Everyone knows how difficult it is to reach the coveted Instagram Explore page. But what they don’t know is why.

Instagram, like all other social media platforms, has an algorithm that prioritizes certain types of profiles and content over others. In most cases, there are two reasons why content is prioritized.

The first being that it somehow helps Instagram generate revenue through ads and sponsored content, regardless of that content’s quality or value to Instagram’s users.

This includes brands, businesses, and influencers that purchase promotional content, feature brand deals, and other sponsored content. Whatever revenue these profiles are bringing in, it always benefits Instagram. Therefore, they ensure that these profiles are being seen by the highest possible number of users in order to generate even more revenue.

It goes without saying that this is an unfair reason why some content should be prioritized over others. It has nothing to do with the quality of the content or the value that it does (or doesn’t) bring Instagram users, which means that both content creators and Instagram users are getting a lower quality experience.

Ironically, another reason why Instagram prioritizes certain profiles over others is because Instagram is focused on providing users with the best experience possible. This means that users should ideally see the most valuable content first.

What does this mean in terms of Instagram’s algorithm? Users with photos and videos that are gaining hundreds and thousands of likes, comments, saves, and views are ranking higher - and reaching the Explore page - at a rapid pace.

This leaves everyone else in the lurch, struggling to be seen by their target audience while the already popular creators keep gaining even more followers. In other words, if you’re already popular then you’ll gain more popularity - but if you’re just starting out, it can be hard to even begin due to the contradictory nature of Instagram’s algorithm.

It can be frustrating, but there’s a simple solution for users of any experience level - Instagram SMM tools!

CREATING THE IDEAL INSTAGRAM PROFILE

Even before you start investing in Instagram SMM tools, it’s important to have a strong Instagram profile in order to ensure that organic followers stick around. The more eye catching your Instagram profile is, the more likely any new visitors to your page are to stick around, browse through your content, and engage with what you’ve created.

In short, a strong Instagram profile can make or break your journey to success, so be sure to build a strong foundation before moving on to any other goals!

So what does a quality Instagram profile look like? Take a look at your favorite profiles, see what they all have in common. Chances are it’s the following:

1. A simple, memorable username
2. A bold profile picture that expresses their brand mission
3. A strong Instagram bio that tells users what they do, and what value they can bring them
4. A call to action - whether that’s a link to a website, shop, or YouTube channel or encouragement to send a DM

With just these four key elements, you can build a professional looking Instagram account that users will be drawn to and encouraged to follow. Here’s how to make the most of each element.

Choosing your Instagram username

When it comes to choosing a username, keep it simple and relevant. Don’t include any unnecessary replacements (like swapping letters with numbers), or adding hyphens in odd places. If your users have to struggle to find your profile, you’ve done something wrong!

Ideally, your profile should appear in the top search results when a user searches for it. Naturally you can only control this to a certain extent, especially if your brand name contains a commonly used phrase or term.

Still, it’s a good idea to do a quick search before you commit to a username to see what the competition looks like. You might find that the top accounts are either too competitive, or in a niche that you don’t want to be associated with.

Choosing An Eye-Catching Instagram Profile Picture

The next step is choosing a profile picture that matches your brand image and works well with the message you’re attempting to convey. Using brand colors is a great way to go, and an even better option is to just use your brand logo for maximum visibility. Make sure that your brand colors are eye catching, not too harsh, and unique to your brand. If you opt for a logo, ensure that it is simple enough to be recognizable in a small thumbnail, and doesn’t get cropped awkwardly in the circular frame.

If you’re a personal brand or influencer, have a friend or family member snap a high-quality photo of you in action - or hire a professional if it’s in your budget! Ensure that your background is simple to allow you to stand out, and ensure that your image works well with your brand values and goals. If you’re a serious brand for professionals, a goofy portrait isn’t the best option. Similarly, if you’re a casual brand, a business headshot might be too somber for your needs.

Crafting An Insta Bio

Your Instagram bio is where you can pitch your brand. You’ve caught users’ attention with your profile pic and username, now it’s time to get them hooked with what you can do for them!

In just a few characters, you can tell new visitors to your profile what your brand is, what value you can bring, and how they can take action to get started. Include any personalized brand hashtags, and don’t be shy with the emojis! Take a look at what profiles or brands you admire are doing in their bio. Every bio will be different, so feel free to experiment and change it up as needed.

Don’t forget - there’s always space for a URL.

This is where you should include your website, YouTube channel, shop, or a link from a free service like LinkTree or Linkin.bio to include all of the above. The more value you bring to your audience - and the simpler you make it for your visitors to gain this value - the greater the chance you have of turning visitors into loyal followers!

CREATING AMAZING INSTAGRAM CONTENT

So you’ve built the best Instagram profile possible. Your username is catchy and easily searchable, your profile pic is attention grabbing, and your bio has everything you need to convince users of just how amazing your brand is (with a URL for them to visit your site or shop!). Now it’s time to put your content creation skills to the test and begin creating amazing Instagram posts of all types.

One of the great things about Instagram is that it allows you to post in a ton of media styles. The classic Instagram post is a square image, but the caption space is valuable real estate too! Not only that, but you can post video content and slides in your main profile.

Along with this, users have the ability to post Instagram Stories (either photos or videos), Instagram Reels, and IGTV posts. That’s a ton of opportunity to spread the word about your brand and bring value to your ideal audience! So how can you make the most of it?

