It's no secret that Instagram is one of the top social media
platforms in terms of user engagement. However, the platform is evolving faster
than you can keep up with it. If you want to get ahead of the game, keep these
Instagram trends in mind. And the good news is, these trends aren't all about
paying for ads.
One of the most popular Instagram trends is Stories.
Instagram stories allow you to show off a bit of your personality and build a
following. This is a great way to promote deals or products, and even create a
community for your business. The best part is, these types of posts are often
accompanied by interactive elements.
Getting your brand into the Stories fold has never been
easier. Instagram has launched a number of new features to help you make the
most of this content format. In particular, you can now tag another account in
your post. These tagged posts appear to audiences on both accounts.
Another nifty feature is the "Add Yours" sticker.
This sticker allows you to add a photo to the story. You can also include a
link to your website, blog, or landing page
The Instagram algorithm pushes relevant content to your
audience within minutes, depending on how fast you upload it. While there is no
end to the amount of new features the app will continue to introduce, there are
several things you can do to ensure your business's presence is optimized.
As far as the algorithm is concerned, the best way to make
the most of Instagram is to focus on two key aspects of the app: Reels and
Stories. A Reel is a type of video content that you can post up to sixty
seconds long. They are great for people who don't have much time to devote to a
lengthy video.
Similarly, a Story is a type of interactive video that
notifies you when a user watches it. Videos in the Stories format are typically
short and sweet. Each video lasts for just twenty-four hours before it
disappears. With the help of the right hashtags, you can maximize your reach on
this new feature.
Although the best way to build an audience on Instagram is
through Reels and Stories, you don't need to spend a lot of money to have a
presence. Some businesses are already reaping the benefits of this trend.
Whether you are running a brick and mortar store, or you sell online, you can
take advantage of these trends and grow your brand.
In the near future, Instagram will likely merge with
Stories. The company is currently working on making TikTok-style content
available to its users. But even with this, you can't expect to see it
everywhere.
Other tidbits to watch out for in the coming year are the AR
filters that have become available to Instagram. For example, Spark AR Studio
lets you create custom AR effects. Also, check out Later Media, which produces
free downloadable stickers. Finally, look into Instagram's "Explore
Page" feature. There, you can find a list of nearby businesses.