5 Instagram Trends In 2020
Social media is always changing and evolving, whether it be social media demographics, the latest trends or new algorithm updates. It’s a new decade, and Instagram is no longer just a social platform, it’s also an economic tool for small and large businesses.
Instagram is the second most downloaded app of 2018 (YouTube comes first), showing that interest in this type of social network is growing, and the numbers of users of that same app are largely indicative of business potential. That is, 1 billion people a month use Instagram, almost all of whom are men and women, and these same users spend an average of 28 minutes each day browsing the content of the app. 200 million Instagram users a day view at least one business profile or 1/3 of the most viewed Instagram stories are from various business enterprises, with a potential reach of 849.3 million users.
As we move quickly into 2020, this is the perfect opportunity to move forward by developing your Instagram strategy to keep up with the latest trends and adapt to changes on the platform. In 2020, we will see how Instagram continue its transformation into a long-form e-commerce and video platform, along with a new focus on conversion through influencer marketing.
1. More IGTV usage
With an 80% year-on-year increase in the time spent watching the video, this kind of medium is the best strategy for content creators or brands. While many social networking experts are convinced that IGTV is the new YouTube, it is important that we do not rush to any conclusion and leave YouTube completely. All platforms within our digital systems have different roles and are used differently. Of the 72% of teens on Instagram, 15% of the most often use this type of social platform, 85% of the same teens are on YouTube, and 32% of the audience say they use YouTube the most. Accordingly, there are different capabilities and roles of platforms within the digital system and research should be conducted to find out what 2–3 platforms might be your primary digital channels.
Promote IGTV content via Instagram Newsfeed with a one-minute preview, and if you create attractive enough content, then your audience can click “Continue Watch” to see the full video.
How to use IGTV:
- Share existing video content, including landscape format, to reach a larger audience.
- Create vertical video content specifically for IGTV.
- Consider creating an IGTV series that your audience will adore.
- Share reviews of your IGTV videos on your feed to attract more viewers.
2. Reliable Influencers
More users follow authentic and real influencers whose lives can be identified with the average Instagram user. This contrasts with lifelong imagery driven by influential and celebrities. Users find greater content value than people who reflect on their life experiences. So, when choosing an influencer for your brand, don’t neglect the ones that seem simple and ordinary at first glance.
Micro-influencers or nano-influencers are receiving more attention from brands that work to attract the attention of very specific target markets. These influencers may only have 100 followers, but brands have begun to value partnerships with them because it is now considered truer and more trustworthy that they share a message or ad. They attract more engagement and are more likely to respond to comments and mentions. Moreover, these influencers have their roots in hard-to-reach niches. So, by partnering with them, you can expand your reach.
There are different ways to work with them:
- one way is to try native advertising
- and the other is to provide affiliate links for an impact-based marketing program.
3. Get revenue through Instagram shopping
Instagram has incorporated enough shopping features that the platform can almost become a whole new revenue stream for your e-commerce business. And when more than 130 million users click on Instagram tags every month to buy photos, it’s a strategy you want to use. If you have an online store, you can start by setting up a store with Instagram.
Instagram has added so many features to improve shopping on its platform, such as being able to tag products in their posts, tag products in their Stories, and even check and complete all purchases on the platform. On Explore’s Instagram page, there is even a Shopping tab, which makes it easy for users to find products.
How to use Instagram shopping:
- Tag the product at any time referenced in an Instagram post or story.
- Make in-app purchases easy for your followers to buy from you directly through Instagram.
- Include the promotion of your products even more in your Instagram feed strategy.
4. Instagram story is still the best tool
Since its creation in 2016, Instagram Stories has been growing rapidly, reaching 500 million daily active users by early 2019, and it does not appear that this trend will end. That is, it just makes it easier for brands to share their stories with more and more people, adding the ability to share all their Instagram Stories on Facebook automatically so users can see them on that platform as well.
This feature exists for both personal Instagram profiles and business Instagram profiles and is a great way to promote content and gain more reach. Instagram has so many features that you can take advantage of inside Story too. Add music and make it interactive, embed animated stickers and more.
More and more brands are focusing on story content even more than the content of their feeds, and you should. Although the content of the feed becomes less necessary — sharing content on the feed 2–3 times a week is quite enough, while the contents of the story should be updated daily.
5. Authentic content
Still, content is what you need to focus on the most, and it is all about authenticity and consistency. This is the only way to stay noticed and increase the loyalty of your followers who have recognized your brand or company because of their uniqueness and authenticity. Continue to create just such content in the form of photos or videos that reflect your digital identity on social media.
Humans of NY is one of the first of its kind and has endured over the years for its consistent use of realistic, unfiltered photos of real people, with compelling stories as descriptions. Of course, it is difficult to completely replicate this to a business account. However, you can draw inspiration from this when you launch a new social campaign on Instagram.
