The Instagram algorithm is annoying – I say this from the perspective of a social media manager and a blogger, more so a blogger. Also, I saw this for everyone because we all know it is. We’re annoyed with Instagram and the algorithm and the changes.
You would think they’d listen, right? I mean, there are so many people asking for this and they just keep giving us things that we aren’t asking for. (Shout out to being able to schedule content on a business profile, though!)
Instagram has become a lot of work. From applying hashtags and creating a cohesive theme to interacting with followers and other bloggers/influencers – it’s a whole other beast.
Some of us depend on Instagram and the engagement to show a brand that we are a great asset and partner. But, how can we prove that when our content only gets shown to 10% of our followers when it is first shared? How Instagram?!
It makes no sense to me, to be honest. A paid advertisement on Instagram is not going to do much for you. I don’t care how much they try to sell it to you. I’ve seen marketing budgets and brands that put money behind these ads that succeed and who has that type of budget? (Listen, those budgets are crazy and that’s what they’re supposed to do with their money – advertise)
What is your purpose, Instagram? Just let me like pictures and interact with the people I follow. That’s really not a hard ask. Please, may I have an algorithm that is in chronological order? I promise that is all that we’re asking for.
Until then, I’m not going to worry about likes and followers. At least, not on Instagram.
Don’t sweat it!
Let me tell you why I’m not worried about numbers on Instagram…
Because it’s a free platform for my usage. I am not paying for clicks to my blog when the estimated reach is never the correct reach. I am not putting money into Instagram for ad placement or boosting posts. I’ve done it before and it really hasn’t helped me out plus I don’t have a huge advertising budget.
You know what I do care about? I care about the numbers on my self-hosted blog and you should, too. I feel like that’s where the true value is.
I really care about my blog and those are the numbers I’m sweating about – this is my investment. I invested into self-hosting, a domain, a theme, and the time + effort to create content. I care more about the relationships that I can make and cater to. I would rather comment on someone’s blog and give them a pageview than comment on their image and talk about how cute their outfit is because I know brands care about those pageviews and UVs.
I think we tend to forget that Instagram helps us with free advertising but it doesn’t determine all of the numbers when it comes down to our analytics and pageviews. These numbers like to play games with our head and get us down from time to time – I know it gets me down when something doesn’t perform well on Instagram but then I see the engagement on my blog and I remember that’s what I’m putting all the work into reception and how well it will resonate to my audience.
I feel like many bloggers might feel that way. Many of us are utilizing Instagram to talk about our blog and showcase a partnership with a brand that leads back to our blog. If you’re a follower or a reader, I appreciate the fact that you follow me on different platforms to support me and I ask that you continue to do it because I truly appreciate it. I think we all get so wrapped up in the numbers game when it comes to social media and it’s really not a big deal.
Continue posting your content and engaging, it’ll get better because people will appreciate and return the favor (hopefully).
But, give your blog and loyal readers majority of your attention.
Don’t take social media drive you crazy (especially Instagram).
My solution is to not take Instagram so seriously. It might be a part of your business and it might be something that brands look for when partnering with you – I can understand that because that’s what has helped me get brand partnerships. But, don’t let it drive you crazy. Don’t let it make you crack.
My goal this year has been to be more intentional, more so with the things I care about which are the people in my life and my blog. For me, I will be building relationships with other bloggers and my readers. I’m here to write about things that I like and love. I’m focused on bringing great content to the table. When it comes to Instagram, expect me to comment on your pictures and support you – that’s how I’m going to utilize different platforms.
What should you do?
Conquer it. Ignore it. Don’t fret and do your thing.
- Re-evaluate your social strategy
- Make tweaks that you think might help
- Make your copy encourage people to interact
- Engage with others
- Focus on your blog
There are tons of solutions and suggestions out there that can help you out. You could re-evaluate your copy and make sure that you are starting a conversation with your community, ask questions and host giveaways. If you’re doing that, you’re on the right track. Interact with people and don’t be one-sided, that’s no fun and makes me not want to even try with some people. Join that pod or like thread because if Instagram doesn’t want you to prosper, you have to do what is best for your brand. I fully support having a gang of friends that will put on for you when you need them to. You could engage with people, you don’t need to follow them but you can give them that like or comment.
