It can be difficult to keep up with changes in social networks. Particularly today, when updates are almost every other day. These updates often require that your social media marketing strategy be updated.
The world is struggling to survive these difficult economic times. However, it is encouraging to see how Instagram is quickly developing new features and functionalities that address main business issues and allow users to support their favorite brands.
These features can be hard to see, but they are great for helping businesses grow online.
First, we’ll take a brief tour of Instagram’s latest additions. Next, we’ll dive into detail about the most important features of Instagram for marketers.
We have compiled a list of Instagram’s most recent updates to help you keep up to date and adapt your business to them.
Instagram: Why use it for business?
Instagram is an effective tool for any business or brand, especially after its recent move into e-commerce.
Brands can not only build strong communities on Instagram but they can also showcase their inventory in Shops and make transactions right from the app.
Instagram is now the online home for shoppable inspiration.
These 8 Instagram features are great for businesses that want to grow online.
Instagram Features for Businesses: Link to Bio
Instagram’s link feature in the bio is a great tool for brands who want to drive traffic to their app. It is also often overlooked.
It is easy to promote and find the link in your bio, making it one among the most important traffic-drivers for your Instagram account.
The good news is that there are tools available to help you make more of your link in bio.
Instagram Live Features for Businesses
Instagram Live is an excellent tool for businesses who want to make meaningful connections with their online communities.
In the last few months, Instagram Live usage has soared — with brands shifting to lifestyle-oriented live broadcasts instead of attending in-person events.
Businesses can strengthen their communities by bringing people together this way. They also show a more authentic and human side to their brand.
The Instagram Live trend is likely to stay, as Instagram releases several new features that are ideal for businesses.
Instagram Live Shopping
Businesses will soon be able share direct links to purchasable products during their Instagram Live broadcasts.
Badges for Instagram Live
Instagram Live Badges can be a great way to make money on Instagram if your business is all about providing service.
The idea of “badges” is based on a feature in TikTok or Twitch that allows users to “tip” creators during live streams. This feature is now available on Instagram!
Instagram Features for Businesses: Insta Shopping
Instagram’s Shopping feature could be the perfect solution for your business if you rely on selling products.
Instagram continues to release innovative ecommerce features. They are constantly looking for new ways to help businesses through the app.
Businesses can now tag shoppable items in their Instagram Stories and feed posts, as well having an “Instagram Shop discovery tab” on their profile for stock products.
What’s new on Instagram
Instagram has been releasing a lot of updates over the past few years as it grows. Let’s take an in-depth look at the top changes that have impacted marketers and businesses.
- Instagram testing the removal of likes: Instagram has begun to remove the public like counter from posts in several markets, including the USA. However, Instagram still tracks Likes and they remain an important metric to marketers.
- Stories stickers keep growing: Instagram users are increasingly using dynamic stickers for Stories that have functions such as polls and countdowns. The platform keeps adding new stickers, including the quiz sticker. This can be used to create highly interactive Stories. However, it is important not to confuse this with a multi-answer survey since it will display both ‘right’ and “wrong” answers when you tap.
- Shopping with AR features: A few brands can currently test an Instagram Shopping feature. It uses the augmented reality filters that users know from Instagram Stories and posts, as well other platforms such as Snapchat, to allow users to “try on” products and then shop them.
- The new messaging app Threads expands the reach of messaging: This stand-alone app ties into your Instagram messages via the ‘Close Friends” list that you can create on Instagram. This is a smaller-scale messaging app that is focused on small groups of friends. However, it will allow you to see when users are more open to receiving marketing-oriented messages and when they prefer to have more intimate conversations.
Shoppable posts on Instagram make it easy to shop featured products by showing “tagged” products in posts. Instagram Stories Product stickers can be used to make your Stories content shoppable.
Instagram Checkout allows customers to search for products and make payments without leaving the Instagram app.
Instagram’s Shopping for Creators feature allows influencers and content makers to add product tags from brand partners to their Instagram stories and posts — creating an e-commerce marketplace.
Instagram Sliders, Question, Pools, Quiz, and Countdown Stickers Feature for Business
Instagram Stories are a great way for customers to engage with you and get feedback.
Stickers allow your followers to interact with you brand through fun quizzes and quick polls. They can also be a great way for you to get to know your audience.
#1: Slider Stickers
Another easy way to engage stories is with Emoji Slider Stickers. The huge variety of emojis available can make them surprisingly versatile.
They are great for quick reactions, but you can also use them creatively.
This creative solution makes viewers feel involved and is a great way to create a loyal and engaged audience.
#2: Question Stickers
Since their debut last year, question stickers have become hugely popular. They are great for encouraging interaction and getting feedback.
#3: Poll Stickers
You can engage your followers with poll stickers in a matter of minutes. This makes them an excellent option for boosting engagement.
A poll is a great way to increase audience interaction. Sometimes the simplest ones work best.
#4: Quiz Stickers
Quiz stickers can be a fun and quick way to get more clicks from your audience.
#5: Countdown Stickers
The Countdown sticker does exactly the same thing as it says on its tin. This makes it a great tool to build hype for upcoming product launches or events.
Food Orders and Gift Cards (Instagram Feature for Business)
Instagram launched 2 new features to help businesses in direct response to COVID-19: Food Orders and Gift Cards.
Businesses can now sell gift cards on the app by using a profile button, or a new Instagram Stories sticker.
Food Orders are a way for hospitality businesses to increase awareness about their food delivery services.
Instagram TV (IGTV) Feature for Business
IGTV is a great channel to showcase products, interviews and tutorials. This content resonates with viewers and can help you build long-lasting relationships.
IGTV is still a new channel for many brands, but those who have adopted it have had great success.
Pinned Comments on Instagram Feature For Business
One of Instagram’s new features is pinned comments. It’s a great way to set the tone and culture for your brand and the community you’re part of on Instagram. You can also curate your comments this way (Instagram allows you to have up to three pinned comments per post), and divert attention from spambot comments or trolls — which can negatively affect your brand image.
