The world of social media is always evolving, and Instagram is no exception. With new features and updates constantly rolling out, it can be tough for businesses to keep up with what’s new and relevant.
That’s why we’ve compiled this list of 10 trends currently making waves on Instagram.
What is Instagram?
Instagram is a free photo and video-sharing social media platform that has recently become incredibly popular. It allows users to take and edit photos, videos, and stories and share them with followers on their Instagram profiles.
Since its launch in 2010, Instagram has grown to over one billion users across the globe today. This staggering number includes influencers who have used the app to promote products or services through sponsored posts and celebrities who have amassed millions of followers.
Its easy-to-use features make it simple for users to apply filters, tag people in their posts, add captions, create stories, and more.
As well as being an effective way for businesses to connect with customers online, many people also use Instagram as a creative outlet where they can post visually appealing images or content related to their passions such as art, fashion, and travel.
Instagram also offers lots of ways for people to interact with each other including messaging features and comment threads which makes it perfect for forming relationships with friends and family near and far.
How to Stay Up-to-Date with Instagram Trends
Instagram is one of the most popular social media platforms, and businesses need to stay on top of trends to ensure their content is engaging and relevant.
Staying up-to-date with Instagram trends can sometimes seem difficult, but there are some easy ways to do it.
One way to ensure you’re staying ahead of the curve is to follow accounts that regularly post about new trends – influencers, thought leaders in your industry or big brands in related industries are all good choices.
Additionally, be sure to keep an eye out for changes made by Instagram itself – from standalone apps like IGTV to newly released features like Stories Highlight Reels or Hashtag Challenges. Staying in the loop on what Instagram is doing will help you capitalize on them before anyone else.
And finally, don’t forget the importance of checking out trending hashtags – using them in your posts can give them more reach and exposure.
Trend #1: Shoppable Posts
Shoppable posts are one of the most exciting trends on Instagram today. These posts allow users to link directly to items they have posted, making it easy for them to show off their products or services and make sales simultaneously.
Using shoppable posts can be a great way for businesses to increase conversions, as customers can click through to purchase without having to leave the app. It also helps companies to build their brand by enabling them to market their products and increase their visibility on the platform.
One key benefit of using shoppable posts is that they can help businesses reach more customers. By providing users with direct links to items, brands can engage with a larger audience and maximize their reach. Additionally, since shoppers can easily find what they are looking for, they are more likely to complete the purchase process.
Overall, shoppable posts offer businesses an excellent way to increase conversions and build their brand on Instagram.
How to set up shoppable posts on Instagram
The first step is to ensure that you have an ecommerce platform or Shopify integration set up. Once that’s done, you’ll need to create product tags in the same feed post or story featuring the items you want to be shippable.
You can then add a tag for each product within the image, video, or carousel post that links directly to the product page on your website.
Finally, add captions and hashtags to draw attention and ensure customers can easily find your products!
Trend #2: Influencer Marketing
Influencer marketing has become an important part of Instagram and is a great way for businesses to get their products or services in front of large audiences. Influencers have large followings on the platform and can be used to promote a business’s products, services, or campaigns.
Working with influencers allows companies to reach a larger audience and have their message amplified. Influencers are seen as trusted sources by their followers, which can help to build trust in the brand being promoted. This type of marketing has become more popular on Instagram because it allows brands to target specific audiences with their messages without spending too much money.
In addition, businesses can use influencers to create content that will be shared with their audiences. This type of content can help companies to reach a larger audience, build trust in the brand, and increase sales.
Overall, Influencer Marketing on Instagram is a great way for businesses to reach larger audiences and get their message out there.
Best practices for working with influencers on Instagram include:
- Finding the right influencer for your brand.
- Setting clear goals and objectives.
- Establishing an agreement with the influencers.
- Tracking results.
- Providing feedback.
By following these best practices, businesses can ensure they get the most out of their Influencer Marketing campaigns.
Trend #3: Instagram Stories
Instagram Stories is among the most well-known features on Instagram, with millions of people utilizing it daily. With this captivating feature, users can easily share photos and videos that are only accessible for 24 hours – making it an ideal platform to promote events, campaigns, or products!
