Yes, it’s true! There are countless Instagram features, settings, and searches that can help take your Instagram to the next level — you just have to know what they are and how to use them first!
Top hidden features to use on Instagram
Something that a lot of people don’t know about on Instagram—you can make the follow button much bigger! While this might not seem like something that seems that big of a deal, however, when a button is bigger, it’s far more likely that someone will click it. Psychology, people!
If you want to add a large “follow” button to your page, you need to create enough buttons on your bio to force Instagram to move your follow button.
Go to your profile
Click “Edit profile”
Add details that will show up as buttons on your profile like an action button, contact option, subscription, or whatever else tickles your fancy
Once you have two other buttons on your profile, this will create a large follow button for your page as Instagram will be forced to move the button to its own line.
Add music to your carousel posts
Adding a song can help dictate the overall feeling or vibe you want people to have while scrolling through your carousel.
However, the best part of adding music to your carousel posts? It can help you with reach on your posts! Adding music will instantly capture the attention of your audience and can help hold their attention while they scroll.
The longer people are engaging and scrolling on your carousel post, the better it is for you and Instagram’s algorithm!
To add music to your carousel post, all you have to do is:
Create a post
On the new post page, click “Add music”
Search for a song that goes along with the post, or has a specific feeling you want people to feel when viewing
Trending topics
Did you know that Instagram will tell you things that people are searching for and are trending in the app? Yup! And you can use this to your full advantage!
Go to Instagram
Click the search icon at the bottom of the screen
Click inside the search bar and you will see a list of topics that are currently trending (they will appear under the search bar with an arrow pointing upward)
When you click on each of the trending topics, you’ll immediately be taken to a page that shows you the top images and videos related to that topic.
Use this as inspiration for content you can post that you know is performing well on the app. This will help you grow faster and is something that a lot of people don’t really know about!
Add topics to your posts
This is a fairly new feature on Instagram, but you can now label what your content is about by adding topics to your posts.
You want to do this as it’s a great way to help Instagram know exactly what your content is about and push it to people who care about that content.
Here’s how to add topics to your posts:
Head to your Instagram account and create a new post
Once you’re on the screen where you’re adding a caption to your content, scroll down to “Add topics”
From here, you’ll be able to select 3 different topics your content falls under
Flick’s tip: Don’t add random topics that don’t make sense to the post. This will end up hurting you. Be sure to be strategic and choose things that align with your content.
Add alt text
If we’ve said it once, we’ve said it 1000 times, use alt text! Alt text is a way for you to give detailed information on what is in the image/video that you posted online. It’s not only important for visually impaired users, but it also helps your overall content reach. And please, please don’t use alt text in the incorrect way. You have to think about those who are visually impaired and rely on alt text. Give exact information on what is in the content and describe it in detail. Do not overload the alt text with random words, this will hurt your content.
To add alt text to your post:
Create a new post on Instagram
Scroll down to “Advanced settings” on the New Post page
Click “Write alt text” at the bottom of the screen
Add your alt text
Click done and post!
Flick’s tip: While you are being descriptive of what’s happening in the image, be sure to sound human and use specific keywords that you want to rank on that make sense for your content.
Collab post
Okay, this technically isn’t a hidden feature but not a lot of people are using it to the best of their ability so we’re adding it here! Collab posts are so important to help you get in front of even more people and can be a key way for you to grow on Instagram. Collab posts are Instagram posts where you can add up to 3 separate people as collaborators on your content. Once they accept the collaboration, the post will show up on each collaborator’s feeds to each collaborator’s audience.
Yes, one piece of content can double (or triple!) the reach simply by you collaborating with another user.
Flick’s tip: Learn all about Instagram collaborations
right here. We take you through everything you need to know and how to make the most out of your collabs!
Now that you know our favorite Instagram hidden features, we hope you use them and get the reach you deserve! Want to keep up-to-date on all new features from Instagram?
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