Instagram captions can contain up to 2,200 characters. In the feed, only the first 125 characters or so are visible, with the rest hidden behind a "more" link that users must tap to expand.

Effective captions hook readers in the first 1-2 lines, making them want to read more. Techniques like asking questions or presenting surprising facts work well. Instagram marketing strategy books teach caption writing techniques.

Up to 30 hashtags can be used per post, placed either in the caption or in a comment. Using 5-15 relevant hashtags is considered most effective.

Instagram's algorithm prioritizes engagement (likes, comments, saves, shares), so encouraging follower interaction through captions is important. Including CTAs (calls to action) improves engagement rates. Social media content creation guides cover platform-specific optimization.