Category: Instagram

Considering the fact that Instagram is one of the most widely used social media platforms worldwide, it is not surprising that it has indeed become a great tool of marketing. Thousands of companies, brands, and influencers are using it to reach a new audience, connect with their followers, market their products and services, and grow their presence online. While using Instagram is easy, building engagement from the right people is not, especially when Instagram regularly updates its algorithm.

Since the launch of the latest update of the Instagram algorithm, many Instagram users have complained about the fall in the number of likes, followers, and comments on their posts. If you are also searching for reasons about why your post engagement on Instagram has reduced significantly, you have come to the right place.

To understand why Instagram is causing you this trouble, you first need to know how the latest Instagram algorithm works.

What is Instagram Algorithm 2021?

Instagram regularly announces updates to its algorithm. The Instagram algorithm basically controls what content is visible to Instagram users. Therefore it is imperative for businesses and influencers working on Instagram to understand how the Instagram algorithm affects their organic reach and what can they do about it.

The 2021 update of the Instagram Algorithm introduced numerous changes. Now, Instagram shows content on the basis of the following parameters:

1. Relationship

The Instagram algorithm works on the assumption that people who have already viewed and interacted with your profile are more likely to be interested in your posts. It checks the kind of relationship you share with your audience. Some of the things that it checks are who follows you, search your profile, comment on your posts, shares or save your posts, etc.

2. Timeliness

According to this criterion, newer posts are most likely to appear first than the older ones. That is why time plays a crucial role in posting on Instagram. When you upload a reel, IGTV, or a picture when your audience is online, your posts get a better reach.

3. Interest

The ultimate objective of Instagram is to provide its audience content that interests them the most. It is due to this reason, defining your target audience and creating relevant content helps a lot.

Apart from these, there are other considerations that can affect your reach on Instagram. How frequently your audience uses Instagram, the number of accounts they follow, and the average session time of the users are some of them. However, unlike relationship, timeliness, and interest, these parameters are not in your control. So, what can you do to ensure that you rank high in terms of impressions and engagement on Instagram? Just apply the following tactics!

Tactics to Improve Your Reach on Instagram

Getting likes, comments, and saves on your posts is essential to expand your reach on Instagram. Although they are not the most important metrics to evaluate your success on Instagram, they play a crucial role in growing your brand presence. Mentioned below are some tips using which you can ensure that your posts reach the right audience.

1. Post regularly on Instagram

To grow your presence online, it is important to keep your followers engaged. The best way to do so is by posting consistently on Instagram. When thousands of people and companies post every day, it is quite possible that your audience may forget you. To make sure that this does not happen, maintain a frequency rate or increase the frequency of posting. You do not necessarily need to post every day. Posting once or twice a week also works well. This is the easiest and one of the most effective ways to increase your reach, grow engagement and earn new followers on Instagram.

Another benefit of posting regularly is that it allows you to experiment and evaluate what content works with your audience and what does not. This is a great way to plan your content in a strategic manner organically.

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We provide an expert Instagram Optimization & Hashtags Research service

2. Post High-quality photos and videos

No matter how many magic tricks are there in your pocket, the key to ranking high on your followers’ feed is creating quality content. Here, quality content means that the posts should not only be relevant and interesting but also eye-catchy. High-quality photos and videos attract people to your posts to a great extent. Many times, Instagram users like, share, or comment on a picture because it is visually appealing. This is important for you as it helps you to attract engagement on your posts. This helps in the ‘relationship’ criterion of the Instagram algorithm.

3. Make the best use of Reels and IGTV

Believe it or not Reels and IGTV are a great way of boosting your profile on Instagram. Creating reels is a great way of Instagram marketing that allows businesses to share useful information in a fun manner within 15-30 seconds. The wide range of filters and audio files available adds to the popularity of this medium. Since reels is a relatively new feature, Instagram makes sure that people use it more often by giving reel makers good visibility. Also, there is a separate section for reels which again gives creators a greater chance to be discovered by the audience.

Similarly, Instagram provides a lot of benefits to those who make IGTV. If you have something important or interesting to share that cannot be explained within 30 seconds, IGTV is the most useful tool in that case. There are endless possibilities with regard to the content you can create using IGTV. According to experts, IGTV has proved effective in building loyalty among followers.

