Tag: Instagram

How Instagram Suggests New Content

How Instagram Suggests New Content

August 15, 2022 /

According to a digital marketing speaker Hong Kong, Instagram is the fourth most active social media platform all over the world. It can help brands and businesses reach 1.45 billion global users. Overall, a social media agency Hong Kong highlights the average engagement rate of Instagram business accounts is 0.88%. Recently, a video marketing agency Hong Kong noted that Instagram expanded as a photo-and-video-sharing app. That is why Meta published how Instagram suggests new content.

A Typical Instagram Feed

Instagram shared a story about a touring alien from a faraway galaxy. The platform mentioned that the IG home feed of such an Instagrammer is dominated by family & friends’ posts together with a few general accounts. As the user scrolls the explore tab, it will show a lot of science fiction blogs and some space travel magazines. All these delighted and surprised the said Instagrammers. It is because Instagram suggests new content about the user’s interests and preferences.

As you can see, Instagram offers two content feeds. These are the home feed and the explore feed. Instagram suggests new content about family, friends, and followers in the home feed. Instagram suggests new content about hobbies, interests, and preferences in the explore feed. The more an Instagrammer spends time browsing on the platform, the more the user will discover new interests.

Home Feed Ranking System

When you open the Instagram app, you will automatically the home page. It is where you will the home feed, which shows the latest updates from your family, friends, and followers. Instagram suggests new content on the home feed in chronological order – from the most recent to the older posts. The posts are divided into two sections. These are the “Favorites” and “Followings.” Favorites are posts from people that an Instagrammer prefers to see most. Followings are posts from people that an Instagrammer follows.

Instagram uses artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to suggest new content on the home feed. The platform ranks content according to user activity and interaction on another account. The breaking factor signals the rate of engagement that the post receives. These include comments, likes, saves, and shares. It means that the more a user connects to an account, the more visible the user will see content from the said account.

Explore Feed Ranking System

The Explore Page of Instagram is a collection of content based on the user’s behavior, interests, and preferences. It includes photos, Reels, Stories, and videos. No two explore pages are alike. It is because Instagram suggests new content on the explore feed based on the user’s taste. Instagrammers can access the Explore Page at the bottom of the app. There, users can find accounts, popular topics, and trends related to a specific niche or topic.

Instagram suggests engaging and relevant public posts on the explore feed. First, the platform generates all content that matches the user’s explicit or implicit interests. Then, it uses AI and ML to select the winning post based on ranking algorithms. Then, it suggests new content based on relevance and engagement.

Reference: https://engineering.fb.com/2022/08/12/web/how-instagram-suggests-new-content/

5to92204-001 How to Grow Your Business on Instagram

How to Grow Your Business on Instagram

April 4, 2022 /

Next to Facebook, a social media agency Hong Kong noted that Instagram is the 2nd most important digital marketing platform. As it transformed into a photo-and-video-sharing app, the more it gets stronger as a key to eCommerce success. In fact, a video marketing agency Hong Kong highlights the new video ad formats of the platform as very effective. These are affiliate links for everyone, Carousel, and Reels ads beside Stories.

Recently, a digital marketing speaker Hong Kong notes that Instagram published a guide entitled “How to Grow & Scale your Small Business.” The guide provides an overview of key marketing tips from brands who have witnessed success with their business on Instagram. Among them are:

  • Mimi Striplin of The Tiny Tassel, accessories and clothing brand.
  • Natália Camargo of Estilo 4 olho, a quality eyewear brand.
  • Trinity Mouzon Wofford of Golde, a beauty and health brand.

Drive Awareness by Building Instagram Communities

The first step to growing your business on Instagram is to signup for an Instagram Business Account. Besides posting images, stories, and videos, you can unlock exclusive features and tools from a Professional Dashboard through an Instagram Business Account. After signing up, you can start building a community of followers by consistently posting valuable content. Start with images of your offerings equip with links to drive website traffics. Then, you can upload behind the scene, how-to, Reels, or unboxing videos about your brand or business. You can also encourage your followers to share their experiences and thoughts within your Instagram communities.

Get Your Next Customers on Instagram

More than 44% of Instagrammers used to shop or do business on Instagram every week. If you give your IG audiences what they love most, you can get your next customers on Instagram. Instagram Insights are a great place to understand the users’ behaviors. Reports showed that these pieces of content are typical:

  • Catalogs that educate a customer about a product.
  • Reels clips as the favorite of Gen Z and millennial users
  • Trending Stories to know more about what is happening behind the brands and businesses they followed.  

