Social Media

200+ Questions to Ask on Instagram Story for Maximum Engagement

Matt
Matt
8 min read

TL;DR - Quick Answer

19 min read

Tips you can use today. What works and what doesn't.

Why Instagram Story Questions Drive Engagement

Instagram Story questions are powerful engagement tools that help you connect with your audience. With millions of daily active story users, asking the right questions creates meaningful connections with your audience.

How to Use Instagram Story Questions Effectively

The Question Sticker

Instagram's question sticker allows followers to submit responses directly. Access it by:

  1. Creating a new story
  2. Tapping the sticker icon
  3. Selecting "Questions"
  4. Typing your prompt

Best Practices for Maximum Responses

  • Ask questions during peak engagement hours
  • Keep questions under 50 characters
  • Use emojis to make questions more engaging
  • Share answers to build community
  • Mix question types throughout the week

200+ Instagram Story Questions by Category

Get to Know Me Questions

  1. What's one thing you want to know about me?
  2. What content do you want to see more of?
  3. How did you find my account?
  4. What's your first impression of me?
  5. What should I post about next?
  6. Describe me in three emojis
  7. What's one assumption you have about me?
  8. What collaboration would you love to see?
  9. Should I start a podcast/YouTube?
  10. What's your favorite thing about my content?

Fun & Lighthearted Questions

  1. Coffee or tea?
  2. Morning person or night owl?
  3. Beach vacation or mountain retreat?
  4. Pizza or tacos?
  5. Netflix or reading?
  6. Dogs or cats?
  7. Sweet or savory?
  8. Summer or winter?
  9. Text or call?
  10. Window or aisle seat?
  11. Spotify or Apple Music?
  12. TikTok or Instagram Reels?
  13. Sneakers or heels?
  14. Comedy or drama?
  15. Cook or order in?

This or That Questions

  1. Work from home or office?
  2. Early bird or night owl?
  3. Save or spend?
  4. City or countryside?
  5. Book or movie?
  6. Yoga or gym?
  7. Android or iPhone?
  8. Minimalist or maximalist?
  9. Plan everything or go with the flow?
  10. Small gathering or big party?

Would You Rather Questions

  1. Would you rather have unlimited money or unlimited time?
  2. Would you rather travel to the past or future?
  3. Would you rather be invisible or fly?
  4. Would you rather never use social media again or never watch TV?
  5. Would you rather always be 10 minutes late or 20 minutes early?
  6. Would you rather have a pause button or rewind button for life?
  7. Would you rather know all languages or play all instruments?
  8. Would you rather live without music or movies?
  9. Would you rather have free flights or free accommodation for life?
  10. Would you rather work for yourself or for someone else?

Business & Professional Questions

  1. What's your biggest business challenge right now?
  2. What tools can't you live without?
  3. What's your dream client/project?
  4. Best business advice you've received?
  5. What skill are you currently learning?
  6. How do you stay productive?
  7. What's your morning routine?
  8. Biggest lesson from 2024?
  9. Goals for 2025?
  10. Favorite business podcast?
  11. How do you overcome imposter syndrome?
  12. Best investment you've made?
  13. How do you price your services?
  14. Favorite productivity hack?
  15. How do you handle criticism?

Lifestyle Questions

  1. What's your morning routine?
  2. Current favorite song on repeat?
  3. Last book you couldn't put down?
  4. Favorite way to unwind?
  5. What's in your bag right now?
  6. Skincare routine - simple or elaborate?
  7. Favorite home decor style?
  8. How do you stay motivated?
  9. Guilty pleasure TV show?
  10. Weekend plans?
  11. Favorite workout?
  12. How many alarms do you set?
  13. What's your comfort food?
  14. Favorite season and why?
  15. How do you practice self-care?

Travel Questions

  1. Dream travel destination?
  2. Best trip you've ever taken?
  3. Travel must-haves?
  4. Hotel or Airbnb?
  5. Solo travel or group trips?
  6. Adventure or relaxation vacation?
  7. Favorite city you've visited?
  8. Bucket list destination?
  9. Road trip or fly?
  10. Travel disaster story?

