[FAQ]

My Instagram posts get a decent number of likes, but I’m struggling to get my followers to take the next step, like visiting my website or leaving a detailed comment. I think my calls to action might be too weak.

What are some of the best practices in 2025 for creating a strong and effective call to action (CTA) on Instagram, whether it’s in a post caption, a Reel, or a Story?

[Jeff Bullas]

That’s a smart question.

Quick Answer: An effective call to action on Instagram must be clear, direct, and provide a compelling reason for the user to act. You need to explicitly tell your audience what to do next and make it as easy as possible for them to do it.

Simply hoping people will take an action is not a strategy; you have to guide them directly, as attention in a social media feed is incredibly fleeting. Here are some best practices for stronger calls to action.

First, you must be direct and start with a command verb. Do not be vague or passive. Instead of saying, “You can find more on my blog,” you should say, “Read the full post at the link in my bio.”

Second, you need to give them a reason ‘why’. A call to action is always more powerful when it is tied to a clear benefit for the user. For example, instead of just “Sign up for my newsletter,” a better version is, “Sign up for my newsletter to get my top 5 marketing tips delivered every week.”

Third, you can create a sense of urgency or scarcity, but only when it is genuine. Phrases like “Shop the sale before it ends tonight” or “Only 3 spots left for the workshop” can encourage immediate action.

Fourth, you have to use the right tool for the job on the platform. In your Stories, you should use the interactive Link Sticker and even physically point to it in your video. In your feed posts and Reels, your primary call to action will almost always be directing people to the ‘link in your bio’.

And fifth, remember that a call to action does not always have to be about a click. To drive comments, a strong CTA is a specific, engaging question. Instead of “Thoughts?”, ask something like, “What is your number one tip for X? Let me know in the comments.”

In summary, a strong call to action is a clear instruction, not a suggestion. Tell your audience exactly what you want them to do, explain the benefit to them for doing it, and use the platform’s features to make it as easy as possible for them to follow through.

Cheers,

Jeff

[Author]

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