4. Upload Instagram stories consistently

While you regularly post pictures and videos on Instagram, you should also upload stories on a constant basis. Stories act as a speedy method of reaching out to your audience, reminding them to not miss any of your posts and engaging them directly. You can conduct polls, quizzes, ask your audience to throw questions, and do so much more. Instagram stories enable your profile to keep popping up on a constant basis which is good for building engagement.

5.Use Relevant Hashtags

The best way to address the ‘Interest’ criterion of the Instagram algorithm organically is by using relevant, precise, thoughtful, and accurate hashtags. Using hashtags will allow your audience to easily find the content they are looking for. Although Instagram allows you to use 30 hashtags on a single post, it is not necessary to use them all. Instead, you should research and focus on the hashtags that are relevant to your post and profile. The use of a large number of random hashtags that do not really describe what the post is about may appear like spam and reduce your visibility. Therefore, it is advisable to use limited but proper hashtags.

6. Upload posts during peak hours

To effectively meet the ‘Timeliness’ criterion of the Instagram algorithm, post at the time your audience is using Instagram i.e. during peak hours. But the question is how would you possibly know when your followers are online? To bust this mystery, you need to research, observe and analyse the behaviour of your audience. In this case, if you have a business account, Instagram Insights can help you out. Using this free Instagram tool, you can find out who is interacting with your posts, their gender, age, location, and the hours your posts are most visible. Accordingly, you can schedule your posts properly.

7. Interact with your audience

Interacting with the audience is a must to score high in the ‘relationship’ parameter. When people comment on your posts or send you a message, do not ignore them. You need to show your audience that you care for them to win their hearts. Some ways you can interact with your audience are by uploading interactive quizzes and stories, writing interesting captions, posting relatable content, answering your followers’ questions, and regularly thanking them for their constant support.

8. Host a Giveaway or a Contest

Hosting a giveaway or a contest is a great way to reach your target audience. You can create brand awareness, grow followers, likes, comments, shares, and also connect with people who are genuinely interested in what you have to offer. A giveaway or a contest works on the interest and relationship criteria of the Instagram algorithm. However, before hosting a contest you must plan out carefully what you seek to achieve through it and announce one accordingly. The prize should be attractive, and your rules for participation should be such that boosts engagement on your posts.

9. Use Interactive Captions

Captions play an important role in entertaining and informing your audience. by using call-to-action phrases such as ‘Tag a friend’, ‘Comment your views’ or ‘Visit the link in Bio,’ you can directly ask your audience to do the needful. This tip again resolves the relationship criterion of the Instagram algorithm.

These are just some of the ways you can survive and succeed the Instagram Algorithm 2021. Apply them and witness the change yourself!

Instagram Reels is a new feature introduced recently. Instagram users can create short 15-second video clips to share their stories or introduce new products. These reels can be accessed from the Reels tab on a profile and via the Explore Feed. If you want to view more videos, you can do it via the Explore Page. This will make it easy to see trending and popular videos and the number Instagram followers and likes. Reel views are influenced by location, the accounts followed and the content you choose to interact with.

How to create a reel?

If you want to grow your Instagram following and sell products, you can create your own reels. Instagram reels are a great way to use the Instagram platform more effectively. The following steps will help you to create and edit videos effectively.

1. Click on Reels which is below the Instagram camera. You then see a range of tools on the left side of your screen.
2. Audio: Use the audio feature to select music or a favorite song from Instagram’s library. You can use your own music too.
3. AR effects: There are many nice effects which are part of the Effects gallery. You can use any of them to create an original video.
4. Use the timer and the countdown counter to ensure that you record for the exact length of time you want.
5. You can also use the Align feature to line up objects you want to include in your videos. Transitions and adding new features become easier with practice.
6. The speed feature is a good tool too. You can sync the video to the music or slow them down.

Tips to create the best Instagram Reels

Visual media is a powerful tool to promote ideas and products. Instagram Reels can boost business growth and expand your outreach. How can you get better results?

