7 Ways To Use Instagram Stories To Outsmart The Instagram Algorithm
August 2, 2020 | by Admin
As the Instagram algorithm continues to take a toll on
people’s engagement, it’s no surprise that more and more users are switching
their focus on Instagram Stories.
people’s engagement, it’s no surprise that more and more users are switching
their focus on Instagram Stories.
Just look at the numbers: According to TechCrunch, Instagram
Stories have over 300 million daily active users, which is almost double that of
Snapchat.
Stories have over 300 million daily active users, which is almost double that of
Snapchat.
But Instagram Stories is more than just a great way to
connect with your followers. Posting to Stories consistently can also impact
how your posts perform in the Instagram algorithm. The algorithm takes into
account all the interactions you receive on your Instagram Stories — this
means, the more that a user interacts with your Instagram Stories, the more
likely your posts will show up in their feed.
connect with your followers. Posting to Stories consistently can also impact
how your posts perform in the Instagram algorithm. The algorithm takes into
account all the interactions you receive on your Instagram Stories — this
means, the more that a user interacts with your Instagram Stories, the more
likely your posts will show up in their feed.
In the following post, we cover 7 ways you can use Instagram
Stories to outsmart the Instagram algorithm, grow your reach, and spend more
time on your audience’s screens.
Stories to outsmart the Instagram algorithm, grow your reach, and spend more
time on your audience’s screens.
How the Instagram algorithm has changed
While Instagram revealed that posts are soon going to be
returning to the more chronological order in people’s feeds, this doesn’t
necessarily mean that chronological feed is back. Instagram is essentially
adjusting the algorithm so that the time that you post is more important than
before.
returning to the more chronological order in people’s feeds, this doesn’t
necessarily mean that chronological feed is back. Instagram is essentially
adjusting the algorithm so that the time that you post is more important than
before.
In other words, the feed is still algorithmic, however, the
weight of the factors that impact the Instagram algorithm has shifted
slightly.
weight of the factors that impact the Instagram algorithm has shifted
slightly.
ALSO READ: HOW TO BRAND YOURSELF ON SOCIAL MEDIA
In light of all these changes, Instagram users will have to
find new ways to grow their engagement and reach their audiences. Queue,
Instagram Stories. In fact, Instagram Stories is quickly becoming one of the
best channels to drive engagement, build brand awareness, drive traffic, and
even make ecommerce sales!
find new ways to grow their engagement and reach their audiences. Queue,
Instagram Stories. In fact, Instagram Stories is quickly becoming one of the
best channels to drive engagement, build brand awareness, drive traffic, and
even make ecommerce sales!
Here are 7 features and tools you can use within Instagram
Stories to outsmart the Instagram algorithm:
1. Use all of Instagram stories’ features
The Instagram algorithm uses the amount of time spent
viewing your content as a factor in determining its popularity.
viewing your content as a factor in determining its popularity.
So how do you stop your followers from scrolling past your
Instagram Stories? The good news is that Instagram seems to roll out new
features for Instagram Stories every few months (or even weeks!), giving users
fun new ways to connect with their audiences.
Instagram Stories? The good news is that Instagram seems to roll out new
features for Instagram Stories every few months (or even weeks!), giving users
fun new ways to connect with their audiences.
You can access most of these features by clicking the
sticker icon in the top-right corner when adding to your story. Once you click
the icon, all the feature options will appear:
sticker icon in the top-right corner when adding to your story. Once you click
the icon, all the feature options will appear:
Try adding GIFs, stickers, locations, and hashtags as often
as possible (without over-using them, of course). By using all these features,
you’ll have a better chance of keeping your audience engaged and will give them
a reason to spend more time viewing your Instagram Stories.
as possible (without over-using them, of course). By using all these features,
you’ll have a better chance of keeping your audience engaged and will give them
a reason to spend more time viewing your Instagram Stories.
This year, Instagram also introduced “Type” mode, which a new way for users to share what’s on their mind with creative text styles and
backgrounds.
backgrounds.
To switch to Type mode, all you have to do is open your
camera and tap the Type button at the bottom of your screen.
camera and tap the Type button at the bottom of your screen.
You’ll find it next
to “Live,” along with your other camera options under the record button:
to “Live,” along with your other camera options under the record button:
Type Mode
Whether you use Type mode to post your favorite song lyrics,
ask your followers a question, or just let people know what’s on your mind, the feature is a great way to add personality your Instagram Stories and keep people
engaged!
ask your followers a question, or just let people know what’s on your mind, the feature is a great way to add personality your Instagram Stories and keep people
engaged!
2. Encourage audience interactions
The Instagram algorithm also takes into account the
interactions you receive on your Instagram Stories, such as replies or when
someone DMs your story to another user.
interactions you receive on your Instagram Stories, such as replies or when
someone DMs your story to another user.
