Key Takeaways
- Saves on Instagram have gained importance, indicating valuable content that users want to preserve.
- While asking for saves can increase reach, it may not directly lead to higher engagement (likes, comments, shares).
- A balanced Instagram strategy should prioritize high-quality, engaging content and use saves strategically to expand reach.
Remember the good old days when all that mattered on Instagram was the number of likes you got on your posts? Those days are long gone, my friend. In the ever-changing world of social media, the algorithm is constantly being tweaked, and with it, the way we measure our success on these platforms.
The Rise of the Save
In recent years, there’s been a lot of buzz about the importance of “saves” on Instagram. Some experts believe that saves are now more valuable than likes because they indicate that your content is so good that users want to save it for later. This makes sense, right? If someone takes the time to save your post, it must be pretty darn good, right?
An Experiment to Test the Save Theory
To test this theory, I conducted a little experiment on my personal Instagram account. I scheduled six posts to go out over the course of two days. Three of the captions explicitly asked people to save the post, while three explicitly asked people not to save the post. The posts were created with similar content and posted at the same time on different days to ensure a fair comparison.
The Results: Saves Boost Reach, But Not Engagement
The results were interesting, to say the least. The posts that were saved had a much higher reach than the posts that were not saved. This means that more people saw the posts that were saved, which is a good thing. However, the posts that were saved did not necessarily get more likes, comments, or shares than the posts that were not saved. This was a bit surprising, as I had expected that saves would lead to more engagement.
What Does This Mean for You?
So, what does this mean for you? Should you start asking your followers to save your posts? Well, it depends. If you’re looking to get your content in front of more people, then yes, asking for saves can be a good strategy. However, if you’re looking to increase engagement on your posts, then asking for saves may not be the best approach.
A Healthy Instagram Strategy
At the end of the day, a healthy Instagram strategy can’t survive on reach alone. Ultimately, you still need to have great, engaging content if you’re going to make the most of that reach and build long-term relationships with your followers. So, focus on creating content that your audience will love, and don’t be afraid to experiment with different strategies to see what works best for you.
Bonus: One thing to keep in mind is that users may soon tire of being asked to “save” posts that aren’t actually “saveable.” For example, if you’re posting a photo of your lunch, it’s probably not something that your followers will want to save for later. So, be strategic about when you ask for saves, and make sure that your content is actually worth saving.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Is it bad to ask followers to save your posts?
No, it’s not necessarily bad to ask followers to save your posts. However, you should be strategic about when you ask, and make sure that your content is actually worth saving.
How can I get more saves on my Instagram posts?
There are a few things you can do to get more saves on your Instagram posts. First, make sure that your content is high-quality and visually appealing. Second, use relevant hashtags and location tags to help people find your posts. Third, ask your followers to save your posts in the caption.
What are the benefits of getting more saves on my Instagram posts?
Getting more saves on your Instagram posts can help you reach a wider audience and build a stronger connection with your followers. Saves are also a sign that your content is valuable and engaging.
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