Low Engagement on Social Media (And How to Fix It)

Aames Ng
Jun 11
2 min read

Posting regularly but still hearing crickets? You’re not alone. A lot of businesses post consistently but still struggle with low engagement on Instagram — no likes, no comments, no DMs.

It’s not just the algorithm. Often, it’s your strategy (or lack of one) that’s the problem. In this post, we’ll break down the most common reasons your posts aren’t performing — and what you can do to fix your social media strategy starting today.

1. You’re Talking to Everyone (So You’re Reaching No One)

When your content tries to please everyone, it usually ends up resonating with no one.

Fix: Define exactly who you’re talking to. Are they business owners? New moms? Young professionals? Once you get clear on your audience, tailor your content tone, visuals, and topics specifically for them.

2. Your Content Looks Good — But Says Nothing

Pretty visuals without substance don’t drive engagement. If someone doesn’t learn something, feel something, or see themselves in your post — they scroll.

Fix: Focus on value-driven content:

Teach something
Challenge a belief
Share a relatable story
Show results

That’s how you increase your Low Engagement on Social Media organically and meaningfully.

3. No One Knows What You Want Them to Do

If you’re not giving your audience a clear next step, they won’t take it.

Fix: Use strong calls-to-action (CTAs):

“Save this post if it helped you”
“Tag a friend who needs this”
“Comment if you’ve experienced this”

Make it easy for people to respond — that’s one of the easiest ways to increase Instagram engagement without spending on ads.

4. You’re Not Using the Right Formats for the Algorithm

Carousels, Reels, Stories, Lives — each platform pushes different formats depending on what’s trending or underused.

Fix: Experiment with formats that currently perform well:

Reels for reach
Carousels for saves
Stories for day-to-day connection

If you’ve been relying on static posts, switch it up. This small shift alone can help you fix low engagement on Instagram and improve your visibility.

5. You’re Posting — But Not Engaging

If you post and ghost, the algorithm notices. So does your audience.

Fix: Engage before and after you post.

Reply to comments and DMs
Like and comment on other accounts in your niche
Spend 10–15 minutes engaging before and after you post

This signals to the platform that you’re active — a major factor in how to increase Instagram engagement over time.

6. You’re Measuring the Wrong Thing

If you only measure success by likes, you might be missing the bigger picture.

Fix: Track more meaningful metrics like:

Saves (indicates value)
Shares (indicates relatability)
Click-throughs (indicates interest)
Replies (indicates connection)

When you focus only on vanity metrics, you miss the signals that actually lead to business results — and miss the opportunity to fix your social media strategy for real growth.

Struggling With Low Engagement on Social Media? Let Us Help.

At Techy Apes, we don’t just create content — we build strategies that get your audience talking, sharing, and connecting with your brand. If you’re stuck with low engagement on Instagram, we’ll help you fix your social media strategy and build a content plan that actually works.