Starting your brand’s Instagram and growing engagement is not easy. Many companies use “bot” services, but they only offer temporary results. These bots can harm your brand’s image in the long run.
Instagram’s new algorithm changes how posts appear on your feed. Now, the posts you’re most likely to engage with show up first, not the most recent ones. Instagram tracks your interactions and puts posts from those accounts at the top.
With this update, we need to rethink how to use Instagram for better brand exposure.
The Old Feed – Combatting A Low Engagement Rate
Up until March 2016, the posts on your feed have been viewed in a simple, reverse-chronological manner. This made it rather easy for users to gauge the best times to post.
Algorithm changes
Since our last update lot of things have been changed. So let’s discuss the last updated from 2024. To increase Instagram engagement rate, post good-quality content. The algorithm likes videos, carousels, and Reels because they help your posts get noticed.
Talk to your followers by replying to comments, starting chats in DMs, and using polls in Stories. It’s still important to use hashtags that are related to your posts. You can get more people to see your posts by using popular hashtags at the right time.
A key strategy is posting when your audience is most active. Use app Insights to find the best times to post on Instagram for engagement.
Being real and honest is important on Instagram. Sharing behind-the-scenes photos, content from your followers, and true stories helps you connect better and makes your posts reach more people.
You can also use paid ads to get more reach and engagement. When you mix ads with organic methods, you can target the right people based on their interests. This helps get more interactions and lets more people know about you.
Organic Instagram Growth
Looking to get 1,000+ Real Instagram Followers?
No spam, no fake followers, no bots. Just pure organic growth powered by our cutting edge Artificial Intelligence technology.
- Real and engaging, no bots
- Results within a week
- Safe and secure
The Reality of Posts
According to Instagram itself, users see an average of only 30 percent of the posts in their feed. While it’s simply unrealistic to see 100 percent of the posts (unless you’re glued to the app 24/7) the most pressing concern was that users are missing out on some of their favorite accounts’ posts.
Even with this algorithm update, users are still only seeing 30 percent of the feed, but at least it’s from users they care most about.
Understand the activity of your audience
To boost Instagram engagement, know your audience’s habits. Use analytics tools or Instagram Insights to find when your followers are most active. This helps you post at the best times. Track what content gets the most likes, comments, or shares, and adjust your Instagram promotion strategies.
Engaging with your audience at peak times and adapting based on feedback helps build stronger connections. Stay aware of your audience’s preferences to keep them interested in your content.
Create high-quality content
To keep Instagram users engaged, create great content that matches your brand’s tone. Invest in clear captions, smart compositions, and high-quality images.
Keep it genuine and high-quality to build trust and loyalty. Posting interesting and useful content regularly helps you grow your following and boost engagement.
Using it to Your Advantage
Instagram rewards posts with a lot of likes and comments by keeping them at the top longer. If a post is a day old but still at the top, it’s because of high engagement. Comments matter more than likes, so encourage followers to comment or tag a friend.
Successful posts often include a gentle call to action, like “tag a friend” or “tell us your favorite product.” These comments can give feedback, attract new followers, and keep your post visible longer.
How to Use Interactive Content
Using interactive content is a fun way to boost Instagram engagement. Freebies and contests get followers excited and encourage more likes, comments, and shares. Polls, quizzes, and question stickers in Stories help you learn more about your audience’s likes and habits. Live Q&A sessions and behind-the-scenes peeks also build stronger connections with your followers.
Collaborate with Influencers
Teaming up with influencers who connect with your target audience can really boost your campaign’s reach and engagement. Choose influencers whose followers match your target and share values similar to those of your brand.
By working together on campaigns, takeovers, or posts, you can reach more people through the influencer’s followers. Building real connections helps grow your brand’s trust and excitement, leading to more engagement and organic Instagram growth.
Run Contests and Giveaways
Hosting fun giveaways and contests is a great way to get more people to know about your brand and get them involved! You can attract people by offering exciting prizes and sharing the contest in different ways. It’s important to make the rules clear, pick winners fairly, and keep in touch with everyone.
Contests help build a strong community and loyalty, and they keep people engaged even after the contest ends. After the contest, looking at the results helps you plan better for future contests and make sure your customers are happy and your brand grows!
Additional Implications
Instagram engagement goes beyond just likes and comments. You can boost it by using hashtags smartly to reach both wide and specific audiences, making your posts easy to find. User-generated content (UGC) is also important because it shows happy customers and builds loyalty.
Direct messaging (DM) your followers gives a personal touch, whether it’s for customer service, getting feedback, or just saying thanks. This helps build stronger relationships and keeps the conversation going.
Hosting Instagram Live events is a great way to boost engagement because the algorithm loves real-time interaction. Whether it’s for Q&A sessions, product launches, or working with influencers, live videos help you reach more people. Partnering with influencers or similar brands can expand your audience and build trust.
Joint campaigns, takeovers, or posts not only attract attention but also make followers feel more connected. Sharing inspiring or helpful content shows you care about your audience’s interests and helps establish your brand as an expert.
Encouraging your followers to tag and share helps spread your content naturally. This brings in new followers who share similar interests and helps grow your community.
Finally, using analytics to find the best times and frequency to post ensures your content reaches the most people when they’re most active, keeping engagement high and your brand visible.
Conclusion
Instagram wants users to share content that connects with their audience. It started as a place to share great photos and videos that spark conversations.
Now, Instagram’s algorithm gives more attention to content that stays true to this goal. It rewards accounts that post interesting and useful content, focusing on quality instead of just the number of followers or likes.
So, instead of worrying about followers or likes, focus on making posts that get people to interact and feel real connections with your audience.
