Boost Your Instagram Engagement with These Algorithm-Based Strategies
Are you struggling to get your content seen on Instagram? With the platform's ever-changing algorithm, it can be tough to keep up and maintain engagement with your audience. But fear not, there are strategies you can implement to boost your engagement and increase your visibility.
In this article, we'll dive into the key factors of Instagram's algorithm and how you can use them to your advantage. Whether you're a coach, therapist, psychologist or psychotherapist looking to build and grow your online presence, these algorithm-based strategies will help you elevate your Instagram game and increase your engagement.
What is engagement?
Engagement on Instagram refers to the interactions that users have with your content, such as liking, commenting, sharing, and saving posts. Engagement is important for growing your Instagram account because it signals to the platform's algorithm that your content is valuable and interesting to your followers.
As a result, the algorithm will prioritize your content in users' feeds, potentially leading to increased reach, impressions, and followers. Additionally, engagement helps you build a relationship with your followers, fostering a sense of community and loyalty that can lead to long-term growth and success on the platform. Overall, engagement is a crucial component of building and sustaining a successful Instagram account.
How does the algorithm work?
Unlocking the secrets of Instagram's algorithm can seem like an impossible task. While the platform's inner workings are shrouded in mystery, there are ways to decipher what works and what doesn't.
As Instagram evolves, so do the algorithms that govern it. From a simple chronological feed to sophisticated algorithms for each section of the app, including the Feed, Stories, Reels, and Explore, Instagram is constantly updating to improve the user experience.
The ultimate goal of these algorithms is to keep users engaged and scrolling for longer periods of time. So the formula is simple, keep the users longer on Instagram by sharing valuable and interesting content, and you will be rewarded.
What are the key factors of Instagram’s algorithm?
So, what factors influence the algorithm?
there are a few key things to keep in mind. First and foremost, engagement is king. The more likes, comments, shares, and saves a post gets, the more likely it is to be seen by more people. But engagement isn't the only thing that matters.
The algorithm also looks at the relevance of the content to you, your relationship with the person posting it, and the timeliness of the post. And believe it or not, even the amount of time you spend looking at a post can influence the algorithm.
Now, here's where it gets interesting. The algorithm isn't just looking at what you engage with - it's also paying attention to what you don't engage with. Every time you scroll past a post without liking or commenting on it, the algorithm takes note. So it's not just about getting engagement, it's also about creating content that people don't want to scroll past.
And finally, the algorithm isn't just looking at likes and comments. Shares, saves, and even follows and unfollows can all influence what content you see.
So if you want to get your content seen, focus on creating scroll-stopping, shareable, save-worthy posts that people want to come back to again and again.
What’s engagement and how to increase it?
Engagement is like the fuel that powers your social media presence. It's what keeps the party going and gets people excited about what you're putting out there. So, if you're looking to increase your engagement, we've got some tips and tricks that will make your posts the talk of the town.
Add a Call-to-action
make sure you're including a call to action (CTA) in every post. But here's the catch - give people a reason to engage! Don't just say "like this post if you agree." or “leave a heart emoji if this resonates with you.” Instead, ask them a question or start a conversation right then and there.
For example, if you're a psychologist and your post is about PTSD, you could say: "What is triggering your PTSD symptoms? what are some of the ways you go through a PTSD episode? Let me know in the comments."
See? Now people have a reason to engage.Treat your audience like gold
Respond to comments, answer questions, and show them some love. Also, don't be afraid to start engaging with other people's followers too! Find bigger influencers in your industry and start chatting with their audience. This will spark their interest and probably make them want to check out your profile. The point is to attract people who you know are interested in topics you’re sharing about, so finding these bigger influencer accounts and engaging with their followers could be a gold mine for your business.
Another way to connect with people on Instagram is to use relevant hashtags. by leaving thoughtful comments on other people's posts you’re starting a conversation and This will help you get noticed by people who are interested in the same things you are.Now, let's talk about reels
Reels are like the cool kids at the party - everyone wants to be around them. So hop on that bandwagon and start creating engaging, fun reels that showcase your personality. And speaking of personality, don't be afraid to let yours shine through! People want to get to know the real you, so show them what you're all about.
From daily vlogs, behind-the-scenes shots or a trending reel you found particularly interesting, take out your camera and start recording. Reels are being pushed by Instagram’s algorithm right now and it’s an amazing opportunity to build engagement and have new eyes land on your profile.Stories
WE’ve proven multiple times through our client work how important stories are for building a personal brand. Stories have the power of making you feel like you’re going through the day with your favourite person on Instagram. Right?
By sharing your thoughts, behind the scenes of working with clients/patients, you’re building trust and breaking the ice in a way because people who watch your stories are more likely to send you a dm, a sticker or respond to one of your polls. all these actions count as engagement and are also a great way of getting to know your audience so you can provide them with content that’s valuable.Lives
We know lives require a lot of thought, planning and guts, especially for introverts, but let us tell you, they’re worth it! We recommend setting up a live with someone in your field and ideally, on a topic your audience wants to learn more about (You can decide on the topic through story polls).
When you go live with someone, you’ll appear on top of the stories feed with a colourful ring around your profile picture. another bonus is that followers of the person you’re doing the live with will be able to join as well. This means you getting double exposure.
Conclusion
In conclusion, understanding how the Instagram algorithm works is crucial for anyone looking to increase their engagement on the platform. By focusing on the three key factors that Instagram prioritizes - interest, recency, and relationship - you can optimize your content to reach more of your target audience. Utilizing hashtags, engaging with your followers, and sharing high-quality, visually appealing content are all important strategies for boosting engagement.
Overall, increasing engagement on Instagram is not just about following a set of rules, but rather understanding the platform and your audience. By consistently engaging with your followers yourself before you ask for engagement from them. With the tips and strategies we shared, you can build a loyal community that will help boost your visibility and engagement on the platform.