Instagram is constantly changing and evolving. It can be hard to keep up with it all. I've decided to put the 50 best Instagram tips all in one place. I want to make it easier for you to increase your followers and grow engagement.
I've been blogging for nearly seven years. I've been on Instagram since 2012. Even though my current job is blogging, my background is in social media and marketing. I've run Instagram accounts for large companies to small businesses. So it's safe to say I've been in the game for a long time.
I wanted to put together the best tips on Instagram so you can see them all in one convenient place. I'm covering things like when to post, what hashtags to use, and how to grow your Instagram account. I'll also focus on my current favorite Instagram tool: Instagram Stories. And I'll deep dive into how you can beat the Instagram algorithm and gain tons of engagement.
I plan to update this post regularly with new tips and tricks. And while I will be linking to my blog posts, I'll also link to others that provide helpful strategies that will help you up your Instagram game.
50 Best Instagram Tips
Whether you're just starting your Instagram journey or you've been on it for a while, there is always room to improve and learn. In fact, that's what's so fun about this platform. There's always something new to learn.
Instagram Strategies
The Instagram Algorithm is one of the toughest nuts to crack. It's constantly changing and evolving. So how can you be sure that you're doing everything right? I've taken a hard look at the Instagram Algorithm and how you can beat it to get the most engagement.
One of the best ways to guarantee engagement on Instagram is by posting at the right time. But what does that mean for you? This post explains the universals as well as how to find your right time.
There is a lot of misinformation on Instagram. That's because Instagram is fairly hush-hush on sharing what their platform is all about and how it works. Many bloggers like to share their tips but might not have a full understanding of the platform. Bottom line: don't believe everything you read. Here's what we know is incorrect and common mistakes you could be making.
Many report trouble with being seen on Instagram. This can be for a number of reasons. You could be using banned hashtags (more on hashtags below!) or breaking the terms of service on Instagram. Many have coined the term “Shadowban” to describe when you aren't being found. This sounds like a scary term but I break down what it really means and how you can fix and avoid it.
One practice to never utilize is buying followers. In case you don't believe me, here's how it can truly hurt your engagement.
While Instagram is a great tool and we want to grow our followers, it's actually one of the big reasons I was able to grow my blog and get pageviews. I believe Instagram is one of the most important tools for a blog or a business currently. Don't believe me? Here's an infographic showcasing the influence of Instagram in our world.
I doubled my Instagram following in six months by putting into practice a few strategies that really changed how people found me. Remember, you can post great stuff, but if people can't find you then you won't grow. I recommend keeping your profile public and signing up for a business account.
If you're stuck in a rut and looking for something different to try on Instagram, try these different approaches. You might be surprised that science can play a big role in understanding Instagram.
Posting consistently, creating a killer profile, and establishing a community are surefire ways to grow your Instagram. Making sure all these elements work together is a great way to create a powerhouse account.
Instagram Captions and Hashtags
While pictures are hugely important, the caption is how you reveal more of yourself. Creating a connection in your caption is one of the best ways to create an audience that cares and comes back when you post. Here are some great caption ideas and how to create one that inspires engagement.
A great way to create engagement is by asking a question on Instagram, as this post suggests from Humble & Whole.
Hashtags are essential to being found on Instagram. They are a simple way to connect relevant content and, in my opinion, a great way to organize and find your posts. I hashtag all of my posts by country so I can easily go back and find my posts.
Here are some helpful hashtag posts:
My Favorite Hashtags to Gain Likes and Grow Organically
Top 15 Instagram Hashtags for Female Travelers + Accounts That Will Regram You
How to Create a Hashtag That Makes an Impact
I recommend hiding your hashtags by using dots. This looks like this:
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#your #hashtags #go #below.
This way when you add hashtags in captions it won't look so spammy. Remember, you can use up to 30 hashtags. There is a lot of debate on the number to use but I still suggest using all 30.
Need some hashtag ideas? I've got you covered!
