Key Takeaways
- Stories Dominate, Feed Takes a Backseat: Instagram Stories is the platform’s reigning champ with over 500 million daily viewers. Brands should focus on creating authentic, behind-the-scenes content that disappears in 24 hours, while the Instagram feed has evolved into a space for polished content and discovery.
- Shoppable Instagram: A Retail Revolution: With over 70% of shopping enthusiasts turning to Instagram for inspiration, the platform is becoming a serious rival to Pinterest when it comes to product discovery. Instagram’s seamless integration of shopping features makes it easier than ever for users to discover and purchase products.
- Authenticity and Representation: The New Norm: The days of picture-perfect, heavily filtered content are fading away. In 2019, authenticity and representation are the new norms. Brands and influencers are embracing #nofilter content, showcasing stretch marks, pimples, and other “imperfections” that make us human.
In the ever-evolving world of social media, Instagram stands tall as a visual powerhouse. With over a billion monthly active users, it’s a goldmine for businesses, influencers, and content creators alike. But what are the trends that will shape Instagram in 2019 and beyond? We’ve got the scoop on 15 trends that are sure to make waves.
Stories Dominate, Feed Takes a Backseat
With over 500 million daily viewers, Instagram Stories has become the platform’s reigning champ. Users crave authentic, behind-the-scenes content that disappears in 24 hours. On the other hand, the Instagram feed has evolved into a space for polished content and discovery.
Explore Tab: A Gateway to New Discoveries
The Explore tab is no longer just a place to stumble upon random content. Over 200 million Instagrammers actively seek inspiration here daily. With the new navigation bar in the feed, IGTV and Shop are now just a tap away, making the Explore tab even more dynamic.
Stories with Sound: Turn Up the Volume
Creating content for soundless environments is still important, but a recent study by Facebook (Instagram’s parent company) revealed that viewers appreciate voiceovers and music. In fact, 60% of Instagram Stories are now watched with sound.
Strategic Stickers: Beyond Fun and Games
Stickers have become a staple in Instagram Stories, but businesses have seen mixed results. That’s set to change in 2019. Brands will use stickers strategically to drive engagement, promote products, and build stronger connections with their audience.
Interactive Stories: The Engagement Boosters
While stickers have shown mixed results, interactive stickers are a different story. Questions, polls, countdowns, and emoji sliders not only drive engagement, they act as the “superglue” that keeps viewers hooked on Instagram Stories.
Shoppable Instagram: A Retail Revolution
With over 70% of shopping enthusiasts turning to Instagram for inspiration, the platform is becoming a serious rival to Pinterest when it comes to product discovery. Instagram’s seamless integration of shopping features makes it easier than ever for users to discover and purchase products.
Shoppable Influencers: The New Sales Force
Influencers often get flooded with comments and DMs asking the same question: “Where did you get that?” To save influencers time and make shopping easier for users, Instagram now lets influencers tag products in their posts that can be purchased directly through Instagram’s checkout feature.
Authenticity and Representation: The New Norm
The days of picture-perfect, heavily filtered content are fading away. In 2019, authenticity and representation are the new norms. Brands and influencers are embracing #nofilter content, showcasing stretch marks, pimples, and other “imperfections” that make us human.
Relatable Influencers: The Rise of the Real
Users are craving authenticity not just from brands but also from influencers. The unrealistic lifestyles and picture-perfect aesthetics of certain Instagram influencers have led to a clash of Instagram vs. reality memes. This has given rise to a new type of influencer: the relatable influencer who shares their real lives, struggles, and triumphs.
TikTok’s Influence: The Copycat Effect
The unstoppable growth of TikTok, a music-based video-sharing app popular with teens, may inspire Instagram to copy liberally—much like we’ve seen with Snapchat. Expect to see more short-form videos, creative editing tools, and music integration on Instagram in the coming months.
Cross-Channel Sharing: Breaking Down Silos
With posts in Stories and IGTV videos appearing in the feed, Instagram is playing with greater interconnectedness of its different formats. Brands are likely to lean more heavily on cross-promotion to boost visibility across streams.
Twitter Takes on Instagram: The Battle of the Platforms
Hot takes rule Twitter, and they’re showing up more and more on Instagram too. Expect to see more tweets repurposed into Instagram-friendly templates, from branded backgrounds to clean, cropped screenshots. This trend reflects the ongoing battle for attention between the two platforms.
Social Activism: The Power of the Platform
Fueled by social unrest and upcoming elections in Canada and the United States, social activism is on the rise. More people are sharing their views via social media, and Instagram is no exception. Expect to see more posts, Stories, and IGTV videos addressing social issues and encouraging action.
Instagram Bots Get the Boot: Cleaning House
Facebook and Twitter have been under fire for their roles in influencing elections and spreading hate speech. Recent reports show that Instagram has played a part in this too. Over the coming year, Instagram will likely take steps to combat abuse on its platform, including cracking down on fake accounts and bot activity.
Changes to Instagram Direct: A Messaging Makeover
Rumors that Instagram would move Direct Messaging entirely to the standalone Direct app have been squashed—for now, at least. Without Direct going anywhere, Instagram users will likely see some changes or improvements to the in-app messaging feature, making it more user-friendly and feature-rich.
Bonus: Instagram’s algorithm is constantly evolving, and staying ahead of the curve is key to success. Here’s a pro tip: focus on creating high-quality, engaging content that resonates with your audience. Remember, it’s not about the number of followers you have, but the quality of your interactions with them.
As we navigate the ever-changing landscape of Instagram, one thing remains constant: the power of visual storytelling. Whether you’re a brand, an influencer, or a content creator, harness the platform’s unique features to connect with your audience and make a lasting impact.
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