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Fast Instagram Caption Generator for Growth (Free Tool)

Save hours (and your sanity) by automating the writing process with this super-handy Instagram caption maker. Try it for free right now.

Britny Kutuchief March 8, 2023
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Free Instagram caption generator

Please note: This tool may display inaccurate or offensive material that doesn’t represent Hootsuite’s views. You’re solely responsible for use of any content generated using this tool, including its compliance with applicable laws and third-party rights.

Social media marketers wear all the hats and do all the jobs. Arguably the most time-consuming of them all is copywriting. When you’re tasked with tossing on this cap a dozen times or more per week, things can get a little overwhelming.

That’s why we built this easy-to-use caption creator designed for social media power users and beginners alike. It writes compelling, on-brand Instagram captions in a matter of seconds. Use it for business or for pleasure (because it’s actually really fun). Thanks, robots! ♥️

No more copywriting woes! With our AI caption generator, you can craft eye-catching captions in a flash. Now you’ll have the time to focus on your other social media marketing tasks. Our innovative AI algorithm is trained to write captions that are engaging,

How to use this Instagram caption generator

This AI caption writer is completely free and easy to use. It will craft captions and suggest hashtags for Instagram posts with one click. (Sometimes, it will even include an emoji.) No need to download any special apps or create an account.

Here’s how to use it to simplify your workflow and grow your brand on social media at the same time.

Step 1: Select a style or tone that suits your brand

Start by choosing your preferred tone or style from the dropdown list.

This social media caption generator features over 60 unique tone and style options, so it’s ideal for many different types of businesses.

If your brand messaging needs to be serious and to the point, choose “dry” or “direct.” If your messaging skews more upbeat, go for “friendly” or “playful.”

We’ve also programmed our Instagram captions generator to deliver captions from many different perspectives. Pirate, stern teacher, thought leader, makeup influencer, real housewife—and more.

If there are any styles not on the list that you’d like to see included, leave a comment to let us know.

drop down list of style options for Instagram caption generator

Step 2: Briefly describe your image or video

Next up: describe the content you plan to add to your post.

Since the generator can’t see your photo or video, it’s best to make your description detailed. Add adjectives and visual descriptors to help it capture the aesthetic of your post.

For example, instead of simply saying “a video of my dog,” say “a video of my white-faced Golden Retriever basking in the sun on a mountaintop.”

Of course, the goal of our free Instagram caption generator is to take work off your plate, so don’t overthink it. No need to get hung up on punctuation or sentence structure. A stream-of-consciousness description is A-OK.

pick a style, describe your post and let AI write your caption for you

Step 3: Click Generate Caption

Once you’ve added your style and description, it’s time to put the tool to work. Click the generate caption button and give it a moment to work its magic. After a few seconds, it will deliver a brilliant work of caption-writing mastery (OK, maybe we’re overpromising a bit) that you can use as you please.

Copy and paste the caption into your Instagram post or, if you use Hootsuite, the Composer window. You can also add captions to a word processor or spreadsheet to keep a backlog for future use. Finally, upload your image or video as usual and schedule or post at your convenience.

living my best life! instagram caption with dog and sun emoji

How does the Instagram caption generator work?

Hootsuite’s Instagram caption generator is powered by artificial intelligence (AI). Specifically, it uses the AI chatbot ChatGPT to deliver human-like responses to questions and prompts.

The technology, developed by the research lab OpenAI, learned how to do this from reading millions of texts on the internet. (Plus a little help from some really smart humans, of course.)

OpenAI says that ChatGPT is different from other chatbots because it has the ability to answer based on feelings and is responsive to the specific information a user inputs. It also really sounds like a real-life human.

That’s what makes it so great for things like generating social media captions or coming up with content ideas. You can use ChatGPT for everything from writing cover letters to planning a dinner party menu. Instagram captions are really just the tip of the proverbial AI iceberg.

Instagram post of golden retriever living best life

What is a caption generator?

A caption generator is an online tool that writes text for social media posts. It takes user-provided information and delivers captions for Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and other social media platforms. Caption generators can be used to write captions from scratch or to give you ideas you can use as a jumping-off point.

What’s the best AI tool for Instagram captions?

The best tool for quick Instagram captions is this one! It uses ChatGPT, one of the world’s most intelligent and conversational AI models.

If you’re looking for something a bit more advanced, try OwlyWriter AI in Hootsuite. This built-in creative AI tool is specifically designed to save busy social media pros HOURS of work.

You can use OwlyWriter to:

  • Write a new social media caption in a specific tone, based on a prompt
  • Write a post based on a link (e.g. a blog post or a product page)
  • Generate post ideas based on a keyword or topic (and then write posts expanding on the idea you like best)
  • Identify and repurpose your top-performing posts
  • Create relevant captions for upcoming holidays
Using Hootsuite OwlyWriter AI to write an Instagram caption: Typing in the subject and selecting the tone from a drop-down list.

To get started with OwlyWriter, sign in to your Hootsuite account and head to the Inspiration section of the dashboard. Then, pick the type of AI magic you want to see in action.

OwlyWriter AI in Hootsuite. Main screen with available choices: Repurpose your top posts, start from scratch, get inspired, turn web content into posts, get your holiday calendar ready

For example, if you’re not sure what to post, click on Get inspired. Then, type in the general, high-level topic you want to address and click Get ideas.

Generating social media post ideas in Hootsuite's OwlyWriter AI

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OwlyWriter will generate a list of post ideas related to the topic: 

AI-generated social media post ideas in Hootsuite's OwlyWriter AI

Click on the one you like best to move to the next step — captions and hashtags.

AI-generated social media post captions in Hootsuite's OwlyWriter AI

Pick the caption you like and click Create post. The caption will open in Hootsuite Composer, where you can make edits, add media files and links, check the copy against your compliance guidelines — and schedule your post to go live later.

AI-generated post idea in Hootsuite Composer

And that’s it! OwlyWriter never runs out of ideas, so you can repeat this process until your social media calendar is full — and sit back to watch your engagement grow.

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What’s the recommended length for Instagram captions?

According to our research, the ideal length for Instagram captions is somewhere between 138 and 150 characters, but you have room to add more. Instagram caps posts at 2,200 characters in length and lets you add up to 30 hashtags.

The Instagram algorithm pays attention to how long users engage with content, but you don’t want to overwhelm your followers or risk your message getting cut off. Because of this, it’s best to keep your captions to a max of 150 characters.

Don’t worry. Our caption generator for Instagram has already taken all of this into account. No more counting characters! It shouldn’t give you a result that’s longer than the recommended best practice for Instagram captions.

Start building your Instagram presence using Hootsuite. Design, write, and schedule posts directly to Instagram, engage your audience, measure performance, and run all your other social media profiles — all from one simple dashboard. Try it free today.

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Save time and grow faster with OwlyWriter AI, the tool that instantly generates social media captions and content ideas.

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By Britny Kutuchief

Britny Kutuchief is the Senior SEO Copywriter at Hootsuite. She has a master's degree in creative writing. Before joining Hootsuite, she spent a decade working for digital marketing agencies as an SEO content writer. See more of her credentials on LinkedIn.

Based in Akron, Ohio, Britny spends her non-writing hours pursuing local infamy on Instagram and hiking with her Golden Retriever, Darwin.

Read more by Britny Kutuchief

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