Ever wondered why some folks on Instagram seem to have a magic touch with their reach, while others are left in the silence of crickets?

Well, it's not some mysterious magic—it's more like a playbook. In this read, we're spilling the beans on how to increase your organic reach on Instagram.

Instagram is a social media platform that is gearing up to hit a whopping 2.5 billion users by the end of 2023. So it’s not difficult to give a boost to your organic reach.

All you need to understand effectively the strategies, algorithms, and their use.

Let’s dive into the tactics that actually skyrocket your Instagram organic reach.

1. Content is king in increasing organic reach

The first most crucial and effective part is content. Creating shareable and engaging content that is actually liked by your audience is the key to increasing your organic reach on Instagram.

There are different types of content.

• High-quality images with a creative perspective

• Bits of Advice and practices of your niche

• Storytelling carousals

• Engaging reel

Use different types of content to keep the audience engaged with the variety of your posts.

The Explore Page on Instagram is a section where users can discover new content tailored to their interests.

When users explore the content and engage with posts by liking, commenting, or saving them, the algorithm further refines its understanding of their preferences and shows them relevant content.

So here the key takeaway for maximizing organic reach is to curate content that is actually engaging and urge the audience to like or share it.

Consistency in posting is also paramount in Instagram's organic reach. Posting regularly signals to the algorithm that the account is active and provides fresh content. This consistency is rewarded with increased visibility on this social media platform.

Discover more: How social media has changed marketing?

2. How to use trending hashtags to boost organic reach

Using trending hashtags strategically can significantly increase the organic reach of your business posts on Instagram.

Regularly monitor the "Explore" page and trending sections to identify popular hashtags relevant to your business niche.

Combine trending, popular hashtags with niche, specific ones. It helps your content reach a broad audience while still connecting with those interested in your specific niche.

Let's say you have a business in the fitness industry, specifically focusing on yoga. Here's an example of how you can mix popular and niche hashtags:

Popular hashtags

#Fitness

#Wellness

#HealthyLiving

Niche Hashtags

#YogaForBeginners

#ZenLife

#AsanaPractice

Use tools like Instagram Insights or third-party apps to track hashtag performance.

Develop a branded hashtag specific to your business. Encourage followers to use it, fostering a community and making it easier for users to discover your content.

Don't overload your post with hashtags. Instagram recommends using a mix of popular, niche, and branded hashtags, but keeping the total count moderate (around 5-15) to maintain a clean aesthetic.

To maximize your organic reach on Instagram, actively participate in conversations around trending hashtags by commenting on related posts. This engagement can increase the visibility of your own content organically.

Discover more: How to increase your social media followers?

3. Understanding of algorithms for organic reach

The Instagram algorithm operates as an automated system, lacking human emotions. However, it undergoes human oversight to ensure alignment with desired outcomes.

When you post on Instagram, your content initially reaches a small segment, approximately 5% of your followers. If this subset engages positively, the algorithm propels your content to wider visibility.

The key takeaway is to increase Instagram’s organic reach by crafting content that genuinely resonates with your audience. Algorithms respond to user interaction signals, not sentiment.

Remember, the algorithm's decisions are automated, but your content's impact is profoundly human—connecting with real people.

The initial 24 hours after posting are critical. Instagram's algorithm prioritizes recent content, giving it higher visibility on followers' feeds.

Well-performing posts continue to receive algorithmic boosts beyond the first day.

The longevity of engagement also depends on your audience's typical usage patterns. If your followers are active throughout the week, your post may sustain engagement over several days.

Understanding your audience's behavior is crucial for strategic posting.

Instagram Stories have a shorter lifespan compared to regular posts. Stories typically remain visible for 24 hours, but engaging content may continue to receive responses even after this period.

So, by cramming these ups and downs of the algorithms you can easily work on increasing your Instagram organic reach.

Discover more: How to keep the human touch in AI-generated content?

4. Reels have more organic reach

Reels, on average, garner 50% more organic reach compared to static posts on Instagram.

So crafting an engaging reel is crucial in a fast-scrolling digital landscape, where attention spans are fleeting.

