It's no surprise you want to become a paid Instagram influencer, but the idea of getting your posts sponsored might seem laughable if you’re just posting pictures of your brunch instead of skydiving pictures in Australia.But you’re probably more marketable than you think — as Instagram is a popular channel for influencers to partner with all kinds of businesses to post all kinds of content across topic areas for all types of influencers, from micro-influencers to viral celebrities.I‘ve put this guide together to show you how to get brand deals on Instagram. Read on for actionable tips that’ll help you get your first deal.What's a Sponsored Instagram Post?There are two main types of sponsored Instagram posts: a brand that creates a post and pays Instagram for access to a custom audience, and a brand that pays an influencer or creator to share content that features the brand/business in some way.Here's more detail on each type of sponsored post.Promoted Posts AdsJust like X (formerly Twitter), LinkedIn, and Facebook, Instagram comes with a native ad management platform.Advertisers can use this tool to customize a target audience — using attributes like age, sex, location, and interests — and invest a specific amount of money to get their post in front of Instagrammers who identify with this audience.The thing I’d like to note here is that the advertiser is making and publishing the post. They're paying Instagram for the audience they want access to, but the post is theirs to create.Paid SponsorshipsConversely, paid sponsorships happen between a brand and an influencer on Instagram. The creator will have a brand and an audience relevant to the business.I like to think of it as social media product placement. Just like a business might pay a TV show to have its brand of soda on the countertop in the series finale, it can also pay a person on Instagram to hold that same soda in a picture on their Instagram feed.With the basics out of the way, let me walk you through how to start getting sponsorships.How to Get Sponsored on InstagramDefine your brand.Know your audience.Post consistently.Use hashtags and geotags.Tag brands in your posts.Include contact information in your bio.Pitch paid sponsorships.Know your worth.1. Define your brand.A niche determines the subject matter around which your content revolves. Do you want to post food and health-related content or focus on fashion? Whatever the case, it's an important step in establishing your brand.In addition to the type of content you post, branding has a lot to do with your overall aesthetic. How do you want to style your posts? What's your messaging? To further solidify your brand, you might want to consider creating a cohesive feed theme (use these feeds for inspiration).Beyond that, consistency is key. A good influencer's posts are distinguishable and unique — a user flipping through their feed should be able to recognize the content as belonging to one influencer. After all, trust builds as a user continues to see the same type of content on an influencer’s profile.Anthony Miyazaki, marketing consultant and professor of marketing at Florida International University, considers consistency one of the most important factors when assessing influencers for his clients.Miyazaki often recommends his clients “seek out influencers who have maintained the same personality, vibe, tone, and style for at least 18 months.”To further enhance the consistency of your brand, I recommend you connect your Instagram brand with any other online presence.Creating a website with a similar aesthetic and messaging is a good way to do this. The more you unify your social media accounts, the easier it will be for brands to distinguish how you can help them.Pro tip: If you have a website or other social media accounts, consider using Linktree to provide a menu of links to your other accounts. This way, you only have to share one link that provides users access to all your different accounts online. (Linktree offers a free and paid plan.)2. Know your audience.Up to 34% of social media marketers pick an influencer based on how much their audience engages with the content they post. The truth? You can only get the most engagement by understanding and fulfilling your audience's needs.If you understand your audience, you can also correctly identify which brands will succeed most from sponsoring you.When I spoke to Rahul Vij, CEO of WebSpero Solutions, he stated a good connection between influencers and their audience is crucial for brands because "they want to partner with influencers who feel genuine and relatable to their target audience.”As an example, Vij mentioned a campaign in which a fashion brand partnered with a micro-influencer focused on sustainable clothing.He noted that the brand found them appealing because despite “not being a huge celebrity, the influencer had a super-engaged audience who loved their fashion hacks and commitment to eco-friendly practices."So, to strengthen your understanding of your audience, I recommend you start by gathering the basics:What's the gender, age, and geographical location of your core demographic?Which of your posts do they like the best?What times of day do they respond best to content, and what can you infer from this?With this demographic information, you can start pitching partnerships to brands. After all, brands want to know who they can reach if they work with you.And a proposal stating something akin to “You'll be reaching thirty-something, working women, primarily from New York, who often use Instagram first thing in the morning and prefer fitness content” will undoubtedly hit harder than just saying, “You'll be reaching women.”Pro tip: You can tell what kind of content your audience likes by keeping an eye on how they engage with your posts. For instance, if a post has lots of likes, saves (bookmarks), and shares, it might mean they like that type of content.3. Post consistently.How frequently you post on social media will depend on several factors: how the platform works and the ecosystem on each platform you choose.Posting frequently on Instagram is important to getting a brand sponsorship because it shows you maintain a presence on the platform.That said, Instagram is algorithm-based, so a high frequency isn’t as defining a factor as sharing quality content, especially since the algorithm ensures that users don’t see too many posts from one single author at once.Adam Mosseri, head of Instagram, suggests sharing a couple of in-feed posts per week and a couple of stories per day.Pro tip: The best times to post on Instagram range from early afternoon to mid to late evening, specifically from 12 PM to 3 PM, 3 PM to 6 PM, and 6 PM to 9 PM. The best day to post is Saturday, and the worst is Monday.However, I urge you to also look at your profile analytics and see when you get the most interactions and overall engagement to determine the best Instagram posting schedule for you.4. Use hashtags and geotags.Instagram hashtags make your content discoverable, so they're necessary for growing your following. You can use up to 30 hashtags per post, but we recommend using an average of seven hashtags per post.I also find it’s best to use hashtags that are as relevant to your content as possible and ensure they aren’t broken or banned.Moreover, it‘s critical you choose hashtags that aren’t too broad. #Healthyliving, for instance, has over 20,000,000 posts, while #Healthylivingtips only has around 465,000. The less competition, the easier it will be for your content to get discovered.When you peruse a hashtag's page, you can also get a deeper sense of what types of content your post will be up against. #Healthylivingtips typically features posts with food recipes, so if your post is about cycling, using this hashtag might not be a good idea.Location tags are equally important but for a different reason. Geotags can help people find you if they're interested in a specific location. This helps you gain more followers and appeal to brands interested in reaching a particular demographic.For instance, a boutique may see you often post fashion tips from the California area, and they‘re looking to appeal to people in that region — it’s a win-win.Pro tip: I've found that using banned hashtags prevents your content from being shown to your audience. To avoid this pitfall, search for the hashtag you want to use on the explore page and open it. If there is a note about a community guideline violation, avoid it.I also suggest using tools like MetaHashtags to check and remove banned hashtags from your hashtag list.5. Tag brands in your posts.Okay, now you‘re officially ready to begin reaching out to brands. You’ve defined your brand and audience and have created quality, authentic posts. Now, you should have a pretty good idea of what types of businesses would benefit from a partnership with you.It‘s important to start small. If you’re interested in skincare, don‘t go straight for Estée Lauder. Instead, try tagging small skincare start-ups you’ve seen across Instagram in your posts.When customers ask questions like “Where can I get one?” or “How much?” tag the brand. They will soon see you've proven yourself a suitable sales partner and may reach out.Pro tip: You can tag brands in the photo/video, caption, or comments. My favorite method is using the comment section to repeatedly tag a brand while answering follower questions.And with 28% of marketers stating that brand mentions are a key metric for measuring the effectiveness of an influencer campaign, you definitely want to get as many of those as you can.Also, I suggest leveraging the power of hashtags while tagging brands to cast a wide net. Hashtags increase your content's visibility to a new audience, which might help you get more brand mentions.6. Include contact information in your bio.Consider your bio a chance to signal your interest in becoming an influencer. Include an email or website so they can reach you, and include a media kit if possible.For instance, @brittany_broski adds a Linktree link and includes her email in her bio.Furthermore, you should use a website or blog to expand on your brand and demonstrate your versatility. For instance, consider adding a press page to your website so brands can take a look at your services.And once you start getting sponsored by brands, you can add them to this page so brands can see you have experience as an influencer.Pro tip: I also recommend using your Story Highlights to convey any information you’d like sponsors to see about yourself. Whether it’s past brand collaborations or your rates, it’ll help potential sponsors decide faster.7. Pitch paid sponsorships.There's nothing wrong with reaching out to brands and offering your services. In fact, this approach to getting sponsorships is my favorite. With the right pitch, you might be able to land some gigs without waiting for brands to find you.Look for brands that clearly invest time and money into their Instagram presence. You can start by researching brands that are already sponsoring influencers in your niche or industry. And remember — it's okay to start small. Working with smaller brands will allow you to build a portfolio.Once you‘ve curated a list of brands that might want to partner with you, send them an email. In your pitch, clearly and briefly outline who you are, what you do, and any achievements you have in the field that make you an expert.Then, explain why you’re a good fit for the brand and include data such as follower count and average engagement rate.Alternatively, you might consider sending a brand a DM straight from Instagram. It‘s certainly more relevant to the job you’re vying for, but it might get lost if a brand receives hundreds of DMs a day.Pro tip: Tiffany Knighten, founder of Brand Curators, says that DMs and email aren't the only ways you can pitch to brands: “LinkedIn can be a great resource to find contacts who work directly for a brand. You can reach out to people in PR, marketing, or partnerships within the brand and send them a brief pitch along with your media kit.”In addition to reaching out to brands on different channels, I recommend customizing your pitches to each brand's individual needs. Doing this shows initiative and willingness to do the work that moves the needle for the brand.8. Know your worth.Make sure you know how much you'll charge when brands contact you or before you pitch your platform. Marketers typically pay between $501 and $10K for nano, micro, and macro influencers, with $10K+ budgets reserved for mostly mega influencers.While you‘ll want to have a minimum set, you can negotiate to encourage brands to pay more. Perhaps for $300, you’ll throw in five Instagram Story posts and a link in your bio to their website for 24 hours. You can use other Instagram features to sweeten the deal. As you grow, you'll be able to charge more.Pro tip: There's no doubt knowing your worth is essential. However, fixating on money can have downsides.Amelia Munday, marketing specialist at Custom Neon, explains that “being overly aggressive on compensation without considering the partnership’s collaborative nature can also sour deals. Influencers should approach negotiations as a mutual partnership rather than a one-sided benefit.”How to Get Brand Deals on InstagramActivate your creator account. Optimize your profile for discovery. Set up a portfolio. Keep an eye on the partnership messaging inbox. Browse projects.With 52% of businesses leveraging Instagram marketing, there are plenty of opportunities for you to get sponsorships. And this is especially true if you consider that you now have access to tools like the Instagram Creator Marketplace.Initially rolled out in 2022, the Creator Marketplace’s explicit purpose is connecting influencers and brands on Instagram. That means the platform puts the spotlight on you, so all you have to do is prepare to make the best of it.Here’s how.1. Activate your creator account.The Creator Marketplace is a public tool, meaning you and I can access it as long as we have Instagram accounts. But it's still being rolled out, so you must meet the following eligibility criteria to join for now:Be at least 18 years old.Be in a region where the marketplace is available (refer to the eligibility criteria for regional information).Be compliant with Instagram’s Community Guidelines and Monetization Policies.Adhere to the Branded Content Policies and Partner Monetization Policies.Convert your account from a personal to a professional account.2. Optimize your profile for discovery.After activating your account, you can start optimizing your profile to make it more discoverable by brands.My suggestion? Be as thorough as humanly possible. The more details and labels you provide for what you do, the higher the chances that brands will find you.Here’s how brands may search for influencers like you while using the discovery feature:Using keywords or hashtags. By searching “fashion” or “#designer,” brands can see posts from influencers in the fashion industry. Therefore, if I wanted to appear in these searches, I'd use more keywords and hashtags specific to that niche.Using filters. Brands can also refine their results using filters such as age, gender, location, interests, and follower count. This is where having a solid idea of who your Instagram followers are comes in handy.Following recommendations. Instagram recommends influencers to brands based on how relevant their content is to them. It analyzes factors like the content type you post, your interests, and the brands you work with.Browsing categories. Sometimes, brands will simply want to find all the creators in a specific category. So, make sure to choose the right category when switching to a professional account.3. Set up a portfolio.Up to 25% of social media marketers believe that working with influencers will become more important in 2024. For me, this is enough reason to package myself well so that when brands come knocking, they'll find me ready to unleash my creativity on their businesses.The portfolio feature does a great job of showing off your experience. I use it to show potential partners who I am, what I've worked on, and my previous partnerships. That way, I can let brands know that I’m capable of meeting their expectations.4. Keep an eye on the Partnership Messaging inbox.Once you get discovered, brands can invite you to take part in their projects. Projects allow brands to specify their needs (e.g., the kinds of content they expect from creators, posting frequency, and when they expect you to post).When brands send these projects directly to you, they land in your partnership inbox — a separate folder in your primary inbox dedicated to communication with brands.I personally think this feature is a great time-saver if you, like me, have experienced dozens to hundreds of DMs from your followers daily. Not to mention, it helps you avoid the risk of losing business by missing the message in the first place.That said, I would keep an eye out for brand invitations to projects because they usually have expiration dates and can also work on a first-come-first-serve basis. So, when an invitation comes through, make sure to respond promptly to create a great first impression and capitalize on limited opportunities.5. Browse projects.We‘ve talked about how brands can create projects and send them directly to creators they wish to work with. But there’s more to it. Brands can also make those projects publicly available to any creator on the marketplace.As the creator, you can browse projects and indicate interest in the ones you‘d like to work on by tapping the "I’m interested" button. So you don't have to sit and wait for brands to approach you.What‘s more, you can show interest in joining multiple projects simultaneously. This feature is particularly useful for creators who are just starting out to find their first deal — I’d be scrolling and smashing that "I’m interested" button, personally.Using #ad and #spon HashtagsBrands have come under fire in the past for working with influencers but not making it clear that the influencers were paid to share content.Department store Lord Taylor, for instance, settled charges with the FTC in 2016 after paying 50 influencers to wear a dress in their posts without hashtagging #sponsorship or #ad.Instagram prefers that influencers mark paid sponsorships as paid partnerships so their audiences know the intention behind the post. It‘s critical your followers know if you’re getting paid to promote a product. Ethics aside, it could destroy your account‘s credibility if you’re caught, and you could lose everything you've worked hard to build — namely, an authentic, trusting community.In 2017, Instagram released a paid partnership feature to combat this issue. If you tag a brand in a post and the brand confirms the relationship, the ad will be marked at the top with a “paid partnership” label. This also helps the brand gather data regarding how well the campaign is performing.If you truly don't want to post #ad or #spon, there are some ways around it. For instance, Airbnb created the hashtag #Airbnb_partner to signal a paid partnership without using the word “ad.”When in doubt, adhere to Instagram‘s policies. You can read Instagram’s branded content policies in full here.How to Disclose Paid Partnerships on InstagramIt’s a best practice to disclose paid partnerships to followers so they know that you and your partner will profit from the engagement you bring them.Here’s how you can easily disclose partnerships with brands for Feed, Stories, Live, Reels, and videos.Note: This feature is only available for business and creator accounts, and the steps are the same for desktop and mobile devices.Add a Paid Partnership Label to Instagram Feed PostsUpload your content and add your preferred caption and any filters or effects, then tap “Next.”Tap “Advanced settings.”Toggle the “Add paid partnership label” option underneath Branded content.Tap “Add brand partners” to search for the brand and add them to your post. You can add up to two brands.Optional: If your agreement with the brand allows them to use your content to run ads, toggle “Allow brand partner to promote” on.Tap “Done” to post your content.Add a Paid Partnership Label to Instagram StoriesOnce you’ve uploaded the story and added elements like text or a filter, tap the tag icon at the top of the screen.Tap “Add paid partnership label.”Tap “Add brand partners” and search for the brand you’re working with. You can add up to two brands.Optional: If your agreement with the brand allows them to use your content to run ads, toggle “Allow brand partners to promote” on.Tap “Done” to post your Story.Add a Paid Partnership Label to Instagram ReelsAfter you’ve uploaded your Reel and edited it to your choosing, tap “Next.”Tap “Advanced Settings.”Toggle “Add paid partnership label” into the on position.Tap “Add brand partners” and search for the brand you’re working with. You can add up to two brands.Tap “Done” to post your Reel.The post below shows the Paid Partnership label in a sponsored Reel from Yes Williamsburg.Add a Paid Partnership Label to Instagram LiveNote: When you’re Live, you can only tag brands you have approval fromWhen you go live, tap “Details.”Tap “Add brand partners” and search for the brand you’re working with to add a tag to your Live.Things to Consider Before Accepting an Instagram SponsorshipCongrats on getting to this stage! Now that you have one or more brands lined up, I suggest you consider the following before accepting the deal(s):1. The brand's audience.The most important thing to do is make sure your connection to the brand is there, which is why working with brands in your niche is important.For example, if you’re a fitness influencer, it would make sense to partner with athletic wear companies or local fitness studios, but it wouldn’t make much sense to partner with a travel agency.So, research the brand and look at its Instagram presence, the type of content shared, and the audience that engages with its content to see if it aligns with your brand and interests.Pro tip: Sponsor's goals aside, Munday says, “Instagram influencers should consider whether the brand fits their personal brand and ethos. They must think about the preferences of their audience and whether or not their followers will gain from the partnership.”Your followers make you who you are, so it's only fair to prioritize their needs before accepting an Instagram sponsorship. I recommend leaving deals that misalign with their interests or needs on the table.2. A brand's partnership eligibility requirements.Brands have eligibility requirements when they partner with influencers, so you should always review their criteria to ensure you meet their qualifications and that their capabilities don’t have unrealistic expectations for you and your processes.3. The fine print of your contracts.Protecting your content and ensuring the brand won’t misuse it is essential. You can read the fine print of your contract and partnership to see exactly how brands will use your content, and you can register for a DCMA account to make sure it's protected by copyright law and can’t be misused.Pro tip: According to Rex Huxford, director of demand generation at MD Clarity, one of the most common mistakes that green influencers make when they're getting started is not setting an end date for their content usage.Huxford recommends “setting a contract in writing outlining how long brands can use your content, where they can use it, and how they can repurpose it. You might not want them to have access to the content indefinitely, especially if your following blows up later.”4. Instagram’s partner monetization policies and guidelines.To use Instagram’s Monetization and Promotional tools on Instagram, you have to meet a few specific requirements. You must:Reside in a country where monetization and promotional tools are available.Adhere to and comply with all community guidelines.Comply with content monetization policies.Refrain from sharing misinformation.Only monetize authentic engagement (you can’t monetize artificial views or engagement).Comply with payment terms.Must have an authentic presence.You should also be familiar with rules and laws created by the Federal Trade Commission (or the equivalent in your country). Not complying with requirements and being transparent can cause significant legal issues and may make it harder for you to engage in partnerships in the future.5. The type of content you can monetize.All content that helps creators and publishers earn must follow specific rules:You can’t monetize static videos, static image polls, slideshows of images, looping videos, text montages, or embedded ads.You can’t monetize engagement bait, where you incentivize people to click a link or respond to a post through likes or comments, soliciting engagement.You can’t monetize content that is misinformation, misleading medical information, unoriginal content, or drugs.6. Payment amount and payment terms.It’s always important to evaluate the offers to make sure you’re compensated fairly and in alignment with your rate, partnership requirements (like how much content you share), and the effort you put in to create the content.If payment doesn’t align with your level of work, you have the right to negotiate a rate that matches what you’ll have to do, or you can step away if they don’t compensate you against your rate.Pros and Cons of Instagram SponsorshipsProsBuilding trust. Working with reputable brands can build your credibility with your viewers and audience because you work with a source they know, and the trust builds even higher if you recommend a product or service they purchase that positively impacts their life.Expanding your reach. Partnering with a brand expands your reach to your partners' audience, helping you grow your awareness and draw in new followers eager to hear from you.Monetization. Partnering with brands can help you monetize your platform and get paid for the posts or campaigns you run and are already an expert at creating.ConsLoss of authenticity. Sponsored content can feel inauthentic to viewers, especially if the content seems too sales-y. Since consumers usually prefer authentic content over all else, they may be skeptical of your ads.Legal issues. If you don’t comply with legal requirements and Instagram’s content monetization and sponsorship requirements, you risk non-compliance and losing the ability to use the Instagram feature or even the platform.Time-consuming. Sponsored partnerships can require a lot of time and effort to coordinate and create content, which can detract from your other content creation efforts.Over to YouGetting sponsored on Instagram can be challenging — it takes time, effort, and perseverance. But if you work hard to differentiate yourself in the industry and connect on a personal level with your followers, it can be extraordinarily rewarding.Editor's note: This post was originally published in July 2023 and has been updated for comprehensiveness.

Do you remember in 2012 when Mark Zuckerberg bought Instagram for $1 billion? It was a gamble. At the time of the acquisition, the platform was valued at half the purchase price, had 30 million users, and wasn’t generating revenue. Six years after the acquisition, Bloomberg estimated Instagram at 100 times that. Today, the platform has over 1 billion active users worldwide with diverse demographics, behaviors, interests, and habits — making it prime territory for targeted advertising. Instagram advertising is a fascinating process that involves competition, calculation, capital, and strategy. Let’s discuss how these factors influence costs, so you can decide how to implement Instagram advertising into your overall budget spend this year. How much do Instagram ads cost?The cost for Instagram ads hovers between $0.70 to $1 per click on average. That being said, costs tend to vary based on a variety of factors, such as industry, location, and ad placement. More competitive industries and demographics generally have higher advertising costs. In some cases, Instagram ads can exceed $5 per click. Advertising on Instagram can be an accurate and effective way of reaching the right prospects at various stages in their buyer’s journeys. If done right, your business can leverage the platform to generate interest in your products or services and turn users into customers. But, how should you approach placing ads on the platform? What should your budget look like? And who should you be targeting? You’ll need to answer those questions before launching your campaign. But before you approach any of them, you have to understand how the platform calculates advertising costs. How are Instagram ad costs determined? Instagram ads are bought on an auction bidding system that ultimately dictates their prices. An advertiser starts by establishing their campaign budget and submitting a bid. Budgets are exactly what they sound like — the total amount of money a company is willing to allocate for an entire campaign. A budget is structured either on a daily basis or by the total cost of a campaign lifecycle. Bids are the maximum amount of money a company is willing to spend on each user that completes the ad objective. That objective could include anything from viewing a video to clicking on a website link to downloading a mobile application. Ultimately, objectives always revolve around improving brand awareness, driving consideration, or converting potential leads. In an auction, Instagram determines which advertisement will create the most value for its users and selects a winner on that basis. That value is established by three primary factors: The advertiser’s bid amount How likely a user is to complete the specific action the ad is optimized for, otherwise known as estimated action rates How likely a user is to be interested in the ad itself, otherwise known as ad quality and relevance As the winner, you get to place your ad in the space your competitors were vying for. You are charged on a cost-per-click (CPC) basis, and your ads remain live until your budget runs out. During your campaign, you can track your campaign performance using an analytics tool, like LIKE.TG’s Ads Software tool. The amount of money it takes to win that auction will depend on the demographics you’re targeting, time constraints, and strategic placement within the app. More on that in the following section. What can make Instagram ad costs vary? Age Range It’s no secret that Generation Z’ers, millennials, and boomers probably will engage with your ads in completely different ways. A clothing brand selling pleated khakis and golf shirts will likely perform better with mature prospects watching PGA Tour videos than 13-year-olds scrolling through SpongeBob memes. Additionally, users in different age brackets have varying online behaviors, with some spending much more time than others on social media. This means that certain age ranges will be more lucrative and, in turn, more competitive for Instagram ad placements. Timeframe Instagram ad prices fluctuate based on the time of day, day of the week, and time of year. When posting on the timeline or on stories, brands take into account the days and times, as that has an impact on how the content performs. Unsurprisingly, advertising prices also consider user activity and fluctuate prices based on this. Cost-per-click can also shift as the year progresses. With each season comes different spending habits along with the rise and fall of certain brands’ popularity. For instance, air conditioning companies likely garner more interest in the summer months than they do in the dead of winter. On that same token, it may cost more to advertise in the weeks leading up to Christmas and Black Friday compared to other weeks in the year. Consumer interests and habits change with the seasons — and Instagram ad costs typically follow suit. Gender As of 2021, 50.8 % of Instagram users identify as female, while 49.2% identify as male. Though that difference may seem unremarkable, it can have some meaningful implications on how much Instagram ads cost. Remember — over a billion people use the application, so a 1.6% discrepancy isn’t trivial. That difference — among other factors – can account for slight cost discrepancies between Instagram ads targeting women and those targeting men. Though the gap in cost-per-click for men and women might be as small as a few cents, that can add up to dollars quickly. Ad Placement The placement and advertisement type within the platform impact your ad’s cost-per-click. Ads in Instagram stories tend to be less expensive than feed placements. However, some experts — including LIKE.TG Senior Marketing Manager Jillian Hope — suggest designing unique ads for both stories and feed placements to get the most efficient results for your budget. Ultimately, paying fair prices to reach your targeted users takes some finesse. There’s no definitive answer to how much Instagram ads cost, as multiple elements play a role. So while you’ll never know exactly how much your Instagram ads will cost, you should understand the factors that could shape the way you advertise and build your advertising strategy around them.

In recent years, we've seen the power of video on the internet — Facebook alone gets eight billion average daily views, and YouTube's video platform has enabled young teens to become national superstars (Justin Bieber, anyone?). Also, a Cisco report estimates that, by 2022, watching video will account for 82% of internet traffic. There are various channels for marketers to consider when sharing videos, like the above-mentioned YouTube and TikTok or Snapchat. There’s also Instagram TV (IGTV) which, launched in 2018, is different from Instagram Stories. What is IGTV?IGTV is Instagram’s video feature that allows creators to make and share long-form video content with their audience. Additionally, IGTV is primarily meant for smartphones, as the videos are vertical, and users don’t need to rotate their devices to watch. If you're interested in testing out the app for your own business or simply want to know which brands to follow on the app, you're in luck — here, we've compiled all the tips and information you need to get started with IGTV. How do you download IGTV?You can access IGTV directly within the native Instagram app. Simply launch your profile, navigate to the Explore tab, and select IGTV from the carousel menu. There is also a standalone IGTV app that you can download from the app store. To get it, simply go to the App Store or Google Play, search for IGTV, and click Get or Install. IGTV Video Length Anyone with an Instagram account can upload an IGTV video. Unlike Instagram Stories' 15-second video limit, IGTV videos can be up to 15 minutes long when uploaded from a mobile device and 60 minutes when uploaded from the web. How do you make an IGTV channel?To make an IGTV channel, you need to download the IGTV app and sign in with your Instagram account login info. Next, select the Settings gear icon (next to your account profile photo), and click Create Channel. How To Make IGTV Videos To upload and edit your IGTV video title and description, follow these steps: 1.Open the IGTV app and click on your profile icon. Then, click Upload Video. If you haven’t yet given permission, you will be asked to allow IGTV access to your video library. 2. Select the video you want to upload. 3. Click Next in the top right-hand corner. 4. Add your preferred video title and description, and edit the cover image, which users will see before the video begins playing. 5. Click Post to publish your video. You can also upload a video to IGTV from the native Instagram app. Here are the steps: 1. Navigate to your profile and select the plus sign icon on the top right-hand side of the screen. 2. When the Create menu pops up, select IGTV video. 3. Select the video you want to upload, choose your preferred cover, and add a title and description. 4. Click Post to IGTV. IGTV Analytics IGTV provides the following in-app analytic insights for your videos: views, likes, comments, average percentage watched, reach, saves, and interactions. To get these insights, open your IGTV app and click on one of your published videos. Then, follow these steps: 1. Open your video, and then click the "..." icon at the bottom. 2. Select View Insights. 3. The IGTV Video Insights menu should appear and contain your audience analytics info. As this video is just a test, there is no analytics data for the video. How To Find Videos and Channels On IGTVWhen you open the IGTV app, you can use the search bar to find videos and channels.If you’re unsure what you’re looking for, you can scroll through suggested videos based on accounts you’re following, popular videos, or videos recommended for you based on your account activity. In the Instagram app, you can find someone's IGTV by navigating to their profile page. Above their image gallery, you should see the IGTV icon. If you click it, it will bring you to the person or brand’s IGTV channel. The image below displays the IGTV channel preview from popular internet show The Daily Show. Watching Videos on IGTV As soon as you open the IGTV app, a video will immediately start playing — presumably with the hope that users will become immersed in the content. To watch a video, simply click on it. If you're not interested in watching it anymore, you can scroll up to see other options. There are four video categories: For You, Following, Popular, and Continue Watching. You can scroll left and right to view your options and select the one you want to watch. As mentioned above, you can also use the search bar to search for channels you’re already familiar with or to see if someone you’re interested in has a channel. To watch an IGTV video within the Instagram app, navigate to a user’s profile, select the IGTV icon, and pick the video you want to watch. Best IGTV Channels and Brands to Follow There are hundreds of brands and channels that create impressive and unique IGTV content. If your business is starting from scratch and looking for inspiration, here are a few channels and brands you’ll want to check out: Netflix View this post on Instagram NAACP View this post on Instagram The Daily Show View this post on Instagram National Geographic View this post on Instagram Food Network View this post on Instagram Top Influencers on IGTV While IGTV doesn’t have the same audience reach as Instagram or YouTube, it is still a worthwhile platform to use to reach your audience members, especially if they don’t use other video sharing apps you’re on like TikTok, Snapchat, or YouTube. Below is a list of IGTV content creators using the platform to create content that appeals to their specific niche. LaBeautyologist View this post on Instagram Hannah Stocking View this post on Instagram AskDrJess View this post on Instagram Huda Kattan View this post on Instagram David Chang View this post on Instagram How to Share an IGTV VideoSelect a video, and swipe down on the video preview image to make the browse menu disappear.If you want to share within Instagram, click the paper airplane icon at the bottom of the video. Type a name (or create a group) into the search box, click the username, and press Send. You can also add your own message before sending the video.If you want to share the IGTV video outside of Instagram, press the three-dot icon at the bottom of the video. Then, select Copy Link. Now you can paste the link in a text or email to send to friends. Ultimately, it's up to you to decide whether IGTV offers valuable benefits for your business. It's critical you consider your audience's preferences when deciding — would they prefer to watch your brand on IGTV, or are they consuming content elsewhere? If you feel your brand does well in relatively unmarked territory, perhaps you want to give IGTV a try. Get out your camera, record some unedited behind-the-scenes looks at your company, and press Post. Your audience insights will tell you soon enough whether it's an avenue worth pursuing.

