Instagram users had a chronological feed for years, but the company switched to an algorithmic feed in 2016 after parent company Facebook (now Meta) foreshadowed that the app would be its next advertising cash cow for years. Instagram was able to aggressively intersperse the ads that still dominate the app with an algorithmic feed, moving the app away from its origins as a chronological photo-sharing space.
But this week, Instagram revealed some MAJOR changes to our feed — and one of the most significant updates so far.
Users will now have three different feeds and algorithms to choose from:
1. Home feed – this is the same as the feed you currently have.
2. Feeds to follow – your new chronological feed. This means you’ll be able to see the most recent post made by accounts you follow.
3. Favorites feed – a list of accounts from which you don’t want to miss anything.
Some users will receive this update in the coming weeks, and it will be fully operational by the first half of 2022!
What does this mean for brands?
On one side, this is great, because, with the analytics provided by the app, we can know when most of our followers are on the app ready to view our content. However, to achieve visibility we will be required to create more engaging content, utilize hashtags better and be more present online.
Let’s talk about Hashtagas:
Let’s start with the fundamentals. A hashtag is a word or phrase that is preceded by the symbol “#.” Hashtags are hyperlinked on social media platforms such as Instagram. Instagram opens the related hashtag page when users click or tap them.
Hashtags can help with everything from discovery to promotion, and they can provide immediate as well as long-term benefits. When you search for a hashtag on Instagram, you’ll see a page that looks similar to the example below for #instagrammarketingtips. On the mobile app, hashtag pages display a selection of popular posts with a high level of engagement. There’s also a Recent tab, which displays content in chronological order, and a Reels tab, which displays relevant short-form videos.
This is one of the best ways to get discovered on Instagram, so if you are posting for your business, make sure to include between 3 to 7 hashtags for maximum benefit.
If you need help, the experts at Vendito Online are ready to help you grow your online presence with a detailed social media strategy. Give us a call today.