5 Super-Simple Instagram Growth Hacks
5 Tips to Increase Organic Growth on Instagram
Instagram is a tricky little bugger, casting shadowbans for no apparent reason and constantly altering that algorithm to keep us content marketers on our toes. Fun stuff, right?
Where a handful of carefully selected hashtags once got you far (goodness, I miss chronological order posts), these days, it takes a far more enhanced strategy to really shake things up and make substantial impacts.
With that, as someone who loves simple advice that can be implemented immediately, here are 5 Instagram growth hacks that anyone can use to increase the visibility of their post and account today.
1. "Hashtags are Dead".
Eh, sorta.
You've heard it before, haven't you? And sure, there's a little bit of validity to this statement. Hashtags absolutely do not hold the value they once did, as increased user bases, bots, and #spam #spam #spam #spam #spam created way too much noise, forcing algorithm changes that instead reward quality content, user engagement, and video content.
So if you think using twenty trending hashtags will get you somewhere, your #like4like is wrong. In fact, excessive, irrelevant hashtag use can be counterproductive to your growth and may even result in a shadow ban! It often comes off as spammy and pushy toward your users, too.
Here's what to do instead:
Quality over Quantity: Keep your hashtag use to 3-5 relevant hashtags.
Don't Worry About Volume: The best hashtags aren't those with the most posts. Instead, niche down your hashtags to promote more suitable exposure.
Keywords: When applicable, try to align hashtags with keywords related to your post and, therefore, brand/product/service.
And my best advice surrounding hashtags? Don't spend too much time here, and instead, focus more on the following Instagram growth hacks, as they're much more powerful and worthy of your time.
2. Video Content Reigns
Instagram is lovin' the video content. Consistently publishing Reels and video stories is the superlative method for increasing your reach and engagement, highly rewarded by the algorithm. The key to success?
Quality Content: The quality of your videos is paramount. From the scripting to the editing, every detail influences your outcome. Use clear audio and high-definition visuals while providing relevant, useful, or entertaining content. Quality content provides value; remember that.
Utilize Reels: Reels have their own tab on Instagram's Explore page, and the platform has been heavily promoting this feature, promoting the exposure of accounts that engage in consistent posting. Ensure your Reels are creative, entertaining, and tap into current trends or challenges while adding your creative touch. Or, choose to address your target audience's pain points with content showcasing your product/service as the solution.
Add Captions to Videos: Many users watch content without sound, and adding captions hugely increases a video's watch time. Not only does this make your content accessible to those with hearing impairments, but it engages users scrolling without sound.
Experiment with IGTV: IGTV lets you upload longer videos, allowing you to delve into topics more deeply or provide lengthier entertainment. Use it for interviews, in-depth tutorials, grandeur creative projects, or to discuss your products or services in detail.
Humanize on Instagram Live: Instagram Live is a fantastic way to engage with your audience in real-time, fostering a connection with your followers that helps to personalize and humanize your image/brand. Regular live sessions will help to boost your engagement rates and reach, so they're worth implementing.
Repurpose Content: Do you have video content from other platforms? Repurpose it for Instagram! For instance, you can turn snippets of a webinar into a series of Instagram Reels or IGTVs. Or, use other content, like blog posts, as easy inspiration to structure video content around.
Create Engaging Thumbnails: Thumbnails can make or break a video's success. Make 'em catchy, yeah?
While doing this, keep in mind one last thing: Instagram is a social platform. So be social; respond to every comment on your videos, like them, and engage in conversation. The algorithm will favor such social practice.
3. Add Topics to Your Reels
If you've skipped over this simple yet oh-so-effective step at increasing exposure on Instagram, then I can't wait to share it with you because it literally takes ten additional seconds to implement.
After editing your Reel and clicking "Next," you are brought to the final 'new post' page before officially sharing, where you add your comment and adjust additional settings.
On the fourth option down, notice the little #hashtag symbol and 'Add topics.' Click this, and add the 3 most relevant topics related to your video. This helps Instagram understand and align your content with the most relevant audience, promoting engagement right off the bat and attracting the algorithm's sweet attention to optimize reach. To boost local engagement, don’t forget to add a relevant location, too. While you’re at it, turn “Recommend on Facebook” ON, as this will enhance shareability and exposure.