Posting Instagram content when your audience is most active on the app increases chances of engagement, brand awareness, referral traffic, and conversions. However, it's not always efficient to hover over your phone or laptop to post on Instagram at the perfect moment — so you'll need a way to schedule Instagram posts ahead of time. This is where Instagram scheduling software comes into play. Can you schedule Instagram posts? Why You Should Schedule Your Instagram Posts Instagram Scheduling Best Practices Best Way to Schedule Instagram Posts Tools for Scheduling Instagram Posts LIKE.TG Social Media Management Software Later Tailwind Buffer Sked Social Sprout Social Loomly How to Schedule Instagram Posts Schedule Your Instagram PostsCan you schedule Instagram posts? Yes! If you're a content creator or business owner with access to Meta's Creator Studio, you can connect your Instagram account to Creator Studio to schedule posts. If you don't have Creator Studio, Instagram's API lets users of marketing tools like LIKE.TG schedule Instagram posts in advance. It's also worth mentioning that Instagram is testing a new in-app tool to schedule posts and Reels. In October 2022, a Meta spokesperson said, "We are testing the ability to schedule content with a percentage of our global community." That same month, Twitter user @WFBrother posted a screenshot showing how the tool works. Now you can schedule posts on the Instagram app! ✨You can schedule posts and reels by going to Advanced settings when creating new content. #[email protected]/yJykq108wK— ㆅ (@WFBrother) October 18, 2022 However, the tool is still in the testing stage, so you'll need to rely on either Meta's Creator Studio or third-party social media scheduling software to schedule your content. Why You Should Schedule Your Instagram Posts There are many reasons you should get in the habit of scheduling your Instagram posts. One reason is that it saves valuable time and gives you the opportunity to plan and execute a comprehensive marketing strategy. Think about it — instead of scrambling to post content at the perfect time, you're able to schedule a string of compelling posts that include stories, Reels, carousels, polls, and more in advance. You'll also have more time to interact with followers and reply to comments, which can build lasting relationships with customers and generate leads.Instagram Scheduling Best Practices Here are some best practices to keep in mind when scheduling posts to Instagram. 1. Schedule posts to go live when your audience is the most active. Track how your posts perform at different times, and use that information to optimize your posting schedule. To get you started, here are some great posting times, according to Search Engine Journal: Monday: 6 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m. Tuesday: 8-10 a.m., 2 p.m. Wednesday: 9-11 a.m. Thursday: 11 a.m. - 2 p.m., 7 p.m. Friday: 10 a.m. - 12 p.m., 2-4 p.m. Saturday: 8-11 a.m. Sunday: 6-8 p.m. 2. Craft your captions with care. If you're scheduling content ahead of time, there's no need to rush writing your caption. Take the time to figure out the right hashtag to use, the right accounts to tag (if any), and a compelling call to action. 3. Engage with your audience. The time you save by scheduling posts can be used to connect with your audience, Block off time to reply to comments, and host polls. If your audience tags you in a story, post that story to your account. Best Way to Schedule Instagram Posts The simplest way to schedule Instagram posts will be via Meta's Creator Studio if you have access to it. To schedule posts via Creator Studio, do the following: Connect your Instagram account to Creator Studio. Click "Create Post." If you have more than one Instagram account connected to the studio, click the account you want to post to. Add a caption. Click "Add Content" to select the video or photos you want to post. Click "From File Upload" to upload new content, or "From Facebook Page" to post content you already shared to Facebook. Click the arrow next to "Publish." Select "Schedule." Choose the date and time you want your content to post on Instagram. Click "Schedule." If you don't have Creator Studio, you can use plenty of excellent, user-friendly scheduling software. Here are some of your best options.1. LIKE.TG Social Media Management Software Price: $0/month (Free), $45/month (Starter), $800/month (Professional), $3,600/month (Enterprise) With LIKE.TG's Social Media tool, which is part of LIKE.TG Marketing Hub, you can schedule and publish social posts to Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. From within LIKE.TG, you can edit your post, schedule it, and add @mentions to tag other accounts and users. Upload the image you want to share on Instagram to LIKE.TG, then drag and drop it into the post you're scheduling. You can preview the final post before it goes live to see what your visitors will see. After you choose the date and time, your Instagram post will be shared and previewed. Tag it with a relevant LIKE.TG campaign, so all your social posts associated with a marketing campaign you're already running are organized. Once you schedule your post, you can select "Schedule another" to plan another social post. There's an option to auto-copy and paste content from the post you just scheduled so you can plan similar posts for different dates, times, and platforms. Lastly, if you're using LIKE.TG's social tool to schedule and publish across other platforms, target specific audience groups (for instance, you can target specific countries or languages on Facebook). Get LIKE.TG's Social Media Management Software to help you focus more on connecting with your customers and target audience by using time-saving publishing and scheduling tools that prioritize social interactions. 2. Later Price: Free, $18/mo (Starter), $40 (Growth), $80 (Advanced) Later is a social media post scheduler dedicated to Instagram. The platform includes a full social content calendar, drag-and-drop post planning, and the ability to publish automatically to your Instagram Business profile. In addition, the service's Linkin.bio feature allows you to link individual posts to specific product pages.3. Tailwind Price: Free, $12.99/mo (Pro), $19.99 (Advanced), $39.99 (Max) Tailwind is a social media scheduler and innovative assistant platform specifically for Instagram and Pinterest. Using smart features like bulk image uploading and the built-in Hashtag Finder, the tool allows small businesses to personalize their Instagram posts and get them scheduled quickly. The tool also allows you to visually plan and preview your Instagram post schedule and grid via a single dashboard your audience will see before posting.4. Buffer Price: Free, $6/mo (Pro), $65/mo (Essentials), $12/mo (Team), $120/mo (Agency) Buffer allows you to schedule social media posts across six social networks: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, and Google+. Buffer for Instagram makes it easy to manage and schedule your posts via a single dashboard. There's an option to include hashtags in your Instagram post in the Comments section versus in the caption (to keep the post and caption as simple as possible). Using Buffer's social media analytics feature, you can also analyze your Instagram posts to determine what worked among your target audience. In addition to a mobile app for iOS and Android, Buffer also offers an extension for your internet browser.5. Sked Social Price: $25/mo (Fundamentals), $75/mo (Essentials), $135/mo (Professional) Sked Social offers an Instagram scheduling and auto-posting tool for Instagram posts and stories. Using the tool, you can plan to post your stories automatically, whether photo or video, so you never have to intervene or receive reminders to click "Post" again. You can also schedule your Instagram posts via iOS or Android to upload content directly from your mobile device's camera roll.6. Sprout Social Price: $249/mo (Standard), $399/mo (Professional), $499/mo (Advanced) Sprout Social is a social media management platform that's clear with six major social networks, including Instagram. It has a social media content calendar allowing you to schedule your social posts and measure engagements once live. Easily upload the image you want to post on Instagram, add the caption and other Instagram post details (e.g., location), and then schedule it to go out at the date and time of your choosing. The tool's social listening abilities also help you identify unique trends across your Instagram content and then apply these trends to the rest of your Instagram marketing strategy.7. Loomly Price: $26/mo (Base), $59/mo (Standard), $129/mo (Advanced), $269/mo (Premium), Request Quote (Enterprise) Loomly is a brand success platform with content management and social media publishing and scheduling features. Schedule your social media posts in advance — there are automated scheduling and publishing options for various social platforms incl,uding Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Google. Loomly also offers automated Instagram Ad (and Facebook Ad) publishing. With the platform, you easily manage your organic and paid social media content — you can also get notifications (via email, Slack, and more) whenever one of your team members works on a piece of social content to make for easy team-wide collaboration. The tool provides social media post recommendations based on trends, events, holidays, and social platform best practices. Next, let's dive into how to schedule Instagram posts for an Instagram Business page — for the sake of this post, we'll use LIKE.TG as our scheduling and publishing tool. 1. Ensure you have admin access to your Facebook Business Page. Instagram and Facebook might be separate accounts to you personally, but businesses that want to automate their Instagram posting schedule will need to tether both accounts together. So, you'll need the username and password of your business's Facebook account to do this — in other words, head over to the Instagram Business landing page to set up your account if you don't already have one. 2. Switch to your Business profile on the Instagram mobile app and connect this account to Facebook. If you have a personal Instagram account, you probably know you can manage more than one profile from the app — and the other profile is your business account (keep in mind you'll need an Instagram Business account to schedule Instagram posts in LIKE.TG). To switch to your Instagram Business page from your page, navigate to your profile on your mobile device and tap the three dots in the upper-right corner of your screen. Then, in the next screen, select "Switch to Business Profile," as shown below: Under "Settings," select "Linked Accounts." Here's where you can choose Facebook and link your two accounts together. You might be asked to "Log in With Facebook," at which point you'll enter your business account's username and password. Otherwise, select "Continue as [yourself]." 3. Open LIKE.TG and integrate your Instagram profile with the "Social" tool. Now that your Instagram profile is anchored to Facebook, you can integrate it with your post scheduler. As mentioned, we will use LIKE.TG's Social tool for our purposes. Open LIKE.TG, select "Settings" > "Marketing" > "Social" > "Connect Account" > "Facebook and Instagram." Click the first option, "Facebook Instagram," and follow the prompts to complete this step (which are listed here in greater detail). 4. Create your first social post for your Instagram account. Once your Instagram account is integrated into LIKE.TG, you'll see an option to "Create social post" in your LIKE.TG dashboard. Click it, and you'll see icons for which social network you want to start with. Select the Instagram icon to compose your first post for your Instagram account. 5. Compose a message with your desired visual assets, captions, and hashtags. Customize your Instagram post and upload an image using the landscape icons on the bottom-lefthand corner of the white text field that appears. Then, caption your image with the text, hashtags, and user mentions you'd like to post your photo with, as they should appear on Instagram. 6. Set the date and time of your Instagram post. Above the photo you're posting, you'll see a field where you can add the date and time the date and time that your post will be scheduled to go live. Use this field to automatically set the date and time you want your post to go live on your Instagram profile. 7. Preview your post to make sure it looks right. Any grammatical errors? Are all your intended hashtags included? Is the image successfully uploaded? Check to make sure, and you'll be ready to schedule. 8. Click "Schedule message." Got any more Instagram posts planned? Draft them now and schedule all of them simultaneously — with LIKE.TG, you can schedule your social posts in bulk. Once every post you want to schedule has been loaded into LIKE.TG, you can hit the "Schedule" button on the page.Schedule Your Instagram Posts Start scheduling your Instagram posts to make your workflow more efficient and to ensure the content you need to get in front of your audience does so in a timely fashion. Editor's note: This post was originally published in August 2018 and has been updated for comprehensiveness.

It feels like Instagram, more than any other social media platform, is evolving at a dizzying pace. It can take a lot of work to keep up as it continues to roll out new features, updates, and algorithm changes. That‘s where the Instagram stats come in. There’s a lot of research about Instagram — everything from its users' demographics, brand adoption stats, and all the difference between micro and nano influencers. I use this data to inform my marketing strategies and benchmark my efforts. Read on to uncover more social media stats to help you get ideas and improve your Instagram posting strategy. 80+ Instagram Stats Click on a category below to jump to the stats for that category: Instagram's Growth Instagram User Demographics Brand Adoption Instagram Post Content Instagram Posting Strategy Instagram Influencer Marketing Statistics Instagram's Growth Usage 1. Instagram is expected to reach 1.44 billion users by 2025. (Statista) 2. The Instagram app currently has over 1.4 billion monthly active users. (Statista) 3. U.S. adults spend an average of 33.1 minutes per day on Instagram in 2024, a 3-minute increase from the year before. (Sprout Social) 4. Instagram ad revenue is anticipated to reach $59.61 billion in 2024. (Oberlo) 5. Instagram’s Threads has over 15 Million monthly active users. (eMarketer) 6. 53.7% of marketers plan to use Instagram reels for influencer marketing in 2024. (eMarketer) 7. 71% of marketers say Instagram is the platform they want to learn about most. (Skillademia) 8. There are an estimated 158.4 million Instagram users in the United States in 2024. (DemandSage) 9. As of January 2024, India has 362.9 million Instagram users, the largest Instagram audience in the world. (Statista) 10. As of January 2024, Instagram is the fourth most popular social media platform globally based on monthly active users. Facebook is first. YouTube and WhatsApp rank second and third. (Statista) https://youtu.be/EyHV8aZFWqg 11. Over 400 million Instagram users use the Stories feature daily. (Keyhole) 12. As of April 2024, the most-liked post on Instagram remains a carousel of Argentine footballer Lionel Messi and his teammates celebrating the 2022 FIFA World Cup win. (FIFA) 13. The fastest-growing content creator on Instagram in 2024 is influencer Danchmerk, who grew from 16k to 1.6 Million followers in 8 months. (Instagram) 14. The most-followed Instagram account as of March 2024 is professional soccer player Cristiano Ronaldo, with 672 million followers. (Forbes) 15. As of April 2024, Instagram’s own account has 627 million followers. (Instagram) Instagram User Demographics 16. Over half of the global Instagram population is 34 or younger. (Statista) 17. As of January 2024, almost 17% of global active Instagram users were men between 18 and 24. (Statista) 18. Instagram’s largest demographics are Millennials and Gen Z, comprising 61.8% of users in 2024. (MixBloom) 19. Instagram is Gen Z’s second most popular social media platform, with 75% of respondents claiming usage of the platform, after YouTube at 80%. (Later) 20. 37.74% of the world’s 5.3 billion active internet users regularly access Instagram. (Backlinko) 21. In January 2024, 55% of Instagram users in the United States were women, and 44% were men. (Statista) 22. Only 7% of Instagram users in the U.S. belong to the 13 to 17-year age group. (Statista) 23. Only 5.7% of Instagram users in the U.S. are 65+ as of 2024. (Statista) 24. Only 0.2% of Instagram users are unique to the platform. Most use Instagram alongside Facebook (80.8%), YouTube (77.4%), and TikTok (52.8%). (Sprout Social) 25. Instagram users lean slightly into higher tax brackets, with 47% claiming household income over $75,000. (Hootsuite) 26. Instagram users worldwide on Android devices spend an average of 29.7 minutes per day (14 hours 50 minutes per month) on the app. (Backlinko) 27. 73% of U.S. teens say Instagram is the best way for brands to reach them. (eMarketer) 28. 500 million+ accounts use Instagram Stories every day. (Facebook) 29. 35% of music listeners in the U.S. who follow artists on Facebook and Instagram do so to connect with other fans or feel like part of a community. (Facebook) 30. The average Instagram user spends 33 minutes a day on the app. (Oberlo) 31. 45% of people in urban areas use Instagram, while only 25% of people in rural areas use the app. (Backlinko) 32. Approximately 85% of Instagram’s user base is under the age of 45. (Statista) 33. As of January 2024, the largest age group on Instagram is 18-24 at 32%, followed by 30.6% between ages 25-34. (Statista) 34. Globally, the platform is nearly split down the middle in terms of gender, with 51.8% male and 48.2% female users. (Phyllo) 35. The numbers differ slightly in the U.S., with 56% of users aged 13+ being female and 44% male. (Backlinko) 36. As of January 2024, Instagram is most prevalent in India, with 358.55 million users, followed by the United States (158.45 million), Brazil (122.9 million), Indonesia (104.8 million), and Turkey (56.7 million). (Backlinko) 37. 49% of Instagram users are college graduates. (Hootsuite) 38. Over 1.628 Billion Instagram users are reachable via advertising. (DataReportal) 39. As of January 2024, 20.3% of people on Earth use Instagram. (DataReportal) Brand Adoption 40. Instagram is the top platform for influencer marketing, with 80.8% of marketers planning to use it in 2024. (Sprout Social) 41. 29% of marketers plan to invest the most in Instagram out of any social media platform in 2023. (Statista) 42. Regarding brand safety, 86% of marketers feel comfortable advertising on Instagram. (Upbeat Agency) 43. 24% of marketers plan to invest in Instagram, the most out of all social media platforms, in 2024. (LIKE.TG) 44. 70% of shopping enthusiasts turn to Instagram for product discovery. (Omnicore Agency) 45. Marketers saw the highest engagement rates on Instagram from any other platform in 2024. (Hootsuite) 46. 29% of marketers say Instagram is the easiest platform for working with influencers and creators. (Statista) 47. 68% of marketers reported that Instagram generates high levels of ROI. (LIKE.TG) 48. 21% of marketers reported that Instagram yielded the most significant ROI in 2024. (LIKE.TG) 49. 52% of marketers plan to increase their investment in Instagram in 2024. (LIKE.TG) 50. In 2024, 42% of marketers felt “very comfortable” advertising on Instagram, and 40% responded “somewhat comfortable.” (LIKE.TG) 51. Only 6% of marketers plan to decrease their investment in Instagram in 2024. (LIKE.TG) 52. 39% of marketers plan to leverage Instagram for the first time in 2024. (LIKE.TG) 53. 90% of people on Instagram follow at least one business. (Instagram) 54. 50% of Instagram users are more interested in a brand when they see ads for it on Instagram. (Instagram) 55. 18% of marketers believe that Instagram has the highest growth potential of all social apps in 2024. (LIKE.TG) 56. 1 in 4 marketers say Instagram provides the highest quality leads from any social media platform. (LIKE.TG) 57. Nearly a quarter of marketers (23%) say that Instagram results in the highest engagement levels for their brand compared to other platforms. (LIKE.TG) 58. 46% of marketers leverage Instagram Shops. Of the marketers who leverage Instagram Shops, 50% report high ROI. (LIKE.TG) 59. 41% of marketers leverage Instagram Live Shopping. Of the marketers who leverage Instagram Live Shopping, 51% report high ROI. (LIKE.TG) 60. Education and Health and Wellness industries experience the highest engagement rates. (Hootsuite) 61. 67% of users surveyed have “swiped up” on the links of branded Stories. (LIKE.TG) 62. 130 million Instagram accounts tap on a shopping post to learn more about products every month. (Omnicore Agency) Instagram Post Content 63. Engagement for static photos has decreased by 44% since 2019, when Reels debuted. (Later) 64. The average engagement rate for photo posts is .059%. (Social Pilot) 65. The average engagement rate for carousel posts is 1.26% (Social Pilot) 66. The average engagement rate for Reel posts is 1.23% (Social Pilot) 67. Marketers rank Instagram as the platform with the best in-app search capabilities. (LIKE.TG) 68. The most popular Instagram Reel is from Samsung and has over 1 billion views. (Lifestyle Asia) 69. Marketers rank Instagram as the platform with the most accurate algorithm, followed by Facebook. (LIKE.TG) 70. A third of marketers say Instagram offers the most significant ROI when selling products directly within the app. (LIKE.TG) 71. Instagram Reels with the highest engagement rates come from accounts with fewer than 5000 followers, with an average engagement rate of 3.79%. (Social Pilot) 72. A third of marketers say Instagram offers the best tools for selling products directly within the app. (LIKE.TG) 73. Over 100 million people watch Instagram Live every day. (Social Pilot) 74. 70% of users watch Instagram stories daily. (Social Pilot) 75. 50% of people prefer funny Instagram content, followed by creative and informative posts. (Statista) 76. Instagram Reels are the most popular post format for sharing via DMs. (Instagram) 77. 40% of Instagram users post stories daily. (Social Pilot) 78. An average image on Instagram gets 23% more engagement than one published on Facebook. (Business of Apps) 79. The most geo-tagged city in the world is Los Angeles, California, and the tagged location with the highest engagement is Coachella, California. (LIKE.TG) Instagram Posting Strategy 80. The best time to post on Instagram is between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. on weekdays. (Social Pilot) 81. Posts with a tagged location result in 79% higher engagement than posts without a tagged location. (Social Pilot) 82. 20% of users surveyed post to Instagram Stories on their business account more than once a week. (LIKE.TG) 83. 44% of users surveyed use Instagram Stories to promote products or services. (LIKE.TG) 84. One-third of the most viewed Stories come from businesses. (LIKE.TG) 85. More than 25 million businesses use Instagram to reach and engage with audiences. (Omnicore Agency) 86. 69% of U.S. marketers plan to spend most of their influencer budget on Instagram. (Omnicore Agency) 87. The industry that had the highest cooperation efficiency with Instagram influencers was healthcare, where influencer posts were 4.2x more efficient than brand posts. (Emplifi) 88. Instagram is now the most popular social platform for following brands. (Marketing Charts) Instagram Influencer Marketing Statistics 89. Instagram is the top platform for influencer marketing, with 80.8% of marketers planning to use the platform for such purposes in 2024 (Oberlo) 90. Nano-influencers (1,000 to 10,000 followers) comprise most of Instagram’s influencer population, at 65.4%. (Statista) 91. Micro-influencers (10,000 to 50,000 followers) account for 27.73% (Socially Powerful) 92. Mid-tier influencers (50,000 to 500,000 followers) account for 6.38% (Socially Powerful) 93. Nano-influencers (1,000 to 10,000 followers) have the highest engagement rate at 5.6% (EmbedSocial) 94. Mega-influencers and celebrities with more than 1 million followers account for 0.23%. (EmbedSocial) 95. 77% of Instagram influencers are women. (WPBeginner) 96. 30% of markers say that Instagram is their top channel for ROI in influencer marketing (Socially Powerful) 97. 25% of sponsored posts on Instagram are related to fashion (Socially Powerful) 98. The size of the Instagram influencer marketing industry is expected to reach $22.2 billion by 2025. (Socially Powerful) 99. On average, Instagram influencers charge $418 for a sponsored post in 2024, approximately 15.17%​​​​​​​ higher than in 2023. (Collabstr) 100. Nano-influencers charge between $10-$100 per Instagram post. (ClearVoice) 101. Celebrities and macro influencers charge anywhere from $10,000 to over $1 million for a single Instagram post in 2024. (Shopify) 102. Brands can expect to earn $4.12 of earned media value for each $1 spent on Instagram influencer marketing. (Shopify) The landscape of Instagram is vast and ever-expanding. However, understanding these key statistics will ensure your Instagram strategy is well-guided and your marketing dollars are allocated for maximum ROI. There’s more than just Instagram out there, of course. So, download the free guide below for the latest Instagram and Social Media trends.

If you want to find the best time to post on Instagram, you're probably trying to get the highest engagement. Whatever your specific goal (likes, followers), posting when your content will get the most eyes can only benefit your marketing, so I’m glad you’re here.If you're new to social media, you may think you should just start posting at different times of day and document your performance post-by-post — but that’s pretty labor-intensive and unnecessarily time-consuming.There’s gotta be an easier way to figure out when to post on Instagram.That‘s where we come in. In this post, you’ll find everything you need to start posting at the best times on the popular social media platform, all backed by our 2024 Social Trends Report and other new LIKE.TG research.What are the best times to post on Instagram?The best time to post on Instagram is from 12-3PM or 6-9PM. Friday is considered the best day for engagement, followed closely by Saturday and Sunday. The evening 6 PM-8:59 PM is frequently noted as having high engagement levels.The times above are for Instagram engagement in local time — meaning that your audience is in the same time zone as you are when you post.So, if you live in Los Angeles and your primary audience is also in Los Angeles, you would post at the times above. However, if you live in Los Angeles and your target audience is in New York, you’ll want to shift these posting times three hours forward.Keep this in mind when updating your social media content calendar.Worst Time to Post on InstagramSo, now that we‘ve established when the sweet spot for posting on Instagram is, let’s take a closer look at when it isn't. The LIKE.TG Blog recently asked 697 global Instagram marketers across B2B and B2C industries about the best (and not-so-best) times and days to post on the channel.According to those findings, the worst time to post on Instagram is between the hours of 6 AM and 8:59 AM and the worst days are Mondays and Tuesdays. This was across B2B and B2C verticals and consistent with results from 2023.In this chart, you can see the lowest Instagram engagement rates were actually between 6 and 9 AM globally at that time, which isn't surprising.No matter where they are, most people are likely just waking up, eating breakfast, commuting, or getting their days started at this time — and you can't hit “like” in the shower or in between bites of toast.So night owls, you can rest assured. There’s no need to wake up early to post that Instagram collaboration.(While social media management software and Instagram itself enable you to schedule posts in advance, this marketer is still waiting for them to support the collaboration feature. Sigh.)Best Time to Post to Instagram CheatsheetHow We Found the Best Instagram Posting TimesThe data in this article comes from three sources.First is LIKE.TG's 2023 Instagram Engagement report. This extensive report reviewed 110M posts across 1M Instagram users. The report also has several sections specific to English-speaking countries. They analyzed data from close to 85M posts from North America alone.This post also contains more original 2024 research from the LIKE.TG Blog team. We surveyed 697 professionals across B2B and B2C about their preferred days and times to post on Instagram.We also included some data from our 2024 Social Trends Report — where we asked 1,460 social media marketers from across the globe about their biggest trends, goals, challenges, and strategies going into 2024.Why post on Instagram at a certain time?I know for many marketers, social media posting is just one more thing to do on a busy day. It can be tempting to post whenever it‘s convenient or seems logical, even if there isn’t any data to back it up.Here are a few reasons why it's important to post to Instagram at specific and consistent times.Increasing ReachAccording to eMarketer, US adults spend at least 33 minutes a day on Instagram. That's about 15 hours a month. So, posting when your top users are online will make a difference.It will be more likely your content gets seen, increasing its reach to existing followers — but also new folks. This graphic from a machine learning engineer outlines some of the factors in helping new users discover your posts.One of those factors is engagement. Posting content when your followers are active can boost engagement (more on that next) which, in turn, increases the chances that new users will discover your account and posts on the platform.Check out this post for more tips on how to grow your reach on Instagram. This post from the Instagram blog also outlines how important fresh and recent content is.Increasing EngagementAccording to LIKE.TG's research, the global average Instagram engagement rate was 6% in 2023, a slight increase from the year prior.Instagram engagement has a ripple effect, like throwing a rock in a still pool. The first ripple is obvious — if you get immediate likes, comments, and saves after posting, your post will likely appear in more feeds.The next ripples come from other Instagram features like Favorites, Shopping, and Search Explore. Each feature has an independent algorithm and weighs engagement differently.For example, becoming a “Favorite” for your followers means your posts show at the top of their feeds every time they log in.On the other hand, engagement rates and behavior factor into which posts get bumped to the top of Explore pages. Posting at the right time doesn’t just mean more comments, messages, and saves. It creates more opportunities for engagement.Building a Loyal AudienceLoyalty takes time and effort to build. It's especially tough for small businesses that have to compete with big brands on social media. Fortunately, posting during peak times on Instagram helps you reach more of your audience and start building that relationship.Building loyalty is more than great products and customer service, however. It’s also about reliability. Posting at peak times helps establish a consistent presence in your followers' lives and sets expectations of when they can hear from you.For example, say you run your media business in the Pacific time zone, but a third of your customers are in the Australian Eastern time zone.If you post all your content from 9 AM - 5 PM PST, those posts will appear between 3-11 AM for your Australian customers and many won’t see them.And what if an unhappy customer in Australia posts a story about your brand that you miss? That one miss could shape that entire audience's perception of your business.Understanding when your audience is online can be key to meeting them where they are and fostering brand loyalty.Testing New AlgorithmsLike most online tools, Instagram launches regular updates to improve its user experience. As a business, your team needs to quickly understand how each update could impact your users and adapt your strategy. This is especially true of algorithm updates.Algorithms are complex. Instagram leaders say that each part of the app uses an independent algorithm, and they aren’t always transparent about what they entail.If you’re lucky, social media analysts will do the research and share them online quickly, but if not, you can do your own by monitoring your post performance.What do you need to run reliable and useful tests to help you understand which content your users see after an update? Number one is a consistent posting schedule. The fewer variables your test has, the more trustworthy your results will be.Posting at the best times for your audience on Instagram will get you in front of the largest audience and give you more data to work off of.Understanding New FeaturesYour posting schedule can also help you understand new Instagram features. Carousels, Stories, and Reels are all unique parts of Instagram, and depending on your content and industry, they'll have different rates of engagement.When Instagram releases new features like these, it can take time to understand:What the new feature doesWhen users see new featuresHow they interact with each new featureResources needed for feature contentThe sooner you understand a new feature, the more likely it is that you'll make the most of that feature before your competitors. For example, this post on the Instagram blog tells users how to see more of what they want on their feeds.Like testing an algorithm update, knowing the top posting times for your niche can help you test them for your users faster. Social testing is most useful when you know your test audience, which makes posting time important.Streamlining Your Posting ScheduleKnowing the best times for your audience can make it much easier to schedule your posts.Many social media and marketing managers take advantage of social scheduling tools. While these tools can make the process of social media posting much easier, it can be tough to get results if you're not posting at the right times.It's all about creating the right content at the right time for your audience — and set posting times can also help you create a more personalized social media calendar for your buyer personas.Here are a few more ways that choosing the best posting times for Instagram can help you simplify your posting schedule:Creates focused times for content planning and trackingLimits the need for “always on” social media managementOffers opportunities to batch-create targeted post contentFinding Your Best CustomersInstagram allows users to make direct purchases, but it’s also an invaluable lead generation and brand awareness tool that can lead to sales.But how can the best posting times help you find prospective shoppers? By meeting them when they’re active and paying attention.If you are new to your industry, the industry-specific posting times below can help you understand when your users are online to actually see your content.For example, people in financial services are easiest to reach on Instagram on Sunday nights. This is just before the next work week begins. It may be a way to wind down the weekend and prepare for what the next week will bring.Workers in agriculture are easier to reach on Saturday mornings and mostly skip Instagram during the week. These professionals might be in spots with limited service during the week. Safety is also a concern, so it may be difficult for them to use mobile devices while on the job.You can also block out these times on your schedule to engage with users who follow your business. Comment on posts, ask authentic questions, and watch videos from your target audience.These times are when the biggest pool of your users is active online, so it's the best time to start a conversation.It‘s easy to send a message on Instagram, but not every message gets a response. If you can be there to engage in real-time, you’ll get much more value from the time you spend on the platform. You'll also have a better chance of connecting with top customers.Is there really a “best time” to post to Instagram?It‘s clear that posting time matters on Instagram. But is there really a best time to post to get the results you’re looking for? To answer this question, let's hear from some members of the LIKE.TG social media team.Content QualityIt can be tempting to churn out content to meet ambitious deadlines in the hopes that the right customers see your posts. But content quality is what creates the most value for your audience.Brand Social Media Manager at Guild and Former LIKE.TGter Mathew Cruz says,“It sounds obvious, but making your content as engaging and optimized as possible for the platform it’s being published on is key. ”So, begin each post with the best possible content, then optimize to make sure that followers get to feel the impact of your efforts.“Start with your target audience, and what types of content and information is most useful to them. What kind of content might they save for later? What might they share with a friend? What might incentivize them to comment on your content? Start with these questions and work backwards in order to improve your reach and performance.”- Annabelle Nyst, Principle Social Media Content Manager, G-PYou can also get some inspiration from top influencers and brands on the platform.Top Instagram influencersBest brands on InstagramAnother way to create quality content is to line up with recent trends and news. But this strategy isn't the right fit for everyone. Here’s more useful advice from Annabelle Nyst:“When it comes to posting around tentpole moments, events, and trending conversations, you should ask yourself: Does this make sense for my brand to be a part of this conversation? Are we adding value here?”Instagram’s AlgorithmThe best posting time isn‘t really about when you post, it’s about when you want users to see your content. But that's up to the algorithms that are unique to each part of Instagram.So, the care you put into posting time is only one part of a more complex system that delivers your content to people on the platform.According to Mathew Cruz: “Instagram’s algorithm and UX changes have made an impact on the effectiveness of posting at specific times. Unless your users are consuming their content in the 'following' view, the time your audience will see your content can vary.”To optimize the chances that people will see and engage with your content, check out these tips:"Look at what the Instagram algorithm appears to be prioritizing at any given moment – for example, Reels. We know that Instagram has been leaning into Reels as a format in order to compete with TikTok, so how can you incorporate Reels into your strategy?The more you adhere to what Instagram wants to see, the more the algorithm will favor you. Also, always optimize for value and engagement first." - Annabelle Nyst"With Instagram, understanding the UX and algorithm changes can be more effective in strategizing content publishing rather than simply timing.For example, with Instagram’s shift to pushing video over images, the types of content you choose to create and publish may impact the chances of it being pushed out to users.Additionally, feeding the algorithm with what your content is about helps it know where it should go. For example, adding relevant captions, hashtags, and sounds can help increase chances of it appearing on the feeds of users that enjoy specific types of content." - Mathew CruzContent ConsistencySocial Strategy and Analytics Marketing Manager Erin McCool says: “Quality and consistency of content is more important than timing.”Consistency is key to taking advantage of social media opportunities. Whether you're amplifying your stories at the same time each week or posting with branded hashtags, a steady schedule is essential.If you don‘t have a clear brand voice on Instagram, you won’t reach a wider audience — it‘s as simple as that. Without consistency, it’s unlikely that users will recognize and connect your content to your brand no matter how many times they see it.So, don't just post at the best times. Use the best times to post as a guide for a consistent posting schedule. This strategy can help you reach the right audience at the right time with the right content.Best Time to Post on Instagram by Time Zone/RegionYour location can heavily influence the success of your social media marketing strategy. Audiences behave differently depending on where they are in the world, and you can benefit from knowing when they’re most active on Instagram.You know that evenings tend to be the best time to post to Instagram for engagement. But how do you make that happen if your audience lives in multiple time zones?This is where you need to decide the best posting times on Instagram for your audience. To help you make these choices, here's more compelling data from the 2023 Instagram Engagement Report and our recent research.North AmericaAccording to LIKE.TG research, the best time to post on Instagram in North America is between 6 to 9 PM, as those were the hours with the highest engagement.It’s no surprise: People tend to be winding down in the evenings, so naturally, they usually access their Instagram apps at around this time.As you can see, though, the engagement rate is between 7% to 8% for most hours — you really can’t go wrong with your posting time, so long as you make an effort to study your audience and learn when they’re specifically online.The hours you might want to avoid specifically are between 6 and 9 AM.UK and IrelandThe best time to post in the UK and Ireland is from 9 AM to 3 PM to generate high engagement. That’s quite a jump from 2023 when we found 10 PM to 2 AM to be most popular.You’ll want to avoid the morning hours from 9:00PM to 12:00AM.Asia-Indian Standard TimeIn Asia (specifically India), the best time to post on Instagram is between 6:00 and 9:00 PM. During our research in this region, we saw huge peaks in engagement at those hours.Indian Standard Time (IST) engagement rates are more volatile. You’ll specifically want to avoid posting between 6 and 9 AM, as those were the times with the lowest engagement.Best Time Each Day to Post on InstagramEvery day of the week is a good day to post on Instagram, but you're likely to get the best engagement on weekends.The chart below shows the average engagement of each day of the week. As you can see, even though weekends are when you'll see the most engagements, the data is pretty steady throughout the week.This means that you'll want to do deeper research to figure out which days are best for you to post. This is where industry-specific data can help.For example, if your followers work at a desk job with regular hours, they might be taking a lunch break around noon. This would mean that they could be more likely to scroll through Instagram during that time to catch up on the latest from their friends, favorite brands, and influencers.But what if they work in an industry with a less consistent schedule? For example, real estate agents often work around their clients' schedules, showing homes on the weekend or after work hours.This means that their scrolling time will be different from other users. You'll want to track their behavior or use industry benchmarks to find the best day to post.Best Time to Post on Instagram by IndustryGeneral data about optimal post timing is a great starting point. But if you want to get more granular, LIKE.TG research surveyed over 300 professionals to help you engage with your top audience. Here are the best times to post on Instagram for over 16 popular industries as of last year.EducationBest Times: 9 PM - 12 AMBest Day: MondayWorst Days: Wednesday through SundayIf you work in the education sector, the best time to post is from 9 PM to 12 AM, specifically on Monday. That may be because educators are preparing for the week at this time and may be more receptive to content from education brands.Healthcare CompaniesBest Times: 6-9 PMBest Day: SaturdayWorst Days: Tuesday through FridayFor healthcare companies, the best time to post on Instagram is in the evenings, from 6 PM to 9 PM, and specifically on Saturday. You’ll want to avoid posting on Tuesdays through Fridays.Financial ServicesBest Times: 9 PM - 12 AMBest Day: SundayWorst Days: Wednesday and ThursdayFinancial services companies will want to post from 9 PM and 12 AM — remember, a social media tool can help you schedule late-night posts! — and Sundays are one of the best-performing days in terms of engagement.RetailBest Times: 3-6 PMBest Day: SundayWorst Day: TuesdayRetail companies should consider posting between 3 PM and 6 PM on weekends, especially on Sundays. Tuesdays were the worst day according to our research.EcommerceBest Times: 9 PM - 12 AMBest Day: SaturdayWorst Days: Monday, Tuesday, and ThursdayEcommerce brands would benefit from posting between 9 PM to 12 AM, in keeping with the general pattern that evenings perform best for most brands. Saturdays were the best days to post on Instagram, while you’ll want to avoid Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays.Business ServicesBest Times: 9 AM - 12 PM, 6-9 PMBest Day: FridayWorst Days: Tuesday, Wednesday, and SundayCompanies that offer business services would do well to post on Instagram between 9 AM and 12 PM — the starting hours of most people’s business days. Evenings between 6 and 9 PM also performed well. The best day to post, surprisingly, is on Friday.Consumer ManufacturingBest Times: 9 AM - 12 PMBest Days: Wednesday and FridayWorst Days: Monday, Tuesday, and SundayConsumer manufacturing organizations should post on Instagram in the mornings, between 9 AM and 12 PM. The best days to post are Wednesdays and Fridays.Manufacturing and MaterialsBest Times: 12-6 PM.Best Days: Friday and SundayWorst Days: Monday through Thursday, SaturdayCompanies in the manufacturing industry should post in the afternoons between 12 PM and 6 PM, starting with most businesses’ lunch breaks. The best days are Fridays and Sundays.Construction CompaniesBest Times: 6-9 PMBest Days: Thursday and SundayWorst Days: Monday and SaturdayLike most verticals, construction companies would benefit from posting in the evenings between 6 and 9 PM. Thursdays and Sundays are the best days.Agricultural OrganizationsBest Times: 9 AM - 12 PMBest Day: SaturdayWorst Days: WeekdaysThe best time to post on Instagram for agricultural organizations is in the morning, between the hours of 9 AM and 12 PM. You will want to avoid weekdays and post on weekends, specifically on Saturday.Electronics OrganizationsBest Times: 3-6 PMBest Day: ThursdayWorst Days: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and SaturdayElectronics organizations would benefit from posting in the afternoons, between 3 PM and 6 PM. The best day to post is on Thursday.Energy, Utilities, and Waste ManagementBest Times: 6-9 PMBest Day: SaturdayWorst Days: Sunday through FridayEnergy, utilities, and waste management organizations would benefit from posting between 6 and 9 PM. The best day to post is on Saturday, while our research respondents reported that every other day is a poor option.Information TechnologyBest Times: 6-9 PMBest Day: SaturdayWorst Days: Monday and ThursdayLike most businesses, IT companies should post in the after-work hours, between 6 and 9 PM. The best day to post is on Saturday, but remember to experiment to find out what works for your audience.Media and EntertainmentBest Times: 3-6 PM, 9 PM - 12 AMBest Day: FridayWorst Days: Sunday and MondayFor media and entertainment companies, the best times to post on Instagram are between 3 PM and 6 PM and 9 PM and 12 AM, and the best day to post is Friday.Transportation and LogisticsBest Times: 9 AM - 12 PMBest Day: SaturdayWorst Days: Sunday, Monday, Thursday, and FridayTransportation and logistics companies would benefit from posting in the morning, between 9 AM and 12 PM. Our respondents reported that Saturday was the best day to post.Advertising and Marketing OrganizationsBest Times: 9 AM - 3 PMBest Days: Monday, Thursday, Saturday, SundayWorst Days: Tuesday and FridayAdvertising and marketing organizations have countless options for posting on Instagram. The best time to post is during the work day from 9 AM to 3 PM, and the best days include Mondays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays. You’ll want to avoid Tuesdays and Fridays.Remember that the guidelines above are just that — guidelines. It’s essential to constantly gauge your engagement rates to find the best times to post for your specific audience. We recommend using the above data as a starting point, then adjusting slightly as time goes on.Best Time to Post Different Instagram Content TypesWhat about the different types of Instagram content? What is the best time to publish them and get a good engagement rate? Let’s take a look.Need help putting together your content? Our free content creation templates can help you get started.Best Time to Post Reels on InstagramWe recommend following the general guidelines. The best time to post Instagram Reels is in the evening between 6 and 9 PM, when engagement rates increase globally.That said, you can’t go wrong with posting Reels, because they’re so popular. Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri actively shares Instagram updates on Twitter, and many of his recent posts highlight new Reels features and emphasize the importance of this post type.Trusted resources offer the same tips for the best time to post Reels as for other types of content, such as Carousels and photos. You’ll want to post when your users are online, and that means carefully examining your engagement rates.The top tip for Reels timing is to post consistently. If your uploading days or times are sporadic, the algorithm won’t prioritize your account visibility.Best Time to Post Instagram VideosThe best time to post Instagram videos is between the hours of 6 and 9 PM.Best Time to Post Instagram StoriesThe best time to post Instagram Stories is between the hours of 6 and 9 PM. If you work in the B2B sector, you could also benefit from posting an Instagram Story at lunchtime (from 11 AM to 1 PM), where your business audience might be scrolling through their app. That said, global average engagement rates peak in the evenings.Best Time to Go Live on InstagramThe best time to go live on Instagram is in the evening, when users are unwinding for the day and have the time to watch a live broadcast.Best Time to Post Instagram CarouselsThe best time to post Instagram carousels and photos is between the hours of 6 and 9 PM.How to Find the Right Time to Post to Instagram for ReachData on the best posting times for Instagram is incredibly useful. That said, it‘s often most effective when you’re just starting out.As you continue to develop your presence on the platform, you might want to boost your results and do some posting time research on your own. The tips below are useful places to start.1. Use a Social Media ToolThe most effective way to find the best posting time on Instagram is to use a social media tool, which will allow you to post at different times without needing to log into Instagram each time.Social media software is useful not only because you won’t need to remember to log in to Instagram — you can simply schedule your posts — but because you can test and experiment more precisely.Plus, you can see your posting history through reports — there’s no need to go through your Instagram posts one by one.2. Experiment with Posting TimesTo find the best time to post for your brand, it’s essential to experiment.Our 2023 data strongly suggests that posting in the evening hours from 6 to 9 PM is a great place to start. Then, test out another time — such as lunchtime or mid-afternoon — and see if that changes engagement rates for your posts.Try to keep the type of posts you make consistent. For instance, test out posting times for Reels specifically, with similar caption lengths and subject matter. That way, the only variable is the posting time itself and not any other characteristic.3. Check Your Top PostsTracking your top posts can help you understand what posts are most popular and which topics draw the most engagement. It can also help you see how posting time impacts those factors.For example, is that recent post about company events the most exciting content for an online beauty company? Or did it generate the most likes last month because it was posted on Saturday evening, a top time for ecommerce engagement?You can use Instagram Insights to check out your top-performing posts, as well as factors like:Engaged audienceTotal followersMost active timesLIKE.TG customers: You can check the Top Posts report for a quick list of your top ten posts. You can also check interactions, clicks, shares, and impressions for each post.As you start to look at your social analytics, it can be tempting to focus on the numbers. But when you‘re looking at top posts, it’s important to stick with your creative side and to look at your numbers from your customer's point of view. As you check your top posts, ask yourself:What is special about this post?What kind of content is it?If it's a video, what makes this video stand out?If it‘s a photograph, how is this photo different from the others you’ve posted?Did you edit the post?Did you add text or design elements to the post?Is there something that ties the people who've liked this post together?Does this post connect to a current trend or event?You may want to gather top post insights for a few months before you dig into analyzing your post content. This can help you see the top content your users respond to and when they want to see that type of content.4. Track Competitor Posting TimesAnother way to choose the right time to post for your audience is to figure out who else has their attention. Starting with your top competitors helps you figure out when to post and what content works on different days and times. Competitive analysis can also help you:Learn about trends and benchmarks in your nicheUpdate your social strategyPinpoint new opportunitiesThere are a few ways to begin this research.First, just scrolling through Instagram can give you a wealth of competitor insights. Take a look at a brand's likes, hashtag copy, and how many hashtags they use. This can give you a quick profile of who follows that brand and what keywords they use, so it can hint at that competitor’s strategy.If you want to do more detailed research, there are many great tools to help you track your competition. For example, you can create competitor streams with LIKE.TG's social media software.With this feature, you can track multiple competitors at once and filter your results by social network or time period.5. Focus On EngagementStrong engagement on Instagram is between 1-5%. According to LIKE.TG research, the average engagement in 2021 was 5.86%. The average engagement rate for 2020 was just 2.26%, so these rates can change quickly.If you want to improve engagement, start by calculating your Instagram engagement rate. You can measure your rate with your all-time numbers, but it can be helpful to break this data into smaller sections, like months or weeks.That way you can see engagement patterns for your account over time. It can also make it easier to see how the times you post on Instagram could impact your engagement rate.Engagement rates show how people are reacting to your content. So, whether you're sharing Reels, going live on Stories, or posting polls, questions, and quizzes, you can measure your impact. Engagement rates can sway based on:Audience interestRelevanceSocial authorityIt's also important to remember that your most engaging content may not be as sticky at the same hours each day. Some content takes time to pick up views and shares before it makes an impact during peak engagement hours. Other content is like a firework — exploding quickly and disappearing just as fast.To optimize your post timing for engagement, you need to get organized. The best way to find an ideal posting time is by testing the timing of your posts to see which post time generates the most audience engagement.For example, what if you want to figure out when you get the most likes and comments on your Instagram carousels?Say you create and post five different carousels a week and post them at random times. That approach will make it tough to get data that shows you the best times to post carousels for engagement.But what if you post five similar carousels at a slightly different time each day? Then you can compare your engagement rates with the time you posted each carousel. This can show you the best time to post carousels for engagement so you can plan future carousels with those times in mind.6. Use Your DataWhen you're new to Instagram, follower and engagement numbers are often low. Numbers for posting time, content type, hashtags, and more can be so similar that you may not spot the patterns that can help you grow.Social media analytics can make these patterns easier to see and experiment with.For example, the audience section in Instagram Insights can show you the days and hours when your followers are active. You can use that information to create a posting schedule. This can help you see whether posting during peak hours improves your reach.At the same time, it's important to remember that anyone with an account has access to Instagram Insights. And according to our 2024 survey, 48% had 100k to 450k followers.So, there‘s a good chance that other brands are showing up in your followers’ feeds during that active time. You may want to post outside of active hours to see if your account draws more attention when there's less competition.It's great to have the best times on Instagram available when planning your strategy. But tracking your own data can give you the personalized insights you need to stand out.Boost Instagram Engagement on Your ScheduleOrganic Instagram engagement and a consistent posting schedule go hand in hand. Each industry has natural peaks and valleys of activity each day. This means that your Instagram strategy should flow with them.Use helpful resources, like this cheat sheet, to plan your social media calendar and watch your engagement rate soar.Editor's note: This post was originally published in February 2021 and has been updated for comprehensiveness.

