The latest Instagram update can impact your reach

Instagram added a feature that allows users to have the ability to filter out ‘sensitive’ content, and this can actually affect your account’s reach.

All users have to do now, is access the settings menu, and use the Sensitive Content Control option. This new feature gives users the choice of the amount of sensitive content they will see in the search results, in Reels, even going so far as to include Accounts You Might Follow and hashtags along with feed recommendations.

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Backstory: When was this feature added?

Instagram first introduced the feature in July 2021, but it was only implemented on The Explore Feed and not all sections of the app.

What does this new feature mean for me and my business?

Well, it could mean a lot and depends greatly upon the content you publish. If you post content that Instagram finds ‘sensitive’ your reach could be reduced, especially if more and more users begin to use the Sensitive Content Control feature that affects your appearance on their feeds.

What are the ways I can improve the reach of my content?

There are a number of ways you can do so. Firstly, it is important to know how Instagram’s algorithm actually works to pull content forward on the news feed, stories, or in reels. It depends on the following criteria:

• Information related to the post: how many people have engaged with the post through comments, and likes.

• The activity of a given account: If an account consistently comments, likes, or saves posts from another, then Instagram will likely show that content on feeds or stories.

• Any information about the poster: does the poster have an engaged audience, and does its content get consistent likes, shares, and comments?

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Here are some tips that we think can help improve your Instagram content for better engagement:

Tip #1 Prioritize video content and reels

Instagram has time and time again pointed out the value of video content on its platform and the nature of that platform take the time to really learn about how you can incorporate reels into your business and how you can leverage video content to inform users about your product or business. For more information on that, check out our article: 7 tips to create quality video content.

Tip #2 Never underestimate the power of hashtags

Hashtags aren’t a new phenomenon on the platform, though some might question their importance. Hashtags are an excellent way to ensure your content is reaching the right audience.

It is essential that you try and work out your niche and try to find the right combination of hashtags that serve you for each piece of content. You can even apply the concept of a hashtag ladder where you use more hashtags that have posts in the 5-10k posts range and use less of the ones in the 750k-1M+ posts range this means your content will most likely get seen by those who are searching for your hashtag. Testing out the right combination is part of the early stages of finding what works best for your social media content, so make sure you give the humble hashtag some time!

Tip #3 Monitor and analyze

Though you might think you’re providing high-quality content, the only way to know for sure is to check the data and insights. Investing in a tool to check your Instagram analytics and find out where your audience engaged the most is the most crucial part of the process. When you learn from your mistakes and from your successes, you can create the right kind of content that your audience wants to see and expects from you. By using a social media analytics tool you can learn about:

• Your audience’s activity when they are online, and when they engage the most

• The right hashtags to use

• The performance of your posts

These tips are just the tip of the iceberg! If you want to learn more about how you can optimize your social media content and truly help your business, contact us for a free consultation.