And the more that a user interacts with your Instagram
Stories, the more likely your posts will show up in their feed.
Stories, the more likely your posts will show up in their feed.
A great hack to outsmart the algorithm is to take advantage
of Instagram Stories’ engagement opportunities, including the new polling
feature. Interactive poll stickers let you ask questions and see results from
your followers as they vote:
of Instagram Stories’ engagement opportunities, including the new polling
feature. Interactive poll stickers let you ask questions and see results from
your followers as they vote:
Instagram Polling Feature
There are so many different ways you can use poll stickers
to interact with your audience.
to interact with your audience.
For example, you can use polls to gather feedback on your
products, crowdsource ideas, or simply entertain your followers.
products, crowdsource ideas, or simply entertain your followers.
Encouraging these kinds of interactions will not only help
you build a deeper connection with your audience, but it can also help you grow
your reach too.
you build a deeper connection with your audience, but it can also help you grow
your reach too.
One trick that influencers use to drive up the engagement on
their accounts are to ask their followers to “DM me for a direct link to this
product!” It’s a great way to drive people to your inbox, build relationships
with your followers, and ultimately increase the chance of your posts showing
up in their feed.
their accounts are to ask their followers to “DM me for a direct link to this
product!” It’s a great way to drive people to your inbox, build relationships
with your followers, and ultimately increase the chance of your posts showing
up in their feed.
The Instagram Stories that appear on the top of your feed
are affected by the Instagram algorithm as well!
are affected by the Instagram algorithm as well!
Typically, the Instagram Stories that appear closest to the
beginning of the row are from accounts that you engage with the most, whether
that maybe through the users’ posts or Stories!
beginning of the row are from accounts that you engage with the most, whether
that maybe through the users’ posts or Stories!
ALSO READ: HOW I MADE MY FIRST MILLION
3. Maintain a cohesive brand aesthetic
Your brand’s Instagram aesthetic isn’t only important on
your feed, but should be carried over to your Stories as well!
your feed, but should be carried over to your Stories as well!
When a follower watches your Stories, they should know it’s
yours without having to see your name in the corner of their screen.
yours without having to see your name in the corner of their screen.
Luckily, there are a ton of different ways to brand your
Instagram Stories within the app, including different fonts, brush options, and
stickers. Using these features in a consistent way can add a ton of personality
to your Stories and help you build a uniform brand aesthetic.
Instagram Stories within the app, including different fonts, brush options, and
stickers. Using these features in a consistent way can add a ton of personality
to your Stories and help you build a uniform brand aesthetic.
There’s also a lot of flexibility within these features
themselves.
themselves.
For example, you can customize the color of their text or
brush strokes by selecting a new color from the bottom of the screen. Just hold
your finger down on any of the color options to pull up a larger spectrum of
colors to pick from:
brush strokes by selecting a new color from the bottom of the screen. Just hold
your finger down on any of the color options to pull up a larger spectrum of
colors to pick from:
Instagram Eye Dropper Tool
You can also use the eyedropper tool on the left of your
color palette to select a color directly from your story. This will help you
keep your story elements branded and cohesive.
color palette to select a color directly from your story. This will help you
keep your story elements branded and cohesive.
Creating templates for your Instagram Stories is another
great way to help you quickly put together a cohesive story that aligns with
your brand. Tools like Canva and A Design Kit offer a ton of different
templates that you can use to build a consistent (and gorgeous!) aesthetic.
great way to help you quickly put together a cohesive story that aligns with
your brand. Tools like Canva and A Design Kit offer a ton of different
templates that you can use to build a consistent (and gorgeous!) aesthetic.
The fact is that your followers are much more likely to
convert into brand advocates when they know they can expect consistently,
high-quality Stories from your account.
convert into brand advocates when they know they can expect consistently,
high-quality Stories from your account.
4. Add links to your Instagram stories
Last year, Instagram rolled out the ability to add links to
Instagram Stories, and it’s a pretty big deal. In fact, it’s the first time
ever that users can add links to Instagram that aren’t the link in their bio!
Instagram Stories, and it’s a pretty big deal. In fact, it’s the first time
ever that users can add links to Instagram that aren’t the link in their bio!
It’s currently available to users on an Instagram Business
profile with 10K+ followers. If you meet these requirements, you should be able
to include a “Swipe Up” option in your Stories and drive traffic to your web
campaigns, product pages, blog posts, and more.
profile with 10K+ followers. If you meet these requirements, you should be able
to include a “Swipe Up” option in your Stories and drive traffic to your web
campaigns, product pages, blog posts, and more.
