Instagram's algorithm prioritizes timeliness (a.k.a. recency), which means if your post is brand new, it will be shown to more of your followers. Earning high engagement with your own followers is the first step towards getting a spot on the Explore page.

Lots of things can go wrong with the Explore page. Sometimes, the app doesn't refresh correctly or update the page with new content that resonates with you. Other times, the algorithm doesn't do its job that well, and the page serves posts you don't necessarily like.

Pull down from the top of your screen. On the Explore page, you will see a variety of posts and reels that Instagram thinks you'll like. Pull down from the top of the screen to refresh this content. Once done, you should see a whole new set of images and videos.