The key to maximizing Instagram’s organic reach through reels lies in concise, engaging content.

To all types of businesses, aim for a reel duration between 15 to 30 seconds—long enough to convey your message, and short enough to maintain viewer interest.

Pro-tip:

Remember the first 3 to 5 seconds of your reel is crucial. So hook your audience at the start.

Here are some examples of hooks for you.

1- Don’t be fooled by…..

2- The secret’s out…

3- Why I stopped X forever…

4- 5 reasons X is a waste of time…

5- Well, this is awkward….

Captioning your reel is another art. A well-crafted caption complements your visuals and serves as a beacon for the Instagram algorithm, directing it towards your target audience.

Choose background music wisely. Opt for trending tracks or ones that resonate with your target demographic.

Trending music can also increase the likelihood of your reel appearing on the coveted Explore page, catapulting your organic reach.

Instagram's algorithm favors content that aligns with current trends. It also relates to the moment marketing. That utilizes the world's or country’s current moments and occasions to increase the organic reach.

Capitalize on popular challenges, memes, or industry-specific trends. By riding the wave of what's 'in,' your Reels become more discoverable, contributing significantly to the organic growth of your audience.

Pro-tip:

Instagram introduces an add-topic feature for your reels. So never neglect to add these topics to your reel settings. By default, you can add 3 topics that are related to your reel.

Discover more: How to increase your organic reach?

5 The Vital Role of Alt Text in Instagram Organic Reach

In the battle for the organic reach of Instagram, where visuals reign supreme, the alt text feature emerges as a powerful yet often overlooked tool.

Alt text, short for alternative text, is a descriptive tag that can be added to your images, providing a textual representation of the content.

While it's commonly associated with accessibility for visually impaired users, its impact extends far beyond.

Alt text is a silent advocate for inclusivity on this social media platform.

This commitment to accessibility not only increases your organic reach to a wider audience but also aligns with ethical practices.

Infuse it with relevant keywords, brand identity, and calls to action. Consider the sentiments you want to evoke and the story you wish to convey.

Ensure that your Instagram account settings have alt text enabled. This can usually be found in the advanced settings or accessibility options.

By optimizing this often-neglected feature of social media platforms like Instagram, you unlock a gateway to broader audiences, improved search rankings, increased organic reach, and a more inclusive online community.

Remember, in the world of Instagram, every word—visual or textual—matters.

Discover more: Why should you outsource social media marketing to virtual assistants?

6. Storytelling through Carousel Posts

Diversify your content for organic reach with carousel posts. Tell a compelling narrative, segmenting it into captivating slides. This not only increases Instagram's organic reach but also entices your audience to spend more time on your profile—a factor appreciated by the algorithm.

Studies reveal that Instagram carousel posts receive up to 3 times more engagement than single-image posts.

In addition, profiles utilizing carousel storytelling witness a 15% increase in the average time users spend on their page.

Engaging narratives coupled with relevant keywords amplify visibility, boost engagement, and increase Instagram's organic reach.

7. Some Important tactics for businesses to increase organic reach

There are some other techniques through which you can grow your brand organically on Instagram.

Profile Optimization is one of them. A well-optimized business profile with a complete bio, contact information, website link, or any other external link, and appealing visuals can positively influence the algorithm.

An optimized profile increases your search results and can generate organic traffic to other digital marketing channels.

Audience Interactions is also an Instagram approach to increase your organic reach. Responding to comments and direct messages fosters a community.

The algorithm may recognize active engagement and promote the account accordingly.

Conclusion

To optimize the organic reach of your Instagram business account, a mere logo post won't suffice.

Designing a post is not just a task; it's an art. Juggling numerous tactics is time-consuming but indispensable.

Monitoring analytics, curating content with creativity, and incorporating engaging elements like reels, carousels, hashtags, and image posts are the key ingredients for Instagram's organic reach.

At Vaforus, we emphasize the significance of organic reach for brand connections and loyalty. Our expert virtual assistants with creative minds elevate your business.

They communicate seamlessly, tailoring strategies to meet your specific business needs.

Reach out to us and propel your brand's online presence to new heights.