Add Links To Instagram Stories
Adding links to your Stories will not only help you drive
more traffic to your website, but it’s another feature that the algorithm will
reward you for including in your strategy.
more traffic to your website, but it’s another feature that the algorithm will
reward you for including in your strategy.
5. Add hashtags & location stickers to your Instagram
stories
stories
Recently, Instagram expanded the Explore & Search page
to include hashtag and location Stories! Now when you add a hashtag or location sticker to a story, other
users will be able to find it if they search that hashtag or location.
to include hashtag and location Stories! Now when you add a hashtag or location sticker to a story, other
users will be able to find it if they search that hashtag or location.
In other words, you have the opportunity to reach a whole
swaths of new and undiscovered audiences.
And if they like what they see, they might even give you a follow!
swaths of new and undiscovered audiences.
And if they like what they see, they might even give you a follow!
To add a location, simply click on the location sticker and
type the location of your story. Your story will then appear at the top of the
search results for that location:
type the location of your story. Your story will then appear at the top of the
search results for that location:
Instagram Locations
Adding a hashtag to your story is just as easy. You can
either just type in the hashtag, or you can use the hashtag sticker to add-in
the hashtag of your choice.
either just type in the hashtag, or you can use the hashtag sticker to add-in
the hashtag of your choice.
When people search for a hashtag on Instagram, if it’s
popular enough, they’ll be able to see all the active, recently shared
Instagram Stories for that hashtag at the top of the Search page.
popular enough, they’ll be able to see all the active, recently shared
Instagram Stories for that hashtag at the top of the Search page.
Instagram Hashtags
When your story is added to the search results for a
location, you should receive a notification from Instagram. And when someone
views your story from a hashtag or location page, when you view your Instagram
Insights, you’ll see the name of that page when looking at who watched your
story.
location, you should receive a notification from Instagram. And when someone
views your story from a hashtag or location page, when you view your Instagram
Insights, you’ll see the name of that page when looking at who watched your
story.
6. Start creating Instagram stories ads
The recently rolled out Instagram Stories ads appear between
regular Stories at the top of your feed. As more and more users spend time
scrolling through their Stories, Instagram Stories ads can help increase your
visibility to new audiences.
regular Stories at the top of your feed. As more and more users spend time
scrolling through their Stories, Instagram Stories ads can help increase your
visibility to new audiences.
Instagram Stories Ads
When creating an Instagram Stories ad, you have the option
to share a photo or video. Whichever you choose, make sure you have an
eye-catching intro to stop users who “speed-tap” through their Stories.
to share a photo or video. Whichever you choose, make sure you have an
eye-catching intro to stop users who “speed-tap” through their Stories.
7. Track your success with Instagram stories analytics
When you switch to an Instagram Business Profile, you can
also view the analytics for your Instagram Stories — which is extremely
helpful!
also view the analytics for your Instagram Stories — which is extremely
helpful!
Taking on your Instagram Stories strategy with a better
understanding of what’s working (and what isn’t) will help you come up with a
fine-tuned strategy, saving you time and effort.
understanding of what’s working (and what isn’t) will help you come up with a
fine-tuned strategy, saving you time and effort.
To see the Insights for your Instagram Stories, head to your
profile, and select the Insights icon in the top right corner. Next, scroll down
and tap “Get Started” in the Stories section.
profile, and select the Insights icon in the top right corner. Next, scroll down
and tap “Get Started” in the Stories section.
Now, you’ll have access to impressions, reach, and other
metrics related to your Stories:
metrics related to your Stories:
Track Your Stories Analytics
Instagram Stories Analytics gives you a clear view of who is
sticking around or swiping away, and can ultimately help you optimize your
Instagram Stories content strategy.
sticking around or swiping away, and can ultimately help you optimize your
Instagram Stories content strategy.
In addition, there are tools such as Socialinsider that can
provide deeper analytics for your Instagram Stories.
provide deeper analytics for your Instagram Stories.
Conclusion
This year, take the Instagram algorithm changes as an
opportunity to creating deeper connections, produce high-quality content, and
optimize your Instagram Stories strategy.
opportunity to creating deeper connections, produce high-quality content, and
optimize your Instagram Stories strategy.
Testing out all the latest features within Instagram Stories
will not only help you “beat” the Instagram algorithm but can keep you one
step ahead of your competition!
will not only help you “beat” the Instagram algorithm but can keep you one
step ahead of your competition!
RELATED POSTS
View all
How To Convert Your Personal Instagram Profile Into A Business Profile
June 27, 2020 | by Admin
How to Add Instagram Page Widget on Blogger (Step by Step)
January 18, 2020 | by Admin
Monetizing Your Facebook Page: Tricks and Hacks for Users in Ineligible Countries
September 29, 2023 | by paulomogie.com