If you're an aspiring influencer—or already one—the first few seconds of your video are crucial. This is where hooks come in. A great hook can make all the difference, keeping people watching instead of scrolling past your content.
Let's break down what makes a great hook, why it’s so important, and how to create one to make your Reels go viral.
What are Hooks on Instagram?
Hooks are attention-grabbing elements that you place at the beginning of your Instagram Reels to draw your audience in. In just a few seconds, a strong hook creates curiosity, stirs emotion, or promises value, compelling viewers to stay and engage with your video.
With so much content vying for attention, a well-crafted hook is a must-have for any influencer or content creator aiming for success.
A hook might be a gripping piece of dialogue, a surprising visual, or a direct question that piques interest. Many successful hooks on Instagram utilize trends or elements of viral content, maintaining simplicity but making a significant impact on the audience.
Whether it’s through clever wording or captivating imagery, the goal is to make viewers want to see what happens next.
36 Best Hooks for Instagram Reels
Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned influencer, you need to know what hook you should use to make an impact that matters. Trending hooks or viral hooks for Instagram often follow simple formats but deliver huge results.
So, here are 36 of the best hooks to help your Instagram Reels stand out. Go through them individually and explore what makes them the best.
1. "You won’t believe this!"
A classic hook that promises something surprising. People love unexpected twists.
2. "Here’s the secret to…"
Everyone loves a good secret or insider tip. Starting your Reel with a promise of valuable information hooks viewers instantly.
3. "Watch till the end to see…"
Building anticipation is a great way to ensure your audience stays for the entire video.
4. "Don’t make this mistake!"
Highlighting a common mistake makes viewers stay till the end to know mistakes to avoid.
5. "Here’s what happened when…"
Storytelling hooks are great because humans are naturally drawn to narratives.
6. "This product changed my life…"
Emotional hooks, especially around life-changing experiences, can immediately capture attention. Perfect for building trust and reliability.
7. "Let me show you how I did it…"
People love tutorials and learning something new. This hook promises to share actionable knowledge.
8. "This is how you can achieve [goal] faster!"
Speeding up a desired result is an attractive promise.
9. "I wish I knew this earlier!"
Tapping into regret makes viewers feel intrigued about what they might have missed.
10. "You’ve been doing this wrong all along."
This hook creates tension by suggesting a common action is being done incorrectly.
11. "Here’s why you should stop doing this…"
A bold statement can cause viewers to stop and pay attention.
12. "Here’s how I made [money/achievement] in [time]…"
Results-driven hooks based on success stories that spark curiosity and make viewers stay with you till the end.
13. "I’m going to teach you how to [solve a problem] in under [time]..."
Efficiency is a key motivator, especially for time-sensitive content.
14. "I tried [product/trend] so you don’t have to."
Sharing personal experiences in the name of helping others is a strong hook.
15. "Do you struggle with [problem]?"
Relatability instantly draws in people who share the same struggles.
16. "I bet you didn’t know this about…"
A curiosity-driven hook that prompts viewers to learn something new.
17. "This is the fastest way to…"
Everyone wants to know the quickest route to success or happiness.
18. "Here’s the one thing you need to…"
Focusing on one essential tip makes it feel manageable and digestible.
19. "This changed everything for me!"
Personal, transformational stories resonate with audiences and deliver a positive message based on experience.
20. "Why you should avoid [something popular]."
Going against the grain piques interest and builds interest to know the alternative that works smoothly.
21. "Here’s what most people won’t tell you about…"
Exclusivity makes viewers feel like they’re in on a secret.
22. "What would you do in this situation?"
Inviting viewers to put themselves in your shoes encourages engagement.
23. "I finally figured out the best way to…"
Offering the best solution to a common problem hooks viewers.
24. "Do this every day to [achieve result]."
Routine-based hooks offer practical advice.
25. "Here’s how you can get [result] without [effort]."
Promising results without effort is an attractive proposition.
26. "I did this for 30 days, here’s what happened."
Challenge-based hooks keep audiences invested.
27. "Let’s see if this works…"
Experiments add an element of mystery and unpredictability.
28. "If you’re like me, you probably hate…"
Relating to negative emotions can form an instant connection.
29. "Here’s how you can save [money/time] easily."
Everyone loves actionable tips and tricks that can help them in saving time or money.
30. "You’re not going to believe what I found out."
This hook builds suspense and encourages viewers to stay till the end.
31. "Here’s why [common belief] is wrong."
Debunking myths is a sure way to stir curiosity.
32. "I made [mistake], but here’s what I learned."
Vulnerability can create a relatable and trustworthy connection with viewers.
33. "What happens next will surprise you."
An excellent way to build anticipation for an unexpected event.
34. "This is the only [product/strategy] you’ll ever need."
Focusing on exclusivity and one-stop solutions pulls viewers in, making the product stand out.
35. "Why you should never…"
Strong, controversial statements immediately spark interest.
36. "I’ve never seen this before!"
Expressing genuine surprise at something new or rare makes viewers want to know more.
Negative Hooks You Should Avoid
Not all hooks work well, and some may even drive viewers away. Here are some video hooks or techniques you should avoid in your Instagram Reels:
1. Clickbait Titles
Over-promising and under-delivering is a quick way to lose credibility. Viewers feel cheated when the content is misleading, leading them to leave and not return.
2. Overly Long Intros
No one has the patience for a slow start or dragging intro. If you take too long to get to the point, you risk losing viewers before your main content even begins, which may kill the engagement.
3. Too Much Text
Bombarding your viewers with long paragraphs or confusing text at the start can lead to confusion and disinterest. People come to Instagram Reels for visual engagement, not to read, so keep text minimal and straightforward to maintain interest.
Prepare to Master Reels Hooks and Monetize Your IG Account
There you have it! Now that you've got the top hooks at your disposal, why not turn Instagram Reel views into real money? Whether you’re perfecting your ability to create captivating hooks or you’re already a pro at engaging your audience, DRIM.one is the platform for you!
We work with influencers to help them monetize their content by collaborating with top brands. DRIM offers cost-per-action (CPA) campaigns that ensure both brands and influencers get the best possible returns.
Don't wait—join DRIM.one today and start monetizing your Instagram expertise and creativity!