Instagram is constantly developing new modifications, changes, features and updates to their algorithm on the photo and video sharing app throughout the year. The company also posts tips and notes on how to best alter your use of the app to get the best results. This blog will cover updates and notes on how to best implement hashtags in your posts, what’s happening to Likes, what you can expect from an updated algorithm and how best to get verified on the app.
Hashtags
Hashtags are an effective way of categorizing your posts, videos and pictures. However, in the past, hashtags have gotten out of hand. Hashtags allow posts to be collected into vast libraries of posts tagged with the same hashtag, creating a folio of similar subjects to explore for inspiration and ideas. Unfortunately, this system was abused via spam to insert off-topic ads and promotions in categories they had no business being in, so Instagram has issued a few recommendations.
-The IG team doesn’t recommend using more than TEN hashtags. The sweet spot is usually in the spectrum of three to five hashtags per post.
-Hashtags need to be highly relevant to the content of the post. If it’s not in the post, don’t mention it. Concentrate on what the content of the post is about, not the overarching continuity of your profile. If all of your posts have the same hashtags, it becomes incredibly redundant.
-Post your hashtags in your caption. Don’t clutter your post with a comment of hashtags.
-A block of 30 hashtags (especially when put in a comment) sends the message that it could be “spam” according to the IG team. Nobody reads them all anyway.
Likes
Likes on Instagram have become a commodity of their own in the 21st century self branding ecosystem. Now, Instagram is slowly rolling out updates that hide any one profile’s post likes from being seen by visitors to their pages or posts.
-Update is in 5-6 countries right now.
-A lot of IG employees have been testing it out personally for the past eight months, and prefer the app without seeing others’ Like totals.
-Likes will NOT disappear altogether. They will just disappear from being visible to people other than you.
-You can still see your posts’ Likes on the app’s backend (and share with brands if you’re a creator) if you choose to.
The Algorithm
Instagram’s algorithm determines the nature and order of your Instagram feed based on your interests and interactions. A few notes on the update:
-The algorithm will never go back to being chronological.
-The time of day you post doesn’t really matter, despite Insights marking out when your followers are active.
-Even if your audience is more “active” during the day, it does not mean that your posts will have a better chance of being seen.
-The way your content gets seen is controlled by whether or not your followers are engaging with your post. In order to see the content you want first and foremost, you absolutely HAVE to engage with it by liking and commenting on the posts and accounts you like the most, and vice versa for your own content. It signals to Instagram that you would like to prioritize that account over your other follows.
-So moving forward, your profile’s posts need to garner more likes and comments so your content will appear at the top of everyone’s feeds as one of their priorities.
Verification
Getting your profile verified on Instagram can do wonders for your follower count and post interactions. However, users have been having issues with receiving notice on successful verification for their profiles. Instagram has passed along a few points about the process.
-The only way to get verified is by using the public verification form where you can apply through the app.
-The decision will show up in the “Activity” tab, which can get buried under every notification in the tab unfortunately.
-If you haven’t heard back re: verification after a while, you likely weren’t approved or it was buried under “Activity” notifications.
-A lot of the verification decision is based on what Instagram calls the “notability” factor: press coverage, mentions, top results on Google, etc.
There you have it! Instagram is one of the more quick to adapt social media apps and they are constantly tweaking updates here and there. We hope this rundown has helped. Keep an eye out for future Southern View Media discussions on updates to our favorite apps!
Are you looking to get help with your Instagram? Contact us for a free consultation to formulate a strategic and affordable plan, call us today at 251-583-2605 or visit www.southernviewmedia.com. Thanks to @lindsaysilbs for sharing this awesome information with us! We love her Instagram Intel!
