How To Analyze Instagram Reels Accounts in 10 Steps

Reels are no longer just short, dynamic videos that act as an creative outlet—they’re a powerful tool for businesses and creators to connect with their audience in engaging, impactful ways. However, success on Reels doesn’t happen by chance. It requires a thoughtful analysis of account performance and content strategy. Whether you’re a creator looking to grow or a marketer managing a client’s account, understanding how to analyze an Instagram Reels account is crucial for maximizing reach and engagement.

To make the most of them, you need to master the art of analyzing Instagram Reels. Here’s how you can break it down into actionable steps:  

Step 1: Establish Clear Goals

Before diving into data, define the purpose of your analysis. Are you evaluating your account to improve performance? Assessing a competitor to refine your strategy? Or analyzing an influencer’s account to gauge their suitability for a campaign?

Key Goals May Include:

• Identifying top-performing content
• Understanding audience behavior and preferences
• Measuring engagement rates and ROI
• Benchmarking against competitors
• Optimizing posting schedules and content themes

Establishing clear goals will focus your analysis and make it more actionable.

Step 2: Review Profile Basics

Start by evaluating the account’s profile. A strong foundation is essential for Reels success.

Key Areas to Examine:

• Username and Bio: Are they clear, concise, and aligned with the brand or creator’s niche?
• Profile Picture: Does it reflect the brand identity or personality?
• Reels Tab Layout: Is the content visually cohesive and inviting for viewers?

A well-optimized profile encourages users to explore more content, increasing the likelihood of engagement.

Step 3: Dive Into Reels-Specific Metrics

Instagram’s Insights tool provides valuable data about Reels performance. Focus on these key metrics:

Reach: How many unique users have seen your Reels?

• A high reach indicates strong discoverability, often driven by the algorithm.

Plays: The total number of times a Reel has been viewed.

• Comparing plays to reach can reveal how often viewers replay your content.

Engagement Rate: This includes likes, comments, shares, and saves.

• A high engagement rate shows content resonates with the audience.

Saves and Shares: These are particularly important as they signal value to the algorithm, increasing your content’s visibility.

Completion Rate: How many viewers watched your Reel until the end?

• Low completion rates may indicate issues with content quality or pacing.

Track these metrics over time to identify patterns and trends.

Step 4: Analyze Content Performance

Identify Top-Performing Reels

Analyze Instagram Reels with the highest reach and engagement. Look into the factors that sets them apart:

• What type of content (tutorials, humor, trends) performed best?
• Are there common themes, tones, or styles?
• Did they include popular music or hashtags?

Study Underperforming Reels

Equally important is understanding why some content didn’t perform well:

• Was the topic irrelevant to the audience?
• Were captions unclear or unengaging?
• Did the Reel fail to use trending features like AR effects or music?

Learning from both successes and failures will sharpen your content strategy.

Step 5: Evaluate Audience Insights

Understanding your audience is crucial for creating Reels that resonate. Leverage Instagram’s audience insights to analyze Instagram Reels’ performance. Key metrics include:  

Demographics: Age, gender, and location of your audience.

Active Times: When your followers are most active on the platform.

Engagement Preferences: Which types of content they interact with most.

Use this data to tailor your Reels to your audience’s preferences and habits.

Step 6: Benchmark Against Competitors

Analyzing competitors or similar accounts provides valuable context for your performance.

Key Areas to Compare:

Content Themes: What topics are they covering?

Posting Frequency: How often are they posting Reels?

Engagement Rates: Are their Reels generating more likes, comments, and shares?

Use of Trends: Do they fully leverage current challenges, music, or effects?

Identify what’s working for competitors and tailor it to your strategy while maintaining originality.

Step 7: Optimize Content Quality, Hashtags, and Music

To maximize the impact of your Reels, focus on delivering high-quality content while leveraging hashtags and music effectively.

Content Quality

Visual Appeal: Ensure videos are clear, well-lit, and visually engaging.

Editing: Use smooth transitions, dynamic pacing, and captivating visuals to keep viewers hooked.

Captions and CTAs: Add compelling captions that encourage interaction and include clear CTAs like “Save for later” or “Share with a friend.”

Hashtag Strategy

• Analyze Instagram reels’ top-performing hashtags in your niche.
• Use a mix of trending, niche-specific, and less competitive hashtags to improve discoverability.

Music Selection

• Trending audio can amplify your reach, so check Instagram’s recommendations or popular niche tracks.
• Always align music choices with your brand and content theme to maintain consistency.

High-quality production combined with strategic use of hashtags and music will make your Reels more engaging and algorithm-friendly.

Step 8: Utilize Third-Party Tools

While Instagram Reels analytics provides a solid foundation, third-party tools can offer deeper analysis.

Recommended Tools:

• Shortimize: Best solution for analyzing short-form content across platforms, including competitors. A 7-day free trial is now available here.
• Hootsuite or Later: For scheduling and tracking performance.
• Sprout Social: For in-depth audience analysis and reporting.
• Iconosquare: For detailed metrics on Instagram performance.

These tools can save time and provide a broader perspective on your Reels strategy.

Step 9 : Monitor Trends and Adapt

Instagram Reels thrives on trends, so staying updated is essential.

• Follow popular accounts in your niche to spot emerging trends.
• Regularly check Instagram’s Explore page for trending content.
• Use tools like Google Trends to identify popular topics and keywords.

Incorporate trends creatively into your Reels to boost visibility and engagement.

Step 10: Track Long-Term Progress

Analysis isn’t a one-time task. Continuously track your performance and adapt your strategy based on Reels Analytics data.

Create a Performance Dashboard:

• Use spreadsheets or tools to log key metrics like reach, engagement, and completion rates.
• Set benchmarks and goals to measure improvement over time.
• Conduct monthly or quarterly reviews to assess overall growth.

Consistent tracking and analyzing Instagram reels will ensure your strategy remains effective and aligned with your goals.

Conclusion

Analyzing an Instagram Reels account requires a systematic approach, combining data-driven insights with creative experimentation. By setting clear goals, evaluating key metrics, and adapting to audience preferences, you can craft a Reels strategy that drives growth and engagement.

Whether you’re a creator, brand, or marketer, the ability to analyze Reels effectively is a game-changer in today’s competitive social media landscape. By following these steps and staying committed to continuous improvement, you’ll not only enhance your Reels performance but also build a stronger connection with your audience.