1. Check out tutorials which will help you create the right look and feel for your product.
2. Create a story board and what you want to share with your viewers. This will help you design and execute your first reel right.
3. Before recording and publishing, practice and record videos. You should try to incorporate as many features as you can. Edit videos well so that you have a nice reel that you can share.
4. Creating and sharing content gives you another social media channel to tap into. You should leverage this popular medium to reach a wider audience. Use your industry expertise to get more interest and higher sales.
5. Make sure that you are connecting well with your followers. You can repurpose content to keep your followers engaged by offering fun videos. The more viewers you have and the longer they stay connected, your business prospects get better.

Do you need an Instagram expert to complete an in-depth evaluation of your Instagram account & provide you with an action plan?

We provide an expert Instagram Optimization & Hashtags Research service

How Instagram reels have helped businesses expand?

Instagram reels are becoming extremely popular with individuals and businesses to showcase their products and interests. Here is how a short video can impact your marketing strategies:

• By creating content with resonates with an audience. Short and authentic videos with unique ideas capture an audience’s imagination. Showcase your product or brand by showing a more human side.
• Reels is a great way to share educational and instructional videos as well. There are many clips on how to use the same product in different ways and save money.
• Instagram reels is a fantastic platform to introduce your brand to a worldwide audience and boost sales.

Now that you know how reels are created and how they can help market a brand, learn the importance of Instagram Analytics. This feature can help anyone target the right audience, tweak content, and reach wider audiences.

Instagram Analytics breaks down information by audience, time they are active, and they the content they like to watch. These insights are important to craft content strategies which get the results you want for your brand. Write down your business goals so that you can decide the relevant metrics to check out.

Accessing Instagram Analytics

This feature is available only to creator and business accounts. Experts recommend switching to a business profile to get the best insights. If you already have an Insta business profile, use the Insights tab to access the Analytics tool.

• Tap the Menu icon which is in the top right-hand corner of your profile.
• Click on the Insights tab which will open the Analytics tool. You can also navigate via the Insights button to get the same information.
• The Insights section offers information on the number of real Instagram followers, the number of Instagram likes per post/video and the demographics of your audience.

Keep in mind that only those posts/stories that you upload after switching to a business account will be visible.

Instagram Analytics also offers insights on when the best time to post will be (this is available on an Advanced/Growth Plan). Track 3 months’ worth of stories and which posts got the highest Likes and Comments. Analytics lets you filter information on any metric that you deem important. Track your growth on the following aspects via your Dashboard.

1. Audience Analytics: This metric is important because you get an idea of who your Instagram followers are and how to tweak your content. You can get information for up to 4 weeks on your follower growth, their location, gender, age and when they are most active. For instance, if you get more followers after posting a reel, you know when you should post more, You also understand what content is popular.
2. Feed post Analytics: You can access this information in two ways. The first is via the Insights and the Content Shared tab. Get information going as far back as 2 years on a range of metrics. The other method is to check out how each post performed in detail. If you find that you get a lot of likes and followers by using hashtags, this is a good reflection on your hashtag strategy.
3. Stories Analytics: Just like your post analytics, you can get more information on your stories via the Insights tab. Check on the Content Shared feature for what stories were liked etc. A review of how the best stories performed will let you know which ones showcase your brand the best.
4. Reels Analytics: Since this feature was introduced recently, the analytics information is a bit limited. You can still monitor the basic metrics like number of views and comments each reel has received. You should be able to get more insights in a few months, once this feature has gained better traction.
5. IGTV: Information on this feature is also important because you know what your viewers like to watch and what keeps them coming back. IGTV videos with the highest views should be given more attention so that you can create and promote new videos better.
6. Shopping Analytics: If you offer viewers the option of buying products via your posts, keep an eye on which ones had the highest number or purchases. Sort posts by product specific metrics if you have Instagram Checkout enabled on your account. Data points like button clicks and page views will let you know some more work must be done on the image or price. Once the changes are made, you will be able to boost sales.
7. Instagram Live data: This is the only aspect for which information cannot be accessed via the Insights tab. You can check the number of people who turned in to watch your broadcast.
8. Instagram Guides: This refers to curated posts and products so there is no way to get any analytics information. You can figure out how well some posts have worked because of the number of views. Hopefully, this will change in the future.

