Instagram, Instagram, Instagram. What a fun platform to reach your audience and expand your brand’s reach. Whether you’re a social media manager, influencer, or content creator, you must be strategic about how you share content on the world’s third most-used social platform.
Don’t know where to start? This post will guide you through the best tips to help you find that sweet spot for engagement in the coming year.
Understanding Instagram’s algorithm: A deep-dive
Instagram’s algorithm changes constantly and keeps everyone on their toes.
What does it look like currently
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Reels are best for visibility: Instagram favors Reels, which gives them more exposure than other content formats.
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Shorter Reels capture attention: Quick and engaging Reels tend to hold viewers’ attention better.
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Different content types have unique algorithms: Instagram’s algorithm treats Stories, Reels, and Feed posts differently, so each format requires a tailored strategy.
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Consistency and timing impact success: Posting regularly and at times when your audience is most active can improve engagement and reach.
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SEO in Instagram is growing: Incorporating relevant keywords in captions and profiles can enhance discoverability in search engines and attract a broader audience.
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Carousels perform best for photo posts: When it comes to photo content, carousels drive higher engagement as users are more likely to swipe through multiple images.
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Reshares are a key engagement signal: When people share your content, it sends a strong signal to Instagram that it’s worth showing to more users.
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Instagram won’t promote certain content: Instagram avoids promoting certain types of content, such as misleading or explicit material, and reposted content with visible watermarks.
If you’re a brand or influencer just starting out, gaining visibility and showing up in the algorithm can be one of the toughest challenges. Consider buying Insta followers to create a foundation for credibility and increase the chances of attracting organic followers.
When potential followers see an account with a larger audience, they’re more likely to perceive it as reputable and worth following, which can lead to increased engagement. This initial boost can help your account overcome the hurdle of appearing "unknown" or less established.
By reaching a tipping point in follower count, the likelihood of organic engagement increases as new followers feel more inclined to interact with popular accounts. In this way, buying followers can kickstart your Instagram growth and build momentum for your account's long-term success.
What's the ideal posting frequency on Instagram
You’ve probably heard conflicting advice on how often to post on Instagram. Some say daily, others say weekly. So, what’s the answer? It depends.
But we know that consistency in posting on Instagram is vital to maintaining engagement and building a loyal following. When you post regularly, you remain at the top of your mind, which makes it easier to foster relationships with your audience. Consistent posting also signals to Instagram’s algorithm that your account is active, which can help improve visibility.
For example, Cruise America, an RV sales and rental company, consistently posts engaging content around the same time each day. This creates a sense of reliability and ensures its followers know when to expect new posts. This practice has allowed the company to steadily grow its community, improve engagement rates, and stay visible to potential customers who are interested in RV travel.
You don’t have to post daily like Cruise America, but you should post consistently.
When to post for maximum engagement
Ever wonder why that perfect post didn’t blow up like you hoped?
It might not be your content. It could be your timing, instead. The best days to post on Instagram are weekdays. The best times? Before and after work hours (6 am to 9 am and 5 pm to 6 pm) and during lunchtime.
That’s a general rule of thumb. Everyone’s audience is different, so those times/days may not be true for everyone. If you’re not sure about your perfect posting times, you can use Instagram’s Insights tool. This feature will show you when your followers are most active so you can schedule your posts when they’re already scrolling.
Don’t have many insights to go on? Experiment. You never know what works until you try. Test out different days and times to find your engagement sweet spot.
Craft high-engagement content
Instagram is no longer that platform where you post pretty pictures and hope for the best. It’s evolved to a dynamic app where you can share a variety of content types.
Let’s take a look at different content that gets high engagement.
Share content your audience cares about
One way to find the sweet spot for engagement is to tap into topics that resonate with your audience's current needs. For instance, Brex, a financial services company, often shares insightful business travel tips on how to manage expenses, maximize travel rewards, and maintain productivity on the road.
