You spent all your energy creating carousels but then Instagram decided Reels were the next best thing. So you switch up your content but then you notice your engagement dropping. AARRGGHHHH so annoying! Feel like giving up on social media marketing altogether? I don't blame you but before you pack it all in, understanding the Instagram algorithm can help you create your clear strategy.
What exactly is Instagram's Algorithm?
Instagram uses a set of processes to understand what users like, how they engage with accounts and what type of content they react to the most. Each content feature, - reels, stories, carousels, static posts - have their own set of processes to diagnose how they perform. Still with me? Instagram or any social media platform will routinely adapt their algorithms to be feed their users what they want and, as we are fickle human beings and actually quite predictable in that fickleness thanks to the algorithm. Hey, Instagram is a business too and so they need to be just as flexible to be successful.
How Can Your Brand Work with Instagram's Algorithm?
There is no point in trying to fight it unless you are extremely skilled in this field and delight in the rebellion against the machine. You might as well go along with the changes and have fun with it! Here are a few tips to help you work with the algorithm:
Have a solid social media strategy in place. Having a plan in place gives you the confidence and focus on what content works for you and what content complements the algorithm. Included in your strategy is the who, what, where, why and when of your content. My tip is to assign a week out of the month to plan, record and schedule your social media content.
Reels Ensure they are high quality video, avoid blurry or low resolution. Avoid using a lot of text on your video. Watermarked Reels, so videos you have made in TikTok for example and reused on Instagram. Reels with no audio. Reels violating Instagram's community guidelines.
Feed Posts and Stories Avoid posting too often as Instagram will treat this as spam for its users. Posting misinformation and violating Instagram's community guidelines. High quality photos and videos apply here also.
Right Day, Right Time, Right Content This still applies. Know when your audience are active and what content they are interested in seeing. Research similar companies and brands to you and note which content is receiving high engagement. Ensure you know your niche audience and your avatar. Who are they? What do they like? What are they interested in? Which accounts to they follow?
Getting Help
You can confidently work with the algorithm without the stress and you can plan your social media content with calm, focus and intentionality. How? By working with me at The Studio AYC.
Contact me today to create a solid, clear concise strategy for your social media and let the strategy do the work!
Let's connect on @aliciayoung_collins on Instagram as well as Facebook
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