Using Instagram for marketing purposes is rapidly growing in popularity, with over 70% of companies using the platform in 2017, compared to less than 50% in 2016. It's important that you leverage Instagram for your own business, but once you start, it can be difficult to discern whether you're truly successful. Without the right metrics, you'll never know if you could be doing more to engage your audience or grow your following. There are plenty of Instagram analytics tools and apps to help you keep track of your progress and discover areas for improvement. Here, we'll focus on the best free Instagram analytics apps, so you can focus your money and efforts on the Instagram content itself. Free Instagram Analytics ToolsInstagram InsightsIconosquareSquarelovinCrowdfirePixleeUnion MetricsSocialbakers 1. Instagram Insights Key specialty: Followers and mentions If you have a business account on Instagram, you automatically have access to their free analytics tool, Instagram Insights. The Insights tool can show you when your audience is on Instagram, which of your posts are most popular, and your account's impressions and reach. Additionally, you can compare your original post with a promoted version of the post to figure out if your paid efforts are working. Unfortunately, you can only use the tool within the app (there's no desktop version), and it's not the most user-friendly, but it provides a good basic overview of your Instagram analytics for both individual posts, and your account as a whole. 2. Iconosquare Key specialty: Social monitoring Iconosquare is a three-in-one Instagram solution for social media marketing. The platform allows you to schedule new posts, monitor what people are saying about the industry (or your brand), and of course track your Instagram analytics. These analytics show you trends related to engagement, impressions, your posts' reach, and even how your Instagram Stories are performing. Iconosquare also includes hashtag and competitor tracking, allowing marketers to compare themselves against the people and topics they care about. The platform comes with a two-week free trial, as well as a variety of free tools such as a full Instagram Audit. 3. Squarelovin Key specialty: Follower insights Squarelovin's free Instagram Insights tool provides most of the information you'd need to conduct an analysis on your progress over the year — for instance, you can obtain a monthly analysis on your posts, or a history of your posts broken down by month, day, or even hour. Additionally, the tool offers insights into your followers' interests, and how to drive further engagement to your posts. You can even figure out the best time to post, depending on when your followers are most likely on the app. 4. Crowdfire Key specialty: Content curation Crowdfire allows marketers to schedule posts, measure their performance, and track mentions of their brand, as well as curate content related to their industry from all over the internet. The product delivers article and image recommendations from other websites, helping marketers expand their visibility when considering what content to include in their Instagram strategy. Crowdfire's analytics tools visualize your Instagram data in several user-friendly charts. They also drill down into a number of advanced metrics that show you how you're performing over long periods of time. 5. Pixlee Key specialty: Social reports Used by Kenneth Cole, Sonos, and plenty of other big brands, Pixlee offers an impressive free tool. It allows you to create shareable reports that you can distribute to your entire marketing team, and analyze metrics to figure out how to drive more engagement and attract new followers. Additionally, the tool helps you find influencers or brand advocates promoting your products, so you can create more effective influencer campaigns. 6. Union Metrics Key specialty: Hashtag analytics While it doesn't provide its Instagram Analytics tool for free, Union Metrics does offer a free monthly Instagram checkup. The checkup tells you which hashtags will increase your engagement, which posts resonate best with your audience, and what time your followers use the app. While the tool can't give you analytics beyond 30 days, it's a useful option for taking a look at short-term themes and patterns, and learning how you can quickly improve your metrics. 7. Socialbakers Key specialty: Competitive analysis While admittedly not the most visually appealing tool in the list, Socialbakers still offers critical information, including your most liked and most commented on posts, and your top performing filters. Additionally, Socialbakers offers an Instagram Report, which compares your own Instagram account to your competitors', to see where you fall in the industry and what you can do to improve. 8. Social Status Key specialty: Paid and organic reporting Social Status is a dedicated social media analytics and reporting tool for Instagram. Social Status supports full-funnel analytics for Instagram posts and Instagram Stories including impressions, reach, video views, engagements, and follower demographics. This tool is ideal for marketers who schedule their content with Creator Studio or other management tools. When you connect your Facebook Ad Account, Social Status provides analytics for all your paid campaigns on Instagram. For agencies, Social Status provides white-label analytics which allows you to add branding and customization when exported to CSV, PDF, PowerPoint, and Google Slides. The tool also supports competitive analysis and influencer analysis allowing you to bring all your Instagram analytics into one dashboard for analysis and reporting. Social Status is one of the few analytics tools that offer a free forever plan. Price: Free; $29/month for the starter plan Paid Instagram Analytics ToolsLIKE.TG Social InboxNapoleonCatSprout SocialHootsuiteSotrenderKeyholeHypeAuditorCommand 1. LIKE.TG Social Inbox Key specialty: Post scheduling and social analytics Using LIKE.TG's Social Inbox, you can easily build out campaigns and publish to multiple social platforms at once. You can also integrate your social inbox tool with your blog, enabling you to automatically share new content to your LinkedIn, Twitter, or other social channels the minute it gets published. Additionally, you can create custom keyword monitoring streams to keep track of conversations regarding your brand, to ensure you're consistently communicating with your prospects and customers wherever they are. Best of all, LIKE.TG's Social Inbox tool enables you to report on the success of your social strategy across every channel from one centralized location to clearly identify how your social team impacts the company's bottom line. This helps you keep track of the platforms that perform best for your brand, and tailor future campaigns for optimal ROI. Price: Included with Marketing Hub Professional 2. NapoleonCat Key specialty: Social inbox and analytics NapoleonCat is a social media management tool that you can use to manage and analyze your Instagram profile(s) alongside other social media accounts. You can track the best-performing hashtags to find content ideas and reach people who are not following you yet. Moreover, you can monitor what your competitors are doing, what and how often they post – and get inspired. Apart from in-depth profile and post-performance analytics, NapoleonCat allows you to keep an eye on your team’s performance. The tool’s other features include a robust social inbox, automated social media reports, post-scheduling, and multiple collaboration features. Price: 14-day free trial; prices start from $27/month. The price depends on how many users and profiles you add. 3. Sprout Social Key specialty: Post scheduling and hashtag analytics Sprout Social’s suite of Instagram analytics tools you can use to grow and manage your Instagram presence. Sprout Social’s platform allows you to analyze your key Instagram metrics, including: Instagram Story performance Instagram audience growth Instagram post performance Instagram hashtag performance And more You can also use Sprout to analyze how your competition performs on Instagram to ensure that you’re always ahead of the curve. You can start analyzing your Instagram performance today with a free 30-day trial of Sprout Social here. Price: 30-day free trial; Standard is $99 per user per month 4. Hootsuite Key specialty: Post scheduling and team collaboration You can use Hootsuite to create a customized dashboard that enables you to monitor analytics for multiple channels, including Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and more. Additionally, you can use the tool to schedule hundreds of social media posts simultaneously across various platforms. With Hootsuite, you can collaborate with your entire team on social media campaigns and scale across the organization. For instance, Hootsuite offers features that enable you to assign tasks to various team members, create reports to share key metrics and insights with the team, and even track which employees or departments are posting the content with the highest ROI. Price: 30-day free trial; "professional" plan is $29 per month after that (which allows you to manage 10 different social media profiles) 5. Sotrender Key specialty: Organic and paid analytics Image Source As a business, it's important to collect your organic and paid KPIs seamlessly. Sotrender is a great tool to help you monitor your engagement, top content, user behavior, demographics, as well as ad-related metrics (CPC, CPM, audience share, sentiment). On top of that, you can easily analyze your competitors' social media performance and get invaluable insights into their strategy and communication. You can use this knowledge to craft the most robust social media strategy for your business and promote your brand. Last but not least, reporting is an essential element in your life as a social media manager. Sotrender can help streamline the process of preparing your monthly reports by sending them automatically into your inbox on a selected day. Price:14-day free trial, $59 for Starter 6. Keyhole Key specialty: Hashtag analytics This is a great tool for tracking the performance of individual hashtags on your social posts to ensure you're using the right hashtags for highest ROI. Used by over 5,000 agencies and marketers, Keyhole can provide critical metrics like your top Instagram hashtags by engagement, competitor activity, and your follower activity. Best of all, you can create customized hashtag reports for clients' to demonstrate the value of your social media campaigns. Additionally, if your brand regularly hires influencers to increase brand awareness and sales, you can use Keyhole to keep track of which influencers are most successful. This can help you tailor future influencer marketing campaigns to your needs. Price: 7-day free trial; $99 per month (it's typically $199/month but it's 50% off right now) for three keyword and account trackers, plus 20,000 posts per month. 7. HypeAuditor Key specialty: Influencer metrics If you're planning any sort of influencer marketing campaign, this is a good tool to check out. HypeAuditor's Instagram Reports allows you to analyze the quality of an influencer's audience, engagement rate, and audience insights including location, age, gender, and interests. These metrics can help you find influencers who engage most with your target audience, allowing you to create more powerful and effective influencer marketing campaigns. Additionally, the tool provides you with critical insights to ensure you choose the right influencer for your brand — for instance, you can use HypeAuditor to figure out other brands an influencer has worked with, and analyze sponsored post performance. Additionally, HypeAuditor provides an Audience Quality Score to ensure you're choosing authentic, engaging influencers for your upcoming campaigns. Price: $299/month for starter 8. Command Key specialty: Hashtag analytics This is one of the cheaper tools in the list that offers hashtag analytics, so if you don't have a huge budget for Instagram, it's a good one to check out. Command can show you which hashtags deliver the most engagement for your brand, as well as average likes and comments you get from different hashtags. Ultimately, this is a great tool for figuring out which hashtags drive the highest engagement for your brand. This can give you critical insights into your target audience's interests. For instance, if you notice #remotework is a hashtag that performs exceptionally well, you might consider using that insight to produce more remote content on your blog or other social channels to attract higher engagement across the board. Price: Free to download; $9.99/month for premium version

Nowadays, Instagram is often someone's initial contact with a brand, and nearly half of its users shop on the platform each week. If it's the entryway for half of your potential sales, don't you want your profile to look clean and inviting? Taking the time to create an engaging Instagram feed aesthetic is one of the most effective ways to persuade someone to follow your business's Instagram account or peruse your posts. You only have one chance to make a good first impression — so it's critical that you put effort into your Instagram feed. Finding the perfect place to start is tough — where do you find inspiration? What color scheme should you use? How do you organize your posts so they look like a unit? We know you enjoy learning by example, so we've compiled the answers to all of these questions in a list of stunning Instagram themes. We hope these inspire your own feed's transformation. But beware, these feeds are so desirable, you'll have a hard time choosing just one. What is an Instagram theme?An instagram theme is a visual aesthetic created by individuals and brands to achieve a cohesive look on their Instagram feeds. Instagram themes help social media managers curate different types of content into a digital motif that brings a balanced feel to the profile. Tools to Create Your Own Instagram Theme Creating a theme on your own requires a keen eye for detail. When you’re editing several posts a week that follow the same theme, you’ll want to have a design tool handy to make that workflow easier. Pre-set filters, color palettes, and graphic elements are just a few of the features these tools use, but if you have a sophisticated theme to maintain, a few of these tools include advanced features like video editing and layout previews. Here are our top five favorite tools to use when editing photos for an Instagram theme. 1. VSCO Creators look to VSCO when they want to achieve the most unique photo edits. This app is one of the top-ranked photo editing tools among photographers because it includes advanced editing features without needing to pull out all the stops in Photoshop. If you’re in a hurry and want to create an Instagram theme quickly, use one of the 200+ VSCO presets including name-brand designs by Kodak, Agfa, and Ilford. If you’ll be including video as part of your content lineup on Instagram, you can use the same presets from the images so every square of content blends seamlessly into the next no matter what format it’s in. 2. FaceTune2 FaceTune2 is a powerful photo editing app that can be downloaded on the App Store or Google Play. The free version of the app includes all the basic editing features like brightness, lighting, cropping, and filters. The pro version gives you more detailed control over retouching and background editing. For video snippets, use FaceTune Video to make detailed adjustments right from your mobile device — you’ll just need to download the app separately for that capability. If you’re starting to test whether an Instagram theme is right for your brand, FaceTune2 is an affordable tool worth trying. 3. Canva You know Canva as a user-friendly and free option to create graphics, but it can be a powerful photo editing tool to curate your Instagram theme. For more abstract themes that mix imagery with graphic art, you can add shapes, textures, and text to your images. Using the photo editor, you can import your image and adjust the levels, add filters, and apply unique effects to give each piece of content a look that’s unique to your brand. 4. Adobe Illustrator Have you ever used Adobe Illustrator to create interesting overlays and tints for images? You can do the same thing to develop your Instagram theme. Traditionally, Adobe Illustrator is the go-to tool to create vectors and logos, but this software has some pretty handy features for creating photo filters and designs. Moreover, you can layout your artboards in an Instagram-style grid to see exactly how each image will appear in your feed. 5. Photoshop Photoshop is the most well-known photo editing software, and it works especially well for creating Instagram themes. If you have the capacity to pull out all the stops and tweak every detail, Photoshop will get the job done. Not only are the editing, filter, and adjustment options virtually limitless, Photoshop is great for batch processing the same edits across several images in a matter of seconds. You’ll also optimize your workflow by using photoshop to edit the composition, alter the background, and remove any unwanted components of an image without switching to another editing software to add your filter. With Photoshop, you have complete control over your theme which means you won’t have to worry about your profile looking exactly like someone else’s. Instagram ThemesTransitionBlack and WhiteBright ColorsMinimalistOne ColorTwo ColorsPastelsOne ThemePuzzleUnique AnglesText OnlyCheckerboardBlack or White BordersSame FilterFlatlaysVintageRepetitionMix-and-match Horizontal and Vertical BordersQuotesDark ColorsRainbowDoodleTextLinesAnglesHorizontal Lines 1. Transition If you aren’t set on one specific Instagram theme, consider the transition theme. With this aesthetic, you can experiment with merging colors every couple of images. For example, you could start with a black theme and include beige accents in every image. From there, gradually introduce the next color, in this case, blue. Eventually, you’ll find that your Instagram feed will seamlessly transition between the colors you choose which keeps things interesting without straying from a cohesive look and feel. 2. Black and White A polished black and white theme is a good choice to evoke a sense of sophistication. The lack of color draws you into the photo's main subject and suggests a timeless element to your business. @Lisedesmet's black and white feed, for instance, focuses the user’s gaze on the image's subject, like the black sneakers or white balloon. 3. Bright Colors If your company's brand is meant to imply playfulness or fun, there's probably no better way than to create a feed full of bright colors. Bright colors are attention-grabbing and lighthearted, which could be ideal for attracting a younger audience. @Aww.sam's feed, for instance, showcases someone who doesn't take herself too seriously. 4. Minimalist For an artsier edge, consider taking a minimalist approach to your feed, like @emwng does. The images are inviting and slightly whimsical in their simplicity, and cultivate feelings of serenity and stability. The pup pics only add wholesomeness to this minimalist theme. Plus, minimalist feeds are less distracting by nature, so it can be easier to get a true sense of the brand from the feed alone, without clicking on individual posts. 5. One Color One of the easiest ways to pick a theme for your feed is to choose one color and stick to it — this can help steer your creative direction, and looks clean and cohesive from afar. It's particularly appealing if you choose an aesthetically pleasing and calm color, like the soft pink used in the popular hashtag #blackwomeninpink. 6. Two Colors If you're interested in creating a highly cohesive feed but don't want to stick to the one-color theme, consider trying two. Two colors can help your feed look organized and clean — plus, if you choose branded colors, it can help you create cohesion between your other social media sites the website itself. I recommend choosing two contrasting colors for a punchy look like the one shown in @Dreaming_outloud’s profile. 7. Pastels Similar to the one-color idea, it might be useful to choose one color palette for your feed, like @creativekipi's use of pastels. Pastels, in particular, often used for Easter eggs or cupcake decorations, appear childlike and cheerful. Plus, they're captivating and unexpected. 8. One Subject As evident from @mustdoflorida's feed (and username), it's possible to focus your feed on one singular object or idea — like beach-related objects and activities in Florida. If you're aiming to showcase your creativity or photography skills, it could be compelling to create a feed where each post follows one theme. 9. Puzzle Creating a puzzle out of your feed is complicated and takes some planning, but can reap big rewards in terms of uniqueness and engaging an audience. @Juniperoats’ posts, for instance, make the most sense when you look at it from the feed, rather than individual posts. It's hard not to be both impressed and enthralled by the final result, and if you post puzzle piece pictures individually, you can evoke serious curiosity from your followers. 10. Unique Angles Displaying everyday items and activities from unexpected angles is sure to draw attention to your Instagram feed. Similar to the way lines create a theme, angles use direction to create interest. Taking an image of different subjects from similar angles can unite even the most uncommon photos into a consistent theme. 11. Text Only A picture is worth a thousand words, but how many pictures is a well-designed quote worth? Confident Woman Co. breaks the rules of Instagram that say images should have a face in them to get the best engagement. Not so with this Instagram theme. The bright colors and highlighted text make this layout aesthetically pleasing both in the Instagram grid format and as a one-off post on the feed. Even within this strict text-only theme, there’s still room to break up the monotony with a type-treated font and textured background like the last image does in the middle row. 12. Checkerboard If you're not a big fan of horizontal or vertical lines, you might try a checkerboard theme. Similar to horizontal lines, this theme allows you to alternate between content and images or colors as seen in @thefemalehustlers’ feed. 13. Black or White Borders While it is a bit jarring to have black or white borders outlining every image, it definitely sets your feed apart from everyone else's. @Beautifulandyummy, for instance, uses black borders to draw attention to her images, and the finished feed looks both polished and sophisticated. This theme will likely be more successful if you're aiming to sell fashion products or want to evoke an edgier feel for your brand. 14. Same Filter If you prefer uniformity, you'll probably like this Instagram theme, which focuses on using the same filter (or set of filters) for every post. From close up, this doesn't make much difference on your images, but from afar, it definitely makes the feed appear more cohesive. @marianna_hewitt, for example, is able to make her posts of hair, drinks, and fashion seem more refined and professional, simply by using the same filter for all her posts. 15. Flatlays If your primary goal with Instagram is to showcase your products, you might want a Flatlay theme. Flatlay is an effective way to tell a story simply by arranging objects in an image a certain way and makes it easier to direct viewers' attention to a product. As seen in @thedailyedited's feed, a flatlay theme looks fresh and modern. 16. Vintage If it aligns with your brand, vintage is a creative and striking aesthetic that looks both artsy and laid-back. And, while "vintage" might sound a little bit vague, it's easy to conjure. Simply try a filter like Slumber or Aden (built into Instagram), or play around with a third-party editing tool to find a soft, hazy filter that makes your photos look like they were taken from an old polaroid camera. 17. Repetition In @girleatworld's Instagram account, you can count on one thing to remain consistent throughout her feed: she's always holding up food in her hand. This type of repetition looks clean and engaging, and as a follower, it means I always recognize one of her posts as I'm scrolling through my own feed. Consider how you might evoke similar repetition in your own posts to create a brand image all your own. 18. Mix-and-match Horizontal and Vertical Borders While this admittedly requires some planning, the resulting feed is incredibly eye-catching and unique. Simply use the Preview app and choose two different white borders, Vela and Sole, to alternate between horizontal and vertical borders. The resulting feed will look spaced out and clean. 19. Quotes If you're a writer or content creator, you might consider creating an entire feed of quotes, like @thegoodquote feed, which showcases quotes on different mediums, ranging from paperback books to Tweets. Consider typing your quotes and changing up the color of the background, or handwriting your quotes and placing them near interesting objects like flowers or a coffee mug. 20. Dark Colors @JackHarding 's nature photos are nothing short of spectacular, and he highlights their beauty by filtering with a dark overtone. To do this, consider desaturating your content and using filters with cooler colors, like greens and blues, rather than warm ones. The resulting feed looks clean, sleek, and professional. 21. Rainbow One way to introduce color into your feed? Try creating a rainbow by slowly progressing your posts through the colors of the rainbow, starting at red and ending at purple (and then, starting all over again). The resulting feed is stunning. 22. Doodle Most people on Instagram stick to photos and filters, so to stand out, you might consider adding drawings or cartoon doodles on top of (or replacing) regular photo posts. This is a good idea if you're an artist or a web designer and want to draw attention to your artistic abilities — plus, it's sure to get a smile from your followers, like these adorable doodles shown below by @josie.doodles. 23. Content Elements Similar elements in your photos can create an enticing Instagram theme. In this example by The Container Store Custom Closets, the theme uses shelves or clothes in each image to visually bring the feed together. Rather than each photo appearing as a separate room, they all combine to create a smooth layout that displays The Container Store’s products in a way that feels natural to the viewer. 24. Structural Lines Something about this Instagram feed feels different, doesn’t it? Aside from the content focusing on skyscrapers, the lines of the buildings in each image turn this layout into a unique theme. If your brand isn’t in the business of building skyscrapers, you can still implement a theme like this by looking for straight or curved lines in the photos your capture. The key to creating crisp lines from the subjects in your photos is to snap them in great lighting and find symmetry in the image wherever possible. 25. Horizontal Lines If your brand does well with aligning photography with content, you might consider organizing your posts in a thoughtful way — for instance, creating either horizontal or vertical lines, with your rows alternating between colors, text, or even subject distance. @mariahb.makeup employs this tactic, and her feed looks clean and intriguing as a result. How to Create an Instagram Theme 1. Choose a consistent color palette. One major factor of any Instagram theme is consistency. For instance, you wouldn't want to regularly change your theme from black-and-white to rainbow — this could confuse your followers and damage your brand image. Of course, a complete company rebrand might require you to shift your Instagram strategy, but for the most part, you want to stay consistent with the types of visual content you post on Instagram. For this reason, you'll need to choose a color palette to adhere to when creating an Instagram theme. Perhaps you choose to use brand colors. LIKE.TG's Instagram, for instance, primarily uses blues, oranges, and teal, three colors prominently displayed on LIKE.TG's website and products. Alternatively, maybe you choose one of the themes listed above, such as black-and-white. Whatever the case, to create an Instagram theme, it's critical you stick to a few colors throughout all of your content. 2. Use the same filter for each post, or edit each post similarly. As noted above, consistency is a critical element in any Instagram theme, so you'll want to find your favorite one or two filters and use them for each of your posts. You can use Instagram's built-in filters, or try an editing app like VSCO or Snapseed. Alternatively, if you're going for a minimalist look, you might skip filters entirely and simply use a few editing features, like contrast and exposure. Whatever you choose, though, you'll want to continue to edit each of your posts similarly to create a cohesive feed. 3. Use a visual feed planner to plan posts far in advance. It's vital that you plan your Instagram posts ahead of time for a few different reasons, including ensuring you post a good variety of content and that you post it during a good time of day. Additionally, when creating an Instagram theme, you'll need to plan posts in advance to figure out how they fit together — like puzzle pieces, your individual pieces of content need to reinforce your theme as a whole. To plan posts far in advance and visualize how they reinforce your theme, you'll want to use a visual Instagram planner like Later or Planoly. Best of all, you can use these apps to preview your feed and ensure your theme is looking the way you want it to look before you press "Publish" on any of your posts. 4. Don't lock yourself into a theme you can't enjoy for the long haul. In middle school, I often liked to change my "look" — one day I aimed for preppy, and the next I chose a more athletic look. Of course, as I got older, I began to understand what style I could stick with for the long haul and started shopping for clothes that fit my authentic style so I wasn't constantly purchasing new clothes and getting sick of them a few weeks later. Similarly, you don't want to choose an Instagram theme you can't live with for a long time. Your Instagram theme should be an accurate reflection of your brand, and if it isn't, it probably won't last. Just because rainbow colors sound interesting at the get-go doesn't mean it's a good fit for your company's social media aesthetic as a whole. When in doubt, choose a more simple theme that provides you the opportunity to get creative and experiment without straying too far off-theme. How to Use an Instagram Theme on Your Profile 1. Choose what photos you want to post before choosing your theme. When you start an Instagram theme, there are so many options to choose from. Filters, colors, styles, angles — the choices are endless. But it’s important to keep in mind that these things won’t make your theme stand out. The content is still the star of the show. If the images aren’t balanced on the feed, your theme will look like a photo dump that happens to have the same filter on it. To curate the perfect Instagram theme, choose what photos you plan to post before choosing a theme. I highly recommend laying these photos out in a nine-square grid as well so you can see how the photos blend together. 2. Don’t forget the captions. Sure, no one is going to see the captions of your Instagram photos when they’re looking at your theme in the grid-view, but they will see them when you post each photo individually. There will be times when an image you post may be of something abstract, like the corner of a building, an empty suitcase, or a pair of sunglasses. On their own, these things might not be so interesting, but a thoughtful caption that ties the image to your overall theme can help keep your followers engaged when they might otherwise check out and keep scrolling past your profile. If you’re having a bit of writer’s block, check out these 201 Instagram captions for every type of post. 3. Switch up your theme with color blocks. Earlier, we talked about choosing a theme that you can commit to for the long haul. But there’s an exception to that rule — color transitions. Some of the best themes aren’t based on a specific color at all. Rather than using the same color palette throughout the Instagram feed, you can have colors blend into one another with each photo. This way, you can include a larger variety of photos without limiting yourself to specific hues. A Cohesive Instagram Theme At Your Fingertips Instagram marketing is more than numbers. As the most visual social media platform today, what you post and how it looks directly affects engagement, followers, and how your brand shows up online. A cohesive Instagram theme can help your brand convey a value proposition, promote a product, or execute a campaign. Colors and filters make beautiful themes, but there are several additional ways to stop your followers mid-scroll with a fun, unified aesthetic. Editor's note: This post was originally published in August 2018 and has been updated for comprehensiveness.

