7 Proven Techniques to Beat the Instagram Algorithm and Grow Your Following

Published on 31 March 2023 6 min read

4. Collaborate with Influencers

6. Post Consistently at the Right Time

7. Analyze and Adjust Your Strategy

Getting ahead on Instagram can be challenging, especially with the ever-changing algorithm. But don't worry, we've got you covered with seven proven techniques to beat the Instagram algorithm and grow your following. These techniques will help you stay on top of the game and keep your audience engaged, so let's dive in!

1. Engage with Your Audience

One of the most effective ways to beat the Instagram algorithm is to genuinely engage with your audience. This means responding to comments, liking their content, and actively participating in conversations. Here are some tips to enhance your audience engagement:

Respond to comments: Take the time to reply to the comments on your posts and answer any questions. This not only builds trust with your audience but also signals to the algorithm that your content is valuable.
Ask for feedback: Encourage your audience to share their thoughts on your content by asking for their opinions or suggestions. This creates a sense of connection and makes them feel valued.
Join conversations: Participate in discussions within your niche, whether it's in the comments section of other users' posts or in relevant Instagram communities. This helps you stay connected to your audience and exposes your account to potential new followers.
Host giveaways or contests: Organize fun and engaging giveaways or contests to reward your followers for their support. This not only boosts engagement but also increases your chances of being seen by the Instagram algorithm.

Remember, the key to engaging with your audience is authenticity. Be genuine and relatable in your interactions, and you'll be on your way to beating the Instagram algorithm.

2. Post High-Quality Content

Another important factor in beating the Instagram algorithm is consistently posting high-quality content. Quality content not only attracts more followers but also keeps your existing audience engaged. Here are some tips to help you create top-notch content:

Use eye-catching visuals: Instagram is a visual platform, so make sure your images and videos are well-composed, striking, and appealing. Consider using editing apps to enhance the colors and contrast of your photos.
Share valuable information: Offer useful tips, insights, or advice in your captions or videos. This will encourage your audience to engage with your content and share it with their friends, thus increasing your visibility in the algorithm.
Stay true to your niche: Focus on creating content that aligns with your niche and target audience. This will help you build a loyal following and make it easier for the Instagram algorithm to identify your content as relevant to your followers.
Keep it fresh: Experiment with different types of content, such as carousel posts, videos, and reels, to keep your followers interested and to stay ahead of the Instagram algorithm. Variety is key!

By consistently posting high-quality content that adds value to your followers, you'll be well on your way to beating the Instagram algorithm and growing your audience.

3. Leverage Instagram Stories

Instagram Stories are an excellent way to keep your audience engaged and beat the Instagram algorithm. With over 500 million daily users, taking advantage of this feature can significantly boost your visibility on the platform. Here's how you can make the most of Instagram Stories:

Post frequently: Share multiple stories each day to keep your profile towards the front of your followers' story feeds, making it more likely for them to engage with your content.
Make it interactive: Use features like polls, questions, and quizzes to encourage your audience to interact with your stories. The more interactions you receive, the more favorably the Instagram algorithm will view your content.
Share behind-the-scenes content: Give your followers a glimpse into your daily life, work, or creative process. This can help you build a personal connection with your audience and increase their interest in your content.
Promote your posts: Use your stories to draw attention to your latest feed posts. This can help you drive more engagement and make your content more visible to the Instagram algorithm.
Utilize story highlights: Save your best stories to your profile's highlights section, giving new followers an easy way to explore your content and increasing the chances they'll stick around.

By leveraging Instagram Stories in these ways, you'll strengthen your connection with your audience, increase engagement, and ultimately help beat the Instagram algorithm.

4. Collaborate with Influencers

Partnering with influencers is another effective technique to beat the Instagram algorithm and grow your following. Influencers have established audiences that trust their opinions, so collaborating with them can introduce your content to a new group of potential followers. Here are some tips for successful influencer collaborations:

Find the right influencers: Look for influencers who share a similar target audience as you and whose content aligns with your niche. This will ensure that their followers are more likely to be interested in and engage with your content.
Build genuine relationships: Instead of simply reaching out to influencers for a one-time collaboration, focus on building long-term connections. Engage with their content, comment on their posts, and show genuine interest in their work.
Offer value: When proposing a collaboration, make sure you're offering something valuable in return, such as a shoutout on your own profile or a unique product they can showcase. This will make the influencer more likely to agree to work with you.
Create engaging content together: Collaborate on content that will resonate with both of your audiences. For example, create a joint Instagram Live session, share each other's posts, or co-host a giveaway.

