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With its staggering monthly user base exceeding 1.2 billion, Instagram continues to expand its digital frontier. If Instagram were to be compared to a country, it would rank third in population, only surpassed by China and India.
This immense user base makes it a prime platform for individuals and businesses to engage with customers, cultivate a robust brand image, and promote their products or services.
However, navigating the dynamic landscape of Instagram is not a walk in the park.
The platform’s trends and algorithms are in a state of constant flux, presenting a unique challenge.
This blog post aims to guide you through the latest Instagram trends pivotal to your brand’s success. Ignoring these trends could result in your account getting lost in the crowd, but embracing them could catapult it to new heights of social media prominence.
15 Great Instagram Trends You Can Follow
As we navigate through 2023, staying ahead of the curve in the ever-evolving Instagram landscape is crucial. The following 15 trends offer valuable insights to enhance your social presence, engage your audience, and maximize your Instagram potential.
Let’s dive in!
1. The Reign of Short-Form Videos
Remember IGTV, the once-popular Instagram format that allowed videos up to 60 minutes long? In today’s fast-paced world, no one has the luxury of time for such lengthy content.
Consequently, short-form videos, particularly Instagram Reels, designed to rival TikTok, are gaining traction. Even YouTube acknowledges this format’s popularity!
Leveraging this Instagram trend can boost engagement, instill trust, reach new audiences, and diversify your content strategy. Short-form videos are excellent for informing and entertaining followers, sharing updates, and all without the time and financial investment required for longer videos.
2. The Instagram Marketplace Revolution
Instagram Shopping, introduced in 2021, became a massive hit due to the lockdown repercussions and the surge in online shoppers.
Instead of redirecting potential customers to your website, Instagram enables direct product selection within the app. Instagram Shop allows businesses to weave their stories into product themes, add relevant descriptions, and finalize transactions within the app, bypassing third-party processors.
To set up Instagram Shopping, ensure you meet the Commerce Eligibility Requirements and operate within a supported market. Then, select the onboarding tool and input your shop details. We recommend using Commerce Manager for a streamlined process.
3. The Era of the Content Creators
In the vibrant realm of Instagram, content creators are emerging as the new powerhouses. Instagram’s recent features have significantly bolstered their creative prowess, opening a myriad of opportunities for businesses to collaborate and prosper.
Take, for instance, the innovative campaign launched by Toad&Co Clothing, a sustainable fashion brand. They partnered with eco-conscious influencers, sharing a series of compelling posts showcasing their environmentally-friendly clothing line. The campaign struck a chord with their target audience of 20-35-year-old eco-advocates, leading to a substantial increase in their follower base and sales.
Content creators, now more than ever, need to utilize these tools to their advantage. Understanding their audience, crafting engaging captions, maintaining a consistent posting schedule, and forming strategic collaborations are key. With Instagram’s empowering features, creators can influence and shape the narrative.
4. Unleashing the Potential of Story Links
A few years ago, Instagram revolutionized the platform by allowing accounts with 10,000+ followers to add swipe-up links to their stories, significantly boosting sales and engagement. Now, story links are accessible to all Instagram accounts, enabling users to add stickers, locations, and connect followers with other websites or platforms.
This game-changing feature allows businesses to direct traffic to their websites, promote products, or share blog posts directly from their stories.
To add a story link, simply hit the ‘Add Sticker’ icon during the create mode and select the ‘Link’ image. A window will appear for adding and customizing the URL as needed.
5. AR’s Next Big Playground
Augmented Reality (AR) filters have been steadily gaining popularity on Instagram, transforming the way users interact with content. With Meta’s plans to invest heavily in AR and VR, we can anticipate significant changes that will revolutionize our Instagram experiences.
For now, Instagram users can enhance their posts and stories with AR effects, making their content more engaging and interactive.
6. Brands Championing Social Causes
In the 21st century, neutrality on social issues is no longer an option for brands. Increasingly, companies are taking a stand on social movements, injustices, and global events.
To demonstrate social responsibility on Instagram, brands can encourage follower engagement, consistently advocate for change, humanize their brand, utilize relevant hashtags, and collaborate with NGOs. This trend boosts brand image and fosters a deeper connection with the audience.
7. Direct Links in Content
Links on Instagram can be a powerful way to drive traffic and increase sales. Whether it’s in your bio, stories, or posts, links can be used to share products, portfolios, upcoming events, and other relevant information.
The links you share must be concise, clear, and accompanied by descriptive text, so users understand where they will be directed.
8. Honesty Is the Best Policy
Start with honesty and transparency if you’re unsure which Instagram trends to follow.
As social media platforms strive to combat misinformation, brands are held to higher standards of truthfulness. This doesn’t necessitate revealing all aspects of your operations, but it does mean avoiding deception.