Influencer marketing is a trendy topic these days, but it doesn't require a lot of work or a ton of money to harness the power of influencers on your brand's social media channels — and hosting something called an Instagram takeover is one of the lowest-effort, most organic ways to do just that. Not sure what we're talking about? Instagram takeovers involve a person or brand posting on your Instagram channel to give followers a peek at new and unique content from another perspective. Here's an example of our friends at WeWork taking over our Instagram account: In this post, we'll dive into how to host your own Instagram takeover to drive engagement, brand awareness, and positive outcomes for your brand. What's an Instagram Takeover?An Instagram takeover is when someone temporarily takes over another Instagram account to share original content and engage with that account's audience. The most common Instagram takeovers are ones where an influencer or celebrity takes over a brand's account. But there are several different approaches to Instagram takeovers that can be beneficial to your brand. Other types of Instagram takeovers can include: Employee takeovers Customer or community member takeovers Event takeovers Product or offer promotions Instagram takeovers are mutually beneficial for the guest Instagrammer and the host account. The host can bring valuable new content to their followers without having to create it themselves, and the guest is able to reach an entirely new audience by posting on another account. Plus, Instagram takeovers help cultivate good-faith relationships between influencers that can create inroads for future collaboration and cross-promotion. Now, let's dive into how to get started with your Instagram takeover. How to Host an Instagram Takeover 1. Choose what you want to accomplish. Before choosing a guest to host your brand's Instagram, you have to determine what you want to achieve with the takeover. Ideally, your Instagram takeover will achieve multiple positive results — but choosing a primary goal of the campaign will help determine which type of guest to invite. Instagram takeover goals could include: Increasing brand awareness. This can be measured by the number of new followers the Instagram account gains as a result of the takeover. Promoting a product, event, or offer. This can be measured by the number of event registrations, offer redemptions, or lead form submissions as a result of the takeover. Driving engagement within the Instagram community. This can be measured by the number of likes, comments, video and story views, and link clicks as a result of the takeover. 2. Pick your guest Instagrammer. Now that you know your goal, you'll have an easier time finding a guest who can make it happen. For example, the team behind the award-winning musical Hamilton wanted to familiarize fans with the plays revolving cast members. To do this, Hamilton started #SwingSaturday on Instagram in which a cast member who is prepared to play multiple roles (known as a swing) takes over the official Hamilton Instagram. I Image source There are a few types of guest Instagrammers you can invite to create content for your takeover: Influencers within your industry Employees at your company Community members or customers While it's certainly possible for Instagram takeover guests to accomplish multiple goals, we recommend choosing your guest with the most effective strategy in mind. Influencers will draw their followers to your Instagram with their endorsement of your brand, so they're the best fit if your primary goal is to increase brand awareness by growing followers. Employees will attract interest from their friends and colleagues who want a behind-the-scenes look at what they do at work every day. They're the best fit if your primary goal is to drive engagement on Instagram. Community members and customers will post enthusiastically about your brand and show the value of your product. They're the best fit if your primary goal is to promote a product, event, offer, sign-up, or download. Again, these goals aren't mutually exclusive. Ideally, the content your guest creates will be highly engaging, shareable, and compelling to the viewer. 3. Decide on the content format and takeover logistics. Once you've figured out what you want to accomplish and who will host your takeover, it's time to nail down the specifics of how the takeover will run. Below are our suggestions of questions to answer when you meet with your takeover host: When are you hosting the Instagram takeover, and how long will it last? Who will manage the account? Will the guest get access to your Instagram credentials, or will they send you content and captions to post on their behalf? How many times per day will the host post takeover content? If you have an optimal publishing schedule in mind, what times per day will the host need to post? What hashtags will be used? Will you create a custom hashtag to promote the takeover? Is there a maximum amount of hashtags you want the guest to use in any given caption? Which types of content will be shared during the takeover? Will the guest post photos, videos, Instagram Stories, or live videos? Will they post a combination of these formats? How will both the guest and the host promote the takeover on Instagram? Will you agree to promotion on Instagram or other channels leading up to the event? Are there any guardrails? Is there anything the guest shouldn't record or mention over the course of the takeover? Once the details of the takeover are finalized, decide how you'll measure success over the course of the event. 4. Determine metrics to track during the takeover. Depending on the goals of your Instagram takeover, some of these metrics will be more important than others. Below are the metrics we recommend tracking over the course of your takeover: # of new followers # of likes # of comments # of mentions # of direct messages # of Instagram Story views # of live video viewers # of Instagram Story clicks # of offer redemptions/app downloads (if you promote a landing page) # of attendees or sign-ups (if you promote an event) Total social referral traffic to your website Qualitative metrics to keep track of could also include positive comments on Instagram. 5. Promote the takeover across multiple platforms. Once you've figured out the details of your Instagram takeover, it's time to start getting people excited about it. A day or two before the event, start promoting your upcoming Instagram takeover. If there are any contests, giveaways, or other incentives for people to follow along, make those clear in your promotions. Of course, you need to promote the upcoming takeover on Instagram — especially if the takeover is happening within Instagram Stories or Instagram Live and you want to drive visitors to view those spots within the app. However, you also need to promote the takeover on other social media channels to attract as many people to your campaign as possible. This is especially necessary if your brand's Instagram account isn't as developed or engaged as other channels. The host and the guest should promote the takeover on a few of their channels leading up to the event to get both audiences as engaged and excited as possible. 6. Launch the takeover. On the day of the takeover, it's all systems go. Make sure you have one team member monitoring comments and one team member uploading content to Instagram (if applicable). Remember, users can now upload content from desktop computers in addition to the mobile app, which can make the process easier from the office. Throughout the day, cross-promote content that the guest is posting on their channels to help draw new people to your own Instagram takeover event. Make sure to communicate when the takeover is starting and ending. Note in captions when the first and last posts are happening so viewers aren't confused or abruptly left in the lurch, wondering if there's more content forthcoming. 7. Analyze the results. Once the takeover is over, it's time to analyze its performance. Use the performance data from the takeover to determine how (or if) you'll do your next takeover differently. Here are some questions to ask in your post-takeover analysis: Did we achieve our goal? Did you earn more Instagram followers, achieve high levels of engagement, or get visitors to sign up for your offer? Did we achieve secondary goals? Did the takeover result in other net benefits for your brand and your business? Was the takeover worthwhile? Did it save you time and energy creating your own content, or did it create extra work? Did it drive a push of traffic and engagement, or did numbers remain mostly the same? Even if the takeover doesn't drive hard numbers for your business's bottom line, takeovers are authentic and real. They also provide an inside look at an aspect of your brand or community followers don't normally see. And just because a takeover didn't achieve your desired results on the first launch it doesn't mean you shouldn't give it another try later. That's why you need to track its progress and results so that you can do better next time. Social media is about being social, so pay attention to qualitative feedback, too. If commenters respond positively to the takeover, take their feedback and use it for ideating future Instagram campaigns. Instagram Takeover Examples Here are examples of some excellent Instagram takeovers: 1. Broadway Plus To promote its brand to Broadway fans, Broadways Plus had Hadestown actress Kimberly Marable takeover the company's Instagram stories. The takeover was promoted the day before by sharing a clip of Kimberly and the rest of the cast singing during an NPR Tiny Desk concert. During the takeover, Marable shared exclusive behind-the-scenes footage of the Hadestown tour and gave followers of the account a glimpse into the day in the life of a Broadway performer. This worked in Marable's favor as well because doing so promoted the Hadestown tour to more Broadway fans. What I Like About This Instagram Takeover This takeover provided timely and relevant content to fans of Broadway by having a prominent star give an exclusive look into a current tour. Marable was able to share content that only she would have access to, making the takeover that much more valuable. View this post on Instagram 2. Fenty Beauty Celebrity makeup artist Nina Ubhi took over cosmetics brand Fenty Beauty's Instagram account stories in 2020. The goal was to show how makeup lovers can use brand's products to achieve the perfect spring look. During the takeover, Ubhi gave quick makeup tutorials using Fenty Beauty products while also showcasing her skills as a makeup artist. What I Like About This Instagram Takeover This takeover brings value to both current and potential Fenty Beauty customers. Not only did Ubhi promote the brand's products, but followers of the account learned how to apply the makeup and create new looks. View this post on Instagram 3. Billboard As we mentioned before, an Instagram takeover can be just as beneficial for the guest as it is for the host. For example, the boy band Why Don't We promoted their music and tour by taking over Billboard magazine's Instagram account. During the takeover, the band shared behind-the-scenes tour footage and live-streamed portions of their concerts. What I Like About This Instagram Takeover The takeover was a treat for general music fans as well as fans of the band thanks to the exclusive content and concert performances. The live-streamed concerts from the band's performances especially created an immersive experience for Billboard followers. 4. MS Association of America To raise awareness for multiple sclerosis, the MS Association of America had actress Selma Blair take over the association's Instagram to share her experience with the disease. During the takeover, Blair read an excerpt from her autobiography "Mean Baby: A Memoir of Growing Up" that details how MS has impacted her life. What I Like About This Instagram Takeover Having a celebrity living with MS be the guest for the takeover was a great way to raise awareness of the disease. The videos of Blair reading excerpts from her book gave a personal touch that provided insight and stirred emotions from followers. 5. ASOS Online clothing store ASOS teamed up with Neom Organics by having the organic beauty line company takeover the ASOS Instagram account. This showed ASOS customers that Neom is available at the online retailer and it introduced Neom Organics to a new audience. What I Like About This Takeover This is another great example of mutually beneficial takeover for both the guest and host. ASOS showed its range as an online retailer but showing that it sells more than just clothes and accessories — customers can also turn to the company for skincare needs as well. At the same time, Neom Organics used the opportunity to promote its products, reach new potential leads, and provide information on where its products can be found — at ASOS. And there you have it — a helpful checklist to launch a successful Instagram takeover and five examples to inspire you. For more ideas on how to drive results for your brand, follow us on Instagram, and download our guide to Instagram for business here. Has your brand ever hosted an Instagram takeover? Share with us in the comments below.

When you're trying to grow a following on Instagram, you depend on Explore and hashtag pages to expand your audience and reach. So it can feel more than a little disheartening when it suddenly seems like your content isn't showing up anywhere. If you feel like your posts are receiving fewer likes and comments suddenly, or aren't appearing for certain hashtags or on the Explore page, you might be shadowbanned. What is an Instagram Shadowban?An Instagram shadowban refers to the act of hiding or restricting a user's content without informing the user that it's happening. If you're shadowbanned, your content won't appear on anyone's feed, Explore, or hashtag pages unless they already follow you. This typically occurs when a user has violated Instagram’s community guidelines — or the content is otherwise deemed inappropriate. From Instagram's perspective, the objective of hiding "inappropriate" content makes sense (although its enforcement has been criticized.) Why does Instagram shadowban? Shadowbanning allows Instagram to filter out accounts that don't comply with their terms. Some people use inauthentic measures to expand their Instagram following, like buying followers or using hundreds of hashtags that are irrelevant to their content. If that's the case, it makes sense that Instagram hides content from those accounts so that only genuine and helpful content is promoted to users. While Instagram doesn't openly admit to shadowbanning, they released a statement on their Facebook business page in February 2019 that addressed the problem users were having with their content not showing up for certain hashtags. Their statement at least confirms the hashtag dilemma as a real one — but many speculate that the statement is Instagram's way of admitting to shadowbanning, without actually admitting it. It's important to note that Instagram changes its algorithm often, so those alterations could be the reason you have witnessed a drop in your engagement rate. However, shadowbanning could be a real tactic meant to hide users' content from the wider Instagram audience, and if you're being shadowbanned, it's important you take the necessary measures to get your content seen. Let's explore how to know if you're shadowbanned, as well as our tips for getting yourself off the list. Did Instagram shadowban me?Those with a professional account can now check to see if their content is being recommended to other users with Instagram’s Account Status feature. From Account Status, you can view if content you posted violated Instagram’s recommended guidelines. ✅ Account Status Update ✅We're expanding Account Status so professional accounts can understand if their content may be eligible to be recommended to non-followers.Here's how to get to it: Profile -> Menu -> Settings -> Account -> Account Status pic.twitter.com/QbxjQF06vR— Adam Mosseri (@mosseri) December 7, 2022 Simply navigate to your profile on the app, then Menu > Settings > Account > Account status. With this feature, you can verify what is affecting your account (if anything) and get suggestions for how to remedy it. If you don't have a professional account, there's an easy test to figure out if your account is shadowbanned. Am I shadowbanned on Instagram?First, post an image with a hashtag that isn't often used. (If you use a hashtag that has millions of posts associated with it, it'll be hard to tell if content is banned, or just hidden by competition). Once you've posted, ask five employees or people who don't follow you to search the hashtag. If none of them see your post in those results, you've likely been shadowbanned. If one or two of your employees can see your post, you might simply be dealing with a drop in engagement. If that's the case, you can take a number of steps to fix this. Check out our Instagram Marketing: The Ultimate Guide for tactical advice on improving your reach and engagement. While the method above is a simple way to test whether you've been shadowbanned, it may not be feasible for your business. Maybe you're the sole proprietor and employee of your small business. In that case, you can't ask employees to check their hashtag feeds and you might not want to ask your customers. Below are other ways you can test whether you've been shadowbanned. Instagram Shadowban Test There is no foolproof test to tell if you've been shadowbanned on Instagram. While there are tools that advertise they can do exactly that, these tools are not reliable. Instead, try the steps below. Check your hashtag pages. If you look at pages of hashtags you regularly use and see a message that posts have been hidden, it's possible you've been shadowbanned for using those hashtags. Take a look at the message below for the hashtag "mustfollow." Since users reported recent posts using this hashtag as not meeting Instagram's community guidelines, it's possible Instagram may be hiding your content with this hashtag (even if yours is not in violation of any guidelines). Check Instagram Insights. Looking at Instagram Insights, if you notice a sudden and sustained drop in engagement, then it's possible you've been shadowbanned. One of the best metrics to look at is percent of accounts reached that weren't following you. Take a look at the difference in "discovery" of the two posts below. This blogger duo went from reaching over 70K accounts, 32% of which weren't following them, to reaching a little over 40K, of which only 4% weren't already following them. This drop cued the bloggers in that their account had been shadowbanned. If you believe you've been shadowbanned, don't worry — we have a solution for you. Why am I shadowbanned? There are a few potential reasons your account could have been shadowbanned. To ensure this doesn't happen again, let's explore some actions you might have taken that led you to being shadowbanned. 1. You use bots or another automated "Instagram growth" tool. If you aren't putting in the hard work yourself, you're not growing a following authentically. Instagram frowns on this — in their statement above, for instance, they encourage users to have a strategy that focuses on connecting with the right audience. Using bots is a spammy tactic, and could result in a shadowban. 2. You use broken hashtags. Occasionally, a popular hashtag will become overrun with inappropriate content. When this happens, Instagram can remove the hashtag or limit its use. If you use a broken hashtag, it will prevent your other hashtags from ranking, and could also result in a blocked account. 3. Your account is often reported. When users repeatedly report an account, Instagram will assume your account is posting inappropriate content or violating their terms of service. They might disable your account, or they could shadowban it. 4. You've been posting, commenting, engaging, or following people too quickly. Instagram places time constraints on how often you can follow, unfollow, like, comment, or post within an hour or day. This makes sense — if you're following 80 people within an hour, it's likely a bot doing the work, not you. These actions might help you grow a following quickly, but they can't help you connect with the right people, which is why you're on Instagram in the first place. Additionally, these behaviors likely result in shadowban, which severely restricts your exposure to a new audience. How to Fix an Instagram Shadowban To get your account back to normal, you'll want to reverse the damage. Here's how: 1. If you use a bot or another automated service, stop and delete it immediately. To make sure the accounts aren't still attached to you, go to your desktop Instagram and click "Edit Profile", and then "Apps and Websites". If you see any of your bot accounts in the Active tab, click "Remove" to remove them from your account completely. Remember, it's better to have 100 followers who love your brand and purchase your products, than 1,000 followers who never buy from you or interact with your content. 2. Don't use hashtags that have been banned. Take a look at Kicksta's list of banned hashtags for 2023, and make sure to remove all broken hashtags from your content. Here's a few from the list: Moving forward, be selective and careful with the hashtags you choose, and when in doubt, take a look at the hashtag's page — Instagram will likely post a message like, "Recent posts from #summer2023 are currently hidden … ", which will indicate to you that the hashtag is no longer in use. 3. Use a content warning when applicable. For sensitive topics, it’s best to be proactive and warn viewers of content they might find upsetting. While you can’t apply Instagram’s new Sensitive Content feature to your own posts, there is a workaround. To do this, you’ll need to create a slideshow post with the warning image first so that users can decide whether or not to continue. Start by using the Story editing feature. Go to your profile within the app > New Post > Story > Create. Select the image or background you want for the first slide and type out your warning message Click Next and save the image. Now it’s ready for use along with your sensitive content. Simply make this the first slide in your new post. 4. Take a two-day break. People have reported a full 48-hour break from using their Instagram accounts can reset the system and get you back on track, and it's worth the temporary social media cleanse anyway, isn't it? 5. Follow Instagram's rules and regulations. Read and follow Instagram's Terms of Use, Community Guidelines, and Recommendation Guidelines. Some notable takeaways from these documents are: Only share content you created or have permission to share Don't post content that's false or misleading Do share content that's appropriate for anyone to see The Foolproof Way to Avoid the Instagram Shadowban The simplest way to avoid being shadowbanned on Instagram is to post helpful, authentic content, and abide by best practices when growing your audience. It will take longer to do this, but slow and steady wins the race — and doesn't get shadowbanned. Editor's note: This post was originally published in August 2019 and has been updated for comprehensiveness.

Instagram is no longer just about connecting with friends -- in 2018, it has become an incredibly powerful platform for finding your voice and creating a business. In fact, Instagram's estimated mobile advertising revenue is expected to reach 6.8 billion U.S. dollars in 2018, compared to 1.8 billion two years ago. Nowadays, Instagram is capable of turning stay-at-home moms into successful hat designers, or a woman working in corporate wealth management into a world traveler. So it's no surprise you want to become an Instagram influencer, and reach a large audience with your own personal brand.Download Now: Free Instagram for Business Kit + Templates Since I myself am not an Instagram influencer (I think an average 60 likes per post falls a little short of most brands' minimum for sponsorship opportunities), I set out to interview some real Instagram influencers in the industry, so you can get the full scoop. Throughout my conversations with these influencers, one thing became abundantly clear -- the term "famous" makes most of them uncomfortable. Apparently, "famous" denotes something less substantial than what most of these people are chasing. As Emma Hoareau (@ emmahoareau), a beauty and travel influencer who boasts nearly 40k followers, tells me, "Don't set out to be Instagram famous! Create beautiful work and use the app as a source of inspiration ... not a numbers competition." If you think about it, "fame" and "influence" are two drastically different measures of success. While fame is measured by a certain number, influence is measured by something a little less quantitative -- a deep, authentic connection with your audience. Here, we've compiled some critical tips from fourteen Instagram influencers, so you can get one step closer to sharing your brand with the world and influencing your own audience. How to Become Instagram Famous Make sure your content is genuine and authentic. Remain flexible and authentic as your brand shifts. Focus on your audience. Find micro-brands. Refine your photography skills. Be persistent. How to Become Instagram Famous Creating authentic Instagram content can help you on the road to becoming a social influencer whom businesses want to work with, but doing it right is just as important. Here's how to make your mark in Instagram, step-by-step. 1. Make sure your content is genuine and authentic. Across the board, all the influencers in this list insisted on one tried-and-true practice -- authentic content. Emily Roberts (@ thelipstickfever), pictured above, is a fashion and beauty influencer with over 57k followers. She told me, "Focus on quality over quantity when it comes to your content. It's better to post top notch images less frequently, than to post something subpar very frequently." To me, this makes sense -- the same is true for any type of content creation. An audience would rather read one high-quality Facebook status than a hundred less interesting ones. At LIKE.TG, we'd prefer to publish a few exceptional pieces of content per day, rather than laboring away to produce hundreds of barely average pieces. Emma Hoareau (@ emmahoareau) concurred: "Make sure the content you're sharing is true to yourself, and try not to compare yourself to others." Of course, authenticity is easier said than done, particularly when you're following other accounts and feeling envious of their posts or their brand image. You might, at times, doubt your ability to remain honest about your life when it's tempting to portray something a little shinier. Nic and Nat (@ sneakymommies), two women who create kid-friendly, healthy recipes on their Instagram account and have over 6,000 followers, say you should "stay authentic and always be you. This means being truthful and honest about who you are both online and offline and staying true to your personal brand." Morgan Raphael (@ bun_undone) a health, wellness, and inspiration influencer with nearly 15k followers, offers some advice when it comes to whether or not you need to find a niche. "I heard a lot of advice to find your niche and what makes you stand out, but truthfully, if you share your real self, people will relate and therefore respond by continuing to follow you and engage with your content." Finally, Chelsea Martin (@ passporttofriday), a travel blogger and influencer with over 17k followers, says commitment to your brand is critical -- "don't take just any collaboration offer that comes through the door. Stay loyal to your personal brand and your followers will stay loyal to you." While it can be tempting to take the first sponsorship offer you receive, long-term growth is about remaining committed to partnering with brands that can offer meaningful value to your audience, as well. 2. Remain flexible and authentic as your brand shifts. When you follow Instagram influencers, you might feel like they joined the app with an inherent and instant understanding of their brand -- at least, that's how I've always felt. To verify this, I asked Nicole Loher (@ nicoleloher), a health and fitness influencer with over 14k followers, whether she knew what she wanted her brand to be when she first created her Instagram account. Nicole told me, "I've always had a really pure goal to share a super authentic glimpse into my life -- no matter if it's good or bad -- because I ultimately moved to New York not knowing anyone … And 'making it' here was never and still is not easy. I think as my following began to amass, I realized I had a real platform to be an advocate for projects, communities and brands, I'm passionate about -- the most notable one being the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. That said, about three years ago, my brand started to shift. I went from being a girl who worked in fashion and beauty, to a competitive triathlete. It wasn't something I set out to do -- it just shifted as my life shifted!" It seems a key factor in remaining authentic and true to your audience is, ironically, allowing yourself to change direction. If your audience believes they're getting a glimpse into the real you, and if they feel connected to you, they'll ideally want to grow and change with you as you move throughout stages of your Instagram, and real life, journey. 3. Focus on your audience. We've discussed remaining authentic and flexible as you create a brand identity on Instagram. Now, let's consider why this is important -- audience loyalty. An influencer doesn't become an influencer without creating a strong community, and developing a connection, to her audience. Emily Roberts (@ thelipstickfever) says, "Always make sure you're focused on driving value to your audience, and hone in on what makes you truly unique." Ultimately, becoming an Instagram influencer is a professional role like anything else, so it's important you consider what you can offer your audience. Lauren Caruso (@ laurencaruso_), a fashion influencer who boasts nearly 35k followers, advises, "Step one is definitely finding your niche, then figure out how to offer some sort of a service to the audience. It can be anything from outfit ideas, creative direction ideas, or helping them discover new brands -- just make sure you stay true to your aesthetic, rather than trying to be everything to everyone." Finally, Nic Nat (@ sneakymommies) told me, "People will want to connect with you if they view you as being relatable (human!), so being honest and sharing the good and the bad is what they want to see." There's a reason the hashtag #nofilter has been used over 235 million times, compared to #sponsorship, which barely passes the 400,000 mark. Ultimately, Instagram is a platform meant to connect real people with true experiences. Make your audience feel like they're getting a glimpse into your challenges, and they're more likely to cheer on your successes. 4. Find micro-brands to work with. Once you've created a brand and grown a loyal following, you might feel ready to reach out and get endorsed by certain brands. But direct messaging Nike or L'Oréal might not be your best initial strategy. Instead, Puno (@ punodostres), a micro-influencer and business founder with over 14k followers, emphasizes the importance of micro-brands: "Micro-brands on Instagram are awesome, mostly because they are small businesses that are open to trade. Similar to you, they're looking to build their following. If you're an influencer with under 10k followers, product for trade is a great place to start creating content you want to get paid for, especially if you can find brands you love and are in the same boat (socially). Plus, they are more likely to mention and regram you." To find micro-brands, Puno suggests you use PeopleMap.co, a micro-influencer tool she created (the tool is used by clients like Refinery29 and Etsy). You can also find micro-brands by searching for hashtags related to your expertise. For instance, #healthyeating might connect you with brands, or other influencers, in a similar industry. Once you find brands you're interested in working with, you can either direct message or email them. Additionally, Jackson and Graham Buoy (@ thebrothersbuoy), two food influencers with over 11k followers, told me, "One of our absolute favorite things to do is work with smaller brands or new restaurants who are still finding their voice and help them tell their story visually. We only promote things on our feed that we genuinely care about or use ... We just don't see the point behind content that is so obviously paid for and doesn't align with someone's personal brand, as it really defeats the whole idea of 'influencing.'" For more information on sponsorships, check out, "How to Get Sponsored on Instagram (Even if You Currently Have 0 Followers)". 5. Refine your photography skills. Oftentimes, it's easy to feel like your iPhone and Instagram filters are enough -- and, sometimes, they are. But to set yourself apart as an influencer, versus just an Instagram user, it might be worthwhile to invest in better photography and editing equipment. Chelsea Martin (@ passporttofriday) says, "A professional camera and a great lens could make the difference between a good photo and an amazing photo -- which has more potential of being reposted by other accounts, therefore growing your audience." To set yourself apart, consider going the extra mile. Invest in equipment or a photography course to improve your skills. Jackson and Graham Buoy (@ thebrothersbuoy), advise, "Investing in equipment is a great idea, but if you don't know how to use it, it won't get you anywhere. We would recommend spending money on sites like Skillshare, or even investing time in YouTube tutorials about photography and editing basics. Once you feel comfortable with that stuff and know you can take a good photo, then graduate to some higher quality equipment." Ultimately, you want to provide your audience with something valuable. Like any service, using the proper tools and taking online courses could lead to a bigger pay-off in the long run. 6. Be persistent. As with any profession, one of the most critical components to becoming successful on Instagram is persistence. Morgan Raphael (@ bun_undone) says, "I preach patience and self-love. Don’t give up, continue to write or post consistently and in time it will flourish. The comparison game can easily get in your head if you’re focused on numbers, so instead, focus on the meaningful content you’re sharing, remain proud of your work and keep going." Becoming an influencer isn't easy, and while it can be incredibly rewarding, it's only possible if you're willing to put in the time. Being passionate about your content will help you push through the challenging times. Christina, Jeannie Eli (@ fitcityblonde), three fitness influencers with over 8,000 followers, advise, "Post content that you're passionate about, build genuine and authentic connections, and GRIND. Don't be afraid to reach out to people to build your network, especially in person. Instagrammers often hide behind their pages, so it's unique when you're willing to establish actual human connections. All in all, keep it real, and work your tail off." I think we can all agree, whether it's influence or fame you're after, worthwhile endeavors are never easy -- but, hopefully, these influencer tips make your experience a little easier.

With more than 800 million monthly users, Instagram is a force to be reckoned with. If you're a B2B brand, you might think the hype isn't relevant to you -- but it most certainly is. As it stands, there are thousands of brands and a number of high-profile B2B organizations using Instagram to drive brand awareness, engage with their audience, and ultimately, to attract new customers.Access Now: 22 Free Business Instagram Templates To inspire you to take your Instagram game to the next level this year, our team at The B2B Marketing Lab wanted to share some concise, actionable tips you can put into practice right away. 1. Use authentic, real-time user-generated content. Forget stock photography and staged promotional pictures -- it’s time to go real-time. On Instagram, your prospects and leads want authentic content that offers a personal glimpse into your company's culture and product offerings. Real-time content, such as live video/live streaming, is unfiltered and 100% you. It adds a much-needed human element to B2B businesses, and helps you form a genuine connection with your audience and potential customers. Extremely professional-looking content can often feel cold and dispassionate -- your customers want to know there are real people and real stories behind the branding. 2. Go fast, and mix it up. Instagram makes it incredibly easy for you to post photos or videos on your phone directly through its application. Just fire the application up, press the add button and select the photo or video you want to upload -- it’s that simple. The advantage of this is that you don’t have to spend ages creating content. You can upload a variety of content wherever, whenever, without much pre-planning or editing required. Different types of content will not only attract and appeal to different members of your audience, but also show different sides to your business. No one wants to just look at images or just quotes on Instagram all day now, do they? 3. Get involved in your niche. Stop looking through the window at what’s going on inside. Join the party. Just like any other social media channel, it’s important that you not only post content to your feed, but also partake in the wider conversation. Don’t just post images and videos, reply to your community when they leave a response. Take the time to check out other Instagram profiles, have a browse, like some content and maybe leave a friendly comment here and there. If you take the time to engage with others, they're more likely to take the time to engage with you. 4. Make the most of the link in your bio. While Instagram doesn’t let you link to websites within the captions of posts, you can include one in your bio. You can include up to 150 characters in your Instagram bio -- including a link. Your bio is the perfect real estate for a link to your latest blog post or offers. You can also use tools such as Linktree to create a custom link that includes a page with more links, allowing you to share up to five links and get the most out of your bio link! Alternatively, Instagram Stories are a great way of including links with your content. However, stories only last for 24 hours -- this is a limitation, but also a fantastic tool for you to provide real-time offers and value. 5. Tell a story with every single post. On Instagram, the businesses that tell the most interesting stories build the largest audiences. If you want to attract people to your business and get them to engage with you, you need consistent visual storytelling that cuts through all the noise on Instagram. Don't limit your focus to your general photo and video feed. Instagram’s Stories feature allows you to create a slideshow or montage of photo or video. When strung together, tell a story and provide your audience with a more personal experience. 6. Stay away from vanity metrics. Vanity metrics don't tell the whole story. While an increase in clicks and likes are beneficial, they don't tell you if the right people are actually interested your content. Instead, look for indicators of real engagement, such as people commenting on your posts and new followers in your niche. These two metrics give a better indication of how well you are performing and how much exposure your business is actually getting. Take the time to consider Instagram. While it has predominantly been used by B2C brands up to this point, it holds great potential for B2B businesses when utilized correctly -- and with the points above in mind!

