

Who doesn’t love a little peek behind the curtains? We’re talking daily routines, event prep and all the behind-the-scenes realness that makes your brand feel human and relatable. Day-in-the-life and process videos are both content and connection-builders.

Why? Because people are naturally curious. They don’t just want to see the finished product, they also want the story behind it — the morning coffee, the creative chaos, the team huddle and the final “we did it!” moment. When brands get real, they get remembered.

Airbnb gets in on the action, giving us mini-tours of dreamy homes or tourist attractions with hosts walking us through setup, hosting tips or how a weekend unfolds. It’s casual but compelling content that totally taps into the ‘this could be you’ energy.

Whether you're a solo creator, small biz or global brand, these types of videos let your audience see the people behind the brand. And that kind of authenticity? It’s perfect for engagement. So if you’re thinking about what to post this week, try a “here’s how my day really goes.” Trust us: your audience will eat it up.

Your content is fighting for attention in a never-ending sea of delicious food photos, outfit inspiration and trending memes. So how do you actually stop the scroll? One word: carousels. Yes, those swipey-slidey posts are your best friend when it comes to boosting engagement and keeping eyeballs on your brand. In fact, carousel posts have been known to outperform single-image content like it’s their full-time job.

The feed is fast. The scroll is brutal. And the attention span? Shorter than your morning coffee run. That’s where carousel posts and strong feed content come in clutch. Whether you’re dropping behind-the-scenes magic, a before-and-after transformation, or a mini tutorial series, carousels are great content for value-packed, thumb-pausing content.

Just ask Nike, which drops empowering athlete stories using carousel post to inspire and educate.

11. Step-by-Step Guides

On a platform where users scroll faster than you can say ‘algorithm,’ you need content that doesn’t just blend in. One of the best ways to stop the scroll? Step-by-step guides. Think of these as your Instagram version of ‘how-to’ tutorials, but make them cute, snackable and swipeable.

Glossier has mastered the art of storytelling through carousels. Its ‘how to build your routine’ post breaks down how each product can serve different steps of your skincare routine. The first slide shares a glimpse at available products, while the next few slides include a little blurb about what it does, with quick tips and application shots. And by the final slide, you have the knowledge to build a brand new skincare routine. 

But the real kicker? These posts both look good and drive engagement. Each swipe equals more time spent on your content. Add in a persuasive call-to-action at the end like ‘Save this for your next skincare day,’ or ‘Tag us when you try this look,’ to encourage saves, shares and even UGC. 

In a sea of chaotic content, these bite-sized guides are your chance to deliver value, and maybe even go viral on Instagram.

12. Infographics and Tips

In the ‘send this to the group chat,’ era infographics are having a moment. They're the perfect blend of education and aesthetics, wrapping helpful info in a clean, visually snackable format. Infographics scream shareability. They’re easy to repost, reshare and even screenshot, which means your brand reaches way beyond your own follower count organically.

With Headspace, mental wellness has never looked so aesthetic. Headspace is the gold standard for using Instagram to make mindfulness feel accessible, shareable and even a little bit trendy. Their posts often feature calming pastel visuals, soft gradients and typography that literally lowers your stress levels just by looking at it. But it’s not just a pretty feed, the content ‘hits’. Think: ‘3 Breathing Techniques for Stressful Days,’ ‘Mindful Habits to Start Your Morning,’ or ‘Tips for Falling Asleep in 5 Minutes.’ Each slide delivers micro-doses of value that feel easy to consume, even if you’re mid-scroll during a chaotic workday. The result? These graphics drive carousel saves and reshares again and again and again.

So if you’re sitting on some stats, tips, hacks or ‘did-you-know’ nuggets of wisdom, it’s time to package them up in a way that’s not just educational — it’s also a visual flex. Soon, your brand becomes synonymous with "Oh, I always learn something from them.” 

13. Inspirational Quotes and Stories

When a brand drops a relatable quote or shares a motivating story, it taps into a very human instinct to want to feel seen, understood and empowered. These posts get saved for later, shared in group chats and screen-recorded faster than a sold-out concert ticket drop. Sometimes it’s just one powerful quote or heart-tugging story that actually makes a user pause mid-scroll.

Adobe puts the ‘creator’ in creativity. Adobe’s feed often shares stories from creatives using their tools — designers, photographers, filmmakers, you name it. These aren’t polished Hollywood bios. They're short, authentic slices of creative hustle. It’s content that doesn’t scream ‘buy this software’, it says ‘look what you can create.’ That’s the kind of motivation that hits the save button in our brains.

Sometimes the most powerful stories are already in your DMs or Slack channel. Whether it’s a behind-the-scenes quote from your founder, a message from a customer who loves your product, or a heartfelt note from a team member, sharing real stories adds dimension to your brand. Suddenly, you’re not just a logo — you’re a whole story.

So you’ve got the content ideas, the aesthetic is on point and your captions are giving main character energy — but now it’s time to level up your Instagram game like the social pro you are.

Don’t just post and ghost — use the tools that help your content actually work for you. Wanna know what’s clicking with your audience? Tap into Instagram Insights and Instagram Story Insights to see what’s making people double-tap and what’s flopping harder than your 2016 duck-face selfie.

If you’re selling products, don’t sleep on Instagram Product Tagging — it's your ticket to turning casual scrollers into actual customers. Pair that with Instagram Product Design tools and you’ve got a feed that looks as good as it performs.

And of course, if you’re ready to take your brand’s Instagram from meh to mega, head over to Dash Social’s full Instagram solution to start turning your content into results. Because let’s face it — in the world of Instagram, it’s not just about showing up, it’s about showing off (strategically, of course).

What types of content perform best on Instagram?

Instagram loves variety, but these content types are crushing it on the feed:

• Reels that are short and snappy with trending sounds and relatable vibes.
• Carousels are great for tutorials, transformations or juicy educational content.
• Behind-the-scenes (BTS) show the real, messy and unfiltered content that people crave.
• Memes and relatable content are for a good laugh that quickly turns into a follow and “add to cart”.
• Aesthetic photos and quotes will never go out of style, whether it’s mood board worthy or drops of truth bombs.

How can I measure the success of my Instagram content?

There are a few different Instagram metrics to track, which will largely depend on your marketing goals and objectives. Simply put, performance isn’t just about likes anymore. Here’s what to track if you wanna know your content is succeeding:

• Engagement rate tells you who’s vibing with your stuff.
• Reach and views are super helpful to see if you’re breaking out of the follower bubble.
• Saves and shares are major green flags and are growing even more relevant for social performance. Think of these as community builders and signs you’re reaching the right users with valuable content. 
• For Reels, views and average watch time will help you understand content interactions.
• Profile actions are great to track impact, like people clicking through to your profile, links or DMs after a post.