Instagram Marketing Trends You Need to Know

Instagram has grown exponentially since its launch in 2010, with active monthly users reaching 1 billion. This has made it the perfect platform for brands to better connect with their consumers. Here are the latest trends in 2019 Instagram marketing that brands need to know.

1. Video

Instagram stories are the most popular aspect of the platform and has recently reached 400 million users. Stories allow viewers to access a wide range of content, making this prime digital real estate for brands to place ads between the posted stories and snag the eye of the viewer. It is the perfect way to measure community engagement and gain consumer insight with features like contests and polls and to be able to see the number of views your brand’s story has.

Stories only last 24 hours on an account’s feed, but now users have the option to save their stories to a Highlights tab. Highlights are located at the top of an account’s feed and are pinned into categories.

IGTV is the latest Instagram product, and it’s taking on the bigger video streaming services like YouTube. Content on IGTV can last from 10 minutes to an hour. It utilizes the vertical video format, which is useful if a brand is looking to increase engagement. This optimizes the viewer’s experience by utilizing the entire screen, which then forces the viewer’s attention solely on the video itself.

2. Instagram Shopping

Instagram has a visual edge, making it the perfect platform for online shopping. The checkout feature allows users to buy products shown via the app instead of being redirected to the brand’s website. This feature allows the purchasing experience for buyers to be simpler, while allowing brands to capture impulse buyers.

 3. Augmented Reality

Similar to stickers, brands can purchase and create filters to be used on Instagram. These filters have often been used by celebrities to promote upcoming products like Arianna Grande’s ‘Sweetener’ album. Filters can be accessed by using the built-in camera. They are free for the audience to use and promotes the brand in a non-intrusive way.

4. Micro-Influencers

Influencers play a large part in Instagram culture, but now brands have started turning toward micro-influencers. Micro-influencers can be categorized by someone who has an audience within the follower range of 2,000 to 50,000 on any particular social channel. Brands believe these influencers have a more niche following and that they can better connect with their followers than those with massive followings, such as celebrities.

Instagram will continue to evolve, and these trends will play a part in shaping the future of Instagram marketing. Use these trends now to grow your brand’s Instagram presence.