Social media marketing cannot be complete without a presence on Instagram. You are looking at a platform where a big percentage of content is images and videos. As a brand, you should look at ways of enhancing your marketing reach in this segment of media.
2026 Update: What Has Changed Since I First Wrote This
I wrote this post back in 2020 and, honestly, rereading it feels like looking at a photograph from another era. Instagram has shifted so dramatically in the six years since that some of the advice below needs serious context before you act on it. I am keeping the original post intact because the core thinking still holds, but please read this section first so you are not walking into 2026 with a 2020 map.
The single biggest shift is that Reels are no longer optional. When I first wrote this, Reels had barely launched outside Brazil. Now they are the primary way Instagram distributes your content to new audiences. If your strategy is still built around static grid posts as your main growth engine, you are essentially shouting into a void. Static posts still have their place for community and conversion, but discovery in 2026 runs almost entirely through short video. I have seen this play out with my own account and with clients across industries, so this is not theory.
Stories, which I talked up heavily in the original post, have lost significant reach compared to their peak years. They still matter enormously for warm audiences and for direct engagement with people who already follow you, but do not expect Stories to bring in fresh eyes the way they once did. Treat them as a relationship tool, not a growth tool, and your expectations will be calibrated correctly.
AI content tools are everywhere now and Instagram's own creation suite has expanded considerably. I use a combination of CapCut for quick Reels editing and scheduling tools like Later or Metricool to keep things consistent without it consuming my entire week. The temptation is to produce more content faster because the tools make it easy. Resist that. Quality and consistency still beat volume every single time, and the algorithm in 2026 rewards watch time and saves above almost everything else.
One thing I said in the original post that I stand behind completely is the importance of knowing your audience before you post anything. That has not changed. If anything, it matters more now because competition for attention on the platform is fiercer than it has ever been. Go through the original tips below with fresh eyes, apply the 2026 context from this section, and you will be in a far stronger position than most accounts I see out there right now.
Below are some top statistics about Instagram that you should know about: -
- 80% of users are aided by Instagram to buy products or services.
- People aged 35 years and below make 70% of Instagram users.
- There are 1 billion monthly active users and half of them use Instagram stories every day.
To tap into these impressive statistics businesses must find a way of improving their presence. In the United States, for instance, 70% of businesses have their presence on Instagram. Getting your business listed in multiple platforms increases your mix of clients, helps boost sales, and explore new opportunities.
Which strategies are you working on to improve your presence on Instagram?
Below are the top tips that can help improve your Instagram presence in 2020.
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Lay your Foundation on Good Content
Any social media presence should be backed by a strong content plan. Instagram is no exception to it. To enhance quality and consistency you should put a plan in place.
Below are some ideas on how to execute this: -
- Content Calendar- Using your social media strategy team, come up with a calendar that will help you have clarity of direction and purpose. This should include content types e.g. quizzes, stories, or images—and posting schedules either daily, weekly, or monthly.
- Staff and Fund the Operation-It can be difficult to operate your business and concurrently run your social media platforms. An employee/ staff can help you create consistent and quality content while improving the overall social media presence.
Followers will be glued to your page if the content offers consistent inspiration, value, and entertainment. This can only be achieved with a solid plan, resources, and staffing.
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Grow your Followers
All social media is dependent on a big audience and followers. The more followers you have, the higher your success on Instagram shall be. You need to therefore have a strategy to grow your following.
Below are tips you can use to gain followers: -
- Following Others - Create a weekly or a daily plan to follow other users—most normally replicate by following back. Follow industry leaders and relevant people in your area of work.
- Share your profile/Link- Share your profile in other social media places and on your websites. Ensure to encourage them to follow you back.
- Participate in conversations- When you participate in conversations, stories, and other feed posts, people will check your profile and most likely follow you.
Growing your following involves is a long process but if you are consistently powered with a plan, you will gain them.
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Share Stories With your Followers
Customer engagement is one of the critical steps in the customer value journey. Instagram stories help create the human face of your brand to your consumers. Followers will want to see the brand getting real in behind the scenes, customers trying out products, or daily hustle in the workplace.
