With 700 million active users every month, Instagram is second only to Facebook in popularity among social media, making it the preferred photo and video exchange network for both consumers and brands. Users upload more than 95 million photos and videos every day that collect 4.2 billion Instagram likes every day. A single post - well done - can accumulate tens of thousands (or hundreds of thousands or even millions) of likes.
It's not just celebrity Instagram accounts that see these big numbers: 68% of Instagram users regularly interact with brands. Brands that use Instagram see an interaction rate per follower of 2.26%, over 10 times the 0.22% they register on Facebook and almost 100 times the 0.027% they see on Twitter.
With this level of user interaction, Instagram offers an important way to connect to fans and potential fans - to create a sense of community and brand loyalty impossible to achieve through traditional marketing or even through other social networks. But before you start interacting with fans, you need to get their attention - and that means learning to have likes on Instagram.
What is Instagram likes?
As in other social networks, Instagram users can choose to like your content. They can do this by double-tapping your photo or video on the mobile application in quick succession or by clicking the heart icon under your content in the application or on a desktop. Instagram users don't have to follow you to like your posts.
So why do you like it so much? They are often the first point of contact between your content and a potential new follower. It's an undemanding way for users to show appreciation for others' posts, but likes can turn into continuous interaction that helps you create an Instagram community.
For brands, in particular, it is important to get enough likes in order to strengthen one's credibility. A photo with a very small number of likes can damage your brand more than it helps.
How to get more likes on Instagram
As with any marketing tool in your arsenal, you need to develop a clear Instagram strategy based on concrete goals. Of course, posting photos and creating witty captions can be fun, but without a clear plan in mind, it's more of a game than a legitimate business approach.
Once you have precisely defined what you want to achieve with your Instagram feed, it's time to look at how the elements that make up each post canincrease Instagram likes.
1. Post persuasive photos and videos
It goes without saying that you need to seriously think about the photos and videos posted on Instagram and be sure to choose the best and most interesting content for your feed. When choosing Instagram content, keep in mind the following three guidelines:
To keep your visual elements unique and varied, try incorporating the other Instagram applications.Boomerangcreates a short looped video,Hyperlapseallows the recording of videos with a technique similar to that of the time-lapse andLayoutcombines several images into a collage.
2. Focus on the caption
Captions have a significant influence on capturing followers on Instagram.
Users who watch your images or videos are sure to read your captions. If you always add an interesting ingredient to make your captions captivating, your posts will get more likes and, consequently, you will also see a sudden increase in the number of followers.
But it doesn't need to be a long story: an effective caption can contain even a few words. If you're not sure what to write in a caption, try asking a question. It's a sure way of engaging users who will take part in comments with their responses - often putting alike to your photo at the same time.
When you are undecided about what to enter in the caption field, you can take a look at other accounts to absorb the essential elements of their captions, not to copy that but to draw inspiration from them.
3. Add a location tag to make your content more discoverable
The "Add a place" option allows you to tag your posts with the name of a location that becomes a clickable field. By clicking on the location, all the photos and videos marked with that place are displayed, giving users another way to discover your photos.
Easier retrieval means more people will see your photos, so it's probably not surprising that posts tagged with a location get 79% more interaction than posts that don't.
A physical location associated with your brand, such as a shop, hotel or headquarters, is an obvious choice, but you can also use a more general location like a city.
For example, if you add a post from a partner location, from networking or community events or from tourist destinations, you will likely use different location tags for different posts. Instagram will provide a list of suggested locations for each photo.
4. Use hashtags — wisely
Technically, hashtags are not a separate component of your post, but they are so important that they deserve to be analyzed on their own. First, think about where to include hashtags. You can include the two or three most important hashtags in the photo caption, but don't overdo it: a large block of hashtags is ineffective content.
If you want to use more (Instagram allows up to 30 for each post), post as a comment. Once users start commenting on your post, the comment with the hashtags will not be visible, but the tags will continue to be effective.
When deciding which hashtags to add to your post, keep in mind that the most popular tags may not always be your best choice, simply try to use hashtags relevant to your business.
User-centered strategies to get more Instagram likes
When you're looking for likes on Instagram, you need to make sure you give users what they want, when they want it. Here are some key user-centered practices you need to keep in mind.
1. Include user-generated content
Create a brand hashtag and encourage Instagram users to include it in their posts. This allows you to access an important source of potential-like content available for the program (when an Instagram user posts a photo from someone else's account to their account). Make sure to tag the original photographer in your caption.
2. Mention and engage other users
Tagging someone in your photos is a surefire way to get their attention - and that of other users interested in the person you tagged. Posts that include someone's tag in the caption get 56% more interaction. On the other hand, be sure to venture beyond your photostream to like and comment on other users' photos and videos. This interaction can lead people to your profile, where they are sure to find posts to like.
3. Publish posts consistently — and at the right time
When you're constant, users know what to expect from your feed. A regular publishing schedule that coincides with the moments when your audience is most active on Instagram involves followers without overwhelming their feed. Make sure you choose an aesthetic for your feed and keep it over time. Any big change can confuse users and decrease likes from your posts.
4. Be true to yourself
Social media is a community-building site and it is simply not possible to build a community if you are not authentic. If you are unsure how to create an engaging brand identity on Instagram, seek inspiration from others who have hit the mark.
Once you start including these techniques to get likes on Instagram, be sure to monitor and measure your commitment and adapt your overall strategy as needed.
You may be tempted, sooner or later, to buy Instagram likesUK. Go ahead and try some services, it will help you and it's totally safe. Although these likes come from real Instagram profiles, these people are not active and will probably not interact with you and your content.
Now that you know how to get more likes on Instagram, find outhow to get moreInstagram Followers UKin our complete guide.