Between carefully curated photos, expertly targeted ads, and decisive adoption of Instagram stories, no other B2C industry has thrived on Instagram, much like the beauty and apparel industry. Some of the best clothing brands on Instagram are masters of consumer engagement, and businesses from any industry could learn something from these inspirational feeds. In this post, we’ve compiled a list of 30 clothing brands — both big and small — crushing the game. For a deeper dive into how to build a presence on Instagram, check out our complete guide to Instagram marketing. 30 of the Best Clothing Brands to Follow on Instagram 1. Telfar @telfar Telfar is a luxury brand well known for its bags and clothing. Like many brands on the list, it uses Instagram to share information about its products paired with high-quality product photos, videos, and user-generated content. 2. J.Crew @jcrew J.Crew has mastered the art of follower engagement on Instagram. Its vibrant feed inspires followers, whether via daily updated Stories, in-feed product announcements, or style inspo. View this post on Instagram 3. Anthropologie @anthropologie With colorful images of its bright and patterned styles, Anthropologie’s feed is a visual smorgasbord of inspiration. 4. Girlfriend Collective @girlfriend Girlfriend Collective experienced explosive social media growth after advertising a free leggings promotion. Its feed engages customers with stunning product photography of its minimal styles and funny memes related to its products. 5. BRKLN Bloke @brklynbloke Brkln Bloke is a Brooklyn-based streetwear brand that has mastered the art of sharing its products in the wild, helping followers get styling inspiration for their purchases. 6.Nike @nike The behemoth athletic brand has enthusiastically embraced video content and regularly shares clips with its impressive 263 Million followers. Its feed features a motivational mix of professional athletes and everyday people, which directly aligns with its brand mission that Nike is for everyone. View this post on Instagram 7. Paloma Wool @palomawool >In the image below, Paloma Wool shares a carousel of photos showing audiences different ways to wear one of its products, the Berlin multi-position belt. This gives wearers and audiences inspiration for how to use the product and can also inspire a new purchase if someone sees a style they like. 8. Kate Spade @katespadeny Despite being a well-established label, Kate Spade’s Instagram has a distinct personal touch that sets it apart from similar brands. Its profile features outfit pictures, snaps from around New York, and behind-the-scenes shots of the design process at the Kate Spade Studio. View this post on Instagram 9. Hermoza @the_hermoza Hermoza leverages one of Instagram's impactful native features — shoppable posts and a storefront. Each post has a “View Shop” CTA, and clicking on it leads audiences to an Instagram storefront where they can discover more products or even make a purchase without leaving the app. 10. House of Sunny @houseofsunny House of Sunny’s approach to Instagram is worth replicating as it ensures followers always have a source for inspiration for using its products. It specifically calls attention to styling opportunities with a permanent Story Highlight called “As Seen On,” where people can click through a series of UGC to discover unique ways to style its clothing. 11. Eileen Fisher @eileenfisherny Eileen Fisher emphasizes its quality materials and environmentally friendly production processes on Instagram, and landing on its profile brings you to three pinned posts displaying the lifecycle of the products it uses and how it champions sustainability. View this post on Instagram 12. Sandy Liang @sandyliang Sandy Liang is well known for creating unique versions of everyday staples. On Instagram, the brand shares lookbooks for its clothing and accessories, giving followers inspiration for what and how to wear its products. The image below is a lookbook giving inspo on what to wear when visiting a friend. 13. Asos @asos British online fashion retailer ASOS updates its feed regularly with colorful and bold product features. It stands out from the crowd with a video-first Instagram strategy, only rarely sharing still photos, allowing followers to interact and engage with content. View this post on Instagram 14. Aerie @aerie Scrolling through Aerie’s Instagram feed is like taking a tropical beach getaway. The lingerie and bathing suit brand has been applauded for its commitment to unretouched photos in its print ads, and it continues this effort on its Instagram, creating a cohesive brand image. 15. Ziran @theziran Ziran merges ancient Chinese techniques, luxury fashion, and sustainable practices to create its clothing brand. On its Instagram, behind-the-scenes content about how the brand came to be, gives people a glimpse into the people and processes that bring their favorite brand to life. 16. Aime Leon Dore @aimeleondore Aime Leon Dore shares product announcements in videos that align with the product's intended use. For example, the video below announces an upcoming collaboration with Woolrich, a brand well-known for its durability. The video features models in activities that might cause wear and tear to everyday products, but not those from the Aime Leon Dore x Woolrich collab. View this post on Instagram 17. Lisa Says Gah @lisasaysgah It often uses Instagram for restock announcements so its followers know when their favorite products are available for purchase again. Doing this also helps drive more followers to the platform, as people will see Instagram as a way to get the most up-to-date information on their favorite brand. 18. Tach @tach_clothing >Tach uses Instagram to share exciting behind-the-scenes content. The image below is a sneak peek into its line sheets, which are usually only used as a sales tool to present products to buyers. Audiences are let in on its behind-the-scenes activity, which can be exciting. >19. Fossil @fossil If you like photos of neatly organized items, then Fossil’s Instagram is for you. The accessories brand curates an impressive feed of food, fashion, and celebrities like James Phelps, generating audience excitement if they recognize their favorite actor. View this post on Instagram 20. Everlane @everlane Everlane’s account has no shortage of beautiful product imagery, but it also features photos of customers wearing its clothes, inspiring travel photography, and tips on food and art destinations worldwide, giving audiences a well-rounded experience on its profile. >21. Bode @bode >Bode is well known for its quilted jackets and one-of-a-kind clothing items. On Instagram, it shares videos explaining the background and inspiration for its collections, giving followers insight into the brand, its values, and what it stands for. View this post on Instagram 22. Teva @teva Teva’s Instagram feed is proof that it’s possible to give your brand a modern update without losing the spirit of what made you successful in the first place. Its feed includes user-generated content of its shoes out in the wild and sleek product photos highlighting new styles. 23. Zara @zara Zara has made a name for itself by emulating the marketing of luxury brands, and its Instagram feed is no exception. Its account looks like a high-fashion magazine, with professional editorial shots of its varied clothing styles. 24. Fjällräven @fjallravenofficial The Instagram feed for Swedish outdoor apparel brand Fjällräven is less about its products and more about the adventurous spirit that has defined the company for almost 60 years. 25. Madewell @madewell Apparel brand Madewell is known for its relaxed, classic styles, and its Instagram clearly reflects this aesthetic. With bright sunny images of its latest products and collaborations, its feed is a fashion lover’s delight. 26. The Row @therow Another account that focuses less on its products and more on visual inspiration, The Row features vintage photos of art, architecture, and fashion — only occasionally sharing images and actual products — where they share a brand aesthetic that is bigger than just what it sells. 27. Santos by Monica @santosbymonica Santos by Monica’s Instagram grid is eye-catching as every post uses the same color scheme and creates a pleasing browsing experience, building a cohesive brand identity and helping people develop brand recognizability for its specific color schemes and hues. 28. Carhartt WIP @carharttwip Carhartt Work In Progress announces sales on its Instagram profile, a valuable way to ensure your different audiences are aware of your brand promotions. For example, if your Instagram followers aren’t subscribed to your mailing list, they won’t receive your newsletter announcing the sale, but they’ll see it in their feed. View this post on Instagram

Did you know you could schedule your Instagram posts in advance? Or optimize your bio to appear in the Explore tab?There are countless lesser-known Instagram features, settings, hacks, and search options to help take your Instagram game to the next level. And we've compiled them all, here.Whether you’re a recruiter looking to showcase company culture, a eCommerce marketer, or just an individual looking to use Instagram in the best ways possible, here are Instagram tips and features for you to use.Note: Before getting started, make sure you're operating on the latest version of Instagram. At the time of publishing this guide, the latest version is 273on iOS and on Android. Please also note that although this article might demonstrate each tip below using an iPhone or Android device, all items on this list are available for both operating systems and can be enjoyed using the same step-by-step instructions.41 Hidden Instagram Hacks, Tips, and FeaturesInstagram Account Features1. Add and manage multiple accounts from the same device.Have a separate account for your dog? Don't be embarrassed; stand by your puppy profile. In fact, whether it's a pet account or a business account, you can add and manage this one right alongside your personal account.Here's how:From your profile, tap the gear icon. To find this icon on an Android device, you'll first need to tap the three horizontal lines to the top right of your screen.Scroll to the very bottom and tap "Add Account."Add your other account by username and password, and you're all set.To toggle between both profiles, hold down your profile picture in the navigation bar to view all connected accounts.2. See all the posts you've liked.Ever wanted to see the post you’ve liked all in one place? All you have to do is go to your profile, click the three lines on the top right (on Android and iOS), tap “Your Activity,” tap “Interactions,” and then click “Likes.”With this, you can see 300 of the last posts you’ve liked.To un-like any posts you've Liked, simply go to the post and deselect the "heart" icon below it. Don't worry — the user won't be notified that you've un-Liked the post.3. Hide, delete, or disable comments and likes on your posts.Twitter may carry a more "anything goes" culture of commentary, but your Instagram is your domain — and it's much easier to control who says what on your content. This is especially important if you manage a business account.To Filter Comments by Keyword:Navigate to Settings and tap “Privacy,” then “Hidden Words.” You can toggle “Hide comments” to filter general offensive words or click “Manage custom words and phrases for messages, comments, and posts” to add custom filters.To Delete Comments:Tap the speech bubble icon below the comment you'd like to delete, and swipe lightly to the left over this text. Select the garbage can icon that appears to delete this post. You can also do this to your own comments.To Disable Comments Entirely:To clarify, you can't turn off comments across your entire profile; you can only disable them for individual posts.To do so, start posting an image on which you'd like nobody to comment. When you reach the page to add a caption, tags, and location, tap "Advanced Settings" at the very bottom. This will open a screen where you can easily switch on an option labeled "Turn Off Commenting."4. Clear your Instagram search history.To clear your Instagram search history (on Android and iOS), go to your profile, tap Settings, then “Your activity.” Tap “Recent searches” and click “Clear all.”5. Add another Instagram account to your bio.Perhaps your company has more than one Instagram account for different aspects of your brand. For instance, LIKE.TG has a verified LIKE.TG account, a LIKE.TG Life account, a LIKE.TG Academy account, and a LIKE.TG Partners account.To draw awareness back to its main company page, then, LIKE.TG links to the @LIKE.TG account in its other account bios, like in @LIKE.TGLife's account:Fortunately, you have the option to include another Instagram account in your Instagram bio. To do so, simply type the "@" sign into your Bio, and then select the account you'd like to tag. Then, click "Done."6. Communicate with your audience using Instagram Broadcast channels.Broadcast Channels is Instagram's newest feature, and it is a messaging tool for creators to engage directly with a large group of followers.Creators can share updates and behind-the-scenes content as text, video, voice notes, and images. Followers can't send messages but can enjoy the content, react to content, and vote in polls.As of February 2023, the feature is currently in Beta mode for U.S. creators only.Instagram Design Features7. Add special fonts to your bio.Here's an Instagram bio hack that can truly make your profile stand out. You can already add emojis to the bio beneath your profile photo, but your keyboard limits your creativity right there.Using a couple of basic third-party websites, you can copy over some more special fonts not often found in the Instagram community. Here's how.To Add a Special Font to Your Bio via Mobile:Add a new font to your Instagram bio via your mobile device using a website like LingoJam. Open the site on your phone, type your desired bio text in the lefthand text box, and you'll see the same bio text in different typefaces appear on the right.Carry your chosen font over to your Instagram bio by tapping it and selecting "Copy." Then, open your Instagram app, navigate to your profile, select "Edit Profile," tap the "Bio" section and paste your chosen font into the empty field.To Add a Special Font to Your Bio on Desktop:If you're editing your Instagram profile on your laptop or desktop, Font Space has a library of fonts you can download and copy into your bio in seconds. To do so, Find a font you like and select "Download" beneath the font's sample image, as shown below.Downloading this font will open a folder on your desktop where you can pull a ".ttf" file that carries the various versions of this font. The file will look something like the screenshot below.Once you have this font copied to your computer's clipboard, open your internet browser and log onto Instagram.com. Select "Edit Profile" and paste your downloaded font into your bio field. You can then edit the sample text that came with your font to write your new bio as you see fit.8. Add special characters to your bio.Not only can you customize your bio with a special font, but you can also add atypical characters that distinguish you or your brand — but that you wouldn't find on your smartphone's normal keyboard. These include§,†, or even™ if your Instagram name features a trademarked product name.To Add Special Characters From MobileUsing your mobile device, install a free mobile app like Character Pad, which catalogs nearly every character and symbol you might need but won't find in the 26-letter English alphabet.Open the app and find the character you want to add to your Instagram bio. In Character Pad, you'll simply double-tap the picture of your chosen symbol to paste it into a text box, as shown below. Then, copy this character to your phone's clipboard. (For our purposes, I double-tapped the half moon icon.)Once you have your symbol copied to your clipboard, open Instagram, navigate to your bio, and tap "Edit Profile."Hold down your finger on the field of your bio you want to insert your special character until "Paste" appears as an option, as shown below. Tap "Paste" and then "Done" you'll be all set.To Add Special Characters From a PCYou can also insert special characters and symbols through Instagram's web client on a desktop or laptop computer. The easiest way is to use Microsoft Word's "Symbol" insertion icon, as shown below.Select your desired symbol or character and copy it to your computer's clipboard. Then, navigate to Instagram.com and follow the steps above to paste your character into a particular part of your bio.You might be tempted to simply Google search the special character you want, and at times it might work just as well as the steps above. But keep in mind not all special characters you copy from the internet are "clean" when you paste them into Instagram — some of them might become corrupted or not show up correctly.9. Reorder filters to set your favorite filters at the front.If you use Instagram a lot, chances are, you have a few favorite go-to filters, and others you never touch. To make editing photos easier, you can reorder the filters in your editing window.To reorder filters, add a new post and begin editing it. When you get to the filters page, hold down on a filter you'd like to move, and then drag it to your preferred location.10. Use Instagram as a photo editor (without having to post anything).Perhaps you love Instagram's filters and editing capabilities, but aren't quite ready to post the photo to your account — right now, or ever. To use Instagram as a photo editor without posting anything, all you need to do is publish a picture while your phone is on airplane mode.First, be sure you have "Save Original Photo" turned on in your Instagram settings.Next, follow the normal steps to post a photo to Instagram: Upload the photo, edit it, and press "Share." An error message will appear saying the upload failed, but you'll be able to find the edited image in your phone's photo gallery.11. Insert line breaks into your bio and captions.When you write a caption in Instagram, you'll see the keyboard doesn't give you an option to press "Enter" or "Return." The same is true for your bio. So how do all those people put line breaks in there?It turns out that all you have to do is press the "123" key in the bottom left corner of the keyboard, and the "Return" key will appear on the bottom right.I know this tip sounds simple, but a lot of people miss it — myself included, until a colleague clued me in. We've seen some elaborate solutions out there for hacking through this problem, like writing the caption copy in another app, then copying and pasting it into Instagram. Thankfully, it's much simpler than that.Instagram Optimization Features12. Pin important content to the top of your Instagram Grid.f you have an Instagram post that you want to call attention to, you can pin it to the top of your profile grid.To do this, pick the Reel or image post you want to pin.In the top right corner of the post, tap the three dots and click “Pin to your profile.”The post will now show up at the top of your grid.This is a valuable tool to share ongoing partnerships with your followers, draw attention to popular content, and make sure new followers or browsers can immediately see the most important content you want to share with them.13. Optimize your Instagram bio to appear in the Explore tab.Your friends, family, and coworkers might be your first group of Instagram followers, but growing your audience takes more than the people who already know you. One key way to do this is to get your profile to appear in Instagram's Explore page.The Explore page, accessible using the magnifying glass icon shown above, is a browsing page that sorts the entire Instagram community by topic and keyword. These include "Fitness," "Style," "Science," and more.Hashtagging your posts with these words can expose your content to the people browsing these topics, but you can also use them in your Instagram name and bio to promote your profile.If Jane Doe is a marketing consultant, for example, she might want to make her Instagram name "Jane Doe Marketing," rather than simply "Jane Doe." Then, in her bio, she can include all of her specialties, such as "SEO," "blogging," "email marketing," etc.14. Drive traffic to an external website.One of the biggest frustrations people have with marketing on Instagram is that clickable URLs aren't allowed anywhere except the single "website" box in your bio. If you put a URL in a photo caption it'll appear as plain text, meaning users would have to painstakingly copy the URL, open a web browser, and paste or type it in there.One sneaky way to get people to visit your Instagram profile, which is where that one clickable URL is allowed, is to use your photo captions to encourage people to visit your profile for a link. Then, update that URL frequently to point to your latest blog content, YouTube video, product, or offer.Check out the example below from the food magazine Bon Appétit, where it includes a link in its bio that draws people to external Bon Appétit content.If you have a verified Instagram account, you can also add links to your Story. Read more about this feature here.15. Sell products from Instagram using Shoppable Posts.You might already know you can tag people in your Instagram posts as (or after) you post new content. Now, you can tag products — and direct your viewers to a product page to buy what they saw.To Add an Instagram Business AccountYou'll need an Instagram Business account to publish shoppable posts. You can get one by selecting "Edit Profile" on your Instagram profile and tapping "Try Instagram Business Tools," as shown below.To Tag a Post With ProductsOnce you've launched an Instagram Business account, you'll need to enable product tags to use them on a post that depicts a product. Navigate to your settings using the gear icon from your profile page, and select "Products." Tap "Continue" and follow the prompts to connect a "product catalog" to your business profile.With product tags enabled on your Instagram Business account, you can now upload new posts and tag your photo with products you find from your product catalog. Here's what a shoppable post can look like:16. Create an auto-complete quick reply for standard responses.Responding to user comments and questions is incredibly timely, but fortunately, there's a hack to streamline the process and make it more efficient. (Note: This only works on Instagram Business accounts.)You can simply create a one-to-two word phrase that can act as your shortcut to a longer standard response you might send often. To do this, click "Business" in your Settings, and then "Quick Replies" — or, click the three-dot chat bubble icon on bottom of screen, and then click "New Quick Reply".Add a shortcut you can enter for the response. For instance, you might type "returnpolicy" as the shortcut for a longer response, i.e.: "Hey there. We're sorry you don't love your purchase. Fortunately, we permit 30-day returns, no questions asked. Please send us your order confirmation number to get the process started."Once you've added a shortcut, you can either type the shortcut "returnpolicy" into the comment box when you want it to auto-generate, or you can tap the three-dot chat Quick Replies bubble icon at the bottom of your screen to choose from a response you've created. (Read more about Quick Replies here.)17. Pin your Instagram post to Pinterest.Instagram doesn't have a natural integration with many social networks (except Facebook, its parent company) for publishing Instagram posts to other social accounts.But with respect to Pinterest, image-loving platforms stick together. Here's a backdoor way to Pin your latest Instagram Story to Pinterest:On the Instagram mobile app, tap a post to view it in full, then tap the three dots to the top-right of the image. Select "Copy Share URL" to attach the picture's link to your clipboard.Open the Pinterest mobile app — or download it; you'll need it for this step — and navigate to your profile page. If you have the latest version of Pinterest downloaded, it might ask you as soon as you open the app if you'd like to produce the image from your clipboard.If not, select the "+" icon to the top right to add a new pin, and you'll see a menu of options where you can add your "Copied Link" to a new Pin or board on your profile.Instagram Reels Features18. Upload and browse video content on Instagram Reels.Instagram Reels is one of the biggest new features of Instagram to date.You can find Instagram Reels by opening the app and tapping the TV icon in the bottom navigation bar. You'll land on a gallery of Reels to watch, including those from people you follow, trending videos, and the most popular creators on the app.As you view more videos, the algorithm will adapt to your interests and show you Reels relevant to your likes. And naturally, the same goes for your target audience.The Reels you create are visible on your Profile under the Reels icon. When you want to upload a new Reel, follow the steps to upload an image but click Reels instead.19. Easily create Reels using the template feature.Instagram’s native Reels template helps anyone quickly and easily make a Reel. To create a Reel using a template, you can either:Find a Reel you like that someone has created, tap on the three dots on the bottom right corner of the real, tap “Use as template,” and follow the steps. Note that the only Reels you can use as a template have the Use as a template button.Or,Click on the Reels tab, swipe left to access the “Templates” option, and select the template you want to use. Then, follow the steps on screen.20. Automatically add captions to your Reels and Stories.The auto-caption feature automatically converts speech into captions for your Reels and Stories. This feature is incredibly important for increasing accessibility for your content and also for allowing people to consume your content without sound.21. Remix Reels to engage with other users.Remixing a Reel means creating one that includes content from someone else’s Reel. It’s a great way to engage with other users and create side-by-side interaction.To Remix a real (on Android and iOS), tap the three dots on the Reel you want to remix. Tap “Remix” and choose whether to play your video side-by-side the original video or after it ends.Next, record your Reel and share it to your profile.If you remix a Reel using side-by-side video, you can mix the audio and add voiceovers, text, and stickers to your Reel and the original Reel.If you remix a Reel and add your video after the original, you can’t change the audio from the original post, but you can adjust the volume level of the original Reel and add a voiceover.22. Reply to a comment on your Reel with a Reel.Instagram now allows people to create Reels to reply to comments on Reels. It’s an engaging way to interact with followers and build connections.To do this (on Android and iOS), tap “Reply” underneath a comment and click the camera icon.Record your Reel or upload a pre-recorded video from your camera roll.Click on the comment sticker to update the background color or change its position in the frame.Edit your Reel, then click “Share.”Instagram Stories Features23. Use Notes to share status updates.Notes are 60-character max posts next to profile images in the messages inbox.Notes will appear in your followers' inboxes, and you can choose to share them with all of your followers or your selected Close Friends list. They last 24 hours, and Notes replies appear as DMs.The new feature is a great way to share your timely thoughts, engage with people, and see what others are saying.24. Create a collection of saved posts.In addition to being able to view all of the posts you've liked, Instagram also has an option to save or bookmark certain posts in collections that you create.Start by going to your profile, and tapping the "Settings" icon at the top-right of your screen, and then select "Saved":Next, press the "+" button and name your new Collection.Click "Next", and select images from your "Saved" section.To save photos for future collections, tap the bookmark icon below the post you want to add, as shown below:Then, go back to your saved photos by following the previous steps.You'll see the photos you've saved — to add them to your Collection, select the Collection you want to add to, and tap "Add to Collection." From there, you can add any of your saved photos.25. Create Stories Highlights to show Stories for longer than a day.Like in Snapchat, posts to your story only stick around for your followers to see for 24 hours. But sometimes, you have a story that deserves more daylight to be told.That's where Stories Highlights comes in, a feature by Instagram that allows you to save stories together in the same space on your profile page. If you ever wondered what that "New" button with the "+" icon was below your profile image, this explains it.To make a Stories Highlight, tap this New option and select any number of past stories in your album:Then, give it a cover photo and a name to display as its own Instagram Story on your profile page. You can remove Stories Highlights at any time by tapping and holding down this story.26. Reorder Instagram Stories highlights.The Highlights on your Instagram feed act as your brand's portfolio — you can use Highlights to demonstrate your company's values, showcase new products or services, or categorize various topics you post about frequently.For instance, The North Face uses its Highlights section to highlight various initiatives that are important to the brand, including a section labeled “Summit Series,” “Explore Fund,” “XPLR Pass,” “Pride,” and “Athletes.”Since a user can only see the first five highlights when they come across your profile, you'll want to ensure your first highlights are the ones you're most proud of. To do this, simply follow this trick:1. Hold down the highlight you'd like moved to the front of this list and click "Edit Highlight" when the slide-up appears.2. Next, find an image or video you'd like to add to the highlight. (Don't worry — you'll be able to delete this within 30 seconds, so you don't need to choose one that will stay on the highlight.)3. Click "Done" in the top right corner.4. Now, your Highlight will be first in the list. To remove the image or video you just added, follow the above instructions and simply un-check the image you added. Your highlight will remain at the beginning of the Highlight reel.27. Change your Instagram Highlights Icon without publishing it to your feed.The image you choose for each Highlight should accurately depict what type of content users can expect to see if they tap the Highlight, so you'll want to choose a compelling, engaging image.However, if you have a design, logo, or image you'd like to use that isn't in your Instagram feed, it's still possible to make it the Highlight Icon.To do this, click "Edit Highlight" (same as the step above):Next, click "Edit Cover," and scroll through your camera roll to find an image you like.Once you choose an image from your camera roll, click "Done." Your Highlight cover image is now an image you've never posted on your Instagram account:28. Schedule posts in advance.Instagram being a mobile app, you're probably in a routine of taking photos and posting them to your Instagram Story on the fly. But, you can also pre-post them from your computer for a set day and time in the future.This feature is available with a social media scheduling tool, as well as LIKE.TG if you have an Instagram business account. If you have this business profile, switch to it via the Instagram mobile app and follow the prompts to connect it to Facebook.Depending on the social scheduling tool you use, you might not include this step. Once you've toggled to the right account, however, you'll launch your scheduling tool, navigate to your current connected profiles, and see Instagram as an available integration.29. Use 'Type Mode' to enhance your Instagram Stories.Since its launch, Stories have become quite creative, and it takes more than a pretty filter to stand out to your audience. Enter "Type Mode," an option similar to Snapchat that gives you the power to caption Stories that need extra context to resonate with someone. Here's how to use it:1. Open Instagram Stories by swiping right from your Instagram feed. This will launch your smartphone camera. Then, take a photo or video and press the "Aa" icon to the top-right of your screen, as shown below:The "Aa" icon will open Type Mode, where you have eight fonts to choose from. Here's what a sample Story looks like with Modern font:30. Post content from other users to your Instagram Story.Although Instagram Stories are a great way to give your content exposure on your followers' homepages, you might not always have something Story-worthy. In those times, you can share an inspiring post from someone else through your Instagram Stories. Here's how:1. Find a post you want to share in your Instagram Stories and tap the paper airplane icon, as shown below.This icon will open a screen allowing you to send this post to specific followers, or add to your Story. Tap the latter option, as shown below.Tapping this option will automatically turn the post into an Instagram Story, which you can edit and design to your liking the same way you would any other Instagram Story.31. Share candid Stories with your followers.Instagram Candid Stories lets you share in-the-moment updates with friends to let them know what you’re up to. A unique feature is that each Story is only visible to others who have posted their own Candid Stories.To share a Candid Story, use the stories camera and select Candid Story, or wait for the daily Candid Story notification.Note that the Candid Story feature is not yet available to all users.Instagram User Preferences Features32. Mute Instagram notifications using Quiet Mode.Quiet Mode turns off all app notifications and adds a badge to your profile, so people know you’re taking a break. When you turn Quiet Mode off, you’ll get a roundup of notifications of things you’ve missed.To use Quiet Mode on Instagram, Navigate to your profile page. Click “Settings," then "Notifications," and then "Quiet mode."Toggle the “Quiet mode” button to enable it and turn it off when you’re ready to receive notifications again.You can also set a designated time to trigger Quiet Mode every day, so you don’t have to remember to turn it off and on.Quiet Mode is currently available in the U.S., UK, Ireland, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.33. Create a Favorites list to see your favorite accounts first.If you have favorite accounts on Instagram or friends whose content you want to see more often, you can select up to 50 accounts to add to your Favorites list.You’ll see their posts higher up and more often in your Feed, and you can even swipe to a separate favorites-only feed to see what people are up to. Every Favorites feed is free of ads and suggested posts, and nobody else knows who you’ve added to the list.To choose your favorites, tap the Instagram logo on the top left corner, and select your favorite accounts to add.34. Get notifications when your favorite people post.Never want to miss an Instagram post from your favorite influencers again? You can choose to get a notification every time a specific user posts a new photo. All you have to do is turn on notifications for each user individually.To turn on these notifications, visit a user's profile, click the bell icon in the upper right corner, and choose what type of post you want a notification for: Posts, Stories, Reels, Videos, or Live Videos.Want to turn post notifications off? Just follow the same steps. It's important to note that you must enable notifications from the Instagram app in your phone's settings — here's how.To allow notifications on iPhone/iPad: Go to "Settings," then "Notifications." Choose "Instagram" and then turn on the setting to "Allow Notifications."To allow notifications on Android: Go to "Settings," then choose "Apps," then "Instagram." Select the option to show notifications.35. Hide Photos You've Been Tagged InWhen someone tags you in a photo or video on Instagram, it's automatically added to your profile under "Photos of You," unless you opt to add tagged photos manually (see the next tip).To see the posts you've been tagged in, go to your own profile and click the person icon below your bio.Next, click on an individual post (in your tagged photos) and click the three dots in the top right. Tap “Post options,” then tap “Remove me from post” or “Hide from my profile.”The first removes your tag, and the second removes it from your tagged photos.36. Adjust your settings to approve tagged photos before they show up in your profile.As we mentioned in the previous step, when someone tags a photo or video of you on Instagram, it's automatically added to your profile. But you can change your Instagram settings to enable manually selecting which photos you're tagged in that show up on your profile.To manually approve tagged posts, navigate to "Settings," tap "Privacy," "Posts," then "Manually approve tags," and toggle the on button. Now you'll be notified when you've been tagged in a post, and you can approve it to show up on your profile.37. Hide ads you don't find relevant.Instagram tries to show you ads that are interesting and relevant to you. You might see ads based on people you follow and things you Like on Instagram, or the third-party websites and apps you visit.If you see sponsored posts you don't find relevant, though, you can let Instagram know and slowly teach its algorithm what you like and don't like to see.To hide ads on Instagram, tap on the three dots to the right of a post labeled "Sponsored," and choose "Hide ad."From there, it'll ask you to share why you don't want to see the ad anymore.You can also opt out of seeing ads based on sites and apps off of Instagram and Facebook from your device's settings. Note that even if you choose to opt out of seeing these types of ads, you'll still see ads based on your Instagram and Facebook activity.To limit ad tracking on an iPhone/iPad: Go to "Settings" and choose "Privacy Security," then "Apple Advertising." From there, choose the option to turn off personalized ads.To turn off interest-based ads on Android: Go to "Google Settings," then "Ads." From there, choose the option to "Turn off interest-based ads."38. Send photos privately to your friends.Posting photos with all of your followers or with the public isn't the only way to share content on Instagram. You can also share them with individual or multiple users, kind of like a Facebook message or group text message.You can either send a new photo to friends, or send a photo that you or someone else has already posted.To send a new photo privately, upload a photo and begin editing it, as you would when editing a new post. When you get to the "Share" page, tap the top where it automatically says "New Post," but when prompted, select "Direct Message." From there, you can pick and choose whom you'd like to send the photo to.You can access your direct messages at any time by clicking the mailbox icon at the top right of your homepage.To send an existing photo privately, start by opening the post you want to share — it can be your own or someone else's, as long as the latter has a public account. Next, click the paper-airplane-like icon below the post, then select who you want to receive it when the "Send to" box appears.User Search Features39. Search Instagram users without an account.As much as Instagram would like to see you ultimately create an account for yourself or your business, you can peruse the beautiful brands, people, and dogs that are waiting for you without an account to see if it's worth signing up.There are two ways to search for people on Instagram without logging in:Entering a Username at the End of the Instagram URLThe first way to search users without an account is by using an Instagram username you already know, and adding it to the end of "www.instagram.com/."For example, if you were to start with our Instagram username — which is simply "LIKE.TG" — you can enter the following into your browser's address bar: www.instagram.com/LIKE.TG. This will bring you to our Instagram profile as well as the elusive search bar at the top of the page:Once you've reached this page, you can use the search bar to the left of the "Sign Up" button to browse users who are already active on the platform.Googling Them in an Instagram Site SearchA slightly "hackier" way of looking up users without an Instagram account of your own is to simply search their name in a Google site search. This means telling Google to only look up search terms on a website of your choice (in this case, Instagram).To site search a user, open a Google search and type the following: "site:instagram.com [name of user]."By keeping all the text prior to the brackets in your search bar, you can shuffle through names of people and businesses and Google will produce results that live only on Instagram. Here's what a site search looks like for LIKE.TG, below. As you can see, Google produces our main profile, our culture-focused LIKE.TG Life profile, Instagram posts that include the #LIKE.TG hashtag, and our LIKE.TG Academy Page.Instagram Features HacksI might be biased, but Instagram is one of the most fun (and visually appealing) social apps around. And now, with these tricks, you can use it to an even fuller extent.Plus, many of these features can help to enhance your brand's presence on Instagram. Now, you know how to use the app more efficiently, to make sure you're only tagged in photos you want to appear on your profile, and have even more ways to engage with the people by whom you'd like to be discovered.

