How to Go Viral with AI Art on Instagram

Let’s face it—we’ve all been there, scrolling through Instagram when something grabs our attention. For me, it was an AI art account with hundreds of thousands of followers, tons of likes, and honestly… it wasn’t even that unique.

What caught my eye was how simple it all looked. These creators were posting AI-generated art, building massive audiences, and monetizing in ways that most people overlook—selling custom wallpapers, offering commissioned pieces, even launching courses. That’s when I decided to dig in and test the waters myself.

Here’s exactly how you can go from idea to viral AI video, using free tools and no fancy gear.

Step 1: Find Viral-Worthy Ideas

This might sound obvious, but it’s where most people fail. If your concept doesn’t hook people instantly, your post will flop.

Start by researching other AI art accounts. What themes work for them? Fantasy landscapes? Cyberpunk vibes? Futuristic cities? Write down what performs best—but don’t just copy.

Instead, use ChatGPT to generate unique spins on those ideas. Try prompts like:

“Give me 5 viral art themes for Instagram in 2025.”

“What kind of AI-generated art themes perform best with Gen Z?”

You’ll get a mix of ideas—some basic, some gold. Pick a strong one and make it your own.

Step 2: Create Stunning AI Images with Leonardo AI

Next, head to https://leonardo.ai — one of the best free AI image generators available.

You get 150 free credits per day, enough for dozens of attempts.

Upload a screenshot from Instagram of something you like, and use the “Describe with AI” feature to generate a detailed prompt.

Then head back to ChatGPT and say:

“Create a similar prompt to this one but with a unique twist.”

Pro Tips:

• Use aspect ratio 9:16 — it’s perfect for Reels.
• Choose a style preset (Anime, Cinematic, Realistic).
• Don’t settle for the first result. Tweak and regenerate until it clicks.

A few tries later, boom—you’ll have an eye-catching masterpiece made for scrolling.

Step 3: Turn Your Image Into a Scroll-Stopping Video (Free)

To animate your image, use Runway ML.

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Upload your AI-generated art and describe what’s happening in the scene. The better your prompt, the better the motion effect.

In seconds, Runway will generate a dynamic, animated video—perfect for Instagram Reels. But there’s one problem: the free version adds a watermark.

How to Remove the Watermark (for free):

• Go to online-video-cutter.com watermark remover.
• Upload your video, mark the watermark, and remove it.
• If the video quality drops, use CapCut Upscaler to restore HD quality.

Step 4: Loop Your Video for Better Engagement

Here’s a pro hack: loop your video to make it longer.

Instagram favors videos that hold attention. Doubling your 5-second clip to 10 seconds boosts retention without extra effort.

Use CapCut:

• Import your video.
• Copy-paste it to the timeline (CTRL+C and CTRL+V).
• Add overlays, filters, or blending effects like Color Burn to elevate the final look.

Small tweaks like these are what make your content pop in a crowded feed.

Final Thoughts: You Don’t Need to Be a Designer

With free tools, smart prompts, and a bit of creativity, you can turn simple AI art into powerful, scroll-stopping content. And if you’re serious, this could become more than a hobby—it could be a brand, a side hustle, or even a full-blown business.

So take that idea, turn it into art, animate it, polish it, and hit publish.

Start creating. Start posting. Your viral moment could be just one scroll away.