Food & Drink Questions

  1. Favorite restaurant in your city?
  2. Coffee order?
  3. Favorite cuisine?
  4. Can you cook?
  5. Favorite midnight snack?
  6. Wine, beer, or cocktails?
  7. Favorite dessert?
  8. Meal prep or eat out?
  9. Spicy food - yes or no?
  10. Favorite breakfast?

Fashion & Beauty Questions

  1. Style icon?
  2. Favorite brand?
  3. Makeup or no makeup?
  4. Fashion trend you love/hate?
  5. Capsule wardrobe or variety?
  6. Favorite online store?
  7. Thrifting - yes or no?
  8. Signature scent?
  9. Hair care secrets?
  10. Fashion splurge or save?

Relationship Questions

  1. Best relationship advice?
  2. Love language?
  3. Deal breakers?
  4. First date ideas?
  5. How did you meet your partner?
  6. Relationship green flags?
  7. Best gift you've received?
  8. How do you show appreciation?
  9. Favorite date night activity?
  10. How do you handle conflict?

Personal Growth Questions

  1. Biggest fear you've overcome?
  2. What motivates you?
  3. Proudest achievement?
  4. Biggest life lesson?
  5. What would you tell your younger self?
  6. How do you handle stress?
  7. What makes you happy?
  8. Biggest risk you've taken?
  9. What are you grateful for?
  10. How have you changed this year?

Creative Questions

  1. If you could have dinner with anyone, who?
  2. Superpower you'd choose?
  3. If you won the lottery, first purchase?
  4. Describe your perfect day
  5. Time period you'd visit?
  6. Movie about your life - who plays you?
  7. Three items on a deserted island?
  8. If you could master any skill instantly?
  9. Dream job as a kid vs now?
  10. Zombie apocalypse survival plan?

Seasonal Questions

  1. Favorite holiday tradition?
  2. New Year's resolution?
  3. Summer plans?
  4. Fall activities you love?
  5. Winter must-haves?
  6. Spring cleaning - love or hate?
  7. Holiday gift ideas?
  8. Favorite seasonal drink?
  9. Halloween costume ideas?
  10. Thanksgiving favorites?

Opinion Questions

  1. Unpopular opinion you have?
  2. Overrated trend?
  3. Underrated skill everyone should learn?
  4. Social media - helpful or harmful?
  5. Thoughts on AI?
  6. Cancel culture - thoughts?
  7. Most important social issue?
  8. Education system - needs change?
  9. Remote work - future or fad?
  10. Cryptocurrency - invest or avoid?

Quick Fire Questions

  1. Favorite emoji?
  2. Last Google search?
  3. Screen time yesterday?
  4. Last photo taken?
  5. Current mood in GIF?
  6. Battery percentage?
  7. Last text sent?
  8. Apps you can't delete?
  9. Notifications on or off?
  10. Dark mode or light mode?

Audience Engagement Questions

  1. Should I go live tomorrow?
  2. What time works best for you?
  3. Topic for next week's post?
  4. Questions for my Q&A?
  5. Want to see behind the scenes?
  6. Interested in a giveaway?
  7. Should I start a newsletter?
  8. Collaboration ideas?
  9. Workshop topics you'd love?
  10. Product you want me to review?

Deep Conversation Starters

  1. What does success mean to you?
  2. Biggest misconception about you?
  3. What keeps you up at night?
  4. How do you define happiness?
  5. What legacy do you want to leave?
  6. Biggest regret?
  7. What makes you feel alive?
  8. How do you want to be remembered?
  9. What would you change about the world?
  10. What's your purpose?

Industry-Specific Questions

  1. (Fashion) Trend predictions for 2025?
  2. (Fitness) Workout motivation tips?
  3. (Food) Recipe requests?
  4. (Tech) App recommendations?
  5. (Beauty) Skincare concerns?
  6. (Travel) Hidden gems in your city?
  7. (Business) Side hustle ideas?
  8. (Parenting) Best advice for new parents?
  9. (Education) Study tips that work?
  10. (Art) Creative block solutions?

