In this article, we will give you 9 tips and strategies to improve the chances of your content being recommended by the algorithm!
Explore is like curating the algorithm. Instagram needs to see that your content is relevant to suggest to other users. In other words, the platform itself will help you get closer to the audience that is interested in whatever you post about, but doesn’t follow you yet. Through Explore, the tool allows you to:
Widen your reach Get discovered by the right audience Grow your engagement
What is Instagram’s Explore?
Even if you have an engaged and large enough audience within the platform, there will always be people who are interested in whatever is posted by your profile, but still don’t know you. Therefore, being discovered by new users is essential both in the short and long run! Instagram Explore is one of those strategic places you can use to your advantage in this regard. The platform offers the option of a search bar where users can search for topics or accounts that interest them.
Here your account gets way more visible, and the possibility of being discovered by users looking for profiles with your sort of content increases by a whole lot. As soon as you type in the search subject, several videos and images appear, even those from accounts you don’t follow. So how do you secure a spot for yourself to appear on Explore? That’s what you’ll find out below, but first we need to understand how the Instagram algorithm works, and then use it to our advantage.
How does the Instagram’s Explore algorithm work?
All artificial intelligence uses our data and browsing habits to adapt their suggestions to our tastes and, with the Instagram Explore algorithm, it is no different. It is a unique system tailored for each user, which is based on their constant interactions within the platform, just as Google works with our search data. As such, when you open the Explore tab on your profile, you will likely see content suggestions that are very different from the suggestions that will appear to your friends. This is because Instagram recognizes content within the platform that is similar to what you react to, identifying the type of content you prefer, what you are most likely to click on. Another important issue is that, according to Instagram, this is content that comes exclusively from accounts that the user does not follow, as the main objective of Explore is to help you “discover new things”. And so, appearing in this very coveted space can improve your engagement rates. This is because the people who will receive the suggestions are very likely to interact, as they are interested in similar content. But of course they need to find more of that same quality, relevant content on your profile. Then, they will follow you and consume your publications and products/services. So let’s go to the tips that we have prepared so that you can benefit from this incredible opportunity that the platform offers.
9 tips to appear on Explore
Before starting the list, try to keep this insight in mind at all times: the best way to get into Instagram Explore is to make your posts as engaging as possible. Relevant content is essential! Now, without further ado, let’s get to our tips:
1. Analyzing your Explore
Every engaged profile has at least one thing in common: planning! And good planning is done by observing and analyzing data. So first of all, it’s worth stopping content production and taking a step back. Open your Explore bar and start by doing a search there. You should start by noticing which posts are being suggested.
What makes these posts so compelling? What is the most common post format? What kind of hashtags and keywords are used in these captions?
This way you can be inspired by these publications and create your own.
2. Investing on Reels
Yes, this is no secret. Instagram is showing people a lot more content from Reels and videos. And, if you followed tip number 1 and went to your Explore, you can see the amount of Reels suggested there. Now if you haven’t seen it yet, we brought you a look at how many times the Reels symbol appears in Explore below:
All this reflects the growth and their investment on this tool as one of the big bets of the platform. Therefore, the more you invest in this content, including Reels in your strategy, the greater the chances of appearing in searches.
3. Posting times
Do you know when your audience is most active on the network? As we said in the first item of this list, observing and analyzing are fundamental tools to appear on Explore. And the more you know your audience profile, the more likely they are to engage with your posts. And the more engagement, the more the algorithm understands the relevance of your account and suggests it to new followers. So be aware of this item, look for this information in your profile analysis and be creative with your content. Read also: How frequently should you post on Instagram?
4. Experimenting with new formats
Do you use the main trio of formats? Carousel, post and video need to happen! Each of them has its advantages – click on this article to see which one has the most engagement – and you will have the opportunity to understand how to work with each one and thus generate greater engagement on your accounts. Carousels are great for teaching your followers something and are great for growing your account. And, if you want to know how to start creating amazing and infinite carousels in Canva, click here.
5. Strategic hashtags
Hashtags have had better moments within the platform, but they are still at the forefront when it comes to your content appearing on Explore. They can greatly increase the chances of your posts and videos being discovered, but for that you need to get the hang of labeling your content right. Instagram’s own algorithm will do this work itself, if you don’t use hashtags, but ideally you correctly categorize your content. This will certainly make the platform’s work easier and increase the chances of suggestions for more relevant users. Read also: Instagram Stories: 13 tips for 2022!
6. Keywords on posts
One of the most important points is the keywords in the captions of your posts. Using the right words can really help your content show up in the Explore tab on Instagram. The best Instagram captions should contain:
An eye-catching opening line, which creatively completes the art of your post and draws attention so that the person wants to continue reading; Objectivity and clarity in the information, without fuss, but with content different from what they find out there; Tone of voice that speaks to the follower (but doesn’t speak down on them) and here it is essential to know who your audience is and how they relate, to get the messages right; An ending with a CTA (Call to action) directing the audience to the desired action like: save this post or share this content. Be direct and only use one option per post so the follower knows what to do.
Of course, hashtags also need to be included in your captions, but as we talked about them above, here we are going to focus on the text itself. And, the crucial point to keep in mind in order to appear on Explore, considering this structure that we mentioned, is the use of the relevant keywords of your content, clearly and well described. Thus, you will be helping the algorithm to understand your content, labeling and suggesting correctly.
7. Partnership with brands and content creators
A tactic that has been used a lot lately is the partnership! So much so that the platform itself has been creating resources to facilitate the dissemination of shared content. When your brand is associated with an influencer or other brands that have the same ideal, vision and values, the probability of expanding your following is enormous. The benefit is mutual, as the brand’s followers can follow the influencer and vice versa. And, when they are brands with similar values, most likely the public profile will be similar and both stand to gain. A successful recipe for getting a spot up there and appear on Explore tab on Instagram. Now, an important tip: be careful with partnerships. Associating with a brand or influencer needs to be well studied, so that your brand is not harmed rather than improved. In addition, a good partnership focuses on the audience, authenticity and truthfulness of the content. Think about it and think it well!
8. Using Instagram Analytics
Have you ever been surprised by the views of any of your posts? This must have happened to you, both positively and negatively. And why did this happen? You will only be able to understand if you frequently analyze your profile metrics. To access and analyze it, you can access it through the app or through the Meta Business Suite, which is a platform native to Instagram and Facebook and can help you a lot in organizing, scheduling and analyzing your content.
9. Announcing on Explore
Finally, let’s go to a guaranteed manner to appear on Explore. Did you know that there is an option to choose your ad placement so that it also passes through Explore? Well, this is a surefire way to show up there and improve your visibility, reach and engagement on Instagram. If you really need to grow and are currently struggling, you should look into hiring this sort of service to give you a boost. There’s no shame in self-promoting, especially if you are a brand!
How did you like these 9 Instagram tips to appear on Explore?
This is a great way to widen your audience, guaranteeing new and constant interaction. If this was useful to you, it might be useful to other people! Recommend this article to a friend! Read also: How to make money on Instagram in 2022!
