Let’s talk about something slightly different today – Instagram’s new algorithm. Ever since Instagram moved away from chronological feed, its algorithm has been as unpredictable as Vancouver’s sun.
Being able to somewhat navigate in the algorithm is important because it significantly affects your posts’ reach. Reach means how many followers can see your posts. An influencer who has 30,000 followers does not mean that all 30,000 followers get to see all of the influencer’s posts.
I’d like to start by saying that by no mean am I an expert in the algorithm, and I am absolutely not a major influencer. Over the last few months, I have been doing experiments trying to understand how the algorithm works. Here is what I have discovered so far:
- Post during the same time of the day:
One thing that I realized is that Instagram certainly likes consistency. Posting on the same time of the day is key. I usually post on weekdays after I get off work, around 5pm. If I post during the window of 4:45pm – 5:15pm, I will have a decent reach. If I post outside of that time frame, my reach will be less than average. I’ve experimented by posting on different times, such as early mornings or around lunch time. Nope, Instagram prefers me to post around my usual time, 5pm.
ACTION: Pick a time and stick to it! The best time is the time that people are generally on their phones, e.g. commuting, after dinner, before bed…etc.
- Have a theme in your photos:
You will find “consistency” is the idea behind all these tips. Instagram analyzes all of our photos (composition, dominant color, types of pictures..) and decide if our photos are something that the followers want to see. Some people have indicated that the photos that have “blue” in them tend to do better than those that don’t.
ACTION: For us fashion Instagrammers, what’s blue? Denim, ladies!
- Types of photos:
Consistency here again. Instagram prefers to see the same types of photos. For me, it is those ootds, flatlays and closeups. Whenever I post something different, such as travel photos and coffee shots, my engagement decreases. Instagram essentially promotes the photos that have been proven to do well for all users.
ACTION: Look at your past posts and find the ones that did well. Then incorporate those types of posts into your feed.
- Hashtags:
Use hashtags! Instagram allows maximum of 30 hashtags per post. Use hashtags to help increasing your reach and let new followers discover your content. I have my hashtags saved in the “note” app on my phone. So I simply need to copy and paste when I post, rather than type out everything.
ACTION: go to your favourite Instagrammer and find out which hashtags they use. Create your own list and save in your “note” app so the list is ready to go.
I am not sure if these tips are universal to everyone. If you want to work on your posts’ reach, these are something you can try. Do let me know if these tips work for you! Like I said, the algorithm is as mysterious as Vancouver’s sun. Any information on how your reach behaves is helpful!
On the other hand, I am enjoying this spring outfit so much. If you haven’t checked out X Nihilo, gooo take a look! Their bags consistently sell out. X Nihilo from Australia has such original designs and the leather is oh so luxurious. Rich, smooth, soft yet strong. Styling their Wills is ever so easy. The sleek design instantly elevates simple outfits into something your friends go ooohh ahhhh.
Outfit deets as always:
Tee: Everlane Box Cut Tee (less than $20)
Jeans: H&M, similar
Bag: X Nihilo
Mules: Everlane The Day Mule
Thank you for this tips, really helpful! 🙂 And I love your blog in general, such a nice clean design, please check out mine…
http://texturecharmscolour.de
Thank you and thanks for visiting! 🙂
Thanks dear for your tips, the blue colour really works 😉
Jovita from Black Vanilla
http://www.b-vanilla.com
yeahh!? I am not sure if the blue color trick actually work but somehow it makes sense.. I mean a lot of people’s favorite color is blue, right!? ahha
this is very helpful, great tips. thank you for taking your time to share it
Pop by
http://www.elegantduchess.com/
thanks for visiting my bloggie!
Thanks for the tips, I will try them! And I really like the outfit xxx
http://fallingforablog.blogspot.com.es/2017/06/my-favourite-summer-shoes.html
Let me know hot it turned out! I am never sure if these apply to other people 🙂
Thanks so much for sharing, instagram has been a struggle and had a knock on effect on the credibility of my account. Think its important to have a theme (which i don’t) but hashtags haven’t made a difference if i use them or not x
http://sweatshirtsanddresses.com
The effect on credibility is real. I hope my tips helped!