Below are some suggestions that can help improve your Instagram stories: -
- Product features- Spend some time demonstrating a feature, this can help you learn from your buyers—in case of any complaints, positive feedback, and suggestions.
- Quizzes- Incorporate a quiz for your audience. This can be about customer service, questions about new products, or any other captivating idea.
- Pre-recorded videos- A video of a past interview or any important information can help you engage your audience more.
- Live- Share live stories with your audience to get more creative
Stories will help your followers get a better understanding of your brand. Instagram stories improve your business social engagement that helps close sales and enhance the sales process.
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Optimize your Feed Posts
Remember there are 1 billion active users on Instagram who are jostling for space. This calls for a razor-focused way of posting your content. The content should be entertaining, educative, and interactive.
These are ways that you can use Instagram features to get better attention
- Strong Call to Action- You want your viewers to take action that will improve your business. Encourage them to visit link bio, head to the story, leave a comment, tag a friend, or view a product.
- Use hashtags- An average Instagram post contains 7 hashtags. You should ensure every post has relevant hashtags to help it appear in relevant searches and conversations.
- Be Creative- You can use emoji to help create a better connection with your followers.
Use Instagram features listed above to enhance the life of our feed and the number of impressions.
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Enhance the Quality of Images and Videos
Every platform, be it search engines or social media platforms, has algorithms that help rank users. Instagram rewards the most visually appealing posts. This helps the feeds to get more impressions than others.
Therefore, to be in line with this feature or quality, you need to put in resources. You can acquire a better camera or ensure to use quality video recorders to maximize the quality of your posts. Mobile users can enhance their success by acquiring devices with strong cameras.
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Monetize Your Content
The end game of social media marketing is increasing your sales and overall business growth. Therefore, you should ensure that your content has a way to bring that sale home.
Below are ways to help to improve the chances of closing the sales: -
- Drive users to a Sales Page or a Product Page
- Direct Instagram traffic to your website
- Incorporate swipe to buy options in images
- To promote sales, you can run a contest.
This tip should be always at the back of your mind when creating feeds. However, it's important to note that some leads require warming and nurturing before trying to sell them products.
Can you succeed on Instagram in 2020?
Instagram offers a unique user experience and therefore brands should ensure they improve their presence in it. To fully benefit, you need to create quality and consistent content for your Instagram followers.
To create a lasting impression, invest in quality hardware that can help produce good images, videos, and carousels. Finally, remember to put out optimized posts that will help close sales or push down the prospects in the sales funnel.
Related reading
- Why Hiring an Agency For LinkedIn Ads Makes Sense
- How to create amazing social media videos in minutes
- How to build a busy and engaging social media calendar
- How to Promote Students' Social Media
- how to grow on Instagram
The short version: A winning Instagram strategy for 2020 starts with knowing your audience, posting consistently, and measuring what works. Focus on building genuine connections through Stories, Reels, and meaningful captions rather than chasing vanity metrics. Your content calendar, hashtag research, and engagement habits will determine whether your account grows or stalls.
Frequently asked questions
How often should I post on Instagram in 2020?
Most marketing research points to posting between three and seven times per week as the sweet spot for maintaining visibility without burning out your audience. Consistency matters more than frequency, so pick a schedule you can stick to and use a scheduling tool to stay on track.
What type of Instagram content performs best for brand growth?
Video content, particularly Instagram Stories and short-form video, tends to generate higher engagement rates than static images. Behind-the-scenes content, user-generated posts, and educational carousels also drive strong results because they give followers a reason to save and share your posts.
How do I choose the right hashtags for my Instagram posts?
Research hashtags that sit in the 10,000 to 500,000 post range rather than going for the biggest tags, because your content is far more likely to rank and get discovered. Mix niche-specific hashtags with broader ones, and rotate your sets regularly to avoid being flagged for repetitive behavior.
Should I focus on growing followers or improving engagement in 2020?
Engagement rate is a far more valuable indicator of Instagram health than raw follower count. Brands and the Instagram algorithm both prioritize accounts where real people comment, save, and share posts, so invest your energy in creating content worth responding to rather than chasing follower numbers.
For anything else on Instagram, see the Instagram help page.
