Hey,
Most people optimize for likes.
That's the wrong metric.
The algorithm cares way more about saves.
Why Saves Matter More:
A like is passive engagement.
Someone scrolled past and tapped a heart.
Takes 0.2 seconds.
A save is active engagement.
Someone wants to come back to your content later.
Takes intentional action.
The Algorithm's Perspective:
Likes = "This content is okay"
Saves = "This content is valuable enough to bookmark"
Instagram prioritizes content people save.
How to Get More Saves:
Create content people want to reference later.
Tutorials.
Resource lists.
Step-by-step guides.
Templates.
Checklists.
The Save-Worthy Content Formula:
Tactical > Theoretical
"10 AI prompts for Instagram captions" (save-worthy)
"Why AI is important for content" (not save-worthy)
The Caption Strategy:
End your caption with: "Save this for later"
Or: "Bookmark this so you don't lose it"
Direct instruction increases saves by 40-60%.
Content Types That Get Saved:
Carousel posts with actionable tips.
Infographics with data/statistics.
Tool recommendations.
Resource lists.
How-to guides.
Templates and frameworks.
The Numbers:
Post with 100 likes and 10 saves: Average reach
Post with 100 likes and 50 saves: 3X reach
Saves signal high value to the algorithm.
How to Track Saves:
Go to your insights.
Check "Saves" on each post.
Find your save rate (saves ÷ reach).
Aim for 3-5% save rate.
The Content Shift:
If your content isn't getting saved it's entertainment not education.
Entertainment gets likes.
Education gets saves.
Which one do you want to create?
Your Homework:
Create one post this week specifically designed to be saved.
Make it a resource list or step-by-step guide.
Add "Save this" in the caption.
Track how many saves it gets compared to your normal posts.
You'll see the difference immediately.
Talk soon,
Arnas Gintalas