I agree with the posting same time every day and the hashtag rules! Seem to work quite well for me. But I didn’t know the colour thing will affect whether my pictures get shown to my followers! Such a shocker. Anyway, thanks for the tips! Love them!
yanrula x
Hashtags rule!! It also helps to change them up every so often..but I am usually too lazy to do that haha
I agree with the posting same time every day and the hashtag rules! Seem to work quite well for me. But I didn’t know the colour thing will affect whether my pictures get shown to my followers! Such a shocker. Anyway, thanks for the tips! Love them! x
I agree with the posting same time every day and the hashtag rules! Seem to work quite well for me. But I didn’t know the colour thing will affect whether my pictures get shown to my followers! Such a shocker. Anyway, thanks for the tips! Love them!
yanrula x
thank you for sharing your tips with me girl. I actually have noticed that i get more engagements when I post at the same time so I guess I’ll have to keep doing that..
Great spring outfit too. You’re making me wish that Spring will come sooner now 😛
Michaela
http://www.graceandcoy.com
yayy! so glad that it helped. I’ve been posting at the same time for a while and it works for me!
Absolutely love X Nihilo bags!
Vivian | LIVE . IN . LOVE
IG | @VIVIYUNN_
~
Thanks for visiting my bloggie!
Thanks for sharing what you’ve discovered that’s been working for you with the app. It’s been so hard to navigate and see what’s ideal for me for the past couple of months. Last year, I at least appreciated the fact that IG let its users know that there was a change coming in how we’d view posts and engage with accounts we follow. It seems as though this past April a change was discretely made, which caused me to experience a huge drop in engagement and followers and it’s been known to have effected other users, too. I think when they’re communicate whatever changes they make or intend to make with the community, it makes for a much more enjoyable experience. Anyway, thanks for sharing and I love your outfit btw, girlie! I hope you have a great weekend ahead!
XO,
Jalisa
http://www.thestylecontour.com
I actually wasn’t aware that they were making changes in April! but it’s good that they are issuing announcements. I hope they continue to do so 🙂
Thanks for sharing what you’ve discovered that’s been working for you with the app. It’s been so hard to navigate and see what’s ideal for me for the past couple of months. Last year, I at least appreciated the fact that IG let its users know that there was a change coming in how we’d view posts and engage with accounts we follow. It seems as though this past April a change was discretely made, which caused me to experience a huge drop in engagement and followers and it’s been known to have effected other users, too. I think when they’re communicate whatever changes they make or intend to make with the community, it makes for a much more enjoyable experience. Anyway, thanks for sharing and I love your outfit btw, girlie; I hope you have a great weekend ahead!
XO,
Jalisa
http://www.thestylecontour.com
Thank you very much for the tips! 😉
They’re very helpful.
Also, I super love your hairstyle! <3
I'm planning to cut my hair once my fringe has grown to the chin.
And I found yours so inspiring! 😉
Hugs from Tokyo,
Shabrina
http://www.shabrinahazimi.blogspot.com
hiii! Looking forward to see your new hair!
I don’t have Instagram but I’m convinced that your tips are very good. And your cool look with the denims is absolutely fantastic!
xx Rena
http://www.dressedwithsoul.com
aww thanks!
Aw, I knew something was going wrong with Instagram. I don’t like missing some content, and it’s difficult to follow my favourite instagramers. Thanks a lot for these tips, it will help me to do better as an instagramer. Have a nice week!
Steal4Style.com
yeah.. that happens to me too. Now I have to manually type in their names just to see their new posts! argh
Great advice! i have been using more hashtags on instagram and it seems to be helping =o)
https://dreamofadventures.com/
yayy for hashtags! They certainly help
Love your outfit! So chic!
aww thanks girlie!
Great tips babe! Ig has been really tough lately and I will be trying these tips out!
http://www.prettyinleather.net
IG has certainly made our online presence much more difficult. Hope these help!
Oh hey—thank you so much! I never understood Instagram’s algorithms. I wish they’d just go back to chronological, but guess we will all just have to adapt and make the best of it!
Kim
Simply Lovebirds
I so wish they would go back to chronological but that’s probably not gonna happen :(….
Excellent tips! I have read about bloggers who are hit hard by this algorithm change and these tips would come in handy. Also, your outfit is so stylishly chic. Love how simple but gorgeous it is!
Jessica | notjessfashion.com
seems like the algorithm affected a lot of us! Glad I could help 🙂
To say I am mildly obsessed with your blog is a huge understatement. I love your Paris looks
thanks girl!!