Tracking and Reporting using Instagram Analytics

As the above information indicates, there are a lot of things you can track using Instagram Analytics. You can also generate reports, but you must decide which is important. A clear idea of your branding goals will help you pick the right metrics and efficiently craft new strategies. You can download all the key metrics information in a .csv type file. It is a good idea to test multiple objects, tweak your tactics and content to find out what works the best.

Considering that Instagram Reels was rolled out only in August 2020, this feature is becoming as popular as Tiktok. Though repurposing is a good idea, don’t do this too often because viewers will get bored. Stand out by offering unique content that matches the scope and voice of your brand. Test content before uploading and figure out what the possible limitations of Instagram reels are. Once you have a grasp of the process of filming, editing and uploading, you can use the Analytics tool to track your growth. Practicing and creating more reels will help you master the art of getting the content right.

The Instagram algorithm is ever-evolving. It’s a hungry criminal trying to steal more and more app time from people sitting online. This ensures that online users periodically view ads which help feed its enormous revenue. So in simpler words, any account or user that helps the algorithm gain more user time will benefit the most. It could be from engaging content, reels, carousel posts or even IGTVs. Methodically anything that keeps your followers engrossed and instigates a higher interaction rate with likes, comments, shares and saves will do the trick. But what exactly should you be doing differently to get its attention? And how do you find yourself a cozy spot in its oh-so-creamy featured list? Before we look into that let’s understand the types of users and basic statistics involved.

Instagram started its journey 11 years ago and till this date not once has it seen a decline in their user statistics. With 2020 finally coming to its fateful end, the app witnessed a staggering record of 1.074 billion users engaging in the platform every month. Talk about a grand ending to an otherwise disastrous year. But that’s not it. It is also said to be the 6th most visited website in the world, considering the fact that Instagram is technically a mobile app. These facts showcase how simple yet equally competitive it can be to garner a steady income. As someone who is looking to grow their reach and business through Instagram, adapting to its latest trends along with its intricately designed algorithms should be of key essence.

Lifestyle and fashion influencers, celebrities, online stores, culinary pages, travel and photography accounts are a few out of the hundreds of categories existing in this large ecosystem. The unnerving pace at which this platform is growing in addition to the uncertainty caused by the pandemic is thrusting more and more people to believe in this sort of preconceived pseudo living. So if you’ve got a creative head (or not, it doesn’t matter- anyone can win here!!) and the latest algorithm hasn’t been nice to you then the following few changes will surely help liven things up at your end.

But outsmarting the latest Instagram algorithm in 2021 isn’t a child’s play. There are levels to it so make sure you follow till the very end to get the best results. Okay, here we go:

1. Reels are the new norm

Reels or #Instagramreels were released at the peak time of the pandemic and almost instantly flared up. These 30-second minuscule videos involve more creativity and content than anything else on Instagram right now. Essentially, the Instagram algorithm works by studying user interests based on their likes, engaging content and interaction between other users. It monitors the amount of time spent on the app and develops a virtual profile of each user to cater accurately to their needs and interests.

Reels can be anything from challenges, DIYs to dance snippets, food/ travel videos etc. It entirely depends on your niche. If your reels are quite successful and gain a lot of coverage then you have a higher chance of being featured on the explore page. Coverage would mean likes, saves, shares, comments etc. This will do the job of finding more like-minded people and create a huge (I repeat) HUGE influx of followers. Make reels every day or at least every 2-3 days to ensure your followers regularly engage with you.

2. Engaging stories.

Stories, as we all know are the go-to for anyone to share day to day stuff with other users online. It’s that sweater you never throw away even when you know it’s been used too much. Instagram stories are a great way to interact with your audience as the algorithm actively monitors your comments and dm’s (direct messages). Plus, stories are a great alternative to posts and show a higher percentage of user engagement. Ads usually appear while transitioning between different stories. When you post a string of stories, it keeps your followers glued to the ‘gram and any account that helps IG increase more user time, like I mentioned earlier would be amply rewarded.

In addition to occupying users, it also creates an active persona of you/your page online. This will aid in more reach and steadily convert your audience. So, the key takeaways are post stories frequently if not daily. It doesn’t need to be creative. Being relatable sells off more than creative so be you and post without a second thought.

