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Does Boosting Your Social Media Posts Work? (Pros and Cons of Boosting Your Posts)

Writer: Noah UyNoah Uy

Updated: Mar 11


A photo of a rocket with likes, comments, and shares (Boosting a post)

Considering boosting posts in 2025? You’re in the right spot!


If your social media performance has taken a hit (don’t worry, it happens to everyone) or you’re chasing ambitious KPIs, one thing is certain: standing out organically and grabbing attention is getting harder every day. Facebook's 'boost post' feature allows users to turn their regular posts into paid ads for increased visibility, making it a valuable tool to enhance reach and engagement.


If you’re looking for a reliable social media assistant to help you reach your goals and take your social media presence to the next level, check out Alkai, the world’s first AI social media assistant. Alkai not only suggests post ideas, it also brings those ideas to life for you, so you can focus on other parts of growing your business. Try Alkai today!


What is Boost Posting?


Boosting is a paid advertising feature on social media platforms that allows businesses to increase the visibility of their existing posts to a broader audience. When you boost a post, you’re essentially paying to turn your organic post into an ad that reaches a larger audience. This process leverages the platform’s algorithms to target specific audiences, including your existing audience, based on demographics, interests, behaviors, and more. 


By boosting a post, you can significantly increase engagement, reach a wider audience, and drive more website traffic. Whether you’re looking to promote a new product, announce an event, or simply increase brand awareness, boosting can be a powerful tool in your social media strategy.


How to Boost a Post


Boosting a post on social media platforms is a straightforward process that can be completed in a few steps. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to boost a post:


  1. Choose the post you want to boost: Select a post that has already performed well organically or has a strong call-to-action. This ensures that the content is engaging and likely to resonate with a broader audience.


  2. Set your budget: Determine how much you want to spend on boosting the post. The budget will depend on the platform, audience size, and campaign duration. Starting with a small budget allows you to test the waters before committing more funds.


  3. Target your audience: Use the platform’s targeting options to select the audience you want to reach. This can include demographics, interests, behaviors, and more. Precise targeting helps ensure that your boosted post reaches the right audience.


  4. Set your campaign duration: Choose how long you want the boosted post to run. This can range from a few days to several weeks. The duration should align with your campaign goals and budget.


  5. Review and confirm: Review your boosted post settings and confirm that everything is correct. Double-checking ensures that your campaign runs smoothly and reaches the intended audience.


By following these steps, you can effectively boost a post on social media platforms, increasing its visibility and engagement.


Pros of Boosting Your Social Media Posts


A guy holding a checkmark with a thumbs up below him

1. Increased visibility 


Boosting your social media posts can increase your overall visibility and reach. Not only will this boost posts' effectiveness by increasing the number of people seeing your content, it could also lead to more profile visits and potential revenue.


2. Reaching your target audience


Boosting allows you to define your desired audience using demographics such as age, location, and interests. Think of it this way: You’re a shoe store. It would make more sense to boost and retarget your posts towards a targeted audience of males aged 18 to 40, rather than casting your net too wide by writing to all kinds of people.


3. Cost-effective for small businesses


Unlike having to pay thousands of dollars in pay-per-click advertising or hiring a marketing agency, boosting your posts can go a long way relative to how little money it costs. You can put in as little as $10 and watch your post extend its reach.

When spending a million dollars, brands have the flexibility to reach a larger audience, emphasizing the importance of strategic budgeting in relation to audience size to maximize campaign effectiveness.


4. Ability to add buttons


Boosting your post gives you the option to add a button that leads directly to your website or product. This not only allows your post to serve as a sales channel, it also gives you the opportunity to hit two birds with one stone by boosting both your post and your website.


5. Insights and analytics


Social media platforms often provide data every time you avail of their paid services - and that includes boosted posts. Using Facebook Ads Manager offers additional advantages for insights and analytics, allowing for greater control over targeting options and integrating influencer content effectively. The metrics they provide can be crucial in helping you understand certain aspects of your business, identify your best target audience, and come up with better content plans and strategies.


Cons of Boosting Your Social Media Posts


A caution/warning sign in front of a computer

1. Short-term results


While boosting your posts can provide a spike in visibility and engagement, these effects are often temporary. Once your budget dries up, your posts return to what they were after the boosting, which often entails fewer interactions and engagements.


2. Less customization opportunities


Boosting your post is a very easy process that almost anyone can do. Unfortunately, its simplicity is a two-edged sword since it offers very few customization features. You might not be able to optimize for conversions, conduct lead generation, and many others. Instagram advertising, on the other hand, offers more advanced features and targeting options, making it a more effective choice for businesses aiming to enhance their presence and achieve specific marketing objectives.


3. Can be expensive in the long run


Unless you generate more than you spend, boosting your posts is not a sustainable way to market and advertise your business. Simply relying on post-boosting without having a clear advertising strategy in place can cause you to spend more than you gain in return.