First, decide on your photography and video style. This means the filters you’ll be using, the color scheme, and the types of images you want to create. Here are a few photo type ideas:

• Travel photos
• Food photos
• Selfies
• Flatlays (of products or other items)
• Pet photos
• Professional portraits (anything with a person in it that isn’t a selfie)
• Behind the scenes

Choose 3 or 4 of these to start with and rotate them regularly. This will allow you to get a good idea of what type is the most popular among your followers, so you can maximize your content in the future.

Now that you have your photos ready, it’s time to post them! Be sure to make the most of all the features within a post. This includes:

• Location tag
• In-photo tags
• Alt text
• Caption
• Hashtags

Use a location tag that is specific to you. The more specific you are, the greater your chance of being noticed in that tag.

When it comes to tagging in-photo, don’t overdo it. It’s a good idea to tag profiles relevant to the image, either because they’re in the photo, are collaborating with you on the post, or are mentioned in the caption.

Don’t neglect the alt text either! Not only is this a great way to reach a wider audience due to greater accessibility, but it’s a hidden gem when it comes to SEO.

Your caption should be where you pack the punch. Provide as much value as you can here, whether it’s a mini memoir, a funny anecdote, a recipe, some tips and tricks, or just a friendly message. Let your personality shine in your caption, don’t be afraid to have a sense of humor! Include emojis and relevant profile tags where needed.

Finally, the hashtag. Instagram allows up to 30 hashtags per post, so make the most of it! Ideally your hashtags should be a mix of popular (1 million posts +), mid-popular (100k posts +), and niche hashtags (anything less than 100k posts). This ensures that you’re appearing in the search results for the best variety of hashtags possible. Make sure you keep things relevant and realistic. Don’t pick a hugely popular hashtag that your post will drown in just because it looks good. Similarly, don’t choose a niche hashtag that no one is looking for (it may have just 100 posts for a reason!). When it comes to hashtags, balance is key.

So now that you know what makes an amazing Instagram post, it’s time to move on to Instagram Stories!

Instagram Stories allow you to share less polished content at the drop of a hat. You can host livestreams, share video clips, or post images throughout your day. Just like with posts, you can include location tags, mention profiles, and add a hashtag (just one, so make it count!).

You can also add gifs and stickers, and use the pen tool to draw directly on your content. There are even filters to help you take your Stories to the next level!

Instagram Reels and IGTV allow you to share video content similar to TikTok or YouTube Shorts. Reels are usually short form video, while IGTV is longer (think a classic YouTube video). This is a great place to share tutorials, behind the scenes looks that are more in-depth, and any other type of video content that requires a little more focus and editing than IG stories.

Ready to take on all types of Instagram content? It’s time to schedule your posts to ensure that they’re put in front of your dream audience for maximum engagement potential!

Scheduling your Instagram content is straightforward, especially with the helpful analytics provided by Instagram Insights.

We recommend starting with a once per week Instagram post, along with as many additional IG Stories you’d like to share. Starting small allows you more flexibility. Post at the same time and day each week and see what your engagement levels look like in your Insights tab. Not receiving the engagement you want? Make an adjustment first in the post time, and then try a new day of the week.

It’s also a good idea to keep your demographics in mind. Your Insights will show you the age, gender, and location of your top users which can help you adjust accordingly.

If you’re not sure where to begin, here are the best times to post on Instagram generally. Start here, then adjust based on your specific needs:

• Monday: 6 am, 10 am, and 10 pm EST.
• Tuesday: 2 am, 4 am, and 9 am EST.
• Wednesday: 7 am, 8 am and 11 pm EST.
• Thursday: 9 am, 12 pm, and 7 pm EST.
• Friday: 5 am, 1 pm, and 3 pm EST.
• Saturday: 11 am, 7 pm, and 8 pm EST.
• Sunday: 7am, 8am, and 4pm EST.

So you’ve mastered the Instagram profile, you’ve created amazing content of all types, and you figured out a posting schedule that works for you. But what if you’re still not seeing the results you want? Or maybe you are, but you want to take things to the next level. That’s where Instagram SMM tools come in!

INVESTING IN INSTAGRAM SMM TOOLS

Now that you’re a master of Instagram social media marketing and brand creation, it’s time to get started with the best place to buy Instagram likes. Create a foundation of high-quality posts (at least 3 is a great start, but the more the merrier!), and use these posts as a jumping off point to send Instagram likes, comments, and other SMM tools. Start a conversation and who knows who will participate!

Instagram success doesn’t have to be impossible - and it most definitely shouldn’t be stressful! By investing in high quality Instagram SMM tools, you’re taking back control over your content and your audience.

As you know by now, Instagram’s algorithm prioritizes content that is already high-performing. That means that anyone who is already popular will keep gaining followers, while new users will struggle to break through the sea of content on the Explore page.

If it sounds unfair, that’s because it is! But don’t worry, there’s a simple solution with Instagram SMM tools. Buy Instagram likes, Instagram comments, Instagram followers (and more), to build a strong foundation of engagement on your profile.

The more engagement you have, the more social proof you will gain, and the more likely you are to attract organic followers and tons of engagement.

It’s a good idea to start gradually, build the natural appearance of growth to allow you to form a solid foundation of loyal followers. Growing your following or engagement too fast not only looks suspicious, but it prevents you from engaging with the followers that matter most.

Create a series of milestones to reach over time for the best results, and there’s no telling what you can achieve!

Even the most high performing Instagram accounts invest in SMM tools sometimes. It’s a great way to reach your social media goals and boost your profile performance without breaking a sweat. It’s simple, affordable, and effective - so what are you waiting for? It’s time to start reaching your social media goals!