3. Interactive IG handle

Have you noticed that once you start interacting with a particular user online, it instantly shows you more of that page/person everywhere?? This is how it works. When you network through stories via reactions or replies, the algorithm keeps track of your interaction and creates a pseudo friend circle believed to be your close friends. So automatically anyone with whom you have engaged the most will be prioritized. Their content (be it posts, stories or reels) will always be shown first when you open the app.

Now we want our followers to interact with us at least in some way so that our content shows first on their feed. There is only one way to do it. Respond back to those ghosted dm’s, comments on your posts, reels and IGTVs, people. It’s a tedious task but holds a lot of value. Remember to also reply/comment on fellow user pages. Once you start doing this mechanical process, the algorithm will develop close circles for your followers as well as yourself. This essentially paves the way for more user interaction on your page.

4. Establish your niche

A key breakthrough for small content creators or small businesses was that they all had a specifically curated niche. With the end of 2020, there has been a massive boom in the online retail and e-commerce category on Instagram. The number of small businesses has skyrocketed to an extraordinary level with addition of new features like Instagram local business pages, shopping etc. It’s a cut-throat competition out there. Chances are there is already someone else online who is selling the same product/service as you. So in times like these when everyone is trying to make their mark, it is of utmost importance to establish your niche.

It can be something of a cultural, ethnic or vintage background. Focus on that part of your product/service and advertise it to your maximum. Nowadays consumers are in search of products that are unique or long forgotten. We can simply refer to the current situation where vintage fashion is making a huge comeback along with corsets and baguette bags as such in the realm of fashion. It is an evident fact that the Instagram algorithm favors all those who use their latest features. So make abundant reels, posts and stories. Occasionally offer tiny discounts to attract new users and you will without a doubt be able to beat that sly algorithm.

Do you need an Instagram expert to complete an in-depth evaluation of your Instagram account & provide you with an action plan?

We provide an expert Instagram Optimization & Hashtags Research service

5. Micro-blogging captions

When we refer to influencers, the first thing that comes to our mind is their active page. Have you noticed that most of those travel, food and lifestyle influencers that you follow have very long captions under their posts?? This is known as micro-blogging. It’s a form of communication which ensures that users spend more time on their content which indirectly leads to more time on the app. So, brush up those writing skills and start investing more time in micro-blogging. Create long, relatable captions for alternative posts that go up on your page. It can be a simple morning routine or the collaborative process behind your captured picture. You could even share your thoughts over certain non-political topics and ask your followers take on that. Keep it simple and catchy.

6. Carousel Posts, IGTVs

Another feature that made Instagram more user-friendly was the inclusion of carousel posts. If you don’t know what carousel posts are then it’s technically a set of maximum 10 photos that the algorithm allows you to upload in a single post. This is yet another trick that grips more and more people to stay on the app. With catchy captions and carousel posts, you are bound to achieve a higher user engagement rate on your page.

7. Timing is everything

Even with all the aforementioned key points, small and big creators on Instagram struggle with reach and followers. This is because of 3 facts: timing, consistency and frequency. Instagram users are said to be more active at particular hours during the day. If you post at a time other than the peak hours, your content is bound to get lost in the sea of other posts and will never receive the reach you aimed for. So find out the majority of your followers peak timings online and post exactly in those hours. Jackpot! Even if it’s a shabby post, it will receive a certain threshold of likes, views, shares and comments.

8. Consistency is key.

Last but not the least, stay consistent as it is the key to any area in life. If you don’t post daily or at least alternatively, you will lose all the hard work.

So keep in mind that an active page is a flourishing page. You got this!

If you are someone who spends a few hours daily scrolling through your Instagram feed, you may have already noticed this – Instagram’s algorithm has changed. The posts you see on your feed are not in chronological order anymore. And ever since the likes on Instagram are being hidden, comments have become the most important mode of engagement to get visibility.

With Instagram’s algorithm that keeps changing, it becomes imperative for social media marketers to keep pace with it. At present, posts are being organized on their level of engagement. This means if your posts get more likes and comments, they will appear higher in the Instagram feed. So, how do you make more users leave a comment under your Instagram posts?

In this article, we have rounded up some handy Instagram tips that you can use to get more comments on your posts and grow your real Instagram followers.