4. Algorithm dependence


Social media algorithms tend to favor paid advertisements over organic content, this includes boosted posts. With that being said, relying too much on boosting your posts can cause your organic channels to struggle and underperform once the boosting expires. In the long run, this can force you to depend on paid advertising rather than building your organic reach. Additionally, repeatedly boosting the same ad to a similar audience can lead to audience fatigue, so it's important to vary your ads to maintain engagement and effectiveness.


5. Unqualified traffic


Boosting doesn’t always guarantee that the audience engaging with your post will be high-quality or relevant to your business. For instance, you might attract likes or comments from individuals who are unlikely to become customers, diluting the overall effectiveness of the campaign.


Boosting Facebook Posts vs. Facebook Ads


Boosting Facebook posts and Facebook ads are two different advertising options on the platform. Here are the key differences:


  1. Purpose: Boosting Facebook posts is designed to increase engagement and reach a wider audience, while Facebook ads are designed to drive specific actions, such as sales or conversions. Boosting is ideal for enhancing visibility, whereas Facebook ads are more suited for targeted marketing objectives.


  2. Targeting: Boosting Facebook posts allows you to target a specific audience, but Facebook ads offer more advanced targeting options, including custom audiences and lookalike audiences. This means Facebook ads can be more precise in reaching the right audience.


  3. Ad format: Boosting Facebook posts uses the same format as the original post, while Facebook ads offer a range of ad formats, including image, video, and carousel ads. This variety allows for more creative and engaging ad presentations.


  4. Budget: Boosting Facebook posts typically requires a lower budget than Facebook ads, which can be more expensive due to the advanced targeting options and ad formats. However, the higher cost of Facebook ads can be justified by their potential for higher returns on investment.


Understanding these differences can help you choose the right advertising option for your social media marketing goals.


Boosting Posts on Instagram


Boosting posts on Instagram is a popular way to increase engagement and reach a wider audience. Here are some tips for boosting posts on Instagram:


  1. Use high-quality visuals: Instagram is a visual platform, so make sure to use high-quality images or videos in your boosted posts. Eye-catching visuals are more likely to grab the attention of your target audience.


  2. Target your audience: Use Instagram’s targeting options to select the audience you want to reach. Precise targeting ensures that your boosted post reaches users who are most likely to engage with your content.


  3. Set a clear call-to-action: Make sure to include a clear call-to-action in your boosted post, such as “Learn more” or “Shop now.” A strong CTA can drive more engagement and conversions.


  4. Monitor your performance: Use Instagram Insights to track the performance of your boosted posts and make adjustments as needed. Regular monitoring helps you understand what works and optimize future campaigns.


By following these tips, you can effectively boost posts on Instagram and achieve your social media marketing goals.


Cost of Boosting a Post


The cost of boosting a post on social media platforms varies depending on several factors, including the platform, audience size, campaign duration, and targeting options. Here are some general guidelines on the cost of boosting a post:


  1. Facebook: The cost of boosting a Facebook post can range from $1 to $100 per day, depending on the audience size and campaign duration. This flexibility makes it accessible for businesses of all sizes.

  2. Instagram: The cost of boosting an Instagram post can range from $1 to $50 per day, depending on the audience size and campaign duration. Instagram’s visual nature often requires high-quality content, which can influence the cost.

  3. Twitter: The cost of boosting a Twitter post can range from $1 to $50 per day, depending on the audience size and campaign duration. Twitter’s fast-paced environment means that boosted posts need to be timely and relevant.


By understanding these cost factors, you can better plan your budget and maximize the effectiveness of your boosted posts.


When Should You Boost a Post?

A bunch of people using social media with a phone as a backdrop

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to boosting a post since there are lots of scenarios where boosting is appropriate. Boosting Instagram posts can enhance visibility and audience engagement by promoting existing organic posts to wider audiences, leveraging content that has already proven effective. Here are some examples:


  • Promoting Time-Sensitive Content: If you’re hosting an event, launching a sale, or announcing new products, boosting can quickly spread the word to a broader audience.

  • Testing Content: Boosting can help you gauge audience interest in different types of content. Posts that perform well when boosted can inform future marketing strategies.

  • Enhancing Top-Performing Posts: If a post is already doing well organically, boosting can amplify its success and reach even more people.


Choosing the Right Posts to Boost

A guy holding an arrow with a target as a background (Shows hitting the target)

Choosing the right posts to boost is crucial to achieving your social media marketing goals. Here are some tips to help you make the best choices:


  • Select High-Performing Posts: Focus on posts that are already performing well organically. These posts are more likely to resonate with your target audience and yield better results when boosted.

  • Align with Marketing Goals: Choose posts that align with your specific marketing objectives, whether it’s increasing website traffic, generating leads, or boosting brand awareness.

  • Clear Call-to-Action (CTA): Posts with a strong CTA, such as “shop now” or “learn more,” can drive more engagement and conversions.

  • High-Quality Visuals: Posts with eye-catching images or videos are more likely to grab the attention of your target audience and perform better when boosted.


