This week I had a call with an Instagram / Meta Media Expert in Scaled Partnerships. This call was to discuss my Instagram Account, and how to hack the Instagram Algorithm in 2024.
We went through a list of tips and things I could improve on, discussed the Algorithm and how it works in 2024, and some additional strategies to TO GROW my account and benefit from the (often dreaded) Instagram Algorithm.
So here is the EXACT follow up email I received, plus my own notes of a few extra things they told me verbally.
Meta’s Tips to Hack the Instagram Algorithm in 2024
Here is a recap of our conversation and Metas tips for my account, @Travellivn specifically. Please Note: that if your account was reviewed the suggestions might be different for you and use this as a guide only. Regardless, these tips should still be very useful to you for understanding the Instagram Algorithm and how to make it work for you in 2024!
My Phone Call Notes: (Meta’s Tips to Hack the Instagram Algorithm in 2024)
- They suggested I continue to do ‘Collaboration Posts’. That these were beneficial to my account. They suggested collaborating with new and different accounts as well.
- They told me I needed to start using the other META platforms more: In particular THREADS – something I’ve been very slack on, so being called out on this was a needed reminder.
- Next, they suggested to include some static carousel posts to my feed, not just Reels. They explained that carousel posts can be shown to my audience multiple times, if they do not finish scrolling through all of the images the first time, they’ll be shown it again a second time.
- They suggested I increase my quantity of posts from 3 times a week to 4-5 times a week. (She said if you can’t do that, then just be consistent, days/times etc)
- The next Algorithm strategy was to be active on the days I’m not posting, to use these days to post more Storys, and to comment and engage with my community.
- They suggested I link my Facebook account and share to both platforms for additional reach on my Instagram Posts.
- She suggested I edit inside the Instagram App, and that I use some of its filter and effect features.
- Lastly, she suggested I should aim for my Reels to be 30-90 seconds long. I think they are trying to push longer content at the moment. However, my audience has not responded well to long reels in the past, so I’m cautious about this suggestion.
Below I have pasted the exact follow up email I received from Meta and their tips to hack the Instagram algorithm in 2024.
Exact follow up email: (Meta’s Tips to Hack the Instagram Algorithm in 2024)
Hello Shannon,
It was so great getting to learn more about your content strategy and talking about your Instagram Algorithm and Meta strategy! Based on our chat, I wanted to follow-up with a few tips and resources to help you take your content to the next level.
With Reels you can connect with new people, and be part of cultural moments on Instagram. Reels can help you grow your community by making your content discoverable to a wider audience. Here are some Reels best practices
Consistency
The best way for creators like you to grow on Instagram is to consistently post original and high quality Reels, and including some photos and carousels in your Feed.
Supercharge your Instagram Algorithm strategy with consistency and reels! Reels are the ultimate attention-grabbers, designed to align perfectly with Instagram’s algorithm. Produce 3-4 reels weekly or gradually increase the number that best suits your availability. Posting consistently helps boost the visibility and captivate potential followers. Start small and watch your reach skyrocket!
Feed Photos & Carousels
Feed photos and carousels are a great way to increase engagement, and a way to stay consistent with posts. They’ll bring more audiences to help grow your account!
Audio Tools
We suggest switching off between trending or original audio, and following best practices, such as:
- Use Sound Collection to avoid trouble monetizing
- Add commentary with voiceover, or use the convert text-to-speech option
- Add timed text on screen, or include captions to the reel for accessibility and for those with volume off
Camera Effects
Grab attention and enhance your visuals with effects like AR, filters, and Green Screen. You can also add captions, and stickers!
Making Reels from photos
If you’re looking to get started, check out this video showing you how to turn your photos into Reels.
Edit In-App
Use any of the tools available on Instagram to edit and adjust your reel! You can adjust the speed, scale and crop the video, play clips backwards, add transitions, undo/redo, and more!
Use Meta Business Suite
Meta Business Suite has a host of features to manage your presence, such as:
- Bulk upload and edit videos, and save drafts
- Publish or schedule content up to 75 days in advance
- Get a calendar view of your schedule
- Cross-post across Meta’s apps
- Look at insights to understand what works on your Reels
- Get motivated with the Inspiration Hub
- Check out Templates and Made For You content for Reels
- Learn more with Help Center links and guides
Get Inspired
You can use Meta Business Suite or Professional Dashboard to see what’s new on Trends, or collab with another creator with Remix or Add Yours sticker.
Optimize your Content
The best tips we have to make your content resonate with the audience:
- Create relatable, unique content
- Engage with your audience with comments
- Make the very start of your reel interesting
- Avoid watermarks and logos from other apps
- Shoot in a vertical 9:16 format
- The sweet spot for reels is between 30 to 90 seconds
- Ensure you’re posting in the top resolution
- Use audio available on Instagram, or purely original audio only
- Use relevant and specific hashtags (no magic number)
- Follow all community standards
Hashtags
Explore using more hashtags. Numbers are allowed in hashtags. However, spaces and special characters, like $ or %, will not work. Try to be playful with hashtags, make it short but catchy. They should be relevant with your contents as well.
Instagram Algorithm
Check out these articles, they may help you understand a bit more about how the algorithm and ranking work on Instagram:
You can follow @creators and @mosseri to learn more about the latest trends, tips & tricks, and new features.
As we discussed in the wrap-up from our call, I’ll continue to share some additional best practices and resources with you via email over the next few weeks. You’ll see lots of examples thereof how to use the above tips!
Thanks,
(name removed for privacy)
Media Expert | Scaled Partnerships
(contact information removed for privacy)
Overall, I found most of the tips and insights into the Instagram Algorithm useful. However, some I didn’t necessarily agree with and feel each account and their respective audiences are very different.
As an example, they suggested I use longer content, 30-90 seconds Reels. Generally they don’t do well on my account, my audience is used to short clips and valuable captions, and this is what works with my audience.
Regardless, the deep dive call with Meta was very insightful to understand the Instagram algorithm in 2024 and to what they are pushing on the App at the moment!
So, here’s to continuing to keep experimenting, engaging with our Instagram Travel fam, and to staying ahead of the Instagram Algorithm game.
Want to see more tips for Travel Influencers and Creators? Look below
Or you can find out more about my Short Courses here