1. Run an Instagram Contest or Giveaway

When it comes to getting more engagement on your posts, Instagram contests and giveaways are second to none. Think about it. We all love to win free stuff. Use that to your brand’s advantage by introducing contest rules that involve following your account, liking the post and tagging your friends in the comments section.

Another way is you could make the contest a weeklong campaign where the users are required to comment each day. Lastly, you could also ask your followers to post their photos while tagging your brand in the post. This not only boosts your Instagram likes but also leads to follower growth. Win-win in every department.

2. Reciprocate Engagement

This is one of the most powerful and sure-shot ways to get more comments on Instagram. Make a list of all the accounts that regularly interact with your posts. Visit their profiles one at a time and leave a few comments or likes on their latest Instagram posts. This thoughtful gesture goes a long way in encouraging them to keep engaging with your posts as they know their efforts are not one-sided. This also works with accounts that are already following you. Agreed, this can be quite a time-consuming task, but it is worthwhile in the long run.

3. Respond to Your Comments

Another simple and direct trick to get more real comments on your Instagram posts is to reply to your comments. More comments give you more visibility and Instagram engagement. As it is with any form of social media, replying to comments on Instagram too gives your followers a sense of community. They feel like they are part of some common interest. Before you know it, one user’s comment may lead to a conversation thread other users might want to join into. Responding to comments encourages your followers to leave more in the future and strengthens your relationship with them.

4. Host an Instagram Takeover

An Instagram takeover is when one Instagram account takes over another’s feed, usually for a day. They are done from the perspective of an influencer, a colleague or another enterprise in your industry. The idea is to churn fresh content and bring innovative ideas to the table that can generate more engagement too. This win-win strategy ensures the host as well as the guest benefit from the takeover. So, whether you are taking over someone’s account or someone is hosting yours, you both stand to gain from it. Takeover works excellently to boost the comments on your post as the spotlight shines on both the host and the guest.

5. Get Creative in Asking People to Comment

If you want more comments on your Instagram posts, the most obvious thing is to ask for them. However, instead of coming across as desperate to get more likes and posts, think out-of-the-box. When you are creative with your approach, your followers won’t avoid you like the plague thinking ‘Oh there he/she comes again!’.

Instead of pinging every Instagram user in your list to drop a comment, why not post a funny photo with ‘caption this’? Or, posts with captions like ‘Agree or Disagree?’ You can tell your followers the best answers get a shoutout and you will pin their comment. This can make things interesting and exciting for your followers almost like a mini-Instagram contest. And you know what’s the best part? You don’t even have to arrange for a prize!

Do you need an Instagram expert to complete an in-depth evaluation of your Instagram account & provide you with an action plan?

We provide an expert Instagram Optimization & Hashtags Research service

6. Post Photos of Your Furry Friends

People who don’t love to see cute animal photos and videos simply don’t exist. This is why animal Instagram accounts go viral so often and earn huge amounts of money similar to human influencers. Whether you have a cute puppy in your office or a colleague’s pet, see if your audience is responding to your posts.

7. Ask Relevant Questions Under Your Posts

Here’s a pro-tip – if you want your comments section to grow into a thread everyone wants to be a part of, ask thought-provoking questions users will associate with. You will get Instagram engagement by posting creative captions like ‘yay or nay?’ or ‘agree and disagree’ too. But if you want the conversation to flow, ask questions that will prompt your users to participate. What could be better than a post that makes people want to answer and comment without you having to push them for it? It’s the best-case scenario.

For instance, if you are going to interview someone over a live feed, you can create a buzz around the event by posting related posts. You can ask your followers to comment on what would they like to ask the person you plan to interview.

8. Use Relevant Hashtags

No matter what social media platform you are on, hashtags play a pivotal role in connecting you with people who share the same interests as you. When you use hashtags on a particular post, your post pops up whenever someone searches that same hashtag. For instance, if you are doing a book post, you can use hashtags such as #BooksOnInstagram, #Booknerds, #Booklovers and #Bibliophiles. When a reading enthusiast opens their Explore tab and searches one of these hashtags, your post can show up. As per studies, posts with at least one hashtag have shown to result in 12% more engagement.

