My day job is as a Social Media/ Digital Marketing Specialist here in Vancouver, BC and I’ve been seeing a huge dip in organic Instagram engagement.

Before Instagram’s algorithm updates, I was seeing daily engagement in the thousands. Then I started to see a downward trend to a few hundred, with much fewer comments.

There have been a few things to make this happen.

1. The relevancy based feed. 

Just like Facebook, Instagram wants to show its audience content that it thinks they will like. So if you’ve made a post that seems like isn’t that interesting (not getting many likes or comments), it may not show up in their feed. It’s a little like a company hiring for a junior role but requiring 5 years of experience. It’s hard to get a foot in the door!

2. The ShadowBan. 

This scary-sounding algorithm is IG’s blocking of specific hashtags from showing up in searches.

They’re usually ones that represent family-unfriendly or spammy content. It can also show up by using the same tags over and over again.

Want to know how to beat it? Keep reading.

3. Repeat hashtag use. 

If you’re using the same 10 tags in every post, IG judges them as less relevant and stops you showing up in your followers’ feed.

How to Increase your Instagram Engagement

1. Use hashtags properly 

First of all, let’s use hashtags as they’re intended. I keep seeing companies make these up for random events in an aim to get lots of exposure.

Unless you’re a conference or are paying to get a tag trending, you’re trying to start a new conversation in a room full of people who don’t care.

Join current trending topics, see what your competitors and related niches are tagging and start sharing your own content.

2. Using Fresh Hashtags

Try 6-10 different tags each time you post. This is an opportunity to test what works for you, and what doesn’t.

Use tags that a relevant to what you’re posting. To see the most popular tags, start typing the general topic after a ‘#’ and see what comes up. Try using the top 5 and see what happens.

3. Improve your Content 

If you’re not getting many likes or comments on  your posts, there’s a chance that it’s you. Well not you, but your photos.

If they’re low resolution, trivial topics, random updates from your commute, or yet another selfie, don’t be surprised if people lose interest.

Be selective about what you post. It’s totally fine to not post for a few days. In fact, it’s much better!

Also, please no more Snapchat/ Instagram-filtered selfies with flower crowns or dog-ears. It’s been so over-done.

4. So Which Hashtags Should I Use?

I’m here to help! Below are some of the tags that I’ve found most successful, but remember to change them up regularly. Oh, and before you go, head over to My Instagram channel and say hi!

Photos about NATURE

 #naturephoto #watchthisinstagood #artofvisuals #awesome_earthpix #landscape_captures #rsa_rural #natureaddict #nature_wizards #awesomeearth #naturediversity #ourplanetdaily #earth_deluxe #instanaturelover #nature_prefection #allnatureshots 

Photos about FOOD

 #myfab5 #f52grams #dailyfoodfeed #lovefood #eatingfortheinsta #flatlay #spoonfeed #huffposttaste #infatuation #buzzfeast #feedyoursoull #cheatmeal #tastingtable #forkyeah #heresmyfood #eater

Photos about COFFEE

 #coffeebeans #coffeetime #onmytable #nothingisordinary #seekthesimplicity #flatlay #handsinframe #coffeebreak #coffeegram #tastespotting #stilllife #vscocoffee #coffeeholic #cupsinframe #tv_living #tablesituation #BaristaLife 

Tags for photos about CITYLIFE

 #primeshots #instamagazine_ #instagoodmyphoto #visualambassadors #folkgood #peopleinframe #highsnobiety #createyourhype #streetmobs #thecreative #quietthechaos #seemycity #yngkillers #igpodium_portraits #meistershots #postmoreportraits #pursuitofportraits 

Tags for photos about FITNESS

 #instafit #progress #gymlife #shredded #cardio #aesthetics #fitnessaddict #fitspiration #getfit #noexcuses #fitnessmodel #healthylife #fitnessmotivation #gymrat #dedication #physique #gains 

Tags for photos about MOTHERHOOD AND PARENTING

 #motherhood #mothercare #parenting #motherday #motherdaughter #motherdaughtertime #motherandson #mothersday2016 #momsofinstagram #motherlove #motherslove #monumento #mothermonster #mothersdaygift #motherland #mothership #momlifeisthebestlife #focalmarked

And of course, the best tags about CATS

 #catstagram #cats_of_instagram #kitten #catlove #instacat #cutecat #meow #katze #catlover #animalsofinstagram #catoftheday #cat_features #ilovemycat #catwalk #catlovers #kittylove #catsagram 

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