Instagram Captions

Instagram is all about the visual, but people come here for storytelling and connection, too. That means your caption is super important — and we’ve got the numbers to prove it! Here’s what you need to know about captioning your posts on Instagram.

Are you looking for an easy way to generate Instagram captions? Check out our free Instagram caption generator.

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  • —Caption

    Including a caption in your Instagram posts allows you to significantly increase engagement.

  • —Caption lenght

    Short and sweet captions between 1 and 20 characters perform the best.

How long should the Instagram captions be?

Make sure your Instagram posts - whether they're carousels, images, or videos - aren't left caption-less! Including a caption can significantly increase your engagement rates, pushing them from roughly 5.38% to above 6.7%.

Interestingly, short and sweet captions between 1 and 20 characters perform the best, with engagement dipping as the caption length increases. But hold on, there's a twist! Extra-long captions, with over 2000 characters, defy the trend and perform almost as well as super-short ones. Keep your audience hooked with your choice of words!

Average engagement rate vs. Caption length

  • Average engagement rate

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How long should the Instagram captions be in North America?

For Instagram posts in North America, it's found that captions within the length of 21 to 50 characters perform the best, achieving an impressive average engagement rate of 7.29%. So, if you want to maximize your engagement, it's best to keep your captions concise and compelling in this character range.

Average engagement rate vs. Caption length in North America

  • Average engagement rate

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How long should the Instagram captions be in the UK?

In the UK, Instagram posts with captions that are 21 to 50 characters long hit the sweet spot, showing an average engagement rate of 5.95%. So, to boost your engagement, try to keep your Instagram captions within this character range.

Average engagement rate vs. Caption length in the UK

  • Average engagement rate

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Should I include emojis in my Instagram captions?

Absolutely, emojis can play a significant role in boosting your Instagram caption's appeal! While posts without emojis have an average engagement rate of 5.94%, adding these delightful symbols can increase engagement. In fact, posts with just one emoji see engagement jump to 6.85%. But the real winners are the posts with three emojis, which boast the highest engagement rate at 7.00%. So, go ahead and add a sprinkle of emojis to your Instagram captions to make them more lively and engaging!

Average engagement rate vs. Number of emojis

  • Average engagement rate

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Should I include emojis in my Instagram captions in North America?

Yes, emojis can indeed make a difference in your Instagram captions in North America! Posts with no emojis garner an average engagement rate of 6.05%. However, including just one emoji can boost that rate to 6.75%. Interestingly, using between 6 to 10 emojis offers the best results, yielding an impressive 7.26% average engagement rate.

Average engagement rate vs. Number of emojis in North America

  • Average engagement rate

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Should I include emojis in my Instagram captions in the UK?

Certainly! Emojis can have a positive impact on your Instagram captions in the UK as well. Posts without emojis tend to have an average engagement rate of 5.24%. However, adding just one emoji can elevate the engagement rate to 5.79%. Surprisingly, using three emojis in your captions also results in the same engagement rate of 5.79%. So, whether you opt for one or three emojis, both have the potential to enhance the engagement of your Instagram posts in the UK.

Average engagement rate vs. Number of emojis in North America

  • Average engagement rate

Share Graph

Instagram Captions: Effective Strategies

Instagram captions are a key element to bolster your Instagram engagement rate. Regardless of how striking your photo or carousel might be, a well-crafted caption amplifies your post's potential to attract engagement.

Staying Authentic: Keep in mind that brand personality we discussed earlier? The caption is an ideal platform to express it. This offers a direct line of communication to your followers in the voice they have come to appreciate.

Impactful Opening: Always begin your caption with engaging, vital details. Instagram truncates longer captions in users’ feeds, requiring a click to reveal the full text. So, ensure the initial lines are compelling enough to invite further reading.

Narrative Engagement: Captions that narrate a story are more intriguing. Instead of listing bare facts, share stories revolving around your brand and its offerings. This strategy breathes life into your captions and hooks readers.

Instagram Captions: Effective Strategies

Providing Value: When your audience views your Instagram content, they question, 'what's in it for me?' Address this by offering exclusive deals, promotions, or practical information that makes following your brand worthwhile.

Include a Call-to-Action (CTA): Conclude your caption with a motivating CTA, like signing up for a newsletter, commenting, or making a purchase. If someone reads your entire caption, it signifies you have successfully held their interest—make sure you leverage it to prompt an action.

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Instagram Captions