A community will forever be greater than the competition and this is one way to prove that. As bloggers, we have to stick together and we can take that extra step in helping each other out and put in the work to read each other’s posts or like and comment on a new picture or retweet something great another blogger is promoting.
At this point, if only 10% of our following sees our content, we have to find solutions to make ourselves prosper. Whether that is dedicating more time to your blog and only utilizing Instagram when you need to or focusing on your relationships with your following/followers – it’s up to you.
I just don’t think you should sweat the small stuff especially if Instagram isn’t listening to us. They really should, though – that chronological order is the way to go, Instagram.
I totally agree! I was obsessed with getting Instagram followers and likes when I first started blogging. It can be so disheartening to see people you’ve connected with un-follow or see a photo you live not doing very well. You’re right… dont sweat it! Not everyone gets to see your posts and you just have to post what you like and your long-term follwers will find you naturally.
It’s definitely something I was obsessed with and I had to stop worrying because it took away from my blogging. I just do what I can on there and share stories so I can connect in some way.
Honestly, you’re so right. Social media is a way to promote our blogs, and it’s free. It’s like extra. It’s like they always say when we’re talking about email marketing– any given social media site could disappear tomorrow and we’d have to start all over. Why should we stress about it so much?! Thanks for he reminder to focus on the important things!
It definitely can disappear at any moment! Look at all the sites that have died. I would focus on my blog stats and work on an email list which is more valuable.
I completely agree Brittnee but it is easy to fall into the numbers game. It ’s just discouraging seeing the numbers amount to not much at all but I’m trying my hardest to ignore it the most I can. Instagram is one of those platforms that helps drive traffic to my blog so that’s why I stick with it. I just wish Instagram would change the algorithm so that we can all just be happy. I kept thinking to myself, why don’t we all just switch to twitter! They still have their feed in chronological order and their character size is larger now! I feel like Instagram might just end up pushing people away eventually and we will all find a better platform that works with us. Thanks for this post and you jut reminded me that I need to stop staring at these numbers!
I agree Twitter was smart with the chronological order! It is so disheartening to fall into the trap of numbers. It sucks because brands look at those but I think your blog numbers can help out and defeat the purpose of followers if you have a great volume on your blog. Instagram just sucks right now because they want you to pay to be seen.
Okay, you are right friend, on a regular basis updating blog is truly essential in support of SEO. Good discussion keeps it up.
Rexuiz FPS game
You’re absolutely right. It’s not worth the stress to tey and keep up with that pesky algorithm, that’s for sure. All we can do is our best and it’s important to focus on what you can, strategize when possible and not let all of the things that are out of your control drive you bonkers. Thanks for sure an important reminder 😊
Exactly! Just strategize and not let it get to you. Let your content do its work.
It makes me sad to hear that people are “worried” about Instagram and it’s ever changing algorithm…. Our lives and moods should NOT be dependent on the numbers we see next to our names on social media.
Right! Social Media can be so annoying. It’s great for free promo but we should not rely on it.
So glad you put this out there, bloggers and some social media managers really need to hear this. It’s like the don’t put all your eggs in one basket saying! Thank you for the very informative and thoughtful post!
Social media can be so stressful since the platforms are always changing the game! This is a really helpful anxiety-relieving post 🙂
I think so much speculation about what works, what doesn’t, what will get you shadowbanned just makes things so much worse. Everyone should just do their own thing and test what work for them. I think the obsession is not really about the number itself, but just as with your blog, if you’re putting a lot of work into it, you want to see progress (as I am sure brands too).
As a new blogger, I’ve of course been obsessed with social media and what to post, how to post it and it’s truly stressing me out. This came at a great time. Thanks!!
I have been so frustrated with this! Both of my jobs around social media though – so its constantly in my face. Ill try to calm down about it, but ughhhh
http://www.repressingthecrazy.com
I love this! I was so frustrated with Instagram, trying to get it right – and it’s just not worth it! It’s a tool, that’s all it is. It makes sense for some businesses, but not for everyone!