It shares similar tips on Instagram to drive engagement by providing followers with practical, timely content. Topics like this attract business travelers and broaden Brex’s reach to professionals looking for smart, efficient travel solutions.
Companies like Henry Meds, which offers a range of weight loss products, generate interest through informative content by comparing popular options like Rybelsus or Ozempic.
By crafting posts that clearly outline the differences between these medications, emphasize their benefits, and engage followers through interactive elements like polls or Q&A sessions, Henry Meds fosters meaningful interaction and cultivates a loyal community.
This educates the audience and positions the brand as a trusted authority in the weight loss market.
Prioritize reels and short-form video
Social media users view over 200 billion Reels per day across Instagram and Facebook, So, Instagram is really pushing Reels, which means they’re giving this format more attention in the algorithm. That’s great news if you’re trying to get your content in front of new eyes.
But keep your Reels short and snappy. Try not to go over 30 seconds. You don’t need to overproduce them, either. Authentic, behind-the-scenes clips, quick tips, or fun challenges can do wonders for engagement.
This Reel by Chick-fil-A got over 591,000 views and lots of likes and comments, and it was only about 10 seconds long.
Use storytelling to build authenticity
People love to connect with content that feels genuine and relatable. Share the story behind the product you’re launching, give your followers a glimpse into your day, or let them in on one of your latest business challenges.
Whether through captions, Stories, or video content, use storytelling to show your personality and create a deeper connection with your audience.
Leverage user-generated content (UGC)
Let your audience do some of the heavy lifting. UGC is one of the easiest ways to build trust and boost engagement without always having to create something from scratch.
When people see others like them enjoying your product or service, it automatically builds credibility. Or, if you’re an influencer or content creator, having other people talk about your content or participate in your challenge can further expand your reach.
Here’s a simple way to start: Encourage your followers to tag you in their posts or use a specific hashtag when they share content related to your brand. Then, share their posts on your feed or Stories.
Implement polls, questions, and interactive features
Engagement is all about creating a two-way conversation. Polls, questions, and other interactive features in Instagram Stories are perfect for sparking that dialogue.
Want to know what kind of content your audience enjoys most? Create a poll. Looking for quick feedback on a new product idea? Use the question sticker. The goal is to get your audience involved and make them feel like their opinions matter.
Write captions that spark engagement
Ever stared at that blinking cursor in the caption box, not sure what to write? Understandable. Captions can be tricky, but they’re crucial for getting your audience to engage. A great caption should grab attention, tell a story, and encourage action. So, always include a call-to-action (CTA) at the end of your caption. Ask a question, invite followers to share their thoughts, or encourage them to tag a friend.
Simple questions like, “What do you think?” or “Let us know in the comments!” can spark great conversations.
Build an effective hashtag strategy
In 2024, hashtags remain a useful tool on Instagram, but the approach has shifted towards quality and relevance over sheer quantity.
Beaches of Normandy Tours, a travel agency specializing in WWII tours across Europe, provides a great example of how you can use personalized hashtags effectively. By using specific and branded hashtags, such as #WorldWarII or #BeachesOfNormandy, the agency connects with its target audience and creates a sense of community around its tours.
These hashtags help categorize content, which makes it easier for users interested in WWII history to discover and engage with its posts. This strategy, combined with high-quality content, helps increase visibility and attract a dedicated following.
Reeling in engagement on Instagram in the coming year
And there you have it—some of the best tips to help you boost engagement on Instagram. Double down on Reels, tell your brand’s story, or get your audience involved with interactive features. Always remember to stay authentic and keep experimenting.
Instagram is constantly changing, and so should your strategy. But don’t stress too much about perfection. Focus on creating content that feels right for you and your followers.
Author bio: Ryan Robinson
I'm a blogger, podcaster and (recovering) side project addict that teaches 500,000 monthly readers how to start a blog and grow a profitable side business at ryrob.com.
