When you visit your Instagram, you might notice that your feed shows posts from your friends that have just been posted while others have been posted days or weeks ago. But they are still in your feed. Do you know why?
In 2016, Instagram decided to change its algorithm and focus on only the latest posts. It was quite difficult for marketers and social media managers to gain organic growth on Instagram posts because most users have reported 70% missing the content.
Not long after that, Facebook started showing posts on its feed that were related to the user’s family and friends. This triggers Instagram, and it also stops prioritizing only brands’ content. However, the natural engagement rate of brands often beats this algorithm, and your branded content is shown on your feed.
Instagram posts rank on various factors, and engagement rate is among them. Your posts’ likes, comments, and views all play a crucial role in bringing it to the user’s attention. If you are wondering how you can increase your Instagram comments rate, just follow these methods, and you will get through it.
Ways to Get More Comments on Instagram
1. Giveaway or contest
Hosting a fun giveaway or contest is one of the easiest ways to engage your followers and get more comments on your posts. Conduct a giveaway on Instagram and then ask followers to enter the giveaway by commenting. Set a specific deadline for the content or giveaway, like a week or two long, so that users keep commenting till the giveaway ends. An engaging contest also urges artists to comment on your posts and tag other fellow artists to enter the contest.
2. Host an Instagram takeover
This is another fun yet effective strategy to get more comments from your followers as well as your fellow Instagrammers. Instagram takeovers basically involve one user taking over the feed of another user for a day or two. Then, the user posts stories and posts based on their perspectives and likings. Followers love such small takeovers and engage more enthusiastically. Takeovers are mostly done by influencers, colleagues, or brands. If the person who is taking over your Instagram for a day has more followers and fanbase, then it is more likely that you get more comments and engagement on your posts.
3. Engage in the comments
Try a traditional way to get more comments. Just ask your followers to comment. Add CTA at the end, ask a question, and urge your followers to answer those questions. Share compelling content on your post that attracts more of the audience. Make your post fun and relatable. In order to create fun and interactive content, you must know the audience’s tastes, interests, and preferences. Then, make content accordingly.
4. Post funny, surprising, or provocative
Research shows that every viral content always has some touch of fun, surprise, and compelling taste that raises the interests and emotions of the users. These viral posts feature content that catches users’ attention, increases their curiosity, and features an element of surprise. Moreover, this content also contains something that emotionally touches the heart and soul of Instagram users.
Therefore, try to think and create content that catches your user’s attention and emotionally triggers them. This leaves no room for the users, and they automatically leave comments on your posts.
Now this content can be about anything. As long as it contains some surprising facts, compelling factors, and emotional moments, it is enough to attract an audience to comment.
5. Post videos
In 2016, the view time of videos posted on Instagram rose up to 40%. Now, Instagram users can use the reel feature to post videos that are about a few seconds to a minute long. Post engaging and interactive videos that catch users’ attention right away and watch it to the end. Instagram users are more interested in videos and reels than simple image or text-based posts. So, use this video feature to catch your followers’ attention and ask them at the end of the video or caption to comment on their thoughts.
6. Relevant hashtags
Post your images and videos along with popular and relevant hashtags. This ensures that your post visibility is increased and that people can see it on the Explore page. Research indicates that an Instagram post with only one hashtag achieves 12% more interaction than no hashtags. When your post is visible to a wide audience through hashtags, there is a high chance that interested users and influencers comment on your posts organically by seeing your interest in the same topic as them.
7. Publish at the right time
Now, you must be thinking about when is the right time to post on Instagram. There are different factors that influence posting time. Generally, the right time to post widely varies from person to person based on their follower’s interests, most active time, and the country they live in.
You can check the Instagram analytics feature to see when your users are active in a day. Apart from that, it is always better to post randomly throughout the week and see at which time you get the most engagement. Schedule your posts and post them at the exact time to get the best results out of them.
8. Post photos of faces.
Who doesn’t love taking selfies? Well, most people… But they can be quite fun and good for your Instagram. An Instagram posts analysis shows that posts with a real human face get 32% more comments and interaction and 38% more likes.
However, the research didn’t state why this happened, but they ended up with the conclusion human faces are part of the reasons for this increased engagement rate. Therefore, if you have an open account and love selfies, this is your time to start posting human pictures, selfies, shots, or candid photos.
9. Post photos of animals
Although, there is not much evidence to support this strategy yet. But animals are loved by everyone. Animals even have their own Instagram and act as influencers. They are a great source of income for their owners. Infact, animal influencers earn more money through social media as compared to human influencers.
Well, you don’t need to make your pet an influencer or get yourself a pet just to get more engagement. If you do have a pet, post its pictures and reels. If you don’t, look around, and you will find so many pets near you. You will be able to feature their cute and adorable moments on your posts. People are more likely to engage with them and comment on them.
10. Respond to the comments you get
You cannot get more comments unless you start responding to them. Audiences love it when their favorite people on Instagram reply back to their comments on their posts. This also makes you feel connected with your audience, and they are more likely to comment more on your future posts. Therefore, try to respond to every comment if you can and make your followers feel special.
Engagement is Key!
Every like, view, and comment counts on Instagram, especially if you are an influencer or run an open account. Your content’s engagement rate shows where you and your content stand in the eyes of the audience. Moreover, content with more views and engagement can be visible on the Explore Page, allowing more users to interact. Try out these strategies right away and increase your Instagram engagement game.
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Owner & Writer at SocialMediaSlant.com | Expert in Social Media Strategy & Content Creation