Top 8 Instagram Trends for Business Growth 2024

You know how they say the new year is the beginning of a book with 365 blank pages? That also applies to your Instagram feed! In 2024, you have just fewer than 365 days to make an impact and grow your business on Instagram.

You have 52 weeks to overhaul your Instagram strategy and wow your followers. And the best way to do this is to use the latest, and best, trends.

1. Reels, Reels, Reels

Reels are not a new trend, but since Instagram introduced this feature, it has grown in strength on the platform. Reels have high engagement rates because they appeal to the younger generation. They also cater to short attention spans, which means you can use them to hook your audience in less than 30 seconds.

Instagram will likely introduce even more features to use with Reels in 2024 and increase the max video length. If you haven’t started using short-form videos to promote your business, there is no better time than right now.

2. Micro-Influencers Hit the Ground Running in 2024

Micro-influencers account for more than 90% of engagement on Instagram when it comes to sponsored content. Micro-influencers will remain huge in 2024, bringing brands and audiences together. Instagram users trust these content creators because they are relatable and authentic. They build lasting relationships with various groups of followers and, at the same time, help brands build a loyal following on Instagram.

There is an audience for just about any niche under the sun on Instagram, including yours. Partnering with a micro-influencer in 2024 will allow you to expand your reach like never before, increasing engagement and sales.

3. AI For the Win

AI is not going anywhere in 2024. It’s coming to smartphones and strengthening its presence on social media. AI may be the X factor your content has been missing. You can use it to forecast the best trends and get ahead of your competition. You can also implement AI to discover what content your audience enjoys the most. This will help you create more content in the same vein.

There are so many AI tools to choose from, and more will come in 2024. You can use anything from Instagram management tools to analytics programs and performance features to boost your brand presence on the platform. You can experiment with chatbots to help you create new and exciting content.

4. Partnering With Other Content Creators

Collaboration is a trend that has taken Instagram by storm in recent years. This year, you must forge partnerships and collaborations with same-niche brands and popular influencers. Doing this will help you put a fresh spin on your content and present your brand to new target audiences.

For instance, if you sell insurance, you may want to partner with a real estate agent. Together, you can sell the dream (and reality) of owning a house without the risk of being uninsured. You can also include an influencer in this collaboration. The influencer can vouch for the estate agent’s excellent customer service and your must-have insurance products.

Partnerships like these are ideal for finding new customers on Instagram and highlighting products and services.

5. SEO Is Non-Negotiable in 2024

If you’ve been ignoring SEO in your Instagram content all this time, it’s time to get with the program. By using SEO keywords, you make your content highly discoverable on Instagram. People use the search function on Instagram’s Explore Page to find accounts that post content they want to see. Using SEO correctly will help your Instagram feed rank high in the search results. Moreover, you can also get your content in front of new potential followers through suggested posts.

You can create an effective SEO strategy by adding keywords to your descriptions. In the past, Instagram users could only search using hashtags or usernames. Now they can also search using keywords, which is a massive advantage for your brand. If you use relevant keywords, you have a higher chance of users finding your account when they search for products and services in your niche.

You can even add SEO keywords to your profile name. For example, if you are a travel agent, you can create a name like “Rainbow Travels – Travel Agency.” If you are an insurance agent, your profile name can be something along the lines of “Secure and Sure – Insurance For You.”

Ideally, you want to get the niche or industry into your name so that your account will appear when people search for it.

6. Use Hashtags In Every Post (But Not Too Many)

Hashtags are another easy way to get discovered on Instagram. When you add hashtags to your content, you make your posts visible on each hashtag’s results page. This means when people search for products and services using a specific hashtag, your content will appear in the search results.

Just don’t use too many of them, or your account may get lost in the mix. While you can use up to 30 hashtags per post, it is recommended that you stick to two or three per post.

7. Creating Shoppable Posts

Whether you sell products or services (or both), you must make shoppable posts part of your online content offering. Instagram is a marketplace all on its own, which makes it easy for users to shop directly from the platform.

Using shoppable posts, your customers can view and buy from your brand in minutes. Furthermore, shoppable posts form part of an effective marketing strategy, so you should strongly consider implementing this feature in your 2024 content campaign.

8. Using Long-Form Content To Tell Longer Stories

Reels may be the in-thing, but it doesn’t mean that long-form content doesn’t have its own place on Instagram. You can use longer videos and even longer captions to go more in-depth about your products and services. Just ensure that you use an attention-grabbing narrative and popular visuals or audio.

Embrace Trends and Fly High on Instagram

Embracing Instagram trends gives your business a chance to shine on the platform. As long as you keep creating great content using the latest trends, you will achieve your business goals and build a loyal Instagram following.