Instagram content tips Archives

A New Era for Instagram Profiles

Instagram has rolled out a major update to its profile grid, introducing a vertical-aligned thumbnail format. This shift aligns with Instagram’s focus on vertical content like Reels and positions the platform as a stronger competitor to TikTok. While some users have expressed frustration, Instagram is introducing new customization tools to ease the transition.

For marketers, this update presents challenges but also offers exciting opportunities to refresh your Instagram strategy, optimize your profile, and re-engage your audience.

What’s Changed in the Instagram Profile Grid?

Instagram’s new vertical grid replaces the classic square thumbnails with taller, vertically-aligned thumbnails. This change better accommodates the vertical photo and video formats that dominate the platform today.

Why the Change?

Vertical Content Dominance: Most content uploaded to Instagram is now vertical. The new grid enhances the display of photos and videos.
Competition with TikTok: By focusing on vertical content, Instagram aims to position itself as a top alternative to TikTok.
User Experience: Vertical thumbnails offer a better visual experience for users scrolling through profiles.

New Features to Customize Your Profile

Instagram is rolling out additional updates to give users more control over their profiles:

Grid Reordering: Users will soon be able to reorder their grid layout, enabling them to showcase their best posts or create visually cohesive designs.
Highlight Integration: Instagram is testing moving Highlights into the grid, with options to rearrange and customize them.
Direct Grid Posting: A new feature will let users post content directly to their grid, bypassing the feed entirely.

Challenges for Marketers and Creators

For users who meticulously designed grid layouts with square images, this update has disrupted carefully curated profiles. Instagram acknowledges this and plans to introduce tools to adjust thumbnail displays.

While this may feel like a setback, it’s also an opportunity for marketers to rethink how they present their content and use Instagram’s new tools to their advantage.

How Marketers Should Adapt to Instagram’s Vertical Grid

1. Refresh Your Profile Content

The new vertical grid provides a chance to revisit older content. Since only a small percentage of your followers see your posts the first time, reposting optimized content is an effective strategy.

Steps to Refresh Your Content:

Analyze Engagement: Identify high-performing posts to repost.
Reformat for Vertical Display: Ensure images and videos look their best in the vertical grid.
Add Updated Captions: Use new captions to provide fresh context or updates.

2. Optimize for the Vertical Format

With the focus on vertical content, marketers should prioritize content that looks great in this format:

Video Content: Reels and vertical videos should be the centerpiece of your strategy.
Portrait Photos: Avoid posting square or landscape images without testing how they appear in the new layout.

3. Leverage Grid Reordering and Highlights

Grid reordering is a game-changer for marketers, allowing for strategic profile curation.

Showcase Evergreen Content: Highlight timeless posts that resonate with your audience.
Create Thematic Grids: Organize your content by themes, such as campaigns, testimonials, or product launches.
Update Highlights: Use Highlights to keep important stories front and center.

4. Repost Content to Maximize Reach

Instagram’s algorithm limits how many followers see your posts. Studies show that, on average, only 10-20% of your audience sees a post the first time. Reposting ensures your best content reaches more users.

How to Repost Effectively:

Space reposts over weeks or months to avoid redundancy.
Refresh captions or hashtags for a new spin.
Use Instagram Insights to identify the best times to repost.

5. Test Direct Grid Posting

With the new direct grid posting feature, you can share content exclusively on your profile grid.

Use this feature for announcements or evergreen content.
Pair it with grid reordering to strategically highlight important posts.

Opportunities for Marketers

This update isn’t just about adapting to a new format—it’s about leveraging the change to stand out:

Increased Engagement: Vertical thumbnails provide a better user experience, encouraging profile visits and interactions.
Content Repurposing: Reposting optimized content saves time while maximizing impact.
Brand Creativity: The ability to reorder grids and integrate Highlights allows for innovative profile designs that reflect your brand identity.

Conclusion: Embrace the Change

Instagram’s vertical grid update is a significant shift, but it’s also an opportunity for marketers and creators to refresh their profiles, re-engage their audiences, and showcase their brands in new and exciting ways.

By leveraging tools like grid reordering, Highlight integration, and reposting strategies, marketers can adapt to this new format while maximizing their content’s impact.

Ready to take your Instagram strategy to the next level? Contact Amber 90 for expert guidance on adapting to social media updates and optimizing your content strategy.

Mastering Instagram Growth with New Best Practices

Instagram has rolled out a new feature to help creators enhance their content strategy – the Best Practices section within its Professional Dashboard. This latest update, released in October 2024, provides tailored tips, tricks, and insights to help creators succeed. Let’s take a deeper dive into what this new tool offers and how you can leverage it to elevate your Instagram presence.

The Role of Best Practices

With the Best Practices section, Instagram aims to guide creators with personalized advice based on their specific account metrics. The platform’s research indicates that creators who consistently post Reels and engage their audience will likely see growth. The recommendation? Post 10 Reels per month to maximize visibility. This, of course, benefits Instagram by keeping users active on the platform. However, the key takeaway here is the importance of consistency and creative content that resonates with your audience.

While quantity might increase exposure, the real focus should be on quality content that aligns with your audience’s preferences. Even one well-made Reel can boost your engagement significantly more than many low-effort posts. So, it’s about finding that balance between frequency and creativity.

What Does the Best Practices Section Offer?

The new Best Practices section offers a variety of insights, including:

Creation Tips: Best practices for posting frequency, engaging photos, and optimal Reel lengths.
Engagement Insights: Guidance on how to drive more likes, shares, and comments.
Reach Tips: How to extend your content’s reach to a larger audience.
Monetization Ideas: Suggestions for turning engagement into income.
Guideline Recommendations: How to stay within Instagram’s policies to avoid penalties.

While some of the tips are relatively basic, like creating engaging content, the dashboard provides a convenient way to see personalized advice based on your performance.

Reels as a Learning Tool

As part of this feature, Instagram has also introduced educational Reels within the dashboard. These Reels, featuring popular creators and Instagram staff, provide deeper insights and tips to help you understand how successful content is made. This in-app learning is designed to be digestible and actionable, allowing you to grow your account effectively.

Is It Worth the Effort?

While some of the tips may feel a bit vague, the Best Practices section could provide value, especially when tailored to your account. At its core, the goal is to help you grow as a creator by sharing tips that directly align with your unique Instagram journey.

Why Partner with Amber 90?

At Amber 90, we understand the evolving landscape of social media marketing. Our team specializes in managing and optimizing Instagram strategies, including Reels and content creation, to help you stand out. Let us take the guesswork out of your Instagram growth by creating engaging, tailored content that resonates with your audience.

Contact Amber 90 today and let’s work together to elevate your Instagram presence, ensuring your content reaches the right people and delivers the impact you need.

Tag: Instagram content tips

Instagram’s Vertical-Aligned Grid Redefines Your Profile Strategy