Roundup Of All Major Instagram Changes
It's been a busy year for Instagram. In addition to a complete overhaul of the app's layout in an effort to achieve a more minimalist look and an algorithm based feed, the company is also set to release a series of new marketing and promotion tools.
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Guest Post by Team Fanbridge on the FanBridge Blog
We’re sure you’ve heard of the many changes Instagram is implementing this summer. Besides a minimalist overhaul of the app’s layout, the company has also begun slowly rolling out their new, algorithm-based feed.
Along with visual changes, Instagram also plans to introduce new marketing tools such as business-focused profiles, profile analytics and promotion tools that allow users to convert posts into ads. With these tools, Instagram hopes to provide content creators better means to make themselves heard.
New Look
In May, Instagram released an updated version of their app’s icon, replacing the classic Polaroid-style icon with a modern, minimalist new icon. Along with a new icon, the app’s layout was also given a makeover. A sleek and simple black and white look replaced the older, more vivid color scheme the app has had since its inception. The update was made to draw more attention to the content shared throughout the platform without heavily changing how users browse the app.
Instagram’s new icon and minimalist layout
Algorithmic Feed
With the new feed, users will see posts based on audience and community reception instead of the old system that ranked posts chronologically. Highly engaging posts, content based on Instagram searches or relevant to what the user already follows/likes are more likely to show up at the top of user feeds than the most recent post of someone they follow directly.
Business Tools
Earlier this month, Instagram previewed profiles made specifically for small to medium businesses. Expected to release later this year, these profiles allow verified businesses to include direct contact information, the ability to contact the business directly from the app and directions and maps to the business. This feature is currently focused on businesses only with potential plans to allow large-scale influencers and regular verified accounts access in the future.
Left: Instagram’s upcoming business page feature
Right: Promoting an Instagram post
One of the biggest features rolling out from Instagram is their native mobile ad creator. The tool allows users to promote well-received posts, convert them to ads and even provide advice based on analytics and the user’s advertising budget. This could be a wonderful native tool for small businesses looking to promote their product/service with ease directly from Instagram.
With these new features also comes Instagram’s first native analytics platform, Insights. Demographic details and post analytics will be available for business profiles to better track performance, understand their audience and build content strategies around what works for their brand.
Instagram’s Insights feature
With all these changes coming to Instagram within the coming year, the platform is making bold moves to change the social media landscape in the near future. This could mean big things for FanBridgers who use the Instagram to market themselves. The new business tools offered later this year could greatly improve audience reach while saving users time and money. While the new feed may take some getting used to, it has the potential to greatly improve engagement between creators and their fans.
