Instagram Etiquette: Tips & Tricks

Sharing someone else’s photo

Tag the source account in the caption AND the photo. Between new followers, likes and comments, it’s easy for your caption tag to get lost in someone’s notifications. However, if you tag the source account in the photo as well, it won’t be overlooked. This is not only courteous, but it also helps you get noticed! Also, it is bad taste to edit the original shared photo. If the image doesn’t fit the look of your feed, then find another that does and credit the author accurately.

Spread it out. Even if you are properly crediting your sources, you still need a healthy mix of original content. Your posts should follow the 60/40 rule, 60% your own content, 40% regrams (at most).

Pinterest is not a source for photos. This is the #1 Instagram faux-pas. If you share an image from Pinterest, you should click through to find the original source before crediting. Pinterest is an image search engine that links back to its shared sources likes blogs, magazines, etc. Crediting Pinterest as your photo source would be as general as crediting Google. Be sure to properly credit the original source.

 

Top Filters that Get the Most Likes

The preferred effect from users around the world is Clarendon, however, it is not the one that gets the most likes. Valencia and Juno are the two filters that get the most likes. Because it still keeps your photos looking natural, Valencia is a great filter option.

There are also situational filters. For nature photography, use Valencia. For fashion photography, Kelvin is a great filter. Skyline makes colors more vibrant and appetizing and therefore highlights meal or food photography. And for selfies the most popular Instagram filter is… none. Visitors prefer selfies without any filters, as they are the ones that get more likes. Believe it or not, no filter is the second most popular option for several categories.

*The take-away is to keep your photos natural-looking, so choose filters that simply enhance your images.

 

Best time of day to post

First, consider your audience. Your demographic will help determine your posting times. Adults that work a 9-5 job may be more likely to check their social in the mornings or during the typical afternoon “lull”. A younger demographic, including college students, are typically up later and are more active during those hours.

Depending on the analysis, you can find research results to support any time you want to post. One professional states 3 to 4 p.m. is the most popular time, while another argues that those are the times to avoid. Until you start experimenting and tracking engagement, you won’t know what time works best for your postings.

Start by breaking it down into these time slots:  

  • Mornings 7 – 9 a.m. These morning hours can be used to catch people before they go to work.
  • Midday 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Around lunch breaks.
  • Afternoon Lull 3 – 4 p.m. People are full and distracted from lunch.
  • Evenings 5 – 7 p.m. After school/work, when people are unwinding. Keep in mind that the effectiveness of this time may depend on people’s commutes.
  • Late, after 9 p.m. If you’re planning to post a video, the majority of researchers say that this is the best time because they can be viewed with full sound, and people aren’t busy with other responsibilities.

With all of this information in mind, there’s really no reason that anyone should limit the possibilities of getting likes on their Instagram photos. Share original content, source reposts correctly, use filters as needed, and find what time works best for your posts. Most importantly, have fun with it and get ready to watch the engaged followers start rolling in!

Sources: Lifewire, KnowTechie and The Identite Collective

——————————————————–

Need More Help with Social?

DOM360 is an award-winning full service advertising agency that specializes in the automotive industry. With deep digital roots and extensive automotive experience we get brands their unfair share of sales with equal parts capability, ingenuity, and creativity. If you would like to discuss ways our agency can help you manage social content from videos to graphic design and copy, contact us today at 864-248-0886 or learn more at DOM360.com.

 

IG @DOM360 – FB/DOM360 – LinkedIn/DOM360 – Twitter @DOM360Tweets

Sign Up
Today

Submit your information!

Join Our Newsletter

Apply With
DOM360

Submit your information!
Upload Resume

Apply With
DOM360

Submit your information!
Upload Resume

Apply With
DOM360

Submit your information!
Upload Resume

Apply With
DOM360

Submit your information!
Upload Resume

Apply With
DOM360

Submit your information!
Upload Resume

Apply With
DOM360

Submit your information!
Upload Resume

Apply With
DOM360

Submit your information!
Upload Resume

Apply With
DOM360

Submit your information!
Upload Resume

Apply With
DOM360

Submit your information!
Upload Resume

Apply With
DOM360

Submit your information!
Upload Resume

Let's Get Started Tell us a little about yourself. If you don't mind.

Contact
DOM360

Lets us know what we can do for you!