Instagram is a powerful social media platform to help increase brand reach and drive new business, but it can be time-consuming and expensive to consistently share content you need to see your engagement grow in the long-term — which is why you should learn how to repost on Instagram. In this post, we'll show you different free ways to repost on Instagram in a few simple steps. But before diving in, let’s discuss why reposting on Instagram can benefit your brand. New Data: Instagram Engagement Report [Free Download] Why should your brand repost on Instagram? Instagram is one of the largest social media sites on the market. With over one billion monthly active users, brands that incorporate the site into marketing strategy can reach larger audiences and gain visibility faster over other social media channels. And with an audience like that, you want to consistently post high-quality content — but that can take time, effort, and resources that may not fit your budget just yet. Since most marketers post between 3-4 times per week, you should have a backlog of content to keep up with demand. Additionally, user-generated content (UGC) performs exceptionally well. In fact, 90% of consumers say UGC holds more influence over their buying decisions than promotional emails and even search engine results. For instance, consider the power of Warby Parker reposting this funny image from one of its customers, @cjronson: View this post on Instagram Not only does the image likely appeal to Warby Parker customers, but it ultimately made Warby Parker marketers' jobs easier — they didn’t need to create that content in-house. Reposting to Instagram can help you highlight brand endorsements from your customers, brand loyalists, and employees. UGC is typically considered more trustworthy since a consumer isn't gaining anything by promoting your product or service (unless it's an advertisement) — they're just doing it to tell their audiences that they like your product. How to Repost on Instagram Instagram allows you to repost other users’ Reels and posts to your own Instagram Story using its native reposting functionality. However, it has its limits: It doesn’t let you repost to any permanent part of your Instagram profile, including your feed, Reels, or videos. In other words, Instagram only lets you temporarily share someone else’s content for 24 hours max. If you do want to keep it permanently, you can add it to an Instagram Story Highlight. If you’re looking to add a post to your permanent feed and credit the original creator, read about how to do that in the next sections. For now, let’s learn how you can repost content to your Story and add it to your highlights. 1. Navigate to the post, Reel, or video you want to repost. First, find the right content to share with your followers. You can do this through several avenues: Search for industry hashtags and repost popular posts by other brands and influencers Search for branded hashtags, which will show you user-generated content made by your customers and fans See the posts you’ve been tagged in and repost any that align with your brand Find brands that you admire and repost the content that most aligns with your brand Remember that you can only repost content from users and brands with public profiles. Note: You can also repost other people’s Stories, so long as you’re tagged in them. You can find those who’ve mentioned you in their Story in your Direct Messages. 2. Click the paper airplane symbol on the post or Reel. On photos and videos, the button will be located next to the Like and Comment buttons. On Reels, it will be located between the Comment button and the three dots. 3. On the pop-up menu, click “Add post to your story.” A pop-up will appear with several options. If you’re sharing a post, you have the option to add it to your story, reply to the poster (if they allow replies), or send the post via Direct Message to anyone you’ve messaged recently. Similar options appear when you try to share a Reel. Click Add post to your story or Add reel to your story. 4. Tap to show and hide the post’s caption. Next, you should see a draft of your story. You have the option of either showing or hiding the caption. Simply tap the post to toggle between the two. 5. Add text, stickers, hashtags, and other elements. To get the most engagement possible and align the repost with your brand, spruce up the story with text and other elements. You can even add a link or a call-to-action. Learn how to customize your Instagram Story here. 6. To share, click “Your Story.” It’s time to finish your repost. At the bottom, click the button that says “Your Story” at the bottom. This will automatically share it with no additional action required. You also have the option to click "Close Friends", if you only want a select group to view your story. Last, if you click the right-hand arrow, you’ll see additional options to share the post via DM or with your close friends. 7. Add the shared post to your Highlights. While Instagram doesn’t allow you to share posts directly to your permanent feed, you can add it to one of your Highlights, which will remain permanently on your profile. Learn how to create Highlights here. Here’s one example from a stationer called MARK+FOLD: With Stories, the same best practices should be followed as for sharing a post. If you don’t know the person and suspect the content you’d like to re-share might be licensed material, ask for permission first. Give credit to the original posters whenever possible. How to Repost on Instagram Using a ScreenshotTake a screenshot of the Instagram post you want to use.Tap the new post button located on the top right corner, select post.Resize the photo in the app.Edit and add filters of your choice.Add a citation.Add a caption.Click share on the top right corner. The screenshot method doesn't require other websites to repost on Instagram. It's worth nothing that this method only works for reposting photos, not videos. Here's how to do it. 1. Find a photo on Instagram you'd like to repost, and take a screenshot with your phone. For iOS: Press down on the home and lock buttons simultaneously until your screen flashes. For Android: Press down on the sleep/wake and volume down buttons simultaneously until your screen flashes. 2. Tap the new post button. Once you've got your screenshot, return to your Instagram account. Tap the "new post button" in the top right of your Instagram screen (the plus sign inside a square). Then select "Post" (other options include "Story" "Reels" or "Live"). 3. Resize the photo in the app. Keep in mind that your phone will take a screenshot of everything on your screen, not just the photo you want to repost. So, be prepared to crop the sides of the screenshot to capture just the image you want to share with your followers. After you've cropped or resized the photo to your liking (by pinching the image and then widening your fingers apart), click "Next" in the top-right of your screen. 4. Edit and add filters of your choice. Edit and filter the post like you would any other Instagram post. 5. Add a citation. The repost won't include a citation, so we suggest adding one by typing "@ + [username]" to credit the original poster with the photo you're reposting. 6. Add a caption. At the top you'll see a preview of your post along with space for a caption. You can choose to tag people or organizations, and add a location. 7. Click share. Once you've finished customizing the post with the options above, click share at the top right corner. The post will be live. Here's how the finished product looks: Pro Tip: When reposting content through screenshots, make sure you properly tag or give credit to the original content owner either within your story by linking to their account, or in the description of a post or reel. Best Apps for Reposting on Instagram 1. Repost: Posts, Stories, Reels Price: Free with in-app purchases For Instagram for iOS or Android. The app integrates directly with Instagram so you can share content from other Instagram users from your mobile device. If your brand’s Instagram profile follows a distinct brand style guide, Repost can help you customize your reposts to adhere to those guidelines. Users can pick from 50+ different text styles and symbol art to create eye-catching captions to capture more attention. 2. Reposta Price: Free For Instagram for iOS or Android. Reposta for Instagram is a straightforward way to repost your favorite photos and videos on Instagram while giving credit to the original poster. When you find something you want to repost in Instagram, simply copy the share URL and open Reposta. Then in Reposta, you can position the attribution mark and send the reposted media back to Instagram. 3. DownloadGram Price: Free DownloadGram lets social media users download high-resolution copies of content to repost from their own accounts on channels like Instagram and Twitter. There’s no app you need to download to repost using this process, instead you can copy and paste the URL to download video, photos, reels or stories to repost via PC. Share Your Favorite Instagram Posts Now that you've learned how to repost on Instagram, you can diversify your profile with content sourced from friends, family, and brands. Use the methods above — being sure to cite the source of the original post — to quickly and easily reshare your favorite content. This article was originally published in November 2020 and has been updated for comprehensiveness.

More companies than ever are using Instagram for business. Back in 2017, the social platform celebrated having over 25 million businesses. Today, we can bet that number has likely doubled. Instagram has proven a worthwhile investment for marketing purposes. When we surveyed over 1,000 marketers in 2022, they revealed that Instagram is the most effective social media platform, above Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok. But using Instagram for business purposes can seem daunting, particularly if you've only ever used it for personal use. Here, we're going to explore how to promote your business on Instagram. How to Use Instagram for Business What is a business profile? How to Create a Business Profile on Instagram How to Switch to Your Business Profile Top Instagram Promotion Tactics of 2022 [Data] How to Use Instagram for Business Let's delve into the six strategies you'll need to employ to get the most out of Instagram. 1. Add value with your content. First and foremost, Instagram is a visual platform. To attract an audience, it's critical you spend time delivering high-quality, thoughtful content. To succeed on Instagram, it's essential you create valuable content that attracts an audience and encourages them to engage with your business. Consider how you can delight your customers while staying true to your brand. You don't need to just post images of your product to spread brand awareness and increase sales. In fact, in some cases, it's better if you don't. For instance, Hot Pockets sells microwaveable pocket sandwiches. Admittedly, I wasn't much of a fan of Hot Pockets — until I began following their business's Instagram account. There are only so many times you can post a picture of a sandwich. Hot Pockets goes in a different direction. Instead, they appeal to their audience through humor, often posting relevant memes or funny quotes. For instance, in response to @ShallowDivers' claim that Hot Pockets aren't sandwiches, Hot Pockets responded with this: Ultimately, it might take trial and error to find the content that works best for your business. While Hot Pockets relies on humor, other brands like The North Face use impressive adventure images to appeal to their demographic. The point is, brands need to add value to Instagram's community rather than using the platform for advertisements alone. This is critical for your long-term success. Looking for a few more tips on how to use Instagram to positively impact your business? Check out these Instagram hacks in the video below. Put these tips to work, and update your marketing mantra from "content is king" to "valuable content is king." 2. Maintain a consistent theme. Imagine each Instagram post as an individual page of your website. While each post should be good on its own, ideally you'll need to create a cohesive theme to maintain an audience's loyalty. It's important to note, I mean "theme" in the broad sense, as it relates to everything from hashtags and captions to pictures and videos. You'll need to create a consistent tone of voice and a unified feed aesthetic. Ultimately, the more specific and consistent you are with your posts, the more likely you are to attract your most authentic audience. You might think it's better to appeal to more people through various themes, but ultimately, staking your claim in a specific niche will help you create stronger, more genuine connections. For instance, consider MVMT. Their feed is undoubtedly consistent, with similar filters and color palette, and an emphasis on darker, edgier images: Their consistency is equally obvious in their captions, with phrases like "Create a life you can't wait to wake up to," and "Unexplored paths lead to undiscovered stories." In every post, you'll see the same hashtag: #jointhemvmt. Undoubtedly, their followers both expect and prefer this type of content, or they wouldn't have followed them in the first place. To continue delighting customers, it's essential MVMT keeps true to their theme. 3. Engage with your audience. Engaging with your audience helps your followers feel valued and, as a result, more connected to your business. There are plenty of ways to engage with your audience. You might reply to comments on your posts, participate in comment threads, run contests or giveaways, use Instagram Stories polls feature, or give shout-outs to followers on your Stories, particularly if they post something relevant to your brand. Halo Top Creamery does a fantastic job of engaging with their audience. They frequently post cute ice cream pictures with the caption "Ice cream is better with friends. Tag a friend you'd like to eat this with." A simple "tag a friend" caption is an effective strategy for growing your audience since your followers will then tag friends who might not know about you yet. Additionally, Halo Top often does contests and giveaways, like this one: By tagging winners in their posts, Halo Top incentivizes other followers to engage with their brand in the future. Additionally, Halo Top's giveaways demonstrate their genuine commitment to connecting with their audience. 4. Consider influencer marketing. As a consumer, you've likely seen the recent influx of influencer marketers on Instagram — and for good reason. Marketers we surveyed in 2021 said it was the marketing trend that offered the highest ROI, above experiential marketing, SEO, and short-form content. By leveraging the power of an influencer, who is already authentically connected with her audience and seen as a trusted source of information, you're able to spread brand awareness and drive sales. Micro-influencing in particular is a strong opportunity for brand endorsement. You could use your budget and resources to invest in traditional advertising, but it's often easier to create a more targeted, effective marketing campaign through influencer marketing. Ultimately, influencers have already cultivated an engaged, loyal following — by identifying the right influencers for your niche, you're much more likely to find followers who will truly enjoy and support your products or services. 5. Build an ad campaign. There are two reasons you might use Instagram ads: to spread brand awareness or to increase sales. It's critical you focus on one goal when creating an effective ad campaign. An Instagram ad aiming to sell a product will look vastly different from one intending to attract followers. For instance, consider this Greenchef ad that showed up on my Instagram feed. With various images of delicious food and an enticing "$40 OFF" discount, it's likely a high-converting ad. It's very clear what Greenchef's goal is: to get people to buy their product. YouTube, on the other hand, invested in Instagram ads for an entirely different reason. Their advertisements, featuring well-known singers like Camila Cabello, entice followers to simply follow YouTube Music's Instagram channel (and, ideally, YouTube's music channel itself). To implement an effective campaign, it's essential you decide what you're hoping to achieve before you begin creating it. Once you've chosen a goal, you'll want to create the ad creative. Similar to what we discussed in strategy one, you'll need to create high-value visual content if you want your ad to be successful. Take a look at other ads on Instagram and consider how you might emulate them. Additionally, A/B test multiple variations of the same ad (changing the copy, image, or targeted audience for each version), to figure out what works best for your business. When you're ready to create your ad, you'll need to use Facebook Ads Manager. Among other things, Ads Manager lets you narrow in on your target audience (including location, age, and various interests of your ideal demographic), choose your ad objective, and analyze ad performance. 6. Utilize shoppable posts. If you’re using Instagram for business, then, Shoppable Posts is one feature you’ll want to know well. It allows you to create posts and tag your products and/services to create a seamless shopping experience directly on the platform. It creates less friction for your followers, increasing the odds of turning them into customers. Before you begin executing these strategies, you’ll need one thing: an Instagram Business Profile. What is a business profile on Instagram?An Instagram business profile is a special account that Instagram offers to brands and organizations. With a business profile, you get access to additional features, such as Instagram Insights and the ability to run ads. A business profile legitimizes your Instagram account and enables you to add critical information like your company's business hours, location, and phone number. Pros and Cons of an Instagram Business Profile “Whoa, whoa, whoa,” you might be thinking. “I don’t know how I feel about committing to all that.” Here are some helpful pros and cons so you can determine if a business profile is right for you before jumping in: Pros Access to metrics on how your posts and stories perform. Ability to track how your followers engage with your content. Access to features necessary to run ad campaigns. Gain feature for adding URLs to Stories so you can send warm traffic to your site. Cons Being labeled as a business. May experience less organic reach and visibility. Must also have a Facebook account to access ad features. For most brands, the benefits of a business profile outweigh the cons due to the additional features and analytics. However, it’s important to consider your goals before taking action. How to Create a Business Instagram Profile In order to create a business profile on Instagram, you must first create a personal Instagram account and then switch it to a business profile. If you already have an Instagram account, skip to the next section for instructions on making the switch. If you don’t already have an Instagram account, there are two ways to get one: From the computer From a mobile device (IOS and Android) For detailed steps, check out our comprehensive article on how to create a business account on Instagram. How to Switch to Your Business Profile When you have an Instagram set up, follow these easy steps when you’re ready to make the switch: 1. Go to your profile on the mobile app. 2. Click the hamburger menu (three stacked horizontal bars) in the top right corner. 3. Click the "Settings" gear at the bottom of the menu. 4. Select Account. 5. Choose Linked Accounts. 6. Choose Facebook and follow the prompts to connect your business's Facebook page. If you do not have a Facebook Business Page, you will need to create one before completing this step. If your Facebook page is already linked, move on to the next step. 7. Once complete, return to the Settings menu. 8. Select Account. 9. Choose the new option "Switch to Professional Account." 10. Follow the prompts to add any additional details. 11. Select Done.You’re now ready to begin implementing your social media strategy on Instagram. From here, you’ll want to determine the audience you want to target, the aesthetic and tone you want to convey, and the content you want to create. Top Instagram Promotion Tactics of 2022 [Data] Audience Interaction On Instagram, the number one strategy marketers plan to leverage for the first time in 2022 is audience interaction. One of the most effective ways to do this is through IG Live. According to marketers surveyed, it offers the highest return on investment, out of all of Instagram’s features and tools. That’s why 22% of respondents are investing more in IG Live than any other format on the platform. Interacting with your audience offers so much more than just engagement. It helps build a sense of community with your followers and allows you to get to know them better. Content Engagement While audience interaction takes the #1 spot as the newest strategy, content engagement wins for the overall strategy marketers will invest the most in. On social media, engagement signals that your content is resonating with your audience. Whether it’s on an in-feed post, a Story, or a live stream, engagement can be a great indicator of your page’s health. In fact, 17% plan to invest more in it than any other strategy while 43% plan to use it for the first time this year. Wondering how to make your content more engaging? Try the funny route. Our research shows that funny content is most effective for audience growth, reach, and engagement. This adds up because funny content tends to be relatable, and that’s usually what gets someone to stop scrolling and pay attention. The format can also play a role in engagement, with most marketers posting more video than anything else on the platform. Eighty-two percent of marketers surveyed post video content on the platform and the content formats they use most are video-based. Stories is another tool that can be highly effective for marketers. In fact, those who leverage it are 23% more likely to say their 2021 IG strategy was effective. Product advertising With Instagram constantly expanding its shopping tools, it’s no surprise that a top goal for marketers is advertising their products and/or services. Our research suggests that the use of content centered around products and services will increase in 2022. For 39% of marketers, it will be their first time leveraging this type of content on the platform. Those who did prioritize this content in 2021 say that it offered the second-highest ROI of any content type on the platform. When it comes to IG shopping tools, 79% of marketers surveyed say they’ve used them, and 22% plan to invest in this feature the most. Whatever your goal is, whether it's increasing brand awareness or generating more revenue, using Instagram for business gets you one step closer to achieving it. While not all of Instagram's tools will offer a high ROI, they are all worth trying to see what works best for your audience. Editor's Note: This post was originally published in May 2020 and has been updated for comprehensiveness.

Instagram isn't just a go-to social network for individuals anymore. Many marketers have caught wind that it's a powerful social network where they need to have some sort of presence.Access Now: 22 Free Business Instagram Templates The platform's heavy emphasis on visual content like photos, videos, illustrations, and GIFs is becoming a critical way for brands to communicate their story and message. Plus, it's an excellent way for businesses to humanize their brand, recruit future employees, showcase their products and content, and delight and engage customers. Check out these 18 ideas for videos, photos, and other content you can post on Instagram. (And for more inspiration, check out our list of the best brands to follow on Instagram.) Things to post on InstagramBehind-the-Scenes ContentUser-generated ContentInspirational or Motivational QuotesInteresting StatisticsTimely or Current Events PostsHumorous Images or VideosCompelling Drawings or GraphicsContent PromotionsProduct PromotionsCompelling Videos, Reels, and StoriesHyperlapse VideosFun, Lighthearted GIFsContests and GiveawaysMosaicsAsks to Tag A FriendReposts From Your EmployeesCross-promotion of Another Social Media AccountWe’re Hiring. 18 Content Ideas for Videos, GIFs Photos to Post on Instagram 1. Behind-the-Scenes Content Instagram is a great platform for humanizing your brand, and giving your audience a sneak peek at what goes on behind the scenes is one way to do that. It's also a good way to show followers what it's like to work there, which is great for your recruiting efforts. Here's an example from the Boston Red Sox, showing what batting practice looks like close-up (with a really cool, fish-eye shot). And here's one from a small arts and crafts store called Cherry Tree Beads. We love how this one uses the hashtag #employeetakeover to share one of the faces behind the brand, giving followers the chance to get to know who's on the inside. Pro Tip: Posting candid photos of your work environment can help humanize your business and allow your customers to connect with your employees, which can translate into stronger brand loyalty. 2. User-generated Content Some of the best photos on brands' Instagram accounts are curated by fans and followers. (In fact, FedEx 's Instagram feed is almost entirely made up of curated photos.) Check out the posts people have tagged you in, and if you love them, consider reposting them to your followers. Not only does it make the original poster feel good, but it also shows everyone that you're listening to your fans. Just be sure the photos you're reposting are high-quality and that you @-mention the original poster in your caption. Here's a reposted image from ASOS. Take note of how they write the caption: They write an entirely new caption, which includes a tidbit on how their followers can get featured on their Instagram page (by using the hashtag #AsSeenOnMe). Then, they credit the original poster using the camera emoji and the poster's username. To repost a photo on Instagram, you can simply screenshot and crop it. You can also repost a photo to your Instagram story by tapping the share icon below the post you want to repost and tapping “Add video to your story.” 3. Inspirational or Motivational Quotes Some people poke fun at the number of quotes on Instagram. But if you post them sparingly, they tend to encourage your followers. If the post speaks to your audience, people love to share it and tag their friends in the comments. Quotes are also a great opportunity to share what your brand stands for, whether it's spiritual, inspiring, funny, or something else. To create a quote image, you'll want to download an app that lets you upload a photo and overlay it with text. Here are some good ones: Canva: A free app that you can use to create graphics with text overlays to share on social media. Phonto: A free app that you can use to overlay text on photos with text resizing, alignment, and positioning tools. Snapseed: A free app with professional photo editing tools that pairs fonts with different photo filters. You can also create a quote post through your Instagram story. To create a quote post on your Instagram story, simply upload an image from your gallery to use as a background and add a text overlay of the quote. Here are a few examples of quotes done well, starting with this one from TheSkimm. The key to this post's success is that it's hilarious to their specific audience — which shows that the quote doesn't have to be fancy to delight people. Here's a more beautifully designed quote from activewear brand Lorna Jane, which carries an empowering message from their founder: Pro Tip: Want to play around with words and images? WordFoto is a $2 app that lets you turn your pictures into images made of words instead of just adding words on top of photos. 4. Interesting Statistics Another cool way to overlay text on an image is by posting a statistic that resonates with your audience. Try using statistics from your own research or finding some relevant to your message, your value proposition, and so on. (Read this blog post to learn how and where to find accurate, compelling data.) Here's an example from the meditation app Headspace, with a simple text box overlaying a colored, nondescript background. 5. Timely or Current Events Posts Is something cool happening in the world or the country where your target market lives? A specific holiday? National Puppy Day? Get in on the action by posting something delightful. Remember to use good judgment when newsjacking — the last thing you want to do is publish inaccurate information or offend anyone. What are some examples of delightful, timely posts? Here's one from a Mediterranean restaurant called Cava Mezze Grill to celebrate Halloween. And here's a fun example from Starbucks for National Croissant Day. Pro Tip: Set up Google Alerts to get notified of breaking news related to your business’s industry. News stories are a great source of inspiration for timely social media posts. 6. Humorous Images or Videos If you can make your followers laugh, they'll likely enjoy your photo — and may even share it with others. After all, sometimes the most memorable photos are the ones that make us laugh. Try posting photos and images you think will make your audience laugh like Oreo did with this fake text message conversation with "Milk." Here's another example from BuzzFeed Parents, which shows how simple a super shareable post can be. And in this one from Pabst Blue Ribbon. All they did was put an empty case of Pabst beer on a dog’s head, and it worked like a charm. 7. Compelling Drawings or Graphics Have any artists on your team? One way to stand out in a sea of images is to post a cool, compelling illustration. They don't even have to be super fancy — check out this simple, black-and-white example from Oreo: Here's a more complex one from Pabst Blue Ribbon: 8. Content Promotions Beautiful images are critical to your Instagram marketing strategy because they tell a story and draw people in. Colored visuals increase people's willingness to read a piece of content by a whopping 80%. So if you're creating a piece of compelling written content like a recipe, a report, or a blog post, why not use a visual platform like Instagram to promote it? Simply pair an interesting and relevant image with a caption that promotes the content, and then ask people to follow the link in your bio or post description. (Again, be sure to make that link trackable.) Here's an example from Staples that promotes their hard-copy planners for National Planner Day: And here's an example from Nature's Path Organic, which shows off the finished product of a recipe that's linked in their bio: 9. Product Promotions Instagram isn't the place to publish product-centric posts every day — but that doesn't mean you can't use it to showcase products every once in a while. We suggest using the 80/20 rule on social media: 80% of the content you post to social media should be helpful and valuable to your audience, and 20% can be self-promotional. Making promotional content that’s fun, compelling, and lovable is even more important when posting on Instagram. To highlight a specific product, post a picture or video about it, and then tell people where they can find the product using the product names and codes or a trackable link in your bio. Here's an example from the online clothing company ASOS. (Check out how casual and cool the caption is.) Here's another one from Frank Body, which uses an image and some humor in the caption to pique followers' interest in the product without being overly promotional. Pro Tip: When you post is almost as important as what you post. We suggest posting to Instagram on Saturdays in the mid-to-late afternoon. 10. Compelling Videos, Reels, and Stories Instagram users can record and upload videos up to 60 seconds long, reels of multiple video clips that are each up to 15 seconds long, and stories composed of images and short videos that disappear after 24 hours. When executed well, videos, stories, and reels are a great way for your Instagram content to stand out. You can record a video from scratch (including recording multiple video clips) or upload videos to your feed, stories, or reels from your phone's library the same way you'd upload a photo. Pro Tip: By default, every Instagram video will start playing without sound — after which viewers can choose whether or not to turn the sound on. Because of this, you'll need to upload videos that don't need sound to be well understood or entice people to turn the sound in the first second or two. Here's a great video from Purina that delights viewers with some cute puppy love. 11. Hyperlapse Videos Want to use video to stand out from the crowd while also solving for your followers' short attention spans? Try creating a Hyperlapse video. Hyperlapse is a free app by Instagram that condenses videos into brief, moving, hyper-speed videos. The videos use built-in stabilization technology to film these time-lapse videos without keeping your hands still. (Want to make your own? Here are step-by-step instructions.) Here's one of our favorite examples, which comes from Starbucks. 12. Fun, Lighthearted GIFs GIFs are everywhere nowadays, and people love them because they help accurately convey ideas, messages, thoughts, and feelings in a snackable (and often laughable) way. On Instagram, you can upload a GIF just like a video (as long as it's less than 60 seconds long). Check out the examples of GIFs on Instagram below for some inspiration. (Click here for instructions for creating your own animated GIF using Photoshop.) Here's an example from Staples. And one from Starbucks. 13. Contests and Giveaways Are you trying to support the launch of a new product? Contests are one of the best ways to expand your reach and engage your community on Instagram. A study by Tailwind found that hosting an Instagram contest or giveaway can help you grow your followers 70% faster over three months than not holding a contest. Instagram doesn't make capturing leads and information from your followers easy, but a contest or giveaway is one way to do it. Just be sure to call your followers to take action by using the space in your caption to explain the contest and even guide them to a link in your bio. Pro Tip: Make the link trackable so you can see how much traffic your Instagram post is driving. Learn how to add a trackable link to your Instagram bio by reading #6 in this blog post. There are many, many different types of contests you can post on Instagram. Here are a few ideas, starting with the one below from Social Print Studio. Their call-to-action asks for comments on the post, from which they'll choose winners. Here's one from Root Well Being Studio asking people to enter a contest by liking the post and following their account. Participants can earn an extra entry by sharing the post to their Instagram story and tagging Root Well Being Studio. 14. Mosaics Not many brands use this tactic, but it’s a really cool, unique user experience. It's also a clever way to get users to visit your business' account page. Most of your followers won't look at your Instagram photos from your account page, as they'll typically look at them in their Instagram feed. When you start scrolling through the images below from MyStory Wiesbaden in your feed, it may take you a second to figure out what’s happening. MyStory Wiesbaden posted snippets of a tattoo, which is a cool teaser that entices you to go to their main account page, where you can see the full picture. 15. Asks to "Tag A Friend." While you can tag friends on Facebook and Twitter posts, it happens most regularly on Instagram. There's a culture around tagging your friends if you see a post that resonates with you or reminds you of someone. This helps you both increase engagement and broaden your reach. If you want to encourage your followers to share the post with others, sometimes all you've got to do is ask. In the caption, include a call-to-action asking people to tag their friends and give them a prompt to do so. For example, the post below from Rent the Runway asks followers to "Tag your future RTR BFF!" Our post below from LIKE.TG asked followers to tag their office coffee buddy. In this cute video from Headspace, they asked followers to tag someone they love to help celebrate Valentine's Day. Similar to asking your followers to tag a friend, you can ask them to "double-tap," which is how your followers can like your photo or video. The standard language for a request like this is: "Double-tap if..." In the example below from The Parentologist, she asks followers to double-tap if they’re looking for a last-minute gift for a parent, which is a fun way to engage her fans. 16. Reposts From Your Employees Reposting your employees is an awesome way to showcase what happens behind the scenes at your company, while really helping your followers "bond" with the people who work there. For example, the people behind the Boston Red Sox's Fenway Park account often repost photos and videos from their grounds crew. New Look has a really cool approach: They repost Instagram content from their employees, who function as brand lifestyle ambassadors with accounts specifically associated with New Look. Their deputy manager @newlook_georgia and their dress designer @newlook_emilie are a couple of New Look’s employees who act as brand ambassadors. While the main New Look account posts mostly their own content, they often repost from their employees, like in the image below. 17. Cross-promotion of Another Social Media Account Cross-promotion of other social media accounts on Instagram is a great way to let your Instagram followers know where else on social media they can find you. That way, you can get your Instagram followers to become your followers on Facebook, Twitter, and so on. 18. "We're Hiring." Finally, let your followers know you're hiring every once in a while by posting a simple call-to-action on your Instagram page, including a trackable link to your jobs page in your bio. Here's an example of a "we're hiring" post from Arey’s Pond Boat Yard: Post Like A Pro Now that we've gone over some tips to get your creativity flowing, it's time to create a post of your own. Use these content ideas for Instagram to increase brand awareness and connect with your community in new ways. Editor's note: This article was originally published in October 2019 and has been updated for comprehensiveness.

