With these changes in mind, it can be difficult to know how to work with the algorithm and not work against it. Here are five best practices to help you break through Instagram’s new algorithm:
1. Create Engaging Content
This one is probably a given, but it’s that important. Your content should be high-quality and engaging. Engaging content is certainly a broad term and will mean a lot of different things to a lot of different people. That’s why you have to really lean into your customer’s pain and pleasure points through both educational and entertaining tones in order to achieve this for your unique business and offering. With your content you can prompt your audience to take action – whether it’s liking, commenting, sharing, or saving your post. You want to engage with your audience as much as possible to get the most out of the new algorithm.
Engagement is the key to visibility in the current algorithm.
You can’t have true engagement without authenticity. Users are more likely to engage with content that feels genuine and relatable. That means reflecting your brand’s values through a cohesive marketing strategy that represents who your brand is and aims to be is ESSENTIAL.
One of the most engaging types of content right now is short-form videos (Instagram Reels). Video content tends to do good regardless, but now with the algorithm pushing smaller creators and engagement, Reels are even more impactful. Luckily short-from videos are probably the most flexible type of content you can make. Any business can create engaging content through videos.
However, engaging content goes further than just posts on your main feed. Don’t count out Instagram Stories. Every day over 500 million people use Instagram Stories. With stories, you can share snippets of information that help get your audience interested in your main content. Hubspot did a poll about what Stories people preferred and the highest response was “Short narrative stories with photos, videos, and text.” Plus, stories are a great way to interact with your audience through interactive elements such as polls, emoji reactions, and easy access to direct messages.
2. Use Hashtags, Geotags, & Keywords
A practical tip you can easily implement into your existing strategy is hashtags, geotags, and keywords. They are powerful tools for increasing your content’s discoverability, which helps with engagement, which helps with reach, and so on.
Contrary to popular belief, hashtags aren’t dead. Using relevant hashtags can help your content reach users interested in the topics you’re posting about. However, it’s essential to use them wisely. Overusing popular hashtags can bury your content among millions of posts. Instead, opt for a mix of popular and niche hashtags that accurately describe your content. Hashtags help the algorithm know what your content is about.
Geotags can also enhance visibility, especially for location-based businesses. Tagging your posts with your location can attract local users and increase your chances of appearing in location-based searches. Let’s say you’re a niche business in Atlanta, Georgia. It might be somewhat difficult for people to find you organically. But, by geotagging your posts you increase your chances. Every time someone clicks on that location, your posts will show up. Geotagging is just another way to help the algorithm know who to recommend your content to.
Finally, keywords are another way to help people find your content. By listing relevant keywords in the caption of your post, similar to hashtags, you’re helping Instagram know what your content is about. Keywords are beneficial when people are searching for specific things. For example, if someone was searching “easy hairstyles for work” and you had keywords such as “hairstyles” and “work” in your caption, then they’ll have a higher chance of being recommended your content.
3. Post Consistently
Surprise, surprise, we’re telling you to post consistently! That’s because there is truly nothing more beneficial than staying consistent with your content. Regular posting keeps your account active and increases the chances of your content being seen. Plus, it lets the algorithm know that your account is routinely posting content.
However, consistency should not come at the cost of quality. Don’t just post to post. Make sure every post adds value to your audience in some way.
You don’t have to post every day. Figure out a schedule that works for you and stick with it.
4. Utilize the Newest Features
When Instagram drops a new feature, use it. What we mean by this is, when they implement a change in the app like when they added Stories, Reels, or Threads, start using those features to your advantage. This also applies to smaller features like polls in captions and audio on photo posts.
It’s not guaranteed that using these features will make a huge difference in your success. But it’s likely that because Instagram wants new features to be successful, they’ll favor content that is implementing them.
At the same time, make sure you stay updated on shifts in the algorithm. Staying informed about algorithm changes is crucial for maintaining your Instagram strategy’s effectiveness. By staying proactive and switching these accordingly, you can turn algorithm updates into opportunities for growth.
5. Engage with Your Audience
Interaction is a two-way street. Posting engaging content isn’t enough. You need to respond to comments, engage with your followers’ content, and build a community. The more you engage, the more likely your content is to be prioritized by the algorithm.
On top of that, interact with like-minded accounts, potential partners, potential clients, and other industry leaders. If you truly want to build a community and set yourself up to become an authority in your space, then you should go a step further than simply interacting with your audience. Don’t forget to engage with those who could potentially be your audience, like similar accounts and people within your target audience.
As we mentioned earlier, use questions, prompts, and interactive elements to encourage conversation and keep your audience engaged. Using features like polls can help with this.
Overall make sure you’re responding to comments and messages. This simple act can create a sense of community and encourage further interaction from your audience.
