As a business owner or marketer, it’s important to stay up-to-date on the latest changes to Instagram’s algorithm. These changes can have a significant impact on your strategy for using the platform to reach your target audience and achieve your goals. In this blog post, we’ll take a look at some of the most significant algorithm updates that Instagram has made in recent years and how they’ve affected the way users interact with the platform.
One of the biggest changes to Instagram’s algorithm came in 2016, when the platform switched from a chronological feed to a more personalized feed based on users’ interests and relationships. This change was made in an effort to keep users engaged with the platform for longer periods of time, as well as to show them more content that they were likely to find relevant and interesting.
For businesses and marketers, this change meant that it became even more important to create high-quality, engaging content that resonated with their target audience. It also meant that it became more difficult for businesses to reach their audience organically, as the algorithm gave priority to content from users’ friends and family over content from businesses.
In 2018, Instagram made another significant change to its algorithm by introducing a new feature called “Explore.” Explore is a section of the platform that shows users content based on their interests and the accounts that they follow. This change was designed to help users discover new content and accounts that they might not have come across otherwise.
For businesses, Explore offers an opportunity to reach a new audience and to gain more visibility on the platform. To make the most of this opportunity, it’s important to use relevant hashtags and to post content that aligns with users’ interests. It’s also a good idea to use Instagram’s paid promotion features to boost the reach of your posts and to target them to specific users who are likely to be interested in your business.
In 2020, Instagram made another major change to its algorithm by introducing the ability for users to hide certain types of content from their feed. This change was made in response to user feedback and was designed to give users more control over the content that they see on the platform.
For businesses, this change means that it’s more important than ever to create high-quality content that resonates with your target audience. If users don’t find your content valuable or interesting, they may choose to hide it from their feed, which can decrease your visibility on the platform.
In addition to these major algorithm changes, Instagram has made a number of smaller updates in recent years that have affected the way users interact with the platform. For example, the platform has introduced new features like “Reels” (short-form video content) and “Shop” (a feature that allows users to purchase products directly from the app), which have changed the way that businesses use the platform to reach their audience.
It’s important to keep an eye on these updates and to adjust your strategy accordingly. For example, if you’re a business that sells products, it might be worth considering using the Shop feature to sell your products directly on Instagram. Or, if you’re a business that creates visual content, you might want to consider using Reels to showcase your products or services in a more engaging way.
In conclusion, Instagram’s algorithm changes have had a significant impact on the way businesses use the platform to reach their audience and achieve their goals. To make the most of Instagram, it’s important to stay up-to-date on these changes and to adjust your strategy accordingly. This might mean creating higher-quality content, using paid promotion features, or experimenting with new features like Reels and Shop. By doing so, you can help ensure that your business stays visible and relevant on Instagram.
Here are a few more points to consider when it comes to Instagram’s algorithm changes and how they might impact your strategy:
- Use Instagram Insights to understand your audience: Instagram Insights is a built-in analytics tool that allows businesses to track the performance of their content on the platform. By using Insights, you can learn more about your audience, including their demographics, location, and interests. This information can be helpful in crafting a more targeted and effective Instagram strategy.
- Engage with your audience: Instagram’s algorithm takes into account the level of engagement that a post receives, so it’s important to encourage interaction with your content. This might mean asking questions, running a contest or giveaway, or simply responding to comments and messages from your followers. By showing that you value your audience and are willing to engage with them, you can help boost the visibility of your content on the platform.
- Utilize Instagram’s paid promotion features: As mentioned earlier, Instagram’s algorithm gives priority to content from users’ friends and family over content from businesses. While it can be challenging to reach your audience organically, Instagram offers a range of paid promotion options that can help increase the reach of your content. These options include sponsored posts, Instagram Ads, and Instagram Shopping. By using these features, you can target your content to specific users who are likely to be interested in your business, which can help you reach a larger and more relevant audience.
- Collaborate with influencers: Influencer marketing can be an effective way to reach a new audience on Instagram. By partnering with influencers who have a large following in your target market, you can leverage their audience to promote your business. Keep in mind that it’s important to choose influencers who are a good fit for your brand and who have a genuine interest in your products or services.
- Use Instagram’s API: Instagram’s API (Application Programming Interface) allows businesses to access data and functionality from the platform. By using the API, you can automate tasks like scheduling posts, managing comments, and analyzing data. This can be a valuable tool for businesses that want to streamline their Instagram marketing efforts and make the most of their time on the platform.
I hope these additional points are helpful in understanding how Instagram’s algorithm changes might impact your strategy.
