COVID-19 hit us hard, leaving us with the meteoric rise of TikTok. Watching its growth has been one of the most notable and discussed phenomena in recent years.
We’ll be honest. KVLmedia was hesitant to try it out. New social media platforms pop up all the time, and the last thing we wanted to do was invest in it before knowing it would be here to stay.
Yet, it is here to stay. And that has triggered other platforms to react and compete for the same attention, realizing that people love short and simple videos. For example, YouTube and Instagram have integrated TikTok-like functionality into their platforms.
So, KVLmedia dove into content creation.
This means that users can now enjoy short-form content within the apps themselves instead of going out of their way to find content on Tiktok itself. While this might seem like a great thing at first glance, some users notice that posts aren’t doing as well as they used to. This raises an important question: Do reels really matter? How does the Instagram algorithm work? And should you invest in short-form video content on Instagram?
What Is Instagram?
Instagram is a social media platform where users can share photos and videos. It is one of the most popular social media platforms and has been used by people worldwide since it launched in 2010.
It’s easy to create an account on Instagram and start sharing your photos and videos. You can also follow other accounts, search for specific creators or topics, and follow trending topics on the explore page.
The platform is great for eCommerce, marketing, advertising, and much more! It’s also one of the most easily monetizable social media platforms out there right now.
One of the defining features of Instagram is its algorithm. The algorithm ensures that you see relevant posts, and it’s constantly updating and analyzing what YOU like to see on the app.
How the Instagram Algorithm Works
The Instagram algorithm is a set of rules that rank content on the platform and decides what content shows up—and in what order—on every user’s feed.
The main purpose of the Instagram algorithm is to make each user’s experience with the platform as pleasant as possible. The algorithm determines who sees your posts and where they see them; a lot is going into determining that. For example, the relationship between the author and the viewer is considered, and so is the relationship between the viewer and that genre of content. The algorithm always serves up more of what people like, so if someone likes content similar to yours, you can be pretty confident your post will be next.
The algorithm also takes the overall information about the post into account. It uses metrics like saves, shares, comments, and likes and dives deep into them, noting not just the frequency but the speed at which they occur.
Lastly, the algorithm checks for information about the person who posted. Is the original poster someone with an engaged audience or whose content receives consistent likes and shares? There are, of course, more secondary and tertiary influencing factors, but the ones discussed here are some of the most important.
Is the Algorithm Really Pushing Reels?
You need to work with the algorithm if you’re interested in learning how to blow up on Instagram. There’s been a lot of buzz concerning changes to the algorithm recently, and many creators are struggling to keep up with the supposed changes. Instagram has transformed from a photo-sharing app to a video-sharing app. Or has it? According to many sources, Instagram’s algorithm isn’t actually pushing reels—it’s Instagram’s new user interface.
Instagram replaced the post and search buttons with a “reels” button that lets you scroll endlessly when you select the tab. It’s directly in the middle of your screen, where a thumb naturally rests, subtly encouraging people to look at reels.
It used to be that posts would appear in chronological order, but now they show up based on what Instagram thinks you’ll like best. The algorithm is just trying to ensure you see stuff that will keep you engaged on the app and coming back for more.
The algorithm pushes content people like, and right now, a lot of people like reels.
Why Do Reels Perform Better?
When you post a video to Instagram, you’re more likely to get likes and comments.
Reels are taking over the social media landscape, and for good reason: they get a lot of engagement. A recent study found that reels get 67% more likes and comments than standard Instagram videos. This means that posting more reels increases your chance of getting more likes and comments, compared to posting pictures only.
But why do reels do better than posts? For one thing, they’re just more engaging than a static post. Just like Facebook or YouTube videos, people want to watch something without having to click away from their feed or keep scrolling down their timelines. Videos are also super sticky. Studies have shown that the average viewer retains 95% of a message when they watch it, as opposed to a mere 10% retention rate when reading it.
Reels are great because they’re more engaging than static posts, and they can help spread your brand awareness and boost product interest by attracting a wider audience. They also give you lots of options for creativity! You can choose from different styles of video or create something original. Some people might be scared of using reels because creating video content is challenging, but it’s an investment worth making.
Do You Really Need Reels?
So, do you really need reels?
The answer is—it depends. The only way to know if you need reels is by looking at your current standing on Instagram. This means measuring the engagement and conversions you’re getting and how many people are seeing your content. If you don’t have a lot of engagement or conversions, it’s probably not worth the time or money to get into reels.
However, if you’re looking to grow and expand your reach on Instagram, then reels are necessary! Reels are an easy way to showcase your best work and give users a taste of what’s to come in the future. They also help with SEO and will show up in search results for those searching for specific hashtags or keywords associated with your business.
Reels can be a great way to tell a story that might not fit in one post—or they can be used to showcase different aspects of your brand that might appeal to diverse audiences. Reels are also an excellent opportunity to show off your personality and engage with your audience in new ways.
How to Make Good IG Reels
If you want to create an engaging Instagram reel, here are a few things you can do.
First, use trending sounds. This will help you stand out and get more likes on your content.
Next, be creative! Use high-quality footage and add time text to make it more engaging for your audience.
Finally, have fun! If you’re not having fun creating your reel, then it won’t translate well for viewers either—so make sure you’re having fun while doing it!
If you’ve been reading this article, you know that creating an Instagram reel is a great way to improve your digital marketing strategy, but now it’s time to put what you’ve learned into practice, and KVLmedia can help. Contact us today to get started.
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