I Used to Fall for Every Instagram "Trick." None of Them Worked.

I used to be someone who fell for all of the "tricks" to increase views and likes on Instagram. Until I realized, they don't work. If your post isn't good, no matter what tricks you have up your sleeve, it's not going to perform well.

What I Used to Do

Every time I posted something, I had a routine:

• Like my own post

• Repost it

• Be the first one to comment

• Share it to my story, with no caption, no CTA, nothing added at all

  
  

I genuinely thought this was the secret. A little ritual that would somehow trick the algorithm into paying more attention to me. Suprise: It didn't.

The Trending Audio Trap

I made sure to use a trending audio every single time, because I thought it was crucial to participate in every trend. And to be fair, there's a small kernel of truth there: a trending sound can give you a short-term boost. Instagram is already testing that audio with engaged viewers, so your post can catch a little extra push in the algorithm's first pass. But that's it. It's temporary.

Jumping on every trend that doesn't actually align with your brand or message does nothing for the things that drive long-term reach, like watch time, saves, and shares. Worse, constantly chasing trends means you're spending your energy making content that sounds like everyone else, instead of building a voice people recognize and come back for. A trend might get you a moment. Consistency and clarity get you an audience.

Hashtags Aren't Magic. Sorry!

I spent far too long obsessing over hashtags before realizing they're nowhere near as important as I thought. I wish I had all that time back. The old advice of stuffing 20 to 30 tags into a caption hasn't worked in a long time.

Hashtags function more like labels that help the algorithm categorize your content. Meta's own guidance is to use 3 to 5 highly relevant hashtags per post, and Instagram even removed the ability to follow hashtags back in 2024. They can still support discoverability through Search and Explore, but they're not going to make or break your performance.

What actually moves the needle is your overall strategy: keywords used naturally in your on-screen text and caption, consistency, real audience engagement, and clarity.

So, Consider Yourself Set Free

If you've been doing any of this, let me set you free. Take your extra five minutes back and go enjoy your life. Liking your own posts, scrambling for trending audio, hand-picking 25 hashtags... none of it is doing the work you think it's doing.

The Formula That Actually Works

Instead, focus your energy on five things:

1. A consistent topic. Stay in a lane your audience recognizes, so they know what to expect from you.

2. A clear caption that uses keywords organically. Say what the post is about in plain language, and let natural keywords do their job without being stuffed in.

3. Relevant on-screen text. Most people scroll with the sound off. Your point needs to land in the first second or two without it.

4. Engaging content and media. Well-composed, well-lit photos or video that earn a second look, not a rushed, low-effort snap.

5. A holistic strategy that aligns with what you actually want. Know what you're posting for, sales, leads, new customers, before you decide what to post.

That's it. No tricks, no hacks, no algorithm games. Just consistent, clear, intentional content built around an actual goal.

Let's Work Together

If you're looking for support with your social media strategy, I'd love to help.

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