One benefit of using Instagram Stories is that it provides an opportunity for businesses to engage with their customers in a more personal way. For example, businesses can ask questions and encourage their followers to respond or use polls to engage with users. Additionally, Instagram Stories provide a great way for companies to showcase their products or services in an engaging and fun way.
Using Instagram Stories also helps businesses reach a larger audience. They can be shared with followers and even non-followers, which can help to increase brand visibility and reach. Additionally, businesses can add links to their stories that direct users to their website or the product page.
Instagram Stories is a great way for businesses to engage with customers, build brand trust, and promote products or services. To make the most of Instagram Stories, businesses should create engaging content, use polls and questions to interact with their followers, add relevant links to drive traffic to their website or product page, and track results.
Creative ideas for using Instagram stories to engage with followers
This can include behind-the-scenes looks at how a product is made, Q&As with customers, or spotlighting employees or customers. With creativity and thoughtful content, businesses can use Instagram Stories to increase brand awareness and drive sales.
Trend #4: User-Generated Content
User-generated content (UGC) can leverage your followers’ creativity and showcase real customer experience. UGC can be used in many ways, such as featuring customers’ photos or videos with products or services, sharing customer reviews on social media, or having contests encouraging users to post creative content using a specific hashtag.
This trend is great for brands as it requires little effort from them and allows them to engage customers organically. UGC also helps build trust and credibility because it can showcase the real-life experiences of existing customers. Through this, potential customers gain insight into the products they may purchase.
Finally, UGC helps to boost a brand’s reach as it can be easily shared and spread on social media. This helps to create an online community around your brand in which customers feel valued and connected. Furthermore, if users find the content engaging enough, they may share or repost it, thus creating a ripple effect that extends far beyond your followers.
Best practices for promoting and using user-generated content on Instagram
These include creating a hashtag, engaging with users who post content, offering incentives for participating in campaigns, and tracking results. Additionally, businesses should ensure they are mindful of copyright laws and respect users’ privacy. By following these best practices, businesses can make the most out of user-generated content on Instagram.
Trend #5: Interactive Features
Interactive features offer users an engaging and unique way to connect with their followers. This includes things like quizzes, polls, and Instagram Live sessions. These features allow brands to engage with customers more effectively than traditional content such as images or videos.
Using these interactive features is also great for helping businesses learn more about their customers. For example, polls can help businesses to understand their customers’ likes and dislikes, enabling them to tailor products or services accordingly. Additionally, quizzes can help brands identify potential leads, as users who participate in quizzes are likely interested in the discussed topic.
Finally, interactive features allow businesses to build relationships with their customers. By promptly responding to comments, messages, and polls, businesses can create an online community of loyal customers who feel valued and connected with their brand.
Best practices for using interactive features on Instagram
These include creating interesting and engaging content, setting up notifications for when users interact with your posts or stories, responding to comments and questions promptly, and tracking results. Additionally, businesses should ensure they are using the right tools to measure the success of their interactive content and adjust accordingly.
Trend #6: Video Content
Video content is one of the most engaging forms of media, and brands are taking advantage of this to connect with their audience. Videos have been proven more memorable than images, thus helping brands stand out on social media.
Videos can also help businesses build deeper customer relationships by giving them insight into products or services. They can be used to promote events, showcase customer success stories, provide tutorials, and more.
Additionally, video content is highly shareable and can increase brand visibility. It has the potential to influence decision-making beyond traditional advertisement methods. The combination of sound, motion, and visuals makes videos a powerful tool for brands that want to create relevant content for their audiences.
Creating videos doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. Smartphones, tablets and digital cameras are all helpful for creating professional-looking video content that can reach a wider audience.
Tips for creating engaging video content include:
- Highlighting customer stories
- Showing product features and benefits
- Creating how-to tutorials or DIYs
- Sharing updates about upcoming events or promotions
- Offering sneak peeks into new products or services.
Trend #7: Instagram Reels
Instagram Reels is a new feature that allows users to create and share 15-second videos and more with sound. It is similar to TikTok, but with the added benefit of accessing Instagram’s expansive network of users.
Instagram Reels allow brands to expand their reach and drive more engagement. Videos can be used to introduce new products, show off customer stories, promote events, or provide tutorials.
