Instagram Visibility Issues: 5 Potential Causes for Hidden Graphics
Instagram, once a photo-sharing app, is now dominated by graphics and memes. With over 400 million daily active users, it has become a significant marketing channel for brands and individuals alike. Here are some effective strategies for optimizing graphic posts on Instagram.
Size and Complexity
Using the recommended Instagram image dimensions is crucial to avoid cropping or pixelation. For feed posts, a square 1080x1080px image is ideal, ensuring full visibility and a professional appearance across devices. Opt for vibrant, high-contrast images with a strong focal point to attract attention and engagement on Instagram. Overlay clear and concise headlines or calls to action (CTAs) directly on images to improve message visibility and user action. Keep graphics visually engaging but not overly complex—too much detail can dilute the message and affect shareability.
Tagging and Hashtags
Use relevant, high-intent hashtags sparingly to improve discoverability. Incorporate descriptive, keyword-rich captions with clear, engaging language aligned with your audience’s likely search terms. Add alt text to all posted images to improve accessibility and SEO performance.
When it comes to hashtags, upload your photo with a caption, then add your hashtags in your first comment immediately after you post a photo. This way, as soon as you have two or more comments, your hashtag comment will be hidden from the main view. Location tags should also be considered, using the most often used location tag to increase the likelihood of being found.
Encouraging Re-Sharing
Create original, visually appealing content that includes on-brand calls to action within the images or captions that invite sharing or tagging others. Use a mix of photos, images with text overlays, and videos to increase engagement and encourage users to share content that resonates with them. Ensure content relates well to your audience’s interests and trends to increase its popularity and organic re-sharing potential.
Posting Time
While specific best times to post depend on your audience, timing matters. People are most active on Instagram in the evenings, particularly between 8 and 11pm. Scheduling posts in advance can help ensure they are seen during peak activity times. Consistency is key when it comes to posting on Instagram. Analyze your Instagram Insights or third-party analytics to find when your followers are most active and schedule posts accordingly for maximum immediate engagement, which boosts your post’s ranking and visibility.
Jilly Badanes, the Director of Marketing at Viraltag, is a renowned expert in visual content marketing, social media tools, and Instagram and Pinterest strategies. Her writing can be found at Viraltag’s Blog, Social Media Examiner, and Social Media Today. For those who prefer to use an app to resize their photos, Instasize is a popular choice. Instagram’s new Search & Explore feature allows you to discover popular hashtags and location tags for a given topic by examining the tags used by popular accounts in that category. Big brands are taking Instagram seriously as a marketing channel. Encouraging re-sharing of graphics on Instagram can increase their popularity. Use specific calls to action in your captions to invite people to share your images. To make it easy for people to regram your content, include your brand, a hashtag you’re promoting, or your Instagram handle in the image itself.
In summary, optimize Instagram graphic posts by using platform-specific image sizes (1080x1080px for feeds), ensuring clear, vibrant, and not overly complex visuals with embedded CTAs, crafting keyword-rich captions and alt text, applying relevant hashtags judiciously, and encouraging sharing through engaging, relatable content. Additionally, post when your audience is active to maximize engagement and visibility in Instagram’s feed ranking.
Using technology and Instagram's new Search & Explore feature, find popular hashtags and location tags for your content by examining the tags used by influential accounts in your niche. This will help increase the visibility of your posts on social-media platforms like Instagram.
Memes and graphics are key elements of entertainment on Instagram, so ensure your posts are visually engaging, incorporate clear calls to action, and relate well to your audience's interests and trends to encourage re-sharing and boost engagement levels.