Alternatively, Instagram has a unique tool to drive action for such pieces of content. Use link stickers to boost conversion, engagement, and traffic.

Increase Sales by Making Customers Excited

A business on Instagram can entice and excite customers by creating captivating content. Use Instagram Stories to repost user-generated content (UGC). Keep your followers engaged by showing behind the scenes, in-shopping experiences, and product tutorials via Reels. Use countdown stickers as you go on a live broadcast or shopping event. Update your product catalogs and product tags consistently to keep your followers exploring your business on Instagram.

Provide Excellent Customer Service

Another key to growing your business on Instagram is providing excellent customer service. There are lots of tools that brands and businesses can use to do so. Use Instagram Direct to respond to stories, reactions, and queries. Remember that a positive customer experience through messaging has a higher potential to generate sales. Ads that click on Instagram Direct or WhatsApp are great ways to educate your customers. From there, you can grab the opportunity to answer a customer’s question through a one-on-one session, which can lead to the buying process.

Reference: https://scontent.fcbr2-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.8562-6/10000000_505739590924146_4628229789117889006_n.pdf?_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-5&_nc_sid=ad8a9d&_nc_ohc=sPIVBMYfHeoAX9l2ith&_nc_ht=scontent.fcbr2-1.fna&oh=00_AT-x-qZUdvjUzL6Yg0rbloaw92CGtMaa11orkPe2xEX_sg&oe=624BD63D

Instagram Live

Instagram Live Video Tips

March 16, 2022 /

Have you ever done or viewed a live video on Instagram? These video formats are prioritized on the newsfeed. That is why Instagrammers commonly receive a notification whenever someone they followed goes on a live broadcast. Here are some Instagram live video tips from a video marketing agency Hong Kong.

A  digital marketing speaker Hong Kong highlights that Instagram live is a wonderful platform for brands, businesses, and creators to interact with audiences and followers. It creates a strong bond with the community through real-time interactions. It also increases the visibility of a brand because they are prioritized in feeds.

WHAT IS INSTAGRAM LIVE?

Instagram live works as part of Instagram Stories. To start a live broadcast, swipe right anywhere on the Instagram feeds and click the live button at the bottom part of the screen. During a live broadcast, the number of viewers is shown on top of the screen and the comments at the bottom. An Instagram live host can:

  • Add photos and videos on the live stream screen
  • Disable and enable commenting.
  • Turn request to join the live broadcast off and on.

Once an Instagrammer goes live, followers receive a notification about it. The profile picture of the host appears on top of the followers’ feeds with a colorful ring with the word live. Instagrammers can view the live video by clicking it. Anyone who uses Instagram live will also bump on top of the Stories feeds. The live video will stay on IG Stories for 24 hours. This means that Instagram live is literally a ticket on top of the Instagram algorithm.

STATISTICS ABOUT INSTAGRAM LIVE

A social media agency Hong Kong has noted some statistics showing that 70 percent of Instagram posts are left unseen. But with Instagram live, it is different. More than 1 million people watch them daily. Around 80 percent of Instagrammers prefer to watch live streams instead of reading blog posts.

In March 2020, Instagram recorded a 70 percent increase on Instagram live. The big leap is due to the lockdowns and social distancing enforced during the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. As such, marketers continue posting Instagram live until today. They even engage more in live shopping events. The Instagram live option has significantly promoted online shopping.

INSTAGRAM LIVE VIDEO TIPS

Recently, Instagram interviewed 3 Mexican beauties who have been actively creating Instagram live content from May to October 2021. They are:

  • Lupita Cardoza has produced around 235 Facebook and Instagram live streams.
  • Maggie Magaña gathered 54 million views on her live streams.
  • Priscila Arias, the creator of La Fashionista had produced 95 live streams that accumulated 15 million views.

Instagram has noted some best practices behind the success of these three content creators. So, here are some Instagram live video tips.

Answer Fan Questions

The main focus of Instagram live is to boost engagement. This means you will need to interact with the viewers during the live broadcast. It is an opportunity to answer the viewers’ questions in real-time.

Collaborate with Other Creators

Instagram live allows adding up to 3 guests during the real-time broadcast. It will be wise to collaborate with other creators to increase your reach. Once the other creators join your Instagram live video, their followers will also be notified about it.