By collaborating with influencers in a meaningful way, you'll expose your content to a larger audience and better position yourself to beat the Instagram algorithm.

5. Optimize Your Hashtags

Hashtags are key to increasing the visibility of your content and thereby beating the Instagram algorithm. By using relevant and targeted hashtags, you can reach a wider audience and attract more engagement. Here's how to optimize your hashtags for maximum impact:

Research relevant hashtags: Spend time discovering hashtags that are popular within your niche and relate to your content. This will ensure that your posts appear in the feeds of users who are genuinely interested in your topic.
Use a mix of hashtag sizes: Don't just use the most popular hashtags, as your posts may get lost in the sea of content. Instead, use a mix of popular, moderately popular, and niche-specific hashtags to increase your chances of being discovered by different audiences.
Limit your hashtags: While Instagram allows up to 30 hashtags per post, using too many can appear spammy. Stick to around 5-10 well-chosen hashtags for best results.
Keep your hashtags fresh: Regularly update your hashtag list to avoid using the same ones repeatedly. This will help you reach new audiences and prevent your content from being flagged as spam.

By optimizing your hashtags, you'll increase the chances of your content being discovered by a wider audience, helping you grow your following and beat the Instagram algorithm.

6. Post Consistently at the Right Time

Consistency and timing are crucial factors in beating the Instagram algorithm. To ensure your posts reach the maximum number of users, you need to post regularly and at the right times. Here are some tips to help you do just that:

Establish a posting schedule: Determine how often you can realistically create and share high-quality content. Stick to this schedule, as consistency helps build a loyal audience and keeps your content fresh in the algorithm.
Identify your audience's peak activity times: Use Instagram Insights to find out when your followers are most active. This way, you can schedule your posts to go live during these peak times, ensuring maximum engagement.
Consider time zones: If your audience is spread across multiple time zones, factor this in when scheduling your posts. You may need to post at different times to cater to different parts of your audience.
Be adaptable: Regularly review your posting schedule and make adjustments if necessary. If you notice a decline in engagement or a change in your audience's activity patterns, tweak your timings accordingly.

By posting consistently at the right times, you'll maintain a strong presence on Instagram, driving engagement and helping you beat the Instagram algorithm.

7. Analyze and Adjust Your Strategy

Beating the Instagram algorithm is an ongoing process that requires constant evaluation and adaptation. To ensure you stay ahead of the game, it's essential to analyze your performance and make necessary adjustments. Here's how to do that:

Monitor your analytics: Keep an eye on your Instagram Insights, as this will provide valuable information about your audience, engagement, and content performance. Use this data to identify trends and pinpoint areas for improvement.
Learn from your successes and failures: Identify which posts perform well and analyze the factors that contributed to their success. Similarly, examine posts with low engagement and determine what went wrong. Use these insights to guide your future content strategy.
Stay informed: Keep up-to-date with the latest Instagram algorithm changes and trends in social media marketing. This will help you adapt your strategy to stay ahead of the curve and continue to beat the Instagram algorithm.
Experiment with new tactics: Don't be afraid to try new techniques or features on Instagram. Testing out different approaches may lead to surprising results and help you discover new ways to beat the Instagram algorithm.

Remember, the key to staying ahead of the Instagram algorithm is to be adaptable and proactive. Continuously analyzing and adjusting your strategy will help you grow your following and maintain a strong presence on the platform.

If you're looking to improve your Instagram presence and reach, don't miss out on the workshop 'Hacking the Instagram Algorithm' by Hannah La Follette Ryan. This workshop provides valuable tips and strategies to help you understand and navigate the ever-changing Instagram algorithm, ensuring your content gets the attention it deserves.