Interactive Challenge Questions

  1. Caption this photo!
  2. Wrong answers only: What do I do?
  3. Guess my age/height/favorite color
  4. Truth or dare?
  5. Never have I ever...?
  6. Two truths and a lie about me
  7. Fill in the blank: I can't live without ___
  8. Finish the sentence: 2025 will be ___
  9. Rate my outfit 1-10
  10. Roast me (gently)

Tips for Using These Questions

Timing Your Questions

  • Monday: Motivational/goal questions
  • Tuesday: This or that questions
  • Wednesday: Would you rather questions
  • Thursday: Deep/thoughtful questions
  • Friday: Fun/lighthearted questions
  • Weekend: Casual lifestyle questions

Following Up on Responses

  1. Share interesting answers (with permission)
  2. Create content based on common responses
  3. DM thoughtful responders to build relationships
  4. Use responses for future content ideas
  5. Thank participants publicly

Combining with Other Features

  • Add polls for quick engagement
  • Use quiz stickers for fun facts
  • Include music for mood setting
  • Add GIFs for visual interest
  • Create highlights of best Q&As

Measuring Success

Track these metrics to optimize your question strategy:

  • Story completion rate
  • Response rate from viewers
  • Profile visits after stories
  • DMs received
  • Follower growth rate

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  1. Asking closed-ended questions: Always leave room for elaboration
  2. Being too personal too soon: Build trust gradually
  3. Not responding to answers: Engagement is a two-way street
  4. Posting at wrong times: Check your insights for optimal timing
  5. Using same questions repeatedly: Keep content fresh

Conclusion

Instagram Story questions are powerful tools for building community and driving engagement. Use this extensive list to never run out of ideas and keep your audience actively participating in your content.

Remember: The best questions are those that genuinely interest you and align with your audience's interests. Start with 2 to 3 questions per week and adjust based on response rates.

Frequently Asked Questions About Instagram Story Questions

How often should I ask questions on Instagram Stories?

Start with 2-3 questions per week and adjust based on response rates. Daily questions can work for highly engaged audiences, but avoid overwhelming followers with too many requests for interaction.

What's the best time to post Instagram Story questions?

Post during peak engagement hours when your audience is most active. Check your Instagram Insights for optimal timing, typically lunch hours (12-1pm) and early evenings (7-9pm) work well.

Should I respond to every answer I receive?

You don't need to respond to every single answer, but acknowledge responses regularly. Share interesting answers publicly, send personal DMs to thoughtful responses, and create content based on common answers to show you're listening.

Can I use the same questions multiple times?

Yes, but space them out by several weeks or months. Popular questions like 'This or That' or 'Ask Me Anything' can be used regularly. Vary your approach and add seasonal twists to keep content fresh.

What types of questions get the most responses?

Simple choice questions (this or that), personal preference questions, and questions about followers' experiences tend to get high response rates. Avoid complex questions that require long answers.

How do I get more people to answer my Story questions?

Make questions easy to answer, use engaging visuals, ask about topics your audience cares about, share and respond to answers publicly, and build a habit of regular interaction to train your audience to participate.

Can I use questions for business purposes?

Absolutely! Use questions to get product feedback, understand customer needs, generate content ideas, gather testimonials, and build relationships with potential customers. Mix business questions with personal ones for balance.

What should I avoid when asking Story questions?

Avoid overly personal questions, controversial topics unless relevant to your brand, questions that are too complex, asking for sensitive information, and overwhelming your audience with too many questions at once.

How can I turn Story question responses into content?

Create recap posts of interesting answers, make carousel posts featuring multiple responses, develop full posts based on popular questions, create polls based on common answers, and use responses as inspiration for future content topics.

Do Instagram Story questions help with the algorithm?

Yes, Story questions boost engagement metrics like completion rates, replies, and time spent viewing your content. Higher engagement signals to Instagram that your content is valuable, potentially improving your reach and visibility.

Ready to automate your Instagram Story strategy? Try SocialRails to schedule your stories and track engagement metrics effortlessly.

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