Instagram has demonstrated tremendous growth, with its community reaching over 2 billion monthly users in 2021. Despite its impressive reach, many business owners are still overlooking its marketing potential. As a result, they're leaving high levels of engagement, brand awareness, and even profit on the table. But why? In just 12 months, we used Instagram to gain 400,000 followers for Foundr -- which translated to over 70,000 email subscribers. At the end of that period, we were averaging 30,000 call-to-action clicks per month from Instagram, and converting 30% of the users who landed on our website from our Instagram page into email subscribers. We've seen it work, now it's time for you to get in on the action. In this article, we’ll show you how to build your brand with Instagram. (If you're looking for more marketing tools and resources for your new business, check out our comprehensive guide on how to start a business.) How to Build A Brand on InstagramBuild an Instagram strategy.Experiment with the platform's features. Jump on trends.Invest in high-quality creative assets.Leverage strategic partnerships. Foster a community of highly engaged followers.Post regularly. Review your data and optimize your approach. Share your profile on other channels. Convert your followers into subscribers.Optimize your bio. 1. Build an Instagram strategy. We listed this as the first step because it is the most crucial step in building a brand on Instagram. If you lack a clear strategy, you’ll end up with low-performing content and a scattered feed as you struggle to brainstorm new ideas. To build your Instagram strategy, you’ll need to do four things: Determine your goals. Narrow down your target audience. Research your competition. Develop your content plan. 2. Experiment with the platform’s features. Instagram is constantly evolving. In fact, every week, the Head of Instagram shares a video discussing new features and product updates on the platform. In one of his latest videos, he announced that they were testing a subscription feature that would allow people to subscribe to their favorite creators and get access to exclusive Lives and Stories. In addition to all the new features the social platform tests, there are a lot of established tools, such as Live Rooms, shoppable posts, scheduled Lives, and hashtags – just to name a few. Our advice is to choose one to two features to test out every month. This will prevent you from getting overwhelmed and allow you to measure the impact of each feature. For instance, hashtags can help you reach users who don’t follow you but could be interested in your products and services. Don’t know how many to use? Data from our latest Instagram Engagement Report suggests brands should only use one hashtag per post. Another reason to test Instagram features is that it can help you reach more users. The platform has admitted to prioritizing accounts that use features the brand wants to highlight, such as Reels. It’s a win all around: You stay ahead of the curve, discover which features work for you, and you can expand your reach in the process. 3. Jump on trends. On social media, all it takes is one person’s video or sound to go viral for the rest of the world to join in with their own version. Most of these trends are fun and harmless with a lifespan of about three weeks or less. Why should you join in? Well, it’s an opportunity to connect with your audience in a creative and fun way. If you jump in as the trend is rising, it can also give you a quick boost in engagement and reach. When considering joining any trend, there are two things you want to ask: How can I bring this back to my business and/or industry to make it relatable to my audience? What is the origin of this trend and could it go against our company values? 4. Invest in high-quality creative assets. A great Instagram post can be boiled down to a formula and requires two elements: beautiful imagery and engaging text. Beautiful Imagery Choose images that tell a story or elicit emotion. This image we shared is not only compelling and interesting, but it also elicits emotion and therefore drives engagement from our followers. What this will look like for your business will depend on your industry, but think outside of posting images of your own products and services. Posting about yourself repeatedly on social media is like being that person at a party who talks constantly about themselves. Also, beware of copyright issues. If the image is not your own, request permission to use it or source non-attribution-required photos. (Check out this awesome list of royalty-free stock photos here.) Engaging Copy While you don’t have to add text to your Instagram posts, doing so packs a punch that just an image won’t provide. Think of your caption as an additional way to reel in your followers and keep them engaged. It’s a place to add context, share more information, ask a question, and invite comments. 5. Leverage strategic partnerships. One of the biggest frustrations for most marketers delving into Instagram is that they don’t know how to build a following. After all, without a large number of followers, how can it possibly be an effective marketing channel? There’s one tactic in particular that we used to quickly grow our Instagram following to 10,000 in just a couple of weeks: partnering with other Instagram accounts. Are we talking about co-marketing or influencer marketing? Both because they lead to the same result: Expanding your reach. In addition, both require you to: Conduct research to see if their audience aligns with yours. Review your business goals and determine the KPIs for the partnership. Collaborate on a content strategy. For example. LIKE.TG recently teamed up with @ntwrk to celebrate Women’s History Month and promote the Grow Better mission. Now that Instagram allows the same post to be shared by two profiles, brands can co-market easily on the platform. Followers from both accounts will view the post, increasing each one’s reach and engagement. 6. Foster a community of highly engaged followers. Engagement on Instagram comes in many forms, including followers sharing your content, liking and commenting, tagging their friends, and clicking on your calls to action. In this section, we'll go over some of our tactics for fostering a community. Post When Your Followers Will Actually See Your Content Have you ever posted something to social media that you think will do really well, only to be met with crickets? Low likes, low shares, and the only comments you landed were from spambots. While it's easy to assume you miscalculated the potential of the post, it could just be that you posted the update at the wrong time. The easiest way to know when your followers will be active on the app is to head over to your insights dashboard. If you have a business account (you should), you can learn valuable insights about your audience’s demographics and behavior on the app, including location, age, gender, and activity. From there, you can schedule your posts based on your audience’s most active days and times. Invite the Engagement A lot of brands will start Instagram accounts and become frustrated when people aren't engaging with their content. It seems so obvious and simple, but sometimes actually asking for your audience to engage makes all the difference. You can either include the action you want your followers to take as part of the image itself, or include it in the caption. Take a look at this example from clothing brand Grass Fields. In their post, they share design images and ask their followers to name their favorites in the comments. Not only do they get real-time feedback on their product, but they also get great engagement on the post. 7. Post regularly. When a user is scrolling on the app, you are competing for their attention along with millions of other brands. Because of this, visibility is key. With so many ways to share content, from Reels to Stories to Lives, there are a lot of opportunities to reach your audience – each demanding a different level of effort and preparation. This is good news for brands, especially small ones. While it’s recommended that you share on the platform every day, you can choose how you share based on your bandwidth and which methods are offering the beinstst ROI. For instance, an in-feed post likely requires more work than a Story since it will live on your profile. With a Story, you can quickly engage your audience through a quick poll, a question, a reshared post knowing that it will disappear after 24 hours. A good rule of thumb: Publish an in-feed post three to four times a week and share on Stories every day. 8. Review your data and optimize your approach. If you’re already following all the tips we’ve outlined above and you’re still struggling to get meaningful traction on the app, the answer could be in your data. Too often, brands get stuck in one approach and don’t review their data to see if it’s actually working. Your Instagram Insights dashboar d offers a wealth of information on how each post performed, including impressions, accounts reached, content interactions, and profile activity. For instance, say you’ve been posting images for the past month, then you post one video and it outperforms 60% of your previous posts. That’s an indication that your audience may respond better to video content. It’s worth experimenting with more videos. If you don’t analyze your performance and look for optimization opportunities, there’s a good chance you’ll reach a plateau with no idea how to get out of it. 9. Share your Instagram profile on other channels. As you work to grow your following on Instagram, you can also drive traffic to your profile externally. One way to entice users to follow your page on that platform is by hosting a giveaway or sharing exclusive content. In addition, don’t be afraid to promote your Instagram on other social platforms. For instance, your website could include a section with your Instagram feed along with a call-to-action to follow your page. You can also include a link to your Instagram profile in your email marketing campaigns. Wherever you have an online presence, be sure to share the link to your profile so that your audience knows where to find you. 10. Convert your followers into subscribers. As you know, email marketing is crucial to a thriving business. Instagram has been an important driver of email subscribers for Foundr, converting around 15,000–30,000 followers into subscribers each month, depending on our promotions. If you’re familiar with Instagram’s limitations, you may be wondering how this is possible. After all, Instagram doesn’t allow links in photo descriptions. That’s where a well-crafted bio comes into play. Many businesses find it difficult to get followers to click the links in their bios because the tendency is to overload bios with ... well, junk. Break that pattern by writing your bio like you'd write a Tweet: short, useful, and packed with intention. Here’s what we’ve chosen as our bio: In your bio, you can include a URL that takes users to a link tree or a direct link to your subscription landing page. Once you’ve put the systems into place, start driving followers to your bio by including calls-to-action in your content. 11. Optimize your bio. When it comes to Instagram, many overlook the bios and focus on having great content. But your bio is a key point of discoverability so it’s essential you give it some love too. Say someone is looking for something specific on the platform, with an optimized bio, you’ll make sure your profile shows up in the search results. This means including a business category, a short description of your brand, and a few keywords related to your brand or industry. How many followers do you need to build a brand on Instagram? The beauty of social media is that there’s no minimum requirement to get started. This means that you don’t need any followers to get started building your brand. In fact, that’s how most brands start. Unless you’re launching a sub-brand or using your personal brand to promote your new brand, you will have to organically grow your followers by using the strategies outlined above. The key to success is consistency. Nothing will work if you do it for a month and give up. By remaining consistent, you increase your chances of reaching your audience and building a community. Best Way to Build a Brand on Instagram Instagram is a social platform with tremendous potential for businesses in almost any industry. All it takes is a robust strategy, high-quality content, and the ability to pivot when needed. It won’t happen overnight, but as long as you stay consistent, you’ll start to see your following grow and your community building. This can have a significant impact on your reach, brand awareness, and ultimately the revenue of your company. Editor's Note: This post was originally published in Dec 2015 and has been updated for comprehensiveness.

Instagram Insights shows you engagement analytics that empower you to improve your Instagram for Business strategy. You no longer have to guess about what works for your audience; Instagram Insights will tell you. You’ll therefore be able to get more likes, earn more followers, and grow your profile exponentially. In this post, we’ll go over everything you need to know about Instagram Insights(also known as Instagram Analytics)and how to leverage it to improve your Instagram profile. New Data: Instagram Engagement Report [Free Download] What is Instagram Insights?Instagram Insights is a feature that allows Instagram Business Account users to see analytics related to their profile and posts. From this data, you'll be able to identify what your audience likes and engages with the most to improve your Instagram strategy. Why use Instagram Insights? Instagram Insights allows you to get access to important user engagement data for your business profile. It’s not just enough to know the raw numbers, such as the amount of likes you get for one post. It’s important to understand your audience, too. That’s where Insights comes in. It tells you how they do things, what they prefer, and who they are. You can certainly make business decisions based on gut feeling, but you're much more likely to hit the mark when you can validate assumptions with cold, hard facts. Data and analytics help you measure the impact of your marketing efforts across different channels to see if there's something you need to do differently — like target a different audience, post at a certain time of day, or experiment with a new content format. Social media isn't any different from other aspects of your marketing in the sense that it can be measured and improved upon. That's why you'll be able to create a more effective Instagram strategy using Instagram Insights. To use Instagram Insights, you must first have a business profile. The good news? If you're already using a personal account, you can switch to a business profile right from your phone. Here's how to convert your account in a few simple steps. How to Get Access to Instagram InsightsOpen up your profile on the Instagram app.Access the Settings page.Tap 'Account.'Click 'Switch to Professional Account.'Choose your category and click 'Done.'Optional: Switch to a Business account.Optional: Connect your Facebook page. 1. Open up your profile on the Instagram app. You can convert your Instagram profile to a Business account directly from your Instagram mobile app. First up, open up the app and click on your profile picture on the bottom right-hand corner of your feed. 2. Access the Settings page. Next, it’s time to head to Settings. On your profile, click the hamburger icon on the top-right corner. On the pop-up, click “Settings.” 3. Tap "Account." A list menu will come up. Tap “Account.” 4. Click "Switch to Professional Account”. By switching to a Professional account, you can get access to Insights immediately — even if you’re not a business. 5. Choose your category and click “Done.” Choose the best category that describes you. Once you’re finished, click “Done.” After, go back to your profile. Here’s what it will look like: As you can see, you can immediately access Insights with a Professional account. If you’re a freelancer or content creator, you can stay as is, or you can take the extra step of switching to a Business account. 6. Optional: Switch to a Business account. If you’re a business, organization, or brand, you’ll want to take the additional step of turning your Professional account into a Business account. A Professional account gives you full access to Insights, but is designed for independent digital creators. A Business account is more apt for companies. Note that turning your account into a Professional account always comes before switching to a Business account. To turn your account into a Business account, click the hamburger menu in the top right corner of your profile. Click “Settings,” then “Account.” At the bottom, click “Switch Account Type.” Then click “Switch to Business Account.” Done! You’re now a Business account with access to Insights. 7. Optional: Connect your Facebook page. Lastly, if you have a Facebook Business page, it’s important to connect it to your Instagram Business or Professional account. To do so, go to your profile and click the “Edit Profile” button. Under “Profile Information,” click “Connect Facebook page.” Follow the prompts to connect your Page or create a new one. Be sure to already have a Facebook account prior to connecting your page. Click here for instructions for setting up your Facebook Page if you don't already have one. Once you’ve set up your Professional or Business Account, you can begin to use Instagram Insights. Before we get into specific instructions for using it, however, here are the analytics on this channel that marketers need to know and understand — and how to use them. Instagram Insights Explained Let’s look at Instagram Insights from a bird’s eye view and zoom in piece-by-piece. Insights Overview Insights Overview is the “home page” of Instagram Insights. Here, you’ll see how you’ve fared overall. You get several pieces of information on this page: Date Range: This represents the days and weeks of data on the screen. You can change the amount of time by clicking “Last 7 days” on the top left-hand corner. Information: If you’re ever lost or don’t know what something means, you can click on the “i” button on the top right-hand corner and get definitions for the terms on the screen. Accounts Reached: Accounts Reached refers to the number of unique users who have seen your content — posts, stories, reels, videos, Live videos, and promoted ads — at least once. Accounts Engaged: Accounts Engaged refers to the amount of users whom 1) you’ve reached and 2) interacted with your content in some way. Interactions can include likes, saves, comments, shares, and replies. Total Followers: Total Followers refers to the number of people who follow you. Content You Shared: This section gives you the overall number of posts, Stories, reels, videos, Live videos, and promotions that you’ve shared. Now, let’s go into “Accounts Reached,” “Accounts Engaged,” and “Total Followers” in more detail. Accounts Reached In Accounts Reached, you’ll see more specific information about the users who have seen your content and interacted with your profile in some way or form. Lets’ break down the different pieces of information you’ll find in this page. Reached Audience: The reached audience section shows you how many unique users have come across your content. Your reached audience will be broken down by follower status, gender, age, countries, and cities. You can also see the amount of people you’ve reached via ads and promotions. Content Reach: The content reach section allows you to see which types of posts have reached the greater amount of people. You’ll first see a graph with the number of people who’ve seen your posts, stories, reels, IGTV videos, and Live videos. Underneath, you’ll see your individual top-performing posts based on reach. Impressions: Impressions refers to the number of times all of your posts have been viewed — including repeat views by the same users. Profile Activity: Profile activity breaks down the actions users take after visiting your profile. You can see the number of website taps, business address taps, call button taps, email button taps, and text button taps. For these metrics to show up, however, you have to have set up those buttons. Accounts Engaged Accounts engaged refers to the number of users who interacted with your content beyond just watching it or scrolling past it. Let’s break down the sections on this page. Engaged Audience: The engaged audience section shows you how many unique users have liked, commented, saved, shared, or replied to your content. Your engaged audience will be broken down by follower status, gender, age, countries, and cities. Content Interactions: The content interactions section shows you the total number of times people have liked, commented, saved, shared, or replied to your content. It then breaks down this number on a per-post basis. You’ll also see your top-performing posts per category. Total Followers The total followers page of Instagram Insights allows you to see the total number of users who follow you. You can also see follows, unfollows, top locations, age ranges, and genders. Under total followers and its demographic breakdown, you’ll then see one more section: most active times. Most Active Times: The most active times section shows you the hours and days that your followers are most often on Instagram. This allows you to determine the best times to post so you can engage the greatest amount of followers. How to See Post Insights on InstagramTo see post insights on Instagram, navigate to your Instagram profile and click the button that says “Insights” right above your posts. Alternatively, click the hamburger menu on the top right-hand corner and tap Insights. There, you’ll be able to see Insights for all of your posts, reels, live videos, and more. Next, let’s go over how you can see insights for individual posts on Instagram. How to See Insights for an Individual Post Navigate to your profile. Navigate to the individual post you’d like to see insights for. At the bottom of the post, there will be a banner. Tap View Insights. You can now see how many likes, comments, shares, and saves your post received. How to See Insights for a Reel Navigate to your profile. Navigate to the individual reel you’d like to see insights for. At the bottom of the reel, there will be a banner. Tap View Insights. You can now see how many plays, likes, comments, shares, and saves your reel received. How to See Insights for a Story If your Story is currently live on your profile: Navigate to your profile. Click on your profile picture. Scroll up on the story. You’ll immediately access insights for that Story, including replies, exits, link clicks, forwards, and more. If your Story has already expired or more than 24 hours have passed: Navigate to your profile. Tap the Insights action button at the top of your post grid. Under Content You Shared, tap the row of Stories you’ve shared in the past. Swipe up on the individual story you’d like to see insights for. How to See Insights for a Live Video If you’ve just finished your Live video: Tap View Insights immediately after finishing your video. You’ll now be able to see the number of viewers, likes, drop-offs, comments, and other interactions. If you broadcasted your Live video in the past: Navigate to your profile. Tap the Insights action button at the top of your post grid. Under Content You Shared, tap the row of Live videos you’ve shared in the past. Click on the old Live video you’d like to see insights for. How to See Insights for a Video Navigate to your profile. Click the Play triangle button (▶) right above your post grid. Tap the video you’d like to see insights for. Tap the horizontal (⋯) or vertical (⋮) three dots on the corner of the video. Tap View Insights in the pop-up menu. Next, we'll get into how to use Instagram Insights in your day-to-day. How to Use Instagram Insights Instagram Insights is a fantastic tool, but it can be hard to know what to do once you gain access. Here are some of the most useful ways you can use Insights as you grow your Instagram profile. 1. Measure reach. Click the Accounts Reached section. As mentioned, reach reflects the number of unique users that have seen any of your Instagram posts. Within this category, you'll see insights for: Top Posts: The posts that generated the most reach. Top Stories: The Instagram Stories posts that generated the most reach. Top IGTV Videos: The IGTV videos that generated the most reach. Impressions: How many times your posts were seen. Profile Activity: Profile visits, website taps, and other activity. Some of these insights can be expanded for more insights. 2. Track profile visits and followers. On the Accounts Reached page under Account Activity, you'll be able to see Profile Visits. Profile Visits reflects the number of times your profile has been viewed. Find out how many of your profile visitors are turning into followers by dividing your number followers by the number of visitors. Track this number over time to find out whether your “conversion rate” is increasing or decreasing. 3. Determine website clicks. Website Taps can also be found under Accounts Reached > Profile Activity. This insight reflects the number of times any links you've included in your business profile have been clicked. 5. Track content interactions. Navigate back to Insights Overview and tap Accounts Engaged. This will bring up a page that shows how your content is performing in terms of engagement, breaking down the metrics by content type. Likes speaks for itself, reflecting the number of users who liked your post. As with likes, Comments reflects the number of comments left on your post. Saves highlights the number of unique users or accounts who saved your post. If any of these numbers are low, it’s important to reevaluate your Instagram strategy. 6. Track your followers. Navigate back to Insights Overview and click Total Followers. You'll then reach the Follower Breakdown page. This page reflects how many followers you've gained or lost over the past week, as well as the average times of day when your followers are using Instagram — data that can be highly beneficial when planning posts. 7. Learn which actions were taken on your post. To view insights for a specific Instagram post, start by visiting your profile. Tap on the post you'd like to look into, then click View Insights below the image Under the “Profile Activity” section, you’ll find out the number of actions that users took on your profile as a result of seeing your post — things like visiting your profile, then taking an action like clicking on your website link or following you. 8. Use "Reach" to see where your post showed up in feeds. Previously named “Discovery,” Reach indicates where your post was seen — or discovered — the most, including how many accounts weren't already following you when they first saw the post. This section includes metrics on Impressions, which reflect the number of times your post was discovered from a particular place within Instagram, like the user's home feed, a search, your profile, a location tag, or a hashtag. Reach insights also include data on a post's reach — which reflects the number of unique accounts that saw your post. 9. View Story insights. Instagram users with a business profile are able to view insights into their ephemeral Stories. To view your Story insights, navigate back to Insights and scroll down to Content You Shared section on the Insights Overview page. Scroll down to the Stories section, and you'll be able to see insights for older stories, as well as any that have not yet expired. Next, we'll get into the more specific insights you can explore. Impressions This insight represents how many times your Story was seen. When viewing these insights, keep in mind that you're able to add multiple images or videos to your Story. When you do this, every piece of visual content in your Story is counted as a single photo or video in your post. Let's say you add six photos to your Story. Whether someone only views one or views all six, Instagram only counts your entire Story having received one impression. The same goes for Story content that has been viewed by a single user more than once. Instagram still only counts that interaction as the entire Story having received one impression. Reach This insight reflects the number of unique users that have seen your Story. Taps Forward This insight reflects the number of times a user taps your Story photo or video to skip to the next piece of media. Taps Back This insight reflects the number of times a user taps your Story photo or video to go back to the previous piece of media. Replies This insight reflects the number of times users send messages through the Send Message text box on your Story. Swipe Aways This insight reflects the number of times users swipe to skip to the next account’s Story — not to be mistaken for "tap forward," which reflects users skipping ahead to your next piece of Story media. Exits This insight reflects the number of times a user leaves the Stories section entirely to return to the home feed. Measuring Your Effectiveness With Instagram Insights Now that you know how to access data to inform your strategy with Instagram Insights, you can analyze that data and determine what's working for your audience (and what's not). From there, creating content that gets a ton of engagement will be a lot easier as you consider those benchmarks. Editor's Note: This post was originally published in January 2018 but has been updated for comprehensiveness.

Instagram has been around for 11 years. While the app was initially meant for still images, content creators and everyday users can now share photos and videos in various forms, like Story posts, Instagram Reels, and longer-form videos on IGTV. Although there are many content types to post on the app, simply leveraging one of the options isn’t enough to find marketing success on the platform. This is because, no matter how high-quality the content you share, the Instagram algorithm determines what succeeds on the app and what doesn’t. While Instagram doesn’t disclose all the factors that the algorithm uses to assess content, they have released general information about what the algorithm looks for. In this post, we’ll explain everything you need to know about the algorithm to succeed on the app, from the factors that play into it and tips and tricks to use to make sure your content doesn’t go unnoticed. What is the Instagram algorithm?The Instagram algorithm studies user behavior on the app and uses your previous activity to decide what content you see on your feed and explore page and how others on the platform see your content. Essentially, the algorithm controls your organic reach. As a business, unless you’re entirely reliant on paid ads, it’s essential to understand how the algorithm works and what you need to do to ensure that it favors your content and shows your posts to your target audience. Below we’ll explain how the Instagram algorithm works and the factors it assesses when surfacing your content in news feeds. How does the Instagram algorithm work? If you’re a frequent Instagram user, you may have heard people say something like “Bring back reverse chronological order!” when talking about the algorithm. What they’re referring to is when Instagram showed the most recent posts at the top of someone's feed and older ones at the bottom. It was great for creators and Instagram users because, at some point, your post would be at the top of all of your followers' feeds, so they would be guaranteed to see it. However, in March 2016, the algorithm changed. Instagram said, “People miss, on average, 70 percent of their feeds. As Instagram has grown, it has become harder to keep up with all the photos and videos people share. This means you often don’t see the posts you might care about the most.” It’s no longer a question of when you post, but a variety of factors that we’ll discuss below: relationship, timing, frequency, following, usage, interest. Instagram Algorithm Factors Relationship Perceived relationships are the most important ranking factor. The algorithm prioritizes sharing content with you based on the relationships you have with the accounts you follow. The more you comment, like, and interact with an account on Instagram, the more likely you will see their content, and see it often. The algorithm also notes people you direct message, accounts you search for, and photos you’re tagged in. The relationship factor applies to brands as well. If a consumer regularly likes your content and interacts with it, repeat engagement will make your posts shown to them more often and closer to the top of their feed. This means that it’s essential for you to inspire engagement in your content, which we’ll discuss further below. Timing Although feeds aren’t chronological, the algorithm still wants users to see the most recent and relevant posts, especially from accounts that you have a stronger, established relationship with. Timing just means that you’re not as likely to see a post from three weeks ago as you were before 2016. You can leverage this factor to your advantage by using your profile analytics to discover the best time to post on Instagram, helping you meet your followers when they’re most active on the app and more likely to engage. Frequency Frequency refers to how often a user opens the Instagram app. Frequent users will see a more chronological feed, but those who seldom open the app will see posts most relevant to their interests and relationships since last opening the app. Following Following many people means that the algorithm has more content to choose from when surfacing posts in a feed. When this happens, they prioritize relationships, engagement, and perceived interests. Again, this factor emphasizes the importance of generating a relationship with your audience, encouraging engagement, and posting at the right times. Usage The usage factor is similar to frequency, as it relates to how much time is spent on the app. Those who do quick browsing sessions will see what the algorithm determines to be the day’s highlights based on the factors mentioned above, while those who spend more time on the app will see a more significant number of posts. Frequent browsers may even run out of content to see, at which point the algorithm will suggest new posts and accounts based on your interactions and engagement history. Interest Instagram makes many content recommendations, so a portion of the content users see is based on the app's understanding of their interest in specific topics. If it detects that you always like, comment, and interact with posts around similar topics, you’ll see those posts first. Users who engage with content similar to what you post are also more likely to be shown your posts, and vice versa. While not a direct factor that Instagram has noted as an algorithm factor in 2016, engagement does play a significant role in the algorithms process. How Instagram's Algorithm Uses Engagement In addition to all of the above factors, engagement plays a significant role in how the Instagram algorithm prioritizes and surfaces content to users. The most important engagement metrics are comments, likes, shares, and video views. Here is a breakdown of how engagement factors into the algorithm: 1. When you first post a photo, it’s shown to a small percentage of your audience. 2. Instagram measures how quickly that photo is interacted with, i.e., comments and likes. 3. Instagram compares the engagement that your post gets to other content you’ve shared at similar times and days. For example, is your post from today at 10 am getting more or less traffic than your post from last Monday at 10 am? The app compares to similar times to ensure accuracy when evaluating your engagement metrics, especially since certain times bring better results. 4. If your photo attracts a lot of engagement, Instagram will show it to a higher percentage of your audience and maybe even share it on explore pages. 5. If your post continues to attract engagement, your photo will stay at the top of your audience’s news feeds and reach more people. If it doesn’t attract a lot of initial attention, less of your audience will see your post. Instagram Algorithm Update 2021 The 2016 algorithm update was almost a complete overhaul to how the algorithm works, so it is the most notable, publicized, and confirmed by Instagram. Unfortunately, since then, Instagram doesn’t always make it public when they’ve changed the algorithm. So, if you notice changes to your engagement and reach, it is most likely not the result of an algorithm change but most likely due to the app's growth. There are so many accounts on the platform, and as people follow more and more users, competition on the app grows. It becomes more difficult to quickly generate a significant amount of engagement, which in turn impacts how, where, and when your posts are shown in your audience's feed. This is one of the many reasons why it’s important to monitor your Instagram analytics. Instagram Algorithm Recent Changes That being said, the most recent update to the algorithm as of 2021 is the removal of like counts on people's photos. The update hasn't yet been made available to all Instagram users, but it would effectively remove a total like count from a user's photo and instead display only the usernames of people that have liked the post. Users who post a photo still have the option to see the number of likes a photo has received, though. Instagram is making this update because they believe it will do numbers to diminish bullying on the app and protect users from being influenced by social pressure that says they need to get a certain amount of likes on their posts. How to Get Your Posts Shown Higher on Instagram Although there is not much you can do to beat the algorithm, or so to speak, there are ways to get your posts shown higher on Instagram. Post when you know your audience is most active. Like all social media platforms, one of the easiest ways to generate immediate engagement is to post content when you know your followers are most active, as they’re already browsing the app and ready to see what you have to offer. To get this information, you can use the native Instagram Analytics tool available to all users with business accounts or another option like Marketing Hub. If you’re new to the app, it will be challenging to get this information right away, so come back to this tip after you’ve spent enough time on the app to get valuable, actionable analytics. Post content you know your audience likes. Again, use your analytics. Understand the content that your audience engages with the most, whether it’s high-quality product photos, behind-the-scenes content, or Instagram Reels. Use this to your advantage, and continue creating content that they enjoy as they’re more likely to interact with something they like. Use business-relevant hashtags. Hashtags are a great way to signal to the algorithm about your content, which can help surface your profile to audience members interested in the hashtags you use. Don’t overload your hashtag use, but aim to use them in all of the content you share on Instagram, from Stories to IGTV to photo captions. Encourage engagement and interaction. Interaction on your profile will come naturally, but encouraging engagement and interaction with the content you share can be valuable in getting the algorithm to work for you. Create engaging captions that entice users to comment on your posts, ask for likes and shares, and be in conversation with those who interact to inspire loyalty and entice them to return. You can also place interactive elements in your Instagram Stories, like polls, stickers, and emojis. The benefits of this are twofold, as your customers will be interacting with your content, and you’ll also learn more about their interests and desires based on the responses they give. Stay consistent. One of the most important things to do to take control over the algorithm is to stay consistent on the app. Develop an Instagram-specific posting schedule, and stick to it. It’ll help you stay continuously active on the platform, which allows your followers to continuously engage with your content, which helps the algorithm learn more and more about your account. The more information they have, and the more engagement they see, the higher you will be on your followers’ feeds. Instagram Story Algorithm Instagram Stories appear at the top of a user’s feed. The Stories algorithm prioritizes timeliness, and you’re most likely to see the most recent stories from the accounts you engage and interact with the most. The accounts that the algorithm thinks you have the strongest relationships with will always have their Stories shown before all other stories. For businesses, this means that it’s essential to maintain an active presence on Instagram Stories and to encourage engagement within your Stories, like polls and asking questions. Instagram Explore Algorithm The feed algorithm and Explore page algorithm are relatively similar, as they both show content that Instagram thinks you’ll be most interested in based on your previous app activity. The main difference is that feed content features accounts you’re familiar with and following, while the Explore page is content from new accounts. You can think of it like this: if one of your favorite things to do on Instagram is watch food videos, your feed will display content from the accounts with food videos that you interact with the most. Your explore page would also contain food videos since the algorithm knows you like them, but you won’t follow those accounts already. The explore page is based entirely on interests, so, as a business, it’s important to share content related to your brand and utilize elements that would tell the algorithm who to show your content to, like relevant hashtags. Succeeding on Instagram is not just about posting content regularly. You also need to understand how the algorithm works and leverage its makeup to your advantage. While changes to the algorithm will always happen, staying on top of the trends will help you ensure that you’re prepared for them when they do.

After months of testing, Instagram announced a big change to its user interface (UI) in late 2020: replacing the user "Activity" tab with the "Shop" tab, the social platform's latest move to be more business-friendly. It's a big evolution from where the feature was just a few years ago. Today, it's infinitely easier for users to shop products from brands without ever leaving the app. So, how exactly does the tool work and how can you leverage it to generate revenue? Find out everything you need to know in the sections below. Why Your Business Should Sell on Instagram Thanks to the Instagram shoppable posts feature and other supportive tools (like the product wishlist, product launch reminder, and shopping stickers on Instagram Stories), users can go through the entire buyer's journey, from discovery to checkout. Social media platforms are typically seen as great brand awareness tools. However, Instagram's new integrations have made it a big revenue driver. A 2019 Facebook study revealed that 54% of respondents purchased items in the moment or some time after seeing a product or service on Instagram. And it's not only direct-to-consumer brands that can benefit from using Instagram's shopping features. A Q4 2020 report by HootSuite revealed that 36.2% of B2B decision-makers use the app to source new products and/or services. Shoppable posts are marked with a clickable shopping bag icon that displays the product information and the "View Products" call-to-action to visit the brand's Shop page. This creates a seamless experience for the user and allows you to advertise your products without being too promotional. How to Sell on Instagram Meet the eligibility criteria.Upload your product catalog.Submit your account for review. 1. Meet the eligibility criteria. There are a few eligibility requirements you must check off before you start selling on Instagram. You must: Be located in one of these markets. Have an Instagram business or creator account. Sell physical goods that comply with Instagram's merchant agreement and commerce policies. Connect your Instagram account to a Facebook Business Page. Once you meet the above requirements, follow the steps below. 2. Upload your product catalog. Your catalog is a file that contains the products you want to sell along with their information, such as pricing and description. There are two ways to upload your product catalog: Take the do-it-yourself route through the Facebook Business Manager by manually adding the items. Connect to an ecommerce platform partner, such as Shopify or BigCommerce. Find a full list of compatible partners here. How to Upload Your Products Manually To create a catalog through Facebook, you must first have a Facebook Business Manager account, which is different from a Business page. From there, head to the Commerce Manager and set up your catalog. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to do it. It's very important to keep your product catalog synced with your Instagram Page, and that your product descriptions and prices are accurate. If you're running a sale or promotion, be sure to update your product catalog to reflect it. How to Upload Your Products through an Ecommerce Platform A second way to connect your Instagram Business Profile to a Facebook catalog is to do it through an ecommerce platform. Here are the steps using two popular platforms. Shopify Before you get started, you need to have the Facebook sales channel (included in all paid Shopify plans) installed on your Shopify store, which creates a Shop tab on your Facebook page. For specific details on how to connect your Facebook page to your Shopify account, you can view the Shopify guide here. Once you've done the above, you can easily add the Instagram Sales Channel to your Shopify store, which connects the products from your Shopify page to your Instagram business profile. To do this, head to your Shopify admin and click on the "+" button located beside the "Sales Channels" heading. Next, on the "Add sales channel" dialogue, click "Instagram" and then "Add channel." You'll need to log into your Facebook account page to authenticate your Instagram account in the sales channel. Once the Instagram Sales Channel is installed, you can enable the feature in your settings on Instagram. BigCommerce Start by opening Channel Manager on your BigCommerce account and click "Get Started" next to Facebook. On the next screen, confirm that you're using a compatible currency, sign up for a Facebook account (if you don't have one), review the product requirements, then click "Get Started." Next, fill out your details on the Configuration page, including your business' contact email, phone number, and the Facebook Page you'd like your shop to appear on. Here's the complete BigCommerce guide on how to do it. Once Facebook approves your catalog, head back to Channel Manager, click "Get Started" next to Instagram, and confirm that your store meets the requirements. 3. Submit your account for review. Once you've connected your product catalog to your Instagram account, you can submit your account for approval. 1. Go to your professional dashboard. Once there, click on "Set Up Instagram Shopping." 2. On the setup page, click on "Get Started."3. Select your catalog. 4. Review the details and click "Submit for Review." The approval process can take a few days. You may also need to provide additional information, such as domain verification. How to Tag Products with Instagram Shoppable Posts Once you get access to shoppable posts on Instagram and you've completed all the steps listed above, adding tags to your posts is quick and easy. 1. Upload your image and once you're done editing, hit "Next." 2. Click on "Tag Products." 3. Tap on the item in your image you want to tag. 4. Search for the product and select it. 5. Click on "Done" and share the image. Have an older post that still gets good traction, but doesn't have a shoppable tag? You can tag products in both new and existing posts from your Instagram Business Profile, up to five products per single image post or 20 products per multi-photo (or carousel) post. How to Optimize Your Posts for Shoppable Purchases 1. Create posts that feel natural to the Instagram feed. While selling on Instagram is easier than ever, remember that your audience shouldn't feel like they are being sold to. You should maintain their current content strategy, incorporating shoppable tags on photos that are a natural fit for your profile. 2. Leverage influencer content. A great way to organically add shopping tags to your post is by leveraging posts from consumers. Studies show consumers trust influencers much more than brands and these posts serve as social proof, i.e., credibility and validation for the brand. For example, Fe Noel recently reposted this post from a fashion influencer and added the product tag. You can also optimize your Instagram sales strategy by using influencer posts. Influencer collaborations and sponsorships have nearly replaced traditional ads and are a huge part of social media strategies today. 55% of fashion shoppers have purchased a fashion item after seeing it promoted on the platform, according to a 2020 post from Instagram's creator account. Below, popular fashion model Michelle Dee is shown sporting a Herschel Supply suitcase on the brand's profile: An Instagram influencer's stamp of approval goes a long way and is a great strategy to drive sales from your Instagram shoppable posts. 3. Optimize your post with multiple tags. Lastly, including multiple shopping tags in your photos will help your audience explore and browse through your products quickly. You can also try adding shopping tags to carousel posts to test their performance against single-photo posts. 4. Activate the Shop page on your Instagram profile. Create at least nine shoppable posts to activate the "Shop" tab on your Instagram profile. This will group all your shoppable posts under one tab for easy shopping and product discovery. Measuring the Results of Your Shoppable Posts Instagram business accounts have access to analytics for their shoppable posts, including data on how many people viewed product information and clicked through to the product page. This information helps determine what type of products resonate with your Instagram followers and identify gaps in the buyer's journey. As with all of your social media marketing efforts, you should measure performance data to see what drives the best results (and why) and use that to inform future posts. Once your business begins selling on Instagram, keep experimenting with images, copy, shopping tags, and other factors that may contribute to your sales. No matter what type of products you sell, delving into your analytics allows you to understand your audience's wants, improves your content, and ultimately helps you drive more traffic and sales. Selling on Instagram is a unique opportunity to reach users in all stages of the buyer journey through a seamless experience.