Strive for a balance: be genuine and honest, but refrain from sharing potentially damaging truths if they can be avoided. This approach fosters trust and loyalty among your followers.
9. Carousel Posts Engage and Inform
Carousel posts, which can include up to 10 pictures or videos in a single entry, offer a fantastic way to share more content with followers without overwhelming their feeds. They’re not just for showcasing products or services; they can be used creatively to tell a story or share a journey.
Here are some innovative ways to use Instagram carousels:
- Educational materials, instructions, and guidelines
- Transformation stories with before/after pictures
- Photo collections from events or behind-the-scenes
- Product launches or brand updates
- Infographics and statistics to share insights or industry trends
10. Instagram Live Rooms – The New Hangout Spot
Instagram Live Rooms, a feature that allows up to four people to chat in real time, has become the new virtual hangout spot. It’s perfect for hosting a podcast, a talk show, or even a jam session.
Live Rooms can attract broader audiences, as followers of all participants receive notifications and can join the session. This feature helps connect with a wider audience and provides an opportunity to earn money, as live viewers can purchase badges to show their support.
11. Memes – The Funny Side of Business
Memes, humorous images, or videos with a viral nature, have become an integral part of social media culture. They’re shared widely and remembered easily, making them a popular Instagram trend.
Even serious brands can use memes to add a touch of humor or comment on relatable situations. Remember to incorporate your brand’s colors or logos to maintain consistency in your feed.
Additionally, memes can be used to subtly promote products or services, engage with trending topics, or even create a sense of community among followers. They can also be a great way to show your brand’s personality and make your content more relatable and shareable.
12. The Rise of DM Marketing
Direct communication (DMs) with followers remains one of the most effective ways to win loyalty.
DMs can be used to inform and entertain users with pictures, GIFs, and videos; provide coaching or guidance with voice messaging; share posts from your feed to provide additional details; or even share a location to help users find a place.
Furthermore, DMs can be used for customer service, addressing queries or concerns directly and promptly. They can also be a platform for exclusive offers or promotions, making your followers feel valued and appreciated.
13. The Power of a Well-Curated Feed
A well-curated Instagram feed can strengthen your brand’s image and improve engagement. It should be cohesive and logical, offering consistent subjects, colors, style, and even lighting.
Consider choosing a few key themes or items to photograph, creating a color palette, using online tools to plan your Instagram feed, understanding and applying aesthetics principles, and using the same filters.
Additionally, a well-curated feed can tell a story about your brand, showcase your products or services in a visually appealing way, and create a memorable first impression for new visitors to your profile.
14. Joining the Conversation with Reels Replies
Instagram’s Reels Visual Replies feature allows users to create a video response to another post or Reel. This interactive feature boosts engagement and encourages users to interact with individuals and brands.
As a business or influencer, always encourage followers to make Reels Replies, as they can become a powerful tool for future promotions. Additionally, Reels Visual Replies can be used to host Q&A sessions, gather feedback, or even run contests, making your content more engaging and interactive.
15. The Necessity of Paid Promotions
With the constantly changing algorithms, gaining organic traffic to your Instagram account is becoming increasingly challenging. Many content creators are noticing a decline in organic reach and are opting to increase paid promotions.
Advertising can be done through images, videos, Stories, Reels, Carousels, and other Instagram content types.
The cost of Instagram ads varies based on factors like target audience, industry competitiveness, chosen placement, and even the time of the year. For a better return on investment, consider collaborating with influencers, running contests, and encouraging user engagement.
Moreover, paid promotions can help you reach a wider audience, increase brand visibility, and even drive conversions. It’s crucial to track and analyze the performance of your ads to optimize your strategy and maximize your ROI.
How SocialPilot Can Help Track and Leverage Instagram Trends
SocialPilot is a turnkey social media marketing tool that helps individuals, teams, and businesses simplify social media management. The platform has instruments for publishing posts, measuring outreach, and engaging with the audience. SocialPilot also has a collaborative tool where you can add members, communicate, and keep the workflow simple and secure.
The tool also gives a chance to stay updated on the latest Instagram trends and to use them in practice.
For example, you can explore trending keywords and hashtags, engage in direct messaging, add video tags, and integrate with Canva. SocialPilot has a free 14-day trial with no CC required. The trial begins immediately and can be canceled anytime.
Conclusion
Instagram continues to be one of the most influential social media platforms globally, offering a dynamic space for self-expression, connection, and business growth. By staying abreast of the latest Instagram trends and implementing them strategically, you can significantly enhance your social presence.
Remember, success on Instagram is a blend of creativity, engagement, and adaptability. So, embrace these trends, experiment with them, and watch your Instagram presence flourish.
Best of luck!
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