Make the Most of Instagram's 2018 Updates

Here's a list of the most important Instagram updates and opportunities released during the past months and within 2018!

IGTV

IGTV can be used to build your brand, connect with and grow your audience - but the first step is thinking about what content will add value for your customers. Perhaps it could be extended versions of something you've already found to be popular - just remember, while your IGTV videos can be longer, that doesn’t necessarily mean they should be.

Ads in Stories

With 400 million daily users, Instagram Stories has become one of Instagram's most popular updates. And now, with Stories ads, businesses are able to insert full-screen promotions, sandwiched between the Stories of the people a user follows.

Engagement tools

Instagram introduced interactive stickers to Stories, including the emoji slider, polls and questions, all of which provide new ways to spark engagement and gather feedback from your audience.

In July, the question sticker appeared, and influencers were quick to make use of their hyper engaged audiences to trial the function, encouraging their followers to ask them anything, they then posting the replies on Stories, giving all of their followers a chance to get to know them better. This way of connecting can easily be adopted by brands for a quick and easy way to increase engagement, gather feedback and even assist with customer service.

Instagram Verification

Formally reserved for big name celebrities, this year Instagram also made it easier for regular users to apply for the all-important blue tick of verification. As part of a more transparent approach, Instagram made the three step process public and available in app. Users with larger following can now request verification in Settings. The benefits of this for businesses can include increased credibility, while also helping to stop copycat accounts. At a time where Instagram is shifting more into the eCommerce space, the extra trust this could afford among your followers could prove invaluable.

@mention Sharing for Stories

Another handy Stories update is @mention sharing within Instagram Stories. Previously if someone mentioned you in their Story and you wanted to share that update with your followers, you had to take a screenshot. In June, users were given an “Add This to Your Story” option at the same time Instagram notified you of a mention.

This provides businesses with a 'cleaner' way to repost mentions from other users, as well as an immediate way to publish user or influencer-generated content - perfect fuel for the always-on approach social media marketing demands. It also maximizes return on influencer marketing investment, especially if you choose to save the Story in your highlights, extending its life past the usual 24 hours.

Add Hashtags for your profile

In March, Instagram provided the option to add functioning, clickable hashtags and mentions to your bio. Instagram explained that this gives users a chance to express the things they care about, but it also opens up new opportunities for businesses.

(Source: Socialmediatoday)