Instagram can help you grow your business, but you still have to run it at the same time! If you have been busy doing a lot of things to keep your business healthy, you may have missed the new Instagram features that can help you further grow your business.
When you log in to Instagram, a lot of new features will appear.
Therefore, we will introduce the top 10 Instagram features released in 2021, which you can use in your Instagram marketing strategy. They include:
- Professional dashboard
- Studio
- Mixing reel
- Story title sticker
- Insight update
- Algorithm transfer
- Algorithm explanation
- Categories owned by blacks
- Location story
- Map search
We will share tips and tricks on how to make the most of each new feature, as well as an exciting new feature coming soon! Let’s learn more.
Feature #1: Professional dashboard
Launched in January 2021, Professional dashboard for Instagram Features allow you to track your performance, access professional resources, and grow your business. You can gain insight into how your business interacts with your followers, and you may want to adjust the timing of your posts based on your audience’s online time. You can also take advantage of branded content tools and tips and tricks to make your business flourish on Instagram.
Follow these professional dashboard tips to make the most of this feature:
- Stay informed: Not serious! This is the name of the section in the professional dashboard where you can find tips from other content creators about making the best and most engaging content for your audience.
- Sell your products: You can easily set up your products in a section on the page, and potential customers and existing customers can buy directly from your social profile. After you open a store, you can actually mark purchaseable products in posts and stories, making it easier to sell products to your followers. (More information about social shopping here! )
- Released approximately 15 minutes before the peak: The “Most Active Time” section under “View all insights” will help you reach your audience at the best time. For the best engagement, please post approximately 15 minutes before the best time of the day.
You may also be interested in us The complete guide to Instagram analytics.
Feature #2: Live room
Launched in March 2021, Studio Allow multiple accounts to participate in the same Instagram Live session. Live with your teammates or colleagues, influential people, other businesses, suppliers and even your customers.
Here are some useful tips about Live Room:
- Add three or more users to the live broadcast. You can invite up to three other users to join your live video. You can run a group, have a discussion, or even have different participants loop. As long as you and the account follow each other, they can join your conversation.
- Make a bite-sized podcast. Producing a complete podcast for your business can be a major task. Live Rooms can be your “bite-sized” podcast, where you can provide tutorials, Q&A sessions, and even turn it into various talk shows. Sky limit!
- Join other people’s live videos. If you are under too much pressure to host the live broadcast yourself, you can always jump into other people’s live broadcast rooms and contribute in this way. This is actually a great way to get more followers from their account and interact with new potential audiences.
You may also be interested in these 8 tips for creating incredible Instagram live videos.
Feature #3: Mixing reel
Have you ever read Reels carefully and thought: “Well, I can do better?” Or hope you can share your thoughts on what happened in a particular reel?Launched in April 2021, you can now use Mixing reel!
Mixing scroll tips and tricks:
- Combine other people’s reels into your own reels. Whether it’s expanding an already created reel, turning it into a duet, or adding interesting comments, you can get super creative here based on what the audience wants to see. You can also choose to create a reel within the app or upload an existing video, which is an option not provided by TikTok).
- Expand your audience. If you use their content, the person will be notified, so if they share content in their feed, you can increase your exposure to their audience. Note: If you select the three dots at the bottom and the option does not show as remix, the person has turned off the feature.
- Don’t forget to adjust the audio. Before clicking Next, you need to select the top three rows to ensure that your audio can pass.
Don’t miss our 20 Instagram scroll ideas to build your brand!
Feature #4: Story title sticker
Also in April 2021, Story title sticker Introduction, it will automatically convert what you say into text. Just click on the sticker and search for the title!
- Attract more audiences. did you know 40% of people watch videos without their voice? This is a great opportunity to attract an audience. With subtitle stickers, you can automatically fill in what you say in the video so that more people can watch it.
- Keep it short. This feature is only available for videos of 15 seconds or less, so please pay attention to all the information you need to share in the short video.
- Check the accuracy carefully. It may not use the wording 100% correctly, so just click on the word to edit any inaccurate words.
Want to be more proficient in the story? We have related posts!
Feature #5: Insight update
Instagram has also made some regular updates to its platform, which have become important features for content creators.Many recent updates are for Reel and IG live broadcast, Which will help creators interact more with the audience.
