So we all know that Instagram is a tricky little beast right now. People are being action blocked, shadow banned and down right banned left right and centre… and trust me I’ve had it all thrown my way too, but I have some little tips below to help you counteract any issues you might be having… so read on to find out more!
Why Is My Instagram Engagement Low?
I mean the bigger the channel, the lower your engagement rate will likely be (i.e. the % of your followers who engage with your content), but there are some tips you can use to help get this up. My engagement rate sits between 17-19% depending on the month, and whether Instagram is playing game with me!
If you want to find out how I keep my engagement up (so that’s comments, likes, follows etc etc) then head on over to my mailing list and you’ll get my tip sheet when you sign up! I promise I won’t spam you, and you can of course unsubscribe if you get fed up of me 😉
Why is My Instagram Reach Low?
Pft Instagram is a ball ache right? You wouldn’t be alone in feeling about ready to give up on the whole charade, but I promise you there is still the chance to grow and to reach new audiences over there! I usually get at least a couple 1k reach from my hashtag impressions and I tend to rotate round the following hashtags;
#bblogger#bbloggers#bblogersuk#bblog#makeup#primer#drugstoremakeup#makeupobsessed#makeupcollection#discoverunder1k#discoverunder5k#makeupblog#makeupflatlay#makeuppage#makeupcommunity#makeuplover#makeupworld#beauty#beautymakeup#flatlay#products#eyeshadow#panningcommunity#eyeshadowpalette#panningeyeshadow
#bloggerstyle#bloggersofinstagram#bloggingtribe#bloggerlifestyle#shinyhappybloggers#bloggerlife#bloggersunder2k#bloggersunder5k#bloggersunder2k#microinfluencer#mentalhealthblogger#styleblogger#discoverunder5k#discoverunder1k#discoverunder10k#bloggerstribe#ukblogger#ukbloggersquad#makeuppage#selfie#motd#makeuplook
#skincare#skincareroutine#skinlove#skincaretips#photography#deepsweep#skincaresunday#skincareproducts#skinfluencer#instabeauty#beauty#beautyinfluencer#skincarejunkie#skincarecommunity#beautywlg#bblogger#bbloggers#bbloggersuk#bblog#discoverunder1k#discoverunder5k#products #texturetuesday
Use a mixture of big, medium and small hashtags (i.e. ones that have been used millions or 100ks of times, and some more around the 10k mark), some generic (see above) and some more niche to the post you’re posting. What’s really important is checking whether the # you’re about to use has been banned. For one reason or another, Instagram has flagged some # as spam (for example beautyblogger) and I always (or usually) check my hashtags on IQ Hashtags before posting! If you use a banned # you’ll get shadow banned, and then receive no # reach for anywhere from one post to 2 weeks.
Every so often I swap out #s and update them, and taking part in community #s like #texturetuesday or #towerthursday also really help you reach an engaged little community! But I guess the key is, hashtags work so use them!
And there you have it! Now I’m not saying any of the things that work for me will miraculously work for you, but fundamentally it comes down to content! Post regular, high quality and engaging content and the world of Instagram will slowly (or maybe even quickly) open up to you! And most of all, remember to enjoy it! It is, after all, a social media app designed to be enjoyed!
Katie x
Great post! I recently learned about hashtags on Instagram and this has helped me out even more! I am trying to increase my following and engagement on Instagram! Thank you for sharing this!
Awww no problem! Hope it helps! x
I don’t always check but maybe I had better do it every time – being banned is pretty bad 🙂
OMG it’s so annoying! And it takes a while to build back up! x
Great post and you’ve shared some lovely tips! Hashtags are so important, especially using the right one for your niche xx
I can’t believe I didn’t use them for the first few years! x
This is such a helpful post! I have a love-hate relationship with Instagram, but I’m trying to get back into using it. I recently found out a hashtag I was using was banned but now I know to regularly check the hashtags I use!
It’s so annoying that instagram doesn’t just flag to you that # is banned! x
Instagram is HARD!!! Really hard but this is good advice, I have subscribed so I am looking forward to your instagram cheat sheet x
Awww thanks! Hopefully it helps! x
Great tips! Thank you for sharing 🙂 My engagement is pretty good on Instagram and I had quite a lot of growth last year but it seems to be stopping now however I don’t think I’m as active on the platform, so that might be why. However, I still love using Instagram!
I love Instagram! And so pleased to hear you had growth in 2020! x
Some great tips. I’m going to start checking my hashtags on IQ Hashtags and see if I can increase my engagement more on my photos. I agree though hashtags are a much for increasing your reach. Thanks for sharing x
Aww no problem! Thanks for reading x
I don’t check my Instagram analytics. Great Tips! Thanks for sharing the useful post for me.
Aww no problem! Thanks for stopping by! x
These are all great tips and will surely try and apply them. Instagram is still with its up and downs, but i am glad that I can still enjoy it.Thank you so much for sharing this Katie x
So pleased to hear you’re enjoying it! x
Thanks for sharing this, great advice. Some of us are just clueless when it comes to social media in general
Oh it’s such a minefield! x
This is such a helpful post full of great advice Katie, you’re right, Instagram is a bit of a ball ache right now and these are great tips! x
Lucy | http://www.lucymary.co.uk
Awww no problem! Hopefully some of them help! x
Will definitely be using these tips! I am always trying to up my Instagram game but my reach can be pretty low sometimes and it gets annoying x
Fingers crossed some of them help! x
Love these tips on getting your IG to grow! I found myself having a hard time posting, but so important to swap hashtags around too! I hate this whole idea of shadow banning – makes the platform so much more complicated!
Nancy ✨ mdrnminimalists.com
OMG I know! I wish Instagram would give you a heads up about it too! x
Thank you for the hashtag suggestions – I’ll give some of them a go!
Jasmine xx
Jasmine Talks Beauty
OMG thanks for stopping by! x
Great ideas!
Awww thanks! x
Excellent post Katie, Instagram like to change the goal posts.
OMG it’s so difficult to keep up with right!
Great tips, thanks. I don’t spend enough time on Instagram.
Awww no problem! Hopefully they help! x
Thank you for sharing hashtags. This is very useful.
xo Erica
Awww no problem! Hope it helped! x
For newbies on social media like me I didn’t know about the banned hashtag matter and IQ check on it. Now I know. Thanks for letting me know. x
Isa A. Blogger.
http://www.lifestyleprism.com
No problem! Hope it helps! x
Thank you so much for the helpful tips Katie. As a newbie lifestyle blogger, I really needed the tips on hashtags. Very valuable and informative.
Awww no problem! Hope they help! x
Instagrams algorithm will forever confuse me and baffle me, i do wanna try and up my engagement though!
Here’s to a more engaged 2021! hahah x
Great tips. I didn’t know about checking if hashtags were banned. I’ll definitely be doing that from now on.
OMG it’s totally worth it! Getting shadow banned is such a nuisance! x