The ULTIMATE Hashtag Library!
Literally 1,000s of hashtags broken down into categories!! One of the best ways to grow on Instagram is to use strategic hashtags to be discovered and gain likes and interaction. This ultimate list will help you gain followers and interaction, immediately!
Instagram Stories
Instagram Stories are my FAVORITE part of Instagram. This innovative aspect is the best way to really connect with followers and get discovered. This Ultimate Guide to Instagram Stories will help you understand how best to use it as well as my favorite tips and tricks. Such as, how to add funky colors, fonts, swipe ups and more.
I also offer an Instagram Story challenge to help you get in the groove with posting regularly. I recommend posting to Instagram Stories once a day to gain more engagement.
Now that you've got a good handle on Instagram stories it's time to take it up a notch and add Instagram Story Highlight covers. That's definitely a mouthful. But it's worth it to create a cohesive looking feed.
IGTV
Instagram launched a YouTube competitor: IGTV. I will admit: it's wonderful to have everything all in one place. I used to choose Snapchat over Instagram but now I'm only on Instagram.
This guide is stellar at breaking down the benefit of IGTV as well as tips and tricks on how to use it. Video content is pillar on social media these days and I think IGTV is definitely an important aspect for the platform.
Taking and Editing Photos
If pictures say a thousand words I believe editing makes up 600 of them. Editing is the secret that really can take your photos from drab to wow.
There are so many options when it comes to editing and taking photos for Instagram. You can take great photos with your phone, DSLR, and edit on your computer.
If you take photos on your smartphone make sure you follow these simple steps. I highly recommend natural lighting to ensure a beautiful picture.
When it comes to editing, Lightroom is king! It's the best way to create contrast, saturate colors, manipulate hues, and make your photos pop. Here's how to edit your photos like a pro in Lightroom I promise, once you get the hang of it, it's easy. It's the most robust platform for editing and what all the professionals use.
You can also use Lightroom to edit on your phone, for free! If you're not ready to make the commitment to Lightroom I suggest using it on your phone.
I take pride in carefully editing my photos and creating a theme (more on that below). You can see exactly how I edit my photos for Instagram here.
If you like the look of my photos or how I edit, check out the presets I offer right here.
Creating an Instagram Theme
Creating an Instagram theme or aesthetic is not only eye catching, it helps people remember you. When people immediately recognize that it's your photo, without having to look at your name, you're creating a brand for yourself. And that is powerful.
Here's how and why you should create an Instagram theme. I promise it doesn't mean all the pictures need to look the same.
If you're stuck, I also have 10 different Instagram themes that you can use or recreate on your own.
Once you establish your theme, you can start scheduling your Instagram. and aligning your Instagram feed. Preview is my all time favorite and must have app. Remember, you don't always have to post on Instagram in real time.
Instagram Ideas
No matter how much knowledge you have about Instagram, it can be tough to decide what to post. Coming up with poses, angles, and shots is a lot of work. Here are some posts that might help you create a great picture:
14 Photo Ideas for Instagram – for when you need a little inspiration.
15 Photo Ideas for Instagram – even more ideas to help you nail your pictures.
15 Travel Instagram Photo Ideas – perfect ideas for traveling along with poses to help you loosen up in front of the camera.
12 Ideas for Instagram Photography – for when you need to find a backdrop or learn how to take a great flatlay image.
Tips for Styling Your Instagram Photos – learn how to curate and create an eye-catching photo.
So there you have it! Dozens of tips to help you create an Instagram that beats the algorithm, gain engagement and followers, and you'll never run out of ideas. What is your favorite Instagram tip?
Don't forget to grab the Ultimate hashtag library below! Full of HUNDREDS of hashtags based on niche!
The ULTIMATE Hashtag Library!
Literally 1,000s of hashtags broken down into categories!! One of the best ways to grow on Instagram is to use strategic hashtags to be discovered and gain likes and interaction. This ultimate list will help you gain followers and interaction, immediately!