Best practices for creating Instagram Reels include:
- Making sure videos are creative and engaging
- Creating content that is relevant to your audience
- Using music or sound effects to make videos more fun and eye-catching
- Experimenting with different effects and filters
- Adding captions and hashtags to drive more engagement.
Trend #8: Instagram Live
Instagram Live isn’t a new trend, but it has grown significantly in popularity over the past year. With Instagram Live, users can host live videos for their followers to watch and interact with. It’s a great way to engage with your audience and build relationships with them. Additionally, businesses are using Instagram Live as an effective way to promote their brand and share valuable content.
Whether a small business or a large corporation, Instagram Live is an excellent tool for connecting with your audience and creating memorable experiences. So if you’re looking for an effective way to reach more people, consider giving Instagram Live a try.
Best practices for using Instagram live to engage with followers include:
– Use relevant hashtags to maximize your reach
– Ask followers to interact by asking questions or making comments
– Encourage them to join in on the conversation
– Share valuable content that will keep people interested
– Create polls and surveys to keep engagement levels high
– Host live Q&A sessions with experts in your industry
– Celebrate your most devoted followers by hosting competitions and giveaways to thank them for their loyalty.
Trend #9: Augmented Reality Filters
Augmented reality (AR) offers an exciting way to engage with your customers and add a bit of fun to your online experiences. AR filters can allow customers to try on clothing and accessories virtually, enabling them to make more informed purchases.
They can also be used for creative marketing campaigns where users can create their content through AR filters. AR filters can also be used to create interactive experiences, such as games or interactive stories, allowing customers to engage with your brand in a more immersive way.
With technology becoming increasingly more advanced and making it easier for companies to utilize augmented reality (AR) in their marketing strategies, we can expect to see an outburst of creative ideas. Don’t miss the opportunity – now is the time to start experimenting with this trend and exploring how you can integrate AR into your Instagram campaigns!
To ensure a successful augmented reality experience on Instagram, here are the top strategies to follow:
- Make sure your filters are visually appealing and easy to use
- Incorporate interactive elements that encourage user participation
- Create branded content with your logo or product images
- Offer users the ability to share their experiences with friends
- Use in-app features to generate leads and capture customer data
- Make sure the content is relevant to your target audience
- Test out different filters to find what works best.
By following these best practices, you can use augmented reality to engage with customers, create memorable experiences, and drive more sales.
Trend #10: Carousel Posts
Carousel posts are an effective way to share multiple images in one post. It’s a great way to tell stories, showcase products and services, or simply show off the best moments of your day.
This trend has been growing steadily over the past year as more brands realize how powerful this post can be for engaging their audience. By swiping through the images, your followers can look at whatever you’re sharing in-depth.
You can also use it to add multiple calls-to-action within one post and direct people to different places on your website or even include text snippets with each image for further explanation.
The carousel post is a great tool for creating visually appealing content and helping your followers engage with your brand on multiple levels. You can use it to draw attention, offer detailed information about your product or services, or share the best moments of your day.
Carousel posts are worth considering if you’re looking for an effective way to add visual content to your social media posts. They offer a great way to engage your audience and get them interested in what you offer.
Best practices for creating carousel posts include:
– Choose visually appealing images
– Include a clear call to action in each post
– Keep it concise and focus on one specific topic
– Use the same theme or color palette throughout
– Utilize all of the available space and add text, emojis, or other graphics as needed
– Use hashtags and branded images to create a cohesive look.
By following these best practices, you’ll be able to create captivating carousel posts that get your followers engaged and interested in what you have to say. This can help you build relationships with your audience and gain more loyal followers.
Final Thoughts
To stay on top of the quickly shifting environment that is on Instagram, businesses and individuals must keep up with the changes to make their presence known. It’s incredibly important for those hoping to stand out on this platform to be successful.
Stay on top of the ten exciting trends detailed below, and you can guarantee that your content remains pertinent, captivating, and contemporary. Whether you’re a brand looking to reach a wider audience, an influencer seeking to build your brand, or just an individual looking to expand your online footprint, these trends can help you succeed.
Are you ready to take your Instagram game to the next level? Start experimenting with these trends and watch your follower count soar. Good luck!
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