Why are Reels likes more valuable than feed-post likes?
Because Reels feed into the For You Page (FYP), and the FYP routes Reels far beyond the creator's existing follower base — a Reel that performs in the first hour can pull 10-50x the views of an equivalent feed post. Likes are the cheapest engagement signal Instagram's algorithm reads as 'this Reel is worth showing'. A feed post's like count caps the audience growth at roughly your existing followers + their networks; a Reel's early like velocity directly opens the FYP funnel. Same like count, dramatically different downstream impact.