Optimizing Your Instagram: Making the Most of the 2021 Algorithm
Algorithms often determine who sees the content you publish and who doesn’t. As these data change, the previous marketing tactics you may have been utilizing might become less effective. This is the same with Instagram.
A thriving community of Instagram followers may not be what every brand needs. But for entrepreneurs like you, you can make the most out of it. Boosting content engagement from your followers will greatly help your venture. No matter what business you have to offer, when you know how to socialize with your clients online, you’re good to go.
To do this, you must first know the basics of Instagram. Of course, everybody knows that the app is used to post pictures, videos, and other visual material. However, for your account to grow organically, you must first know how the algorithm works.
If you’re a regular IG user, the app’s algorithm works in mysterious ways. But it doesn’t have to be that way. To make the Instagram algorithm work according to your advantage, here are some things you need to know.
The Key Factors that Affect Instagram Algorithm for Feed Posts
Instagram shares six key factors that affect feed posts. These are:
- Interest
- Relationship
- Timeliness
- Frequency
- Following
- Usage
So, What Are You Interested In?
Your feed is not just based on who you follow on Instagram. It also shows your interests and the content you commonly follow. The more you “like” certain posts, the more likely it will appear on your feed.
According to Later, a member of Instagram’s Partner Programme, “what you see in your Instagram feed is a combination of all of your Instagram behaviors. The accounts you interact with the most, the people you are tagged in photos with, and of course, the type of posts that you like and comment on.”
With this in mind, we can see how important it is for your brand to be active on Instagram. Its latest algorithm can empower your content to let others engage with it.
Relationships Are Important, Too
If you’re running a business, one way to pop up in people’s feeds is by establishing relationships. Thomas Dimson, a software engineer in Instagram, revealed that the following factors can help the algorithm for your feed:
- People whose content you like (possibly including stories and live videos)
- People you direct message
- People you search for
- People you know in real life
The more the software recognizes your relationship, the better the algorithm uses your interactions to piece together who is closest to you.
Timeliness: A Great Way to Maintain Relevance
IG’s algorithm has recently prioritized when you post. After all, to build a great user experience, you need to see the latest, most interesting posts. By taking timeliness in mind, you should find the best time to post your content. According to Instagram’s analytics, the best hours to post on the app are at 9 AM to 11 AM EST.
However, this schedule may not be the best choice for your business. Knowing that every Instagram account has a unique audience located in various countries and time zones it is essential to find your personalized best time to post on Instagram. Make sure to know the time with the highest activity for your audience to optimize your content according to their schedules.
Later shared the following posting schedules with the highest activity:
- Monday: 6am, 10am, and 10pm EST
- Tuesday: 2am, 4am, and 9am EST
- Wednesday: 7am, 8am, and 11pm EST
- Thursday: 9am, 12pm, and 7pm EST
- Friday: 5am, 1pm, and 3pm EST
- Saturday: 11am, 7pm, and 8pm EST
- Sunday: 7am, 8am, and 4pm EST
How Frequently Do You Post on Instagram?
The more frequently you post on the app, the more your feed will provide chronological content. However, if you’re not a frequent Instagram user, it will bring up posts that are irrelevant to your brand.
Bring Balance to Your Following
If you end up following mostly inactive Instagram accounts, the algorithm will have a hard time choosing what to show you. It cannot show you posts from every account on your feed. So, to bring balance to your following, make sure to unfollow accounts with low engagement and relevance to the community you’re fostering.
Your Use of the App Will Give You the Boost You Need
Spending a lot of time on Instagram will help you see more posts as the app digs deeper into its catalog. But if you scroll for too long, you may run out of new content to peruse. Once this happens, the algorithm will serve you suggested content from new accounts — based on your previous interactions.
Knowing What to Post to Keep Your Audience Engaged to Your Business
Yes, Instagram is a visual platform that uses photos and videos as its main selling point. For years, its users utilized the app to share ideas, experiences, as well as products and services online. According to a study by Sprout Social, 83% percent of Instagram users find new products and services on the platform. Thus, making the app one of the largest e-commerce media for budding businesses.
As an image-sharing platform, your content is the meat and potatoes for your business. By making sure that you post engaging content, you can assure that you will attract users from all over. For example, Starbucks posts visually-appealing designs to entice users into buying their drinks. Whether it is seasonal or not, making a post that can catch attention is a must.
Aside from photos, utilize stories, lives, and IGTV videos. These features allow you to share more content. Not only that, but it is also part of the metrics that will show you how your audience interacts with your account.
Incorporating the latest trends into your content is also vital. For example: memes! These are a great way to attract younger users to like your posts. Letting them know that you’re not a robotic presence on their feed will encourage audience engagement, thus, making you relevant and timely.
Strategize to a “T”: How to Make Posts that Light Up the Algorithm
Don’t just choose a random picture and post it on your account. Instead, follow these tips to make sure that you maintain your Instagram presence.
Consistency is the key.
Creating content that matches your brand’s philosophy, services, and objectives will keep you on the right track to success. Make sure that you are relatable and can answer the needs of your target market.
Optimize your posts and captions.
Using hashtags, researching popular images, as well as learning what your target demographic is into. Knowing what your audience wants to see will help you grow organically. By building a steady block of relevant and well-researched ideas, you can surely keep up with the algorithm.
Engage, engage, engage.
According to Default Design, “create posts that motivate, inspire, entertain, educate, or inform your followers. These things might take a little extra work and some sacrifice, but the more people engage with you, the more they will remember you.”
Never sacrifice quality.
Great content brings great interactions. Create awareness with every piece of content that you post. Keep in mind that you are posting in the name of your brand, so make sure to create something that’s up to par with your standards.
Share your story.
Let them know that you’re not something that’s digitally generated. You are not a robot tasked to post stuff for a certain brand. Tell your story to your audiences by showing them behind the scenes posts, especially stories that your employees got to tell. Show the world that your business is made up of people, not bots.
Keeping Track of Your Instagram Metrics
So, now that you have an idea on how to optimize your feed according to the algorithm, keeping track of your metrics will help you assess your progress. Default Design shares the following, “Generally speaking, metrics can give you a better idea of how well your posts are performing in certain areas.
– When you are looking at brand awareness, post saves, likes, comments, and shares are important to keep an eye on.
– For engagement, link shorteners (such as bit.ly) and website clicks can be valuable.
– For tracking your conversions from IG, you’ll want to keep an eye on metrics, such as impressions, reach, profile visits, and product opens.”
Read more: https://bit.ly/3p8i7nu
As we have shown, observing trends can adjust your strategy to get better reach with your audiences. More engagement can build a bigger following to boost your conversions. Also, you can assess how newer and more relevant types of content perform on your account among your audience.
To Summarize
Overall, a well-thought strategy can assist you in making the most out of Instagram. Since strategies help create brand awareness and marketing online, you still have to be active for your prospects and customers. Make sure to engage in your comments, tagged photos, and DMs to keep up with the trends and activities of your audiences. Comment on your followers’ posts, reach out, and socialize.
Maintaining human aspects is important for your brand to give relevance and interest. Letting them know that you are trustworthy is a huge step in building your brand online. With the pros of Instagram’s platform, we are sure that you can find creative ways to advertise your brand online, especially for 2021.
Before we end this article, let us remember the key factors in making great content for Instagram:
- Focus on Interests
- Build Relationships
- Maintain Relevance through Timeliness
- Post Frequently
- Bring Balance to Your Following
- Tailor Your Use of the App
- Know What to Post
- Strategize Your Content
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