In 2022, Instagram's engagement has dropped across the platform for most accounts due to three main factors:

🚀 Instagram's huge push with Reels (even with the app's backtrack earlier this summer with its latest user interface, there's still a huge focus on Reels, and less on static feed posts).

📈 Increased amount of suggested content in the main Home Feed, which means some posts may not get as much exposure as they once did — leading to a potential decline in engagement.

📉 Overall less scrolling from users, reports have found.

But do not fear, we've done the work for you and cracked the code on how you can get that boost in your content engagement again. Read on for more...

How to Get More Engagement on Instagram in 2022

1. Make Use of New Features When They Roll Out
2. Share Valuable Information
3. Include Call-to-Actions In Your Content
4. Let Your Personality Shine Through on Instagram Stories
5. Remove Spam, Bots & Inactive Followers
6. (You might be sick of hearing it but...) Make More Reels
7. Update Your Hashtag Strategy
8. Audit Your Own Content Using Insights

#1: Make Use of New Features When They Roll Out

It's no secret that Instagram loves to roll out a new feature or 2, (or 10)... But when they do, it's for certain that they're looking for creators to use that latest feature... And doing so will result in your efforts being rewarded in reach and engagement.

Let's take Instagram for example, since 2020 when the platform first rolled out its Reels feature, they've done all they can to push that feature. So if you've been creating Reels with all the right qualities, Instagram will have been pushing that content out to more people! Quick tip: If you're still not creating Reels, set yourself a goal over the next month to create a few, and just watch what happens!

More information on how to hack the Instagram Reels algorithm.

If you're not 100% sure on what the latest features are on Instagram, head to our Instagram page, where we keep you up-to-date on all the platform's latest updates. Or if you want to go directly to the source, Head of Instagram Adam Mosseri shares the latest updates on Instagram across his profile.  

#2: Share Valuable Information

Not only does offering value to your audience help you discover your niche, which will gain you loyal and committed followers, but sharing valuable content is one of the best ways to grow your engagement.

The audience you build on social media isn’t going to continue to follow you just because you’re there. You need to repeatedly provide value to them until they come to know, like, and trust you, and are willing to engage with you.

Providing continuous value is how you build loyalty with your following. Remember, the “brand” is YOU, and the way to attract and keep loyal followers to YOU is through continued engagement via social media.

You can provide value on social media by: being inspirational, sharing your favorite products, asking questions, making suggestions, solving problems or why not shake things up a little and show BTS of your life, or even providing VIP access to your content with subscriptions.

#3: Include Call-to-Actions In Your Content

Social media is swarming with creators and brands offering their audience the latest hot products or services. That's why it is crucial to mention what you're offering them up front, with clear prompts to which direction they should take next. This is where CTAs come in.

Call-to-actions nudge your audience to take another step towards your content, service, or product. This is the part of your content that encourages the audience to, well, take action. Take a look at some of the CTA examples below.

• Add numbers: “Buy now and get 50% off!”
• Add adjectives: “Become your fittest self with this guide!”
• Make a promise: “Get clearer skin in just 6 weeks!”
• Influence FOMO: “Limited time offer. Get your free protein!”
• Play up your USP: “Order hand-made jewelry now!”

#4: Let Your Personality Shine Through on Instagram Stories

Instagram Stories can capture followers like crazy, whilst improving your engagement across the app. They may be fleeting and temporary pieces of content, but Instagram Stories really help you gain more followers, and are a sure-fire way to improve your relationship with your community.

If you're stuck for ways to add a little spice to your Instagram Story content, check these out...

• Use stickers. Stickers help you make your Stories more engaging. Try anything from polls and questions to countdowns and links.
• Participate in an Instagram account takeover. Instagram takeovers are a great way to introduce yourself to Instagram users on a separate brand's account. Look out for accounts that do takeovers—and are relevant to your brand and niche—and ask if you can take over their account.  

Did you know Instagram Stories are changing?

#5: Remove Spam, Bots & Inactive Followers

You might be thinking, “Why would I ever want to remove any Instagram followers?” After all, the entire point of social media platforms like Instagram is to accumulate a bigger audience, right?

Instagram ghost followers come in many shapes and sizes. Plainly put, they are typically fake accounts that use the Instagram app and don’t contribute to your audience growth in any way.

Another common type is the fake business account. This one might start spamming you with fake affiliate links or business ventures. You’ll find these followers can be particularly annoying and persistent in your DMs.

These fake followers can hurt your credibility and do absolutely nothing for your engagement rate, so it's best to delete them and watch your engagement rise up.

#6: (You might be sick of hearing it but...) Make More Reels

You saw the viral Instagram meme that circulated on Instagram in July 2022, and you can check what we had to say about the matter in this Instagram post. And even though there has been a bit of back and forth on Instagram's part, regarding their changes to the algorithm, one thing remains certain...

More Reels = more discovery = More opportunities for growth and engagement.

Instagram has been in a war with TikTok, to win the attention of users since 2020, when they first introduced Instagram Reels. And they've not stopped pushing them since.

From the recent platform API expansion that allowed users to see insights for Reels, and schedule them with third-party tools, to the ability to now boost Instagram Reels, no matter what state the Home Feed is in, as long as TikTok remains so successful, Instagram will continue to emphasize the importance of Reels.

#7: Update Your Hashtag Strategy

Hashtags offer up a huge advantage when you want to expand your Instagram audience and get more reach. When you use a hashtag, your post will get indexed under the specific hashtag.

Instagram also allows for the ability to follow hashtags, which means they could see your hashtagged post in their feed even if they don’t follow you (yet).

Instagram recently advised that creators should use between 3-5 hashtags on their posts, but you can officially use up to 30 per post.

Using the “right” hashtags can put you in front of your target audience, even if they haven’t connected with you before.

Finding fresh hashtags for every post you share can be extremely time-consuming – but there are ways to make the process more efficient.

One way is to curate lists of 20-30 hashtags that align with your main content themes or niche. Add them to your Notes on your phone, so you can quickly adjust and add to each post.

#8: Audit Your Own Content Using Insights

You don't need a fancy third-party platform to tell you how successful your content was last month, or how many followers you've gained so far this year... Instagram literally has an 'Insights' tool built into the app.

Instagram analytics can help you target the right audience, improve your content strategy, and reach new audiences.

(If you're looking to learn all of the different Instagram metrics and terms, and how to use this data for growth, check out this article)

Instagram Insights (Instagram's in-app analytics) are only available to business or creator profiles. Once you have an Instagram business or creator profile, you can access your analytics through the Insights tab in the Instagram app.

If you're looking for the analytics of a particular post, tap on the post in question, and then tap the View Insights option above the engagement buttons. Alternately, you can tap the Insights button on your profile page.

So there you have it. As much as we encourage using social media to positively impact your life, we understand that as a creator, engagement is crucial to make a living doing what you love to do. If you're looking for even more tips to boost your Instagram presence, check out our Instagram page @Genflow_.