4. Alt Text Matters, Too!
If you're into content marketing, you know what alt text is, but your average Instagram user has no idea and skips right over this simple and helpful tip.
* Note: Alt text can only be added to Instagram photo posts.
Alternate texts refer to the descriptive text that can and should be added to an image to describe/clarify what it contains. This feature is often used for accessibility reasons, as it helps those with visual impairments understand the image through screen readers, which is why it is so vital to include it across all website images and social channels!
However, alt text also plays a significant role in improving Instagram SEO.
When you add alt text to your Instagram post, you're essentially telling Instagram's algorithm what your post is about. Instagram then uses this information to present your content to users who may be interested in that topic.
In a way, alt text is akin to "invisible" hashtags that can help increase the visibility of your posts.
Here's how to best use it:
Make it descriptive: Describe what's happening in the image as accurately as possible. This not only helps visually impaired users but also gives Instagram's algorithm valuable context about your post.
Include keywords: If relevant keywords align with your brand or the specific post, include them in your alt text. This can help Instagram categorize your content and potentially increase its reach.
Don't keyword stuff: Just like with hashtags, don't spam your alt text with unnecessary or irrelevant keywords. This can do more harm than good and may even lead to penalization by Instagram. Only include keywords if they naturally blend into the descriptive nature of your text.
Here's a quick example of detailed, optimized alt text for the following photo, imagining that you're an e-commerce company selling yoga products while targeting the keyword ‘eco friendly yoga mat’ on your collection page.
Optimized Alternate Text: A person performing cobra pose on an ocean themed, eco-friendly yoga mat in a modern studio.
Including this simple step in your social media strategy will make your Instagram posts more inclusive and reach a more expansive audience, giving you the edge in the crowded world of Instagram marketing.
5. Use Descriptive Captioning
Your caption complements the content and engages your audience, and is instrumental in increasing your reach on Instagram. By integrating keywords into your captions, you provide more context to Instagram's algorithm about your content, helping to ensure that your posts reach the right users. Here's how to effectively use descriptive captioning:
Make it Relevant: Your caption should directly relate to your posted image or video. It can provide context, add a narrative, or give further insights related to your content.
Use Keywords Wisely: Keywords are crucial to improving visibility. If your post is about vegan recipes, for example, make sure to include relevant keywords such as 'vegan,' 'plant-based,' and 'healthy recipes' in your caption. This helps Instagram's algorithm to better understand, categorize, and place your content.
Tell a Story: An engaging caption can tell a story, evoke emotions, and inspire your audience. This can increase engagement rates, making your posts more likely to appear in your followers' feeds.
Include a CTA: A call-to-action (CTA) such as 'Tag a friend who would love this!' or 'Let me know what you think in the comments!' can significantly increase engagement, further boosting your visibility. Remember to engage back with any replies!
Make it Readable: Longer captions are becoming increasingly common on Instagram, but they still need to be easy to read. Break up your text into smaller paragraphs or use bullet points to improve readability.
Front-Load Important Information: Instagram cuts off captions after a few lines of text, so make sure to put any critical information, including CTAs, at the beginning.
Remember, Instagram is about authenticity. While using keywords is important for reach, your captions should still feel organic and genuine. Use your brand voice and create captions that resonate with your audience. It's about striking a balance between optimizing for reach and maintaining genuine engagement with your followers.
Drop Us a Line!
Social media growth is all about experimentation. What works for one account may not work for another. But you're already on the right path by staying consistent, creating quality content, and engaging with your followers.
Let us know if you've found any of these Instagram growth hacks useful or have questions by dropping them in the comments! We're always eager to promote conversation and provide more insight around these topics to help you grow your brand.
And hey, if you're feeling overwhelmed with your marketing strategy, we're eager to help. Beyond sharing advice on our blog, we offer a unique variety of digital marketing services tailored to meet your brand's individual needs.
Shoot me a direct email at dakotaqai@gmail.com to chat.
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