How to Build Brand Awareness on Instagram in 2026

Instagram is still one of the strongest platforms, not because it’s perfect, instead it allows for real connection. Over 1 billion people actively use Instagram (many of them using it daily), it remains the place where people discover and trust brands.

Brand awareness isn’t getting likes from your mom. It actually means people knowing who you are, remembering why you matter, and feeling like you are who they should choose when it is time to buy.

If you’re ready to stop posting whenever you feel and start building real visibility, let’s get started.

Optimize Your Foundation

Let me break down what your profile needs to make sense to a consumer in five seconds or less.

Your Profile & Bio

Your bio should answer: who you are, what you do, and what someone should do next instantly.

Use:

• A clear headline

• Specific keywords

• A strong CTA (book, DM, shop)

No one should be confused on what to do once they land on your page.

Branding Consistency

Your colors, fonts, aesthetic, and messaging should feel consistent. It shouldn’t be 100% identical, but it should be easily recognizable. People should see your content and know it’s you without having to look at the username.

Highlights & Stories

Stories are where you start building trust. Highlights are your sales team.

🆕 “Start Here”

🛎️ Services

❓ FAQs

📜 Testimonials

🗣️ About

Content Strategies That Build Awareness

Reels

Reels are one of the fast ways to get in front of new audiences. Short and educational content, story-driven hooks, and relatable moments. Mix trending audios with evergreen content to stay up-to-date and build long-term awareness.

Shareable Content

Create:

• Carousels

• Infographics

• “Send this to a friend” posts

If someone relates, you’re doing it right. Shared posts increase your brand awareness outside of your core audience.

Storytelling Posts

People remember stories. They don’t care about sales pitches.

Think: behind-the-scenes moments, lessons learned, brand values, etc.

This is how you show people who you really are.

User-Generated Content

Nothing builds trust faster than people vouching for you.

• Repost customer stories

• Share reviews

• Highlight real people using your product or service

Engagement Strategies

Commenting Queues

Instagram prioritizes comments that create a conversation.

Reply to every comment. If you want to increase brand awareness leave long, thoughtful comments on posts, ask questions, and add to the conversation.

Tip: Overusing automated comments can lead to restrictions. Instagram does not like spam. I mean who does? 🤷

Show Engagement

Share screenshots of comment conversations to your Stories. Your audience will see them and interaction will increase.

DM Strategy

Build relationships, not sales funnels. Warm up by liking a post, replying to a story, and commenting thoughtfully.

Once you’re going to slide into the DMs, get personal. Use their name, reference the post or story they interacted with, and speak like a real person. No one wants a cookie-cutter message.

Leverage Instagram’s Built-In Features

Instagram loves people who use its features.

Collab posts = double the eyes

Lives = real-time connection

Broadcast channels = direct communication

Scheduled posts & insights = consistency without burnout

Instagram built it because they want you to use it.

Paid Tools to Boost Awareness

Try boosting high-performing posts, running awareness ads, utilizing lookalike audience (groups of people similar to those who already interact with your brand), and influencer collabs that fit your brand.

You don’t need a huge ad budget to build brand awareness.

How to Measure Brand Awareness

Track:

• Reach & impressions

• Saves & shares

• Profile visits

• Follower growth

• Branded search increases

If people remember you, engage with you, and come back, the awareness is working.

Consistency + Storytelling = Increased Visibility

Brand awareness doesn’t happen overnight. It’s built slowly over time by showing up, connecting with your community, and engaging like a real person.

Instagram is all about connection. Don’t concern yourself with perfection.

If you want to level up your IG strategy, Raid Media Management has you covered. Book a discovery call to secure your complimentary Instagram audit.