With over 1 billion active users, Instagram is one of the best social media networks to advertise your business, reach new audiences, and grow brand awareness. So even if you aren’t active on the website yet, it’s never too late to adopt an Instagram strategy in your marketing plan. If you're ready to start sharing content through this channel, we've got you covered. Here, we're sharing a quick-and-easy guide to posting on Instagram, to ensure you can begin attracting the attention of your audience with Instagram marketing. How to Post on InstagramTap the + icon at the top of your screen.Choose a photo or video from your library or shoot one in the app.Post multiple images on Instagram.Crop the image.Pick a filter.Edit your photo.Type your caption.Use hashtags for post optimization.Tag friends.Add your location.Play with emojis.Share the post on other social media platforms.Edit the post. Posting to Instagram consistently can help businesses find resonance with their audience and grow better, but doing it right is just as important. Here's how to post to your Instagram account step-by-step. Grow Your Audience on Instagram Today Now that you know how to post to Instagram, you can begin creating content for the platform and connecting with your audience. If you're a business or brand, you'll want a solid strategy for earning engagement and awareness. Editor's note: This post was originally published in November 2019 and has been updated for comprehensiveness.

You might know your Instagram content is good, but imagine how much better it will seem if it looks like 10,000 people agree. Whether you’re trying to become a social media celebrity or simply looking to spread brand awareness on Instagram, it can be tempting to take shortcuts wherever you can in order to expand your audience, including 'buying' Instagram followers. Here, we’re covering all the questions you have about buying Instagram followers. We’ve also explored the pros and cons, so you can decide for yourself if it’s a good move for your brand. Can you buy Instagram followers? How to buy Instagram followers? Alternatives to Buying Instagram Followers Can you buy Instagram followers?Yes, you can buy Instagram followers. There are plenty of cheap services available that allow you to buy 1,000 followers for as little as $10. But you’re only paying for a number. Many of those followers are either bots or inactive accounts, which means they’ll never engage with your posts. 1,000 followers seem like a good deal for the price of a small Starbucks latte. But of course, if it really was that cheap and easy, everyone would be doing it. So what’s the catch? Is buying Instagram followers legal and safe for your business? Is it a worthwhile investment? And how much do these fake followers cost anyway? How much do Instagram followers cost? The cost for Instagram followers can range from a few dollars to thousands of dollars depending on how many you plan to purchase. However, keep in mind that buying followers is against Instagram's terms of service, so the price you pay could be more than monetary. Buying followers could cost you your Instagram account, at worst, and a decrease in engagement and reach, at best.How to Buy Instagram Followers The vast majority of purchasable followers are either bots or inactive accounts. Here's how it works: The Fake Follower Vendors Buying fake followers on Instagram is much harder now than it was a few years ago. Why? Instagram has been cracking down on accounts that violate their terms of service. What used to be fairly above-board is now an enigma. In order to buy Instagram followers these days, you’ll need to know someone who can put you in contact with a vendor who will actually deliver the bots — I mean followers — they say they will (you’ll also want to choose someone that you trust with your credit card information). But what happens once you’ve paid for your followers? Assuming the vendor is legitimate (as legitimate as can be for this type of service) you’ll wait anywhere from a few minutes to a few days for your followers to trickle in. The sellers roll out your followers over time so as not to alert Instagram that something fishy is going on. Once you have your brand new automated followers, don’t expect much. These followers won’t do anything for your engagement metrics. When you buy Instagram followers, you’re paying for a number alone. Engagement is not guaranteed. When you buy Instagram followers, you’re paying for a number alone. Engagement is not guaranteed, or even likely. When you buy Instagram followers, you’re paying for a number alone. Engagement is not guaranteed, or even likely. Instagram Bots Instagram bots are everywhere — you’ve likely come across several of them today alone. There are companies out there that have automated the process of creating bots so well that they can then sell them as followers. In some cases, the bots may even assume the identity of a real person, using stolen images and names. Depending on the service, these dummy accounts may even seem organic, running on automation to share and like content. Some can even be programmed to produce content. However, because they're not real people, they will not have an organic-looking following-to-follower ratio. As a result, the engagement they do produce will have little impact. Without real followers to engage with your content, your posts are essentially hidden from everyone except your inauthentic audience. Plus, your bot followers won’t discuss your brand in real life with friends or family, because, well … they don’t exist in real life (no offense, bots). Inactive Accounts However, not all fake followers are bots. Some companies sell followers with genuine accounts. In this situation, the accounts are created either because they're managed by users whose only goal is to get followed in return. And while these followers might show early engagement, they'll ultimately become a drain on your Instagram account's performance metrics when their accounts go dormant. After all, if their account was created for the sole purpose of fulfilling sponsorship requests, the real person behind the account has little reason to dwell on the newsfeed, interact with content, or purchase the goods and services being advertised. Without that interaction, your follower numbers are inflated with none of the value that organic followers would bring. Demographic Accounts In addition to buying followers directly, you can also pay services to strategically follow other accounts on your behalf based on your preferences (location, hashtag usage, account type, and gender). Ideally, those followed accounts will then follow you back. With this option, your followers are more likely to be real people, but engagement is still unlikely. Since you can't even guarantee these accounts will follow you back, it’s a risky investment. Most accounts won’t follow you back, and even if they do, they probably aren’t going to be long-term, loyal, or active followers. Should you buy Instagram followers?It’s not a good idea to buy Instagram followers. The purchased followers are likely bots or inactive accounts, so they won’t engage with your posts. This means your posts won’t show up on Explore Pages, or your real audience’s newsfeeds. It will also make it hard to measure metrics. Simply put — you'll get early engagement that tapers off over time. Purchased Instagram followers also provide no long-term value to your profile's content. The followers you buy might give you views, likes, and comments early into acquiring them as a follower, but the attention they throw you now won't be there later — when you start reporting on how your Instagram account is performing. And how helpful are 10,000 followers that don't engage with you? Engagement is key to how Instagram’s algorithm displays posts to users. Without likes or comments, your post probably won’t show up on your audience’s newsfeeds, and it also won’t show up on any Explore Pages. Fake followers could hurt your credibility. Having a lot of followers could convince users to follow you organically, but it's not a guarantee. Remember the risks: these followers will probably never like or comment on a post, and if you’re caught with a ton of fake followers, that could ruin your credibility with your real audience. Users might notice you don’t have a ton of engagement on your posts, which could deter them from following you. If you have 10,000 followers but only four likes per post, it won't take people long to realize something is up. Think of it this way: would you keep following an account if you saw that most of its “loyal audience” was made up of inactive accounts or bots? I’m guessing not. It could seem deceitful, and lead you to believe the brand couldn’t get authentic followers through good content alone. Purchased Instagram followers can distort your performance metrics. It’s practically impossible to measure how well your target audience is connecting with your brand if a high percentage of that audience isn’t real. How will you measure posts that do well with your real audience if those bots and inactive accounts skew the ratio? If you don’t know how well your posts are doing or what your real audience thinks, you’ll never convert your Instagram followers into real customers. And isn’t that the point? Ultimately, if you pay for Instagram followers, you aren’t paying for quality, real-life followers. You’re paying for a blank number. And since Instagram’s algorithm is largely tied to engagement, not followers, buying followers isn’t a long-term solution. In fact, it isn’t a solution at all. Take the time, energy, and money that you would’ve dedicated to buying followers, and focus instead on building genuine relationships with a real audience. If your content is engaging and authentic, your loyal followers will spread the word and engage with your brand without needing any bribes. Instagram identifies and purges fake followers. Recently, Instagram has updated its terms of use to identify and remove inauthentic accounts from its platform. Instagram is also removing likes, follows, or comments from third-party apps that are designed to artificially grow accounts' audiences. By buying followers, you violate Instagram's community guidelines and it may trigger a reaction from Instagram's moderators. Instagram is looking to maintain genuine interactions on its site, protecting real accounts and experiences. Fake activity infringes upon this mission and might result in consequences, so it's better to grow your audience organically. Depending on your brand personality, it can help to be funny or witty in your content. Having an awareness of how your brand is perceived and the trends going around Instagram will serve you when choosing content to post and how to interact with your Instagram community. Quality Content in Action HeytonyTV became an overnight viral sensation during the pandemic when he released skits where he plays the role of a school administrator. In a short period of time, he amassed hundreds of thousands of followers who couldn't get enough of his creativity and wholesome, nostalgic humor. You don't have to be a comedian to gain followers, though. Being relatable and providing value to your audience is the number one goal. When looking at the top Instagram posts of all time, the content is engaging and relatable, rallying followers to like, comment, and share these posts. 3. Try Instagram Reels. Instagram Reels has been known to increase the reach of a post beyond the audience that is following the account. This presents an opportunity for your content to attract people who are already engaging with posts similar to yours. Start by recording a simple video using Instagram Reels. Include a few hashtags to the caption and choose a popular sound that people enjoy listening to. Even if you don't see an immediate bump in followers, stay consistent and keep an eye on how many views your Reel gets. This will indicate how many people are watching your content. Reels in Action Hickory Lane Home uses Reels to show her followers more relatable content that draws the viewer in. As a result, the comments are flooded with relatable responses and amusement that you just can't get from purchased followers. 4. Use Hashtags. Hashtags are like goldmines for finding new audiences. Users follow hashtags for updates about specific topics that interest them. If you use them intentionally in your captions, you have a great chance of showing up on the newsfeeds of people who’ve never seen your content before. But don’t start adding random hashtags to all your content. You’ll need a hashtag strategy to ensure you’re targeting the right people. Moreover, the sweet spot for Instagram hashtags is 30. That might seem like a lot, but if you have a strategy for how you’ll use them, you’ll likely find more than 30 that would work for you. The key for hashtags is to be intentional with them. The reward will be well worth the effort. Hashtags in Action Take a look at the hashtag #dogsofinstagram for example. With over a quarter of a million posts, this hashtag has the potential to reach a wide audience.However, it's a great idea to pair that hashtag with a smaller, niche one like #ridgebackpuppy to reach people who love your particular breed of dog. 5. Engage with other Instagram users. A good rule of thumb on Instagram is to engage with other users. Whether you like, comment, save or share their posts, every interaction counts for you and them. Instagram’s algorithm favors engagement which means the more you interact (and the more people interact with you) the more likely it will be that your content appears on more and more news feeds. That means more visibility and growth for your page. Engagement in Action GoSimplified does a great job of responding to comments on its posts. This example shows that the comments don't have to be detailed or long, but a simple acknowledgment goes a long way for engagement. Pro Tip: Before you go overboard, remember that Instagram does have a limit to this “rule.” There have been cases where the social media platform blocked users from engaging with content if they liked and commented on more than a few hundred posts in an hour. 6. Use Instagram stories. The audience for Instagram stories is simply waiting and watching for the next viral video or meme to slide across their screens. What makes stories arguably even better for growth than the traditional Instagram feed is the ability for users to interact with the content in a story. Polls, quizzes, and questions are engagement magnets — the more people interact with those elements, the more people Instagram will share your story with. Stories in Action RMW.Home uses a series of stories to gauge her audience's taste in home decor. Not only does this help her understand her audience better, but the polls are also helping expand the reach of her story and her profile to potential followers. 7. Conduct market research. Each of the alternatives we mentioned above is native to the Instagram app. However, a solid Instagram strategy begins with comprehensive market research, and there's no shortcut to hearing directly from your audience about what content they want to see. Market Research in Action Stephanie Morgan, Founder and CEO at Social Lock stands by market research as an alternative to buying followers and says, "The alternative to buying followers is doing market research on what your ideal customer will resonate with, then posting that content in order to naturally accumulate [a] large following." Check out her methods for conducting market research on Instagram in the image below. There’s a Better Way to Grow on Instagram Instagram has been one of the fastest-growing social media platforms for several years and it’s showing no signs of slowing down any time soon. The pressure to keep up and with the growth can make buying followers tempting, but don’t succumb to that pressure. Between repercussions from the platform itself, lower engagement metrics, and the risk of spamming well-meaning users with bot comments, buying Instagram followers is simply not worth the trouble. The alternatives in this article can help you navigate a path toward organic follower growth that will be worth more than 10,000 fake followers could ever be. Editor's note: This post was originally published in March 2020 and has been updated for comprehensiveness.

When you come across a beautiful sight -- be it a beach, a mountain, or your pet's face -- sometimes, it inspires you to think bigger about what certain sights and experiences mean. For those moments, you might consider posting a photo on Instagram with an equally inspiring quote as the caption. But you could take it even further -- and save characters -- by posting the photo with the quote.Access Now: 9 Free Instagram Quote Templates You've likely seen quotes on Instagram posts before, but you may never have created one for your brand's account. Here's a recent Instagram quote we shared here at LIKE.TG: View this post on Instagram Posting quote images on Instagram can diversify your content on the platform and humanize your brand a little, too. Everyone could use a motivational quote during a busy Monday morning or a slow Tuesday afternoon, so try out an Instagram quote for your next post with the help of these free apps. Instagram Text Apps to Make Inspiring Quotes Featured Resource: 9 Instagram Quote Templates LIKE.TG created a collection of 9 Instagram quote templates for posts and stories – in addition to 13 more free Instagram posts for business. Download the collection of templates today to make Instagram quotes right in Google Slides for free. 1. Canva iOS, Android, Mac, or Web App Canva's many features extend beyond text-based pictures and, for that matter, social media. But the mobile app and its gorgeous pre-made templates make it perfect for Instagram quotes. Using the Canva's social media post setting, you can draft banners, flyers, cards, and posts of all shapes and sizes using one of millions of pro-level photos for your quote background. Of course, feel free to snap a photo on the go, as well. One you select your image, you can choose from more than 100 fonts, adjust the size and color, and publish. 2. Pablo by Buffer Web App or Chrome Extension Pablo is a simple app that allows you to make quotes for Instagram (as well as Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest). You have the option of choosing among 600,000 images or uploading one of your own; adding header, body, and caption text; uploading logos or graphics; and customizing with a filter.The options are limited, but the interface is extremely streamlined, making it a great choice for beginners. In addition, you can share directly to the social platform of your choosing or use Buffer to schedule the post for a later date. 3. Stencil Web App, Chrome Extension, Firefox Add-On, Safari Extension, or WordPress Depending on the plan you choose, Stencil allows you to create quote images with their 140+ common presets, more than 5 million high-resolution photos (all royalty-free), and more than 1275 templates. Even better, Stencil has partnered with Google Fonts and some of the top icon providers to customize your designs even further. It also helps you determine if you're within Facebook's recommended text limits and whether any of your content might be cut off by common social media platforms. To make sharing easy, you can send your images straight to Instagram, using their in-app social sharing options, or through their native Buffer integration. 4. VanillaPen Android or iOS VanillaPen brands itself as a "powerful tool that will transform your regular posts into creative posters within seconds." It includes more than 200 templates (with presets to make the design process easier), 86 fonts, and 360 decorative elements. You'll also have the ability to perform basic design functions such as resizing, rotating, and more. From there, you can export and share to the social media platform of your choice. 5. Fotor Web App, Mac, Windows, Android, or iOS Fotor is an excellent tool that offers a wide range of templates, fonts, photos, and stickers to rival any of the apps on this list. However, what makes it stand out is its photo editing and retouching capabilities, making its feature set similar to that of Adobe Photoshop's but simpler. From background removers to blur effects, Fotor can help you create stunning graphics for Instagram. 6. Snappa Web App With Snappa, you'll have access to more than 6000 templates and 5 million photos and graphics to use for your designs. It also has basic photo editing capabilities such as background removal, brightness/lightness adjustment, and blurring functionality. You can also repurpose your designs into the ideal image dimensions for multiple social platforms without manually resizing and redesigning for each one. The only downside is that you only get 3 downloads per month on Snappa's free plan, but there are premium plans available. 7. QuotesCover Web App What's interesting about QuotesCover is that it integrates with a large database of quotes so that you don't have to supply the text for the image you create. Simply search the database, find a quote, and load it into the QuotesCover editor. From there, it will generate an automatic design, which you can edit with their background options, text formatting tool, stickers, and other design assets. In theory, you can go from zero ideas to full-fledged professional design in just a couple clicks. 8. PicMonkey Web App, iPhone, Android PicMonkey is another one of those tools that can do it all: photo editing (including background removals), graphics, and templates created with the best practices for each social platform in mind. You'll be able to draw from their library of millions of stock photos, videos, and animations. The big downside to this tool is that you'll need a subscription to download or share the images you create. However, the plus is that the subscription comes with 1GB of cloud storage (or unlimited storage if you choose one of the premium plans). This allows you to edit on the go, save to the cloud, and access designs on other devices. 9. Word Swag iOS Word Swag helps you create text images that are as edgy as the app's name sounds. The app uses a special typing engine to create fresh quote designs based on the background picture you're working with. Just select (or shoot) your picture, type your quote into the app's plain text editor, select one of +80 styles, and shuffle through the diverse choices that appear. Word Swag has literally thousands of quote and image options to choose from through a handy integration from Pixabay, a free image gallery. Keep in mind that the free version places a watermark on the image. 10. Quotes Creator iOS or Android Quotes Creator has a neat feature that suggests quotes to use -- including their attributions -- to take the work out of creating an inspirational post for you. We also like how subtly transparent the watermark is to make it as distraction-free as possible. This is another easy-to-use app that creates quotes for Instagram in just a few simple steps -- with an easy tap to upload to the platform. Quotes Creator's stock background options are a little cheesy, so we recommend finding your own and uploading them or using their library of photos. 11. Quote Maker iOS Quote Maker is another free app that requires a Pro version to unlock more background and style options, but you can always upload your own background if you feel too limited. You can add neat decals to your brand's name or a stamp-like effect to a company motto or mission statement. We recommend exploring the app, but another warning -- it can be glitchy if your design and editing actions get more complex. It's best for simple images, like the one above. Using an Instagram Post Template for Quotes The apps above help make quotes for Instagram quickly using templates instead of starting from scratch. When you're creating content at scale, this can help you reduce the amount of time spent on design and more time focusing on the tasks that matter to you. Editor's note: This post was originally published in April 2021 and has been updated for comprehensiveness.

Contrary to what your friends' photos suggest, Instagram isn't just a social network for selfies and brunch pics. In fact, Instagram has over 200 million businesses that use its platform and 90% of users follow at least one of them, according to recent data.In a time when visual content remains a crucial part of any brand's marketing strategy, Instagram marketing presents a unique opportunity to showcase your brand identity.Ready to get inspired? Check out this list of brands that are thriving on Instagram right now, and why their posts set them apart.Best Brands on InstagramWhat makes a brand great on Instagram?We polled 301 users across the United States, and asked “Which of the following describes the brands you follow and enjoy on Instagram?”These were their top answers:While this data is from a small sample, it does highlight what we already know about Instagram audiences. They look for:Content that relates to their lives: both personal and professional.Eye-catching, fun content.Product promotionsWhat you'll see in the next section is that every brand featured meets these needs, earning them high follower counts and high engagement rates.Psst – Want to get a stunning Instagram Story auto-magically created for your brand? Check out StoriesAds.com, a free Story generator from LIKE.TG and Shakr. Click here to get started.26 of the Best Brands on InstagramThe Every MomBolden USAThe Broke Black GirlTeleport WatchesNetflix's Strong Black LeadCalifia FarmsAnima IrisCooking With ConstanceLorna JaneLetterfolkApartment TherapySunday II SundayTentsileDesenioVansGrass-FieldsFinfolk ProductionsShiseidoThe Muted HomeSephora CollectionsClareHoneyBookDesign EssentialsFlodeskOmsomChipotle1. The Every MomFollowers: 294kModern-day moms face a unique set of challenges from raising children in a digital-first world to navigating relationships with in-laws and extended family during a pandemic. The Every Mom is a lifestyle brand that caters to this audience in every way.On this Instagram page, you'll find content about handling your kids' big emotions, teaching them about diversity, and tips on how to make mealtime more appealing.While much of the content on this page lends itself to things a mom can do, there's plenty of content advocating rest, relaxation, and mental health as well. You'll also find the occasional discount code for popular products and cross-promotion of The Every Mom blog in the Instagram stories and highlights.2. Bolden USAFollowers: 32.1kInstagram is all about visuals. This means that within minutes of being on Instagram, a user can be bombarded with images.So, the question is: How do you make sure your brand stands out and is memorable?One way is by developing a unique aesthetic and remaining consistent. Bolden USA has done just that.To mirror its green logo, the theme of Bolden USA's Instagram is green. While the brand features other colors in its images, green is always the primary, standout color – an effective tactic to aid brand recall. That brand recall being spread across more than 33,000 followers makes Bolden USA one of the best brands on Instagram right now.3. The Broke Black GirlFollowers: 174kPersonal finance is like exercise. You need motivation, the right tools, discipline, and a goal to achieve to see real success. It doesn't hurt to have a good coach to guide you along the way, either, and that's exactly what The Broke Black Girl is doing as one of the best brands on Instagram.Dasha is a financial activist who specializes in competency-based financial education. Over 170,000 people follow her for non-judgemental financial advice, empathetic budgeting tips, and free financial resources. Her work levels the predominantly white-male-led financial literacy landscape to make it more accessible to women of color.The history of women of color in finance, the $1000 Emergency Fund Challenge, and motivational messages comprise the majority of this brand's Instagram feed making it the best place for young people to start their financial fitness journey.4. Teleport WatchesFollowers: 9.1kHave you ever wondered where former President Barack Obama buys his watches? One of the brands he sports is Teleport Watches.This premium luxury timepiece brand is known for its stylish and durable watches that are perfect for day-to-day wear and special occasions. However, people come back to the brand for its modern approach to a classic accessory which is why this Instagram brand makes our list.Teleport Watches proves that you can have a loyal following on Instagram without millions of followers. Although it's one of the smallest Instagram brands in our lineup, it makes up for it in engagement and influence.5. Netflix's Strong Black LeadFollowers: 764kHere is an example of a brand that has mastered the art of having its own identity while remaining connected to its parent brand.Strong Black Lead is a sub-brand under Netflix dedicated to amplifying Black stories in media.The brand's Instagram page mainly features screen grabs and short clips from TV shows, movies, and documentaries available on Netflix that feature Black actors and/or directors. They stay on-trend, posting relevant content based on current events, holidays, and buzzy topics.In addition to its appreciation posts for widely loved TV characters, Strong Black Lead also promotes content the brand hosts on other platforms, such as podcasts and YouTube content.6. Califia FarmsFollowers: 318kWarning: If you're hungry, don't head to Califia Farms' Instagram page.The brand's food photography makes it stand out among the rest, showing users how Califia Farms' products can be used to create dishes ranging from pancakes and nice cream to artichoke dip and fettuccine alfredo.The brand doesn't shy away from featuring its product in the images either. You can usually find it somewhere in its visual content, whether it's the main subject of the photo or more in the background.7. Anima IrisFollowers: 78.9kYou probably thought this list would only feature enterprise-level brands, huh?Well, there are a ton of brands that have found the magic recipe on Instagram and Anima Iris is one of them.What sets this brand apart is the transparency of its CEO.If you watch one of Anima Iris' Instagram Stories, you'll probably see its CEO, Wilglory Tanjong, showing the behind-the-scenes of running a luxury purse brand, which helps its audience feel more connected.You'll probably also see QAs, surveys, and user-generated content – all strategies that have helped the company build a strong online community and gain brand loyalists.8. Cooking With ConstanceFollowers: 15.2kThere's more than enough food inspiration on Instagram, but Cooking With Constance takes that inspo a step further by pairing it with a side of judgment-free health and wellness. That's why more than 10,000 people flocked to follow this brand page in just a few weeks.This isn't your typical vegan brand that compares and contrasts plant-based and non-plant-based lifestyles. Instead, Cooking With Constance serves up hearty and healthy recipes that even the biggest meat lovers will enjoy.Holiday recipes, quick and easy lunches, and plant-based living tips are just a few of the types of content you'll find as you scroll through her appetizing feed.9. Lorna JaneFollowers: 1MIf your brand were a person, how would you describe its personality? Australian activewear company Lorna Jane has done an awesome job answering this important branding question with its Instagram content.Spend just a few seconds scrolling through these photos, and you'll quickly be able to name the target Lorna Jane buyer: a young, sporty, twenty- or thirty-something woman who values looking good while maintaining an active lifestyle.The images posted by Lorna Jane, which often show the brand's clothing and accessories, as well as images of women who embody its target buyer persona, are colorful, playful, and inspirational, which is a perfect representation of the brand's essence.10. LetterfolkFollowers: 360kLetterfolk is a small business run by a couple who create and sell beautiful, handcrafted felt letterboards. Each letterboard comes with a full set of characters so people can personalize the walls of their homes, which means endless room for creativity.Instagram is the perfect platform for them to inspire customers and aspiring customers with real customers' boards, as well as ideas they've come up with and staged themselves. Their Instagram content is funny and relatable – a great recipe for shareability.11. Apartment TherapyFollowers: 3.2MApartment Therapy's Instagram account really is a source of therapy, if you love the sight of cozy homes.From home decor inspiration to fun challenges like their #SmallCoolChallenge contest and trendy user-generated content (UGC), this brand gives its followers plenty of inspiration to personalize their own space and "live happy, healthy lives at home,” as written in their profile bio.12. Sunday II SundayFollowers: 20.9kSunday II Sunday is another small business with a robust social media presence.The brand describes itself as “haircare for active women.” As such, its content revolves around having and managing an active lifestyle.Sunday II Sunday also does a great job of engaging its followers, asking them questions about their routines, workouts, and hair care habits.13. TentsileFollowers: 201k"Stunning" is the first word that comes to mind when I scroll through Tentsile's Instagram photos.Tentsile sells tree tents, what they call "portable treehouses" to elevate your camping experience. Its Instagram page is full of beautiful lifestyle images of their products in just about anywhere in the world: rainforests, mountains, beaches... you name it.What the brand does well is leveraging its UGC. This saves time and resources and gives the brand some social proof.14. DesenioFollowers: 1.9MThe first thing you'll notice when you land on Swedish online art print company Desenio's Instagram page is color blocking.Every image blends beautifully with the one next to it, creating a cohesive, visually appealing page you never want to leave.Even when using user-generated content, the brand ensures it fits within its aesthetic. Establishing consistency in your creative assets is key in ensuring brand recognition (i.e., when people see your image anywhere, they know it's you.)15. VansFollowers: 17MVans is known for its stylish shoes and its Instagram business account is no exception.The maker of the classic checkered slip-on sneakers has a flashy Instagram feed, featuring both standalone product shots and action photos of people expressing themselves in their favorite Vans gear.One thing that's clear by looking at Vans' Instagram account is that its identity is no longer tied solely to skateboarding. While you'll still see lifestyle images with skateboarders, you'll also see surfers, cyclists, and other fashionable shoe-lovers.So, as your brand identity and messaging evolve, your content should also follow suit. Not sure how to get started with a strategy like this? Check out this podcast for tips from marketing experts:16. Grass-FieldsFollowers: 949kNow, here's a brand that knows how to show its personality.This Cameroon-based clothing brand isn't playing it safe on Instagram with static model shots and sale promotions. Instead, Grass-Fields showcases its products through fun, vibrant dance videos, and behind-the-scenes content.The brand also highlights Black business owners, creators, and artists on its page, which caters to Black women.The key takeaway here is: Don't be afraid to do things differently than it has been done if that's what your audience responds to.17. Finfolk ProductionsFollowers: 399kEver wanted to be a mermaid? You can come pretty close, thanks to companies like FinFolk Productions. Believe it or not, silicone mermaid tails you can put on and swim around in are quite trendy.Finfolk Productions' Instagram feed is full of beautifully shot photos that play into the mermaid fantasy by looking more like mythical art than real people.The nostalgia of being a mermaid gives Finfolk Productions' followers a sense of wonder that they can actually wear. This unique brand makes dreams come true, and that's worthy of a spot on this list of the best brands on Instagram.18. ShiseidoFollowers: 1.3mShiseido started as Japan's first Western-style pharmacy more than 140 years ago and has since developed into selling high-quality brightening and anti-aging skincare, makeup, and fragrance products.Its mission is to inspire a life of beauty and culture – a mission it portrays beautifully through Instagram content.Hot tip: Posts featuring faces, especially for a skincare brand, are ideal for boosting social media engagement.Don't be intimidated by highly professional Instagram videos like theirs. You can post highly engaging videos on Instagram without a huge video team or a bottomless budget. Here's some inspiration for making amazing Instagram Reels without breaking the bank.19. The Muted HomeFollowers: 49kDuring the COVID-19 pandemic, the home improvement industry saw an 18% increase in YOY market size — the largest increase in more than ten years. With people spending more money in the local hardware stores, they were spending more time on social media, too — consuming home decor content.Instagram brands like The Muted Home provide inspiration to help their followers redefine and elevate their homes with luxury home decor. Candles, vases, spice racks, cooking utensils, and more can be found on The Muted Home's Instagram page making it the go-to brand for nearly 50,000 online home decor enthusiasts.20. Sephora CollectionsFollowers: 818kSephora Collections' brand personality is playful, colorful, and feminine. It does a wonderful job of characterizing this personality in its Instagram content, using bright colors, patterns, and fun captions.In addition to partnering with beauty influencers, the brand also promotes content from everyday makeup users, featuring their tutorials and looks on its feed.Hot Tip: What makes this big brand one of the best on Instagram is the community it's built on the platform. But what we see from Sephora on Instagram is a combination of marketing efforts elsewhere. So take it from Sephora — invest in your brand outside of Instagram, too, so that you can see even more success on this social network.21. ClareFollowers: 100kIf you're renovating or simply moving into a new home, you're likely looking for inspiration on social media sites like Instagram and Pinterest.Clare's Instagram features a collection of carefully curated images that meet that exact need. You'll find everything from new product promotions to home decor tips – everything in between.There's also a beautiful balance of colors on Clare's Instagram page, creating a cohesive profile that's inviting, warm, and inspiring.22 . HoneyBookFollowers: 93.6kWhat we love about HoneyBook is how accessible its content is.Instagram, like many social media platforms, has been slow to develop and promote its accessibility features.Thankfully, brands like HoneyBook have taken an active approach to make its content accessible by adding captions to their videos and adding image IDs that describe every image the company posts.For deaf, hard of hearing, and visually impaired users, these extra steps go a long way.23. Design EssentialsFollowers: 147kDesign Essentials knows that hair is more than just something that grows on your body. It can speak to a community, a culture.If you're looking for inspiration for your Instagram brand, take inspo from Design Essentials and try diversifying your content. Even when your business is niche, there are plenty of ways to stretch your content ideas.The brand does more than just promote products on its Instagram page. In addition to product shots, you'll find inspirational quotes about hair, playful memes about everyday life, and fun reposts from Design Essentials' audience.24. FlodeskFollowers: 45.5kFlodesk's Instagram is everything you want to see on Instagram from an email marketing platform: beautiful designs and inviting content.When you land on Flodesk's page, you'll gain tips on how to use its platform as well as general tips to optimize your email marketing strategy. With the use of vibrant colors and playful designs, every post is an attention grabber.What's more, almost every post includes a call-to-action that invites the audience to engage. Whether it's to drop an emoji in the comments or answer a question – engagement done right.25. OmsomFollowers: 51.8kOmsom is another small business that has leveraged its CEOs, two first-generation Vietnamese sisters, to build a community on Instagram.As you scroll through Omsom's Instagram, yes, you'll find beautifully crafted images showcasing the dishes you can make using the brand's food products. However, that's only one piece of the puzzle.You'll also see many posts celebrating Vietnamese culture, and debunking Asian-American stereotypes and biases.This strategy helps consumers connect with the Omsom beyond the delicious food and understand its broader mission and purpose.26. ChipotleFollowers: 1.1MInstead of reeling in consumers with food pictures, Chipotle has chosen another route: hilarious memes.While you may find the occasional food post, the brand has focused its Instagram strategy on showing its personality.Here's why it works: Memes are shareable and tag-friendly, which helps Chipotle reach new consumers as people tag their friends in funny, relatable posts.The common thread in all the brands featured is that they had a consistent brand identity that was reflected in their visuals and a deep understanding of what resonated with their audience.Ready to populate your Instagram timeline with pics and videos that are as captivating as the content above? We believe in you!Editor's note: This post was originally published in June 2021 and has been updated for comprehensiveness.