Lean Into Tutorials

Priscilla has noted that content is what makes an Instagram live successfully. It is not the fancy equipment or innovative props. The best way to create valuable Instagram live content is to teach your viewers how to do something.

Make Sure Your Content Is Personable

Since Instagram live is a part of Stories, it is best to unfold activities in your daily life. Lupita impacts her followers’ day-to-day lives by sharing her daily routines and relevant trends.

Use Live to Make Big Announcement

Maggie found out that a 20-minute-long Instagram live video received better engagement. To maximize the live broadcast, she uses Instagram live to share new ventures, product launches, upcoming events, etc. It is where brands and businesses can make big announcements.

Reference: https://www.facebook.com/creators/engagement-on-facebook-with-live-video

Instant Experiences Ads

Using Instant Experiences Ads on Facebook and Instagram

January 17, 2022 /

Facebook and Instagram both house a range of ad and campaign types. One of these is instant experiences ads. A social media agency Hong Kong suggests using such an ad type if your ads are underperforming. This is because using instant experiences ads on Facebook and Instagram is a better way to engage your prospects.

According to a digital marketing speaker Hong Kong, instant experiences ads are an immersive alternative to Facebook and Instagram campaigns. They display on full screen and are mobile-optimized. As such, they make it easier for brands and businesses to engage their target audiences. Even a video marketing agency Hong Kong notes that instant experiences ads can load 10x faster than ordinary ads on Facebook and Instagram.

What is Instant Experience?

Instant Experience (IX) is a type of mobile ad that is available both on Facebook and Instagram. Via IX, people can do the following:

  • Complete a form
  • Explore lifestyle images with tagged products
  • Quickly view product catalogs
  • Swipe photos through Carousels
  • Watch engaging videos

They can be used in almost all types of Facebook and Instagram ad formats such as carousel, collection, single image, slideshow, and video.

Most instant experiences ads on Facebook and Instagram are relatively simple. Users can see an image, slogan, or video with a link. Once they click the link, they will be taken to a catalog, newsletter sign-up, or online shop. As it opens a full-screen piece of content, it makes the audience engage better.

Benefits of Instant Experiences Ads

There are lots of benefits that Instant Experiences Ads can offer on Facebook and Instagram. First, they help capture the audience’s attention. This fast-loading mobile-optimized ad allows first-time visitors to avoid the wait of slow-loading images and videos.

Second, they can help highlight your products and services through full-screen visual experiences. Connecting your catalog with elected templates can share more information with viewers who are interested in your brand.

Third, you can tell your brand story using creative elements, descriptive texts, and link buttons. When creating a custom Instant Experience, brands and businesses can choose between multiple templates that guide people with better experiences.

Using Instant Experiences Ads on Facebook and Instagram

To create a custom Instant Experience, go to the Ads Manager. Start with choosing any of the following campaign objectives:

  • App installs
  • Brand awareness
  • Catalog sales
  • Engagement
  • Reach
  • Store traffic
  • Traffic
  • Video views

Each campaign objective features an IX template.

Second, you will need to choose from a range of ad placement options.

  • Single image or video that can be placed on the Explore tab, group feed, main feed, Marketplace, newsfeed, and Stories.
  • Carousels that can be placed on Marketplace, newsfeed, search results, and Stories.
  • Collections that can be placed in the Explore tab, main feed, and newsfeed.

The recommended image width for an IX image is 1080 pixels. While the recommended image height is 1920 pixels. They should be in either.png or .jpg format. For videos, the maximum length is 2 minutes. The same goes for a slide of up to 20 images. The runtime for the slide should be at the most, within 2 minutes. The video should be at least 720p and must be in .mp4 or .mov format.

The third step is choosing a list of IX templates.

  • An AR Experience template offers camera effects and interactive elements from Spark AR. They are currently offered on video ads and not on static images.
  • Custom IX templates allow brands and businesses to customize their IX ads based on their preferences.
  • Customer acquisition templates focus on the discovery of new products among old and new customers. They are similar to a classic landing page.
  • Lookbook shows off products in context instead of displaying them in a grid.
  • Sell products templates allow brands and businesses to share catalogs on Facebook and Instagram.
  • Storefront IX templates link directly to your Facebook store catalog.
  • Storytelling IX templates allow you to create an informational mailer or newsletters.

Now, the rest of using instant experiences ads on Facebook and Instagram is up to you!

Reference: https://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/how-to-use-instant-experiences-on-facebook-and-instagram/