Tips to Use Instagram Filters to Your Advantage

Filters are an important part of Instagram content, and if you don’t know how to use them effectively, you aren’t taking full advantage of the platform’s features.

Using filters can help you create eye-catching images that drive engagement and conversions.

But how do you use filters to your advantage?

Know the Difference Between Filters on Posts and Filters on Stories

Adding Instagram filters to your posts or Stories is a similar process, but there is a very important difference. Filters on posts are limited to just the 25 presets, although you can also adjust the strength of the filter.

By contrast, filters for Stories are much more numerous. Thanks to the use of augmented reality, you can add nearly anything to your Story, including your own filter. This gives you even more control over your content.

Use Filters to Create a Brand Image

One of the best ways to use filters on Instagram is as a way to craft a cohesive brand image.

Remember that creating a brand aesthetic or theme is one of the many tips to make your Instagram profile interesting and engaging.

How do filters come into play? It’s as simple as consistently using the same filters on your images. Of course, you will also want to think about the colors you use and other aspects of the photos. Filters can only do so much.

When choosing which filter to use consistently across your content, think about your brand.

For example, a company selling party supplies or candy would likely want to keep its feed bright with bold colors. But you may want to use filters that give you a more neutral color palette if you have a luxury brand or want to convey elegance.

Don’t Go Overboard with Filters

It is incredibly easy to start playing around with Instagram filters and go overboard. There are so many editing options within Instagram that you simply don’t need to overuse filters.

On top of that, if you use too many filters, your content may not seem authentic. This can hurt your ability to connect with your audience. If you feel like you may be going overboard, tap and hold on the photo to see what it looked like before the filters.

Use Story Filters to Encourage User-Generated Content

You can make your own filters for Instagram Stories, giving you complete creative freedom. This is a great opportunity to encourage user-generated content, as you can ask your followers to use your filters in their own content.

A great example of this comes from Chipotle, which created a “What Item Are You?” filter and effect.

Use Filters to Let Followers “Try On” Your Product

If you sell a physical product, consider using filters to let your followers try it on. This is an especially popular option in beauty and fashion brands.

Think of this as a digital fitting room that can encourage people to buy your products with confidence. After all, they will already know how the makeup or clothing item will potentially look on them.

This use of filters for Instagram shopping is so important that it comes with its own set of tips and best practices.

• Know What Products This Works Best For

  Before you start creating AR filters so shoppers can try out your products, confirm that your product type is a good fit for this feature.

  
  

  Overall, products worn on the face or head are excellent candidates. So are products like furniture where fit and size are important.

  
  

  You can also use this feature for products with fine detail or complex motions that are harder to convey in videos or photos.

  
  

  Avoid this feature for anything requiring photorealistic color, as technology isn’t quite there yet.

  
  

  You should also avoid using it for products for the feet or hands due to the technology’s limits.

  
  

  Finally, don’t use this feature for products you resell, as you likely don’t have the rights to do so.

• Use It for Conversions, Not Awareness

  The vast majority of your Instagram story will be about generating brand awareness and driving engagement. But filters to try on products come at a different stage in the process.

  
  

  At this point, your customers are already in the sales funnel and seriously considering your product – or at least comparing it to others. They want to know if the product will work for them or their space.

• Create as Many Product Filters as Possible

  Once you decide to create Instagram filters to let your customers try on your products, you want to make them for as many products as you can. This will let your customers compare various products without leaving their homes.

• Add an Element of Fun to It

  While most of the people using filters to try on products are already in the sales funnel, some are still in the awareness stage. Let your shopping filters multi-task and work for both types of customers by adding an element of humor or fun.

  
  

  Think of it as a way to encourage people to share their photos trying out your products.

Bonus: A Refresher on How to Add Filters

Adding filters to your Instagram content is incredibly straightforward, but here’s a quick refresher.

• Filters on Posts

  Create or upload a new photo or video by clicking on the plus sign. But before posting, select the “Next” icon in blue. Scroll to the right and choose the filter you want. Then, select the Magic wand icon to adjust the filter.

• Filters on Stories

  Once you add your photo or video, you can just swipe left and right to try one of the pre-built filters to add them to your Story.

  
  

  For more customization, swipe left until you reach “Browse effects.” From there, you can choose from the various filters in the Effect Gallery. You can bookmark filters to have them appear with the other effects for easy access.

Conclusion

Using filters on Instagram is a simple way of editing your photos and creating a uniform aesthetic for your profile.

You can also create custom filters in your Stories to encourage engagement and user-generated content. While the options for filters are somewhat limited on posts, they are extensive on Stories.