- Check the scrolls and real-time insights. These will come in handy after you make a scroll or go online with other users. It will tell you what your audience likes and dislikes. And whether Instagram launches your scroll based on potential engagement and algorithmic compliance. You can use these to adjust the next step.
- Expand your tracking period! With the new update, you can now extend the tracking period from 30 days to 60 days. You now don’t need third-party tools to analyze more data.
- Focus on reaching customers. When you’re in the insight overview, look at the “Customers Reached” section. This will break down your followers and non-followers, which may be helpful, but it will also break down which type of content gets the most attention. In this way, you can do more effective work or get out of your comfort zone and try to update the types of content you might need to improve.
Feature #6: Instagram algorithm shift
Not actually a feature, but just as important! It is said that Instagram’s latest algorithm prefers interesting and engaging video content. In June 2021, Instagram announced that it would Not optimized for recycled content From other apps, such as TikTok.Before the most recent update, users were missing about 70% of posts And 50% of their friends’ posts.
- Use the video to write a longer title. This has actually proven to increase engagement and interaction on the platform, and your viewers want to see the complete video, not just keep scrolling.
- Brand introduction and brand ending. This will maintain consistency and bring your video to the level of professional video creation. It needs to be brand aligned with your business so that users are not confused about what they are watching.
- Incorporate into music. Also make sure that these songs are copyright-free and that you are using the correct type of music for the video. Think about how you try to interact with the audience. If you want to give them an exciting update, use cheerful music. If you show something more serious to your audience, then maybe let the music stay calm.
For more great social media content ideas (and more), please visit our Social Media Marketing Lab!
Feature #7: Instagram explains how its algorithm works
It’s not a function, but big news.In the same month, Instagram decided to learn more How does their algorithm work?. You can learn more here 9 ways to appear in Instagram feed [New Info!], But there are some quick tips:
- Scroll regularly: Regular scrolling will help to improve your page organically outside of your network! If you keep everything in a shortened format, it doesn’t have to be that time-consuming.Research shows that scrolls are gaining Twice the range Than ordinary posts (and longer lifespan on the platform), so it only makes sense to use the working principle of the Instagram algorithm.
- Reduce tags. The label is losing its luster. The algorithm is becoming more and more advanced in keyword classification (More information about Instagram SEO is here) And reduce the use of hashtags in posts. Therefore, it may be possible to save some time and reduce the normal 30 hashtags to about half or even less.
- Focus on video and shopping. Yes Instagram CEO To tell you directly from the source, Instagram is no longer a photo sharing application. It is now more focused on shopping and video content. He is not saying that photos will disappear, but they will definitely focus on their algorithms to make more videos and products go beyond photos. It’s time to get more ideas on how to use Instagram, not just post a photo every day.
In other words, be sure to check:
Feature #8: Commercial tags owned by blacks
From Instagram: “Last summer to autumn, 1.3 million Instagram posts Support “black-owned” or “black-led” businesses. The number of companies located in the United States that include “black-owned” or “black-led” in their profiles has increased by more than 50%.
- Support, support, support! With this new feature, you can discover and support more Black-owned businesses By interacting with their account and buying directly from them.
- Specify your business (if applicable). Set your profile to be displayed under Black-Owned Shopping.You can make these updates on your profile and check Instagram Help Center to know more information.
- Look for opportunities for cooperation. Maybe you are not a black-owned business, but you want to be part of it 15% commitment. This is a great resource when trying to find partnerships with black-owned companies.
Feature #9: Location story (again!)
Due to election precautions, this feature was removed in October 2020, and finally, a year later, it is back!With it, users can find stories posted by nearby accounts-this is a great way to do something Local social media marketing!
Feature #10: Map search
In September 2021, Instagram began to launch a map search function. The in-app map will show nearby shops, places, and cafes. If the user clicks on one of the map items, Instagram will show more information about the business, such as business hours, address, pricing, their Instagram profile, and public post tags In that position.
Bonus feature: ads in the store tab
Instagram promises to now focus on video and shopping, and it has begun testing a feature that will allow advertisers to display single pictures or carousels that can be shopped in the “Store” tab.
How do I master the functions and updates of Instagram?
Instagram keeps launching new features. Yes, it’s a bit overwhelming, but don’t worry.You only need one skill a week or even a month, and focus on how to incorporate new features into your Instagram marketing strategy. An important source of the latest updates is Instagram features and updates embedded in social. Stay informed so you can increase audience engagement and generate more sales for your business!