9. Tag People, Brands and Locations

We all love to tag our friends to posts that are super fun and relatable. This helps build a connection. You also get introduced to new users who might like your content. So, everyone gets to benefit from this. Apart from tagging people, you should also tag locations to encourage a sense of closeness. Suppose you run a local café, tagging your local area in the posts can promote your brand and help reach more people.

Pro Tip: Tagging within the photo or video is better than tagging within the caption. It sends an instant notification to the people or brand you tag.

10. Choose Peak Posting Times

There is no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to determining what’s the best time to do an Instagram post. Depending on the industry you are in, your followers and the type of content you post, your peak posting times can vary. Whether it is in the middle of the day or later in the evening, find out when are your followers willing to engage the most. The best thing to do would be to track your engagement rates on Instagram at different timings throughout the day and week. Monitor the results and grow your comments section.

11. Post Videos

Instagram has introduced features such as Reels and IGTV videos that encourage video content. In 2016, viewers spent 40% more time watching videos on Instagram and this is only going to rise. To invite more comments from your followers, consider posting engaging videos that compel them to stop and take notice. Ensure your content is gripping or can help them in some way – anything that would make them comment. You can write within the caption requesting your followers to comment on what they thought of the video. If it is good, there is a high probability they won’t shy away from commenting.

12. Be Regular with Your Posts

If you have a business account, being inactive or posting after long gaps can seriously hurt your profile. When you post regularly, you become more relevant and up-to-date. Posting regularly at the peak times of the day allow your brand to reach more people. It can help build connections and drive follower growth. Eventually, you will have more people to comment and react to your posts.

Key Takeaways
Consider the above-mentioned Instagram tips to get your followers to comment more on your posts. The engagement and interactions you will see in return by following these tips will be natural and boost your follower count too. Once you start getting more comments on your posts, find out which tips are working best in your favor. Stick to them to take your account to the next level, one post at a time.

2021 is well underway, and Instagram is at the pinnacle of the social media ladder along with the likes of Twitter and Facebook. The image-driven has become ideal for marketers to showcase their products to their target audiences, and Instagram marketing is thriving these days because of several handy features.

If you want your brand to tap into the immense potential of Instagram in 2021 and reap significant rewards in both the short and long terms, read on. In this post, we’ll take you through the best Instagram marketing tips for 2021. So, without any further delay, let’s get this blog post well and truly started.

1. Set your targets

If your brand has a decent following on Instagram, you’re probably going to bank on a strategy that helps you sell your products. But if your brand is new and relatively unheard of, you’ll need a different strategy – one that helps you get noticed. So, before you actually kick off your marketing activities on Insta, you should focus on the targets that you hope to achieve.

Examples of targets include:

• Creating brand awareness
• Establishing online presence
• Projecting your business as a thought leader in your niche
• Selling products

Feel free to mix and match the different targets, but remember to be realistic. For example, if your online presence so far has been minimal, it would be a mistake to set a target that revolves around selling products.

2. Set up a business account

If you’ve been using a personal account on Instagram to promote your products, it’s time you switched to a business account. If you’re wondering why we’re recommending you to make the switch, just take a look at some of the features that you can use exclusively with a business account:

• Call-to-action button
• Contact information
• Messaging inboxes (primary and secondary)
• Instagram Ads
• Instagram Insights
• Instagram Shopping

Instagram offers creators the option of setting up creator accounts as well, but if you’re a marketer, you’ll get more value out of a business account. Instagram offers detailed guidelines on how you can convert your personal account into a business account. So make sure you go through them and convert your account as soon as you can.

3. Profile optimization is vital

Instagram offers businesses a few fields where they can fill in the relevant information so that audiences immediately know what they’re all about when visiting the profiles. Let’s take a look at the various fields on offer and what you need to do to make the most of them:

• Bio: Your bio should be brief (150 characters maximum) and properly constructed so that audiences aren’t left in the dark about what your business is all about.
• Name: This is the field where you have to enter your brand name (30 characters maximum).
• URL: This is where you have to mention the URL of your business website. If there are any changes in your website URL, you can make changes to this field as many times as you need to.
• Username: This is the field where you need to mention your handle (30 characters maximum).
• Category: Pick the right category in this field to help your audience understand your business niche.
• Call-to-action buttons: These incredibly helpful buttons (available exclusively for Instagram business accounts) will facilitate greater engagement between you and your followers.