By carefully selecting the right posts to boost, you can maximize the effectiveness of your social media campaigns and achieve your desired outcomes.


Best Practices for Boosting Posts

Two people looking at analytics and insights
  1. Set Clear Goals: Define what you want to achieve with your boost. Are you aiming for more brand awareness, website traffic, or engagement? Clear objectives will guide your strategy.

  2. Target Wisely: Use the platform’s targeting options to reach the most relevant audience. Avoid casting your net too wide by broad targeting, which could waste your budget on users who aren’t interested in your content. Boosting posts on social platforms allows you to effectively reach users based on various demographics, interests, and behaviors.

  3. Optimize Your Budget: Start with a small budget and check whether your posts are doing better or not. Increase your budget only if the boost shows promising results.

  4. Choose the Right Content: Not every post is worth boosting. Focus on content that aligns with your goals, resonates with your audience, and has a strong call to action.

  5. Monitor and Analyze: Track the performance of your boosted posts using analytics. Use the data to adjust your strategy and improve future campaigns, which can ensure favorable results in the long run.


Measuring the Success of a Boosted Post


Measuring the success of a boosted post is crucial to understanding its effectiveness and making adjustments for future campaigns. Here are some metrics to track:


  1. Reach: The number of people who saw your boosted post. A higher reach indicates that your post is being seen by a larger audience.


  2. Engagement: The number of likes, comments, shares, and other forms of engagement on your boosted post. High engagement levels suggest that your content is resonating with your audience.


  3. Click-through rate (CTR): The number of people who clicked on your boosted post. A higher CTR indicates that your post is compelling and encourages users to take action.


  4. Conversion rate: The number of people who completed a desired action, such as making a purchase or filling out a form. This metric helps you understand the effectiveness of your boosted post in driving specific actions.


  5. Return on ad spend (ROAS): The revenue generated by your boosted post compared to the cost of the ad spend. A higher ROAS indicates a more successful campaign.


By tracking these metrics, you can understand the effectiveness of your boosted post and make adjustments to improve its performance.


Common Mistakes to Avoid

A man holding an arrow down (Showing downfall)

Here are some common mistakes to avoid when boosting posts:


  • Not Setting Clear Marketing Goals: Before boosting a post, ensure you have clear marketing goals in mind, such as increasing website traffic or generating leads. This will help you measure the success of your boosted posts.

  • Improper Audience Targeting: Make sure you’re targeting the right audience based on demographics, interests, and behaviors. Poor targeting can result in a wasted budget and low engagement.

  • Ignoring Relevant Hashtags: Using relevant hashtags can significantly increase the visibility of your boosted posts. Don’t overlook this simple yet effective strategy.

  • Neglecting Post Performance Monitoring: Regularly monitor the performance of your boosted posts to see what’s working and what’s not. Use this data to adjust your strategy and improve future campaigns.


By avoiding these common mistakes, you can ensure that your boosted posts are more effective and deliver better results for your social media marketing efforts.


Conclusion: Is Boosting Social Media Posts Worth It?


Boosting social media posts can be worth it, but it still depends on your goals, budget, and strategy. Boosting can be an effective tool for increasing visibility, engagement, and awareness, particularly for short-term campaigns or beginners in social media advertising. However, it’s not a substitute for a comprehensive marketing strategy.


To make the most of boosting, use it as a complement to your organic efforts and broader advertising initiatives. A mature social media campaign requires strategic budgeting to support organic posts, highlighting the importance of thoughtful investment to maximize reach and achieve social goals. By understanding its limitations and leveraging its strengths, you can ensure that boosting your posts becomes a valuable part of your social media toolkit.


FAQs


Can I boost a post made by Alkai?


Yes! You can boost a post made by Alkai. Once your website is connected, Alkai will generate a content calendar for you, fill that content calendar with ready-made posts, and even do the posting for you. All you have to do is boost any post made by Alkai on any social media platform of your choice.


What’s the minimum budget for boosting a post?


The minimum budget for boosting a post varies by platform, but you can typically start with as little as $1 per day. For example, Facebook and Instagram allow you to boost posts with a small budget, making them accessible for businesses of all sizes. However, higher budgets usually yield better results, depending on your goals and audience size.


Should I boost all my posts?


No, it’s not advisable to boost all your posts. Boosting works best for:

  • Posts that are already performing well organically.

  • Time-sensitive content, like events, sales, or announcements.

  • Posts with a clear call to action (CTA) that aligns with your marketing goals. Boosting every post can quickly drain your budget and may not provide a good return on investment. Instead, focus on posts that are likely to drive engagement, traffic, or conversions.


Does boosting posts guarantee an increase in followers?


No, boosting a post doesn’t guarantee an increase in followers. While boosting can help your content reach a larger audience, gaining followers depends on the quality of your content and its relevance to the audience. Some people may follow your account if they find your content engaging, but it’s not the primary purpose of boosting. 


To grow your follower base, combine boosting with strategies like consistent posting, engaging with your audience, and creating valuable content.


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