Being better at Instagram is all part of the social media game, but how do you actually improve what you're doing? Well, by following a few Instagram hacks that can help elevate your content and profile to a whole new level.
We've collected the best tips for boosting your Instagram presence. These tricks will help you create eye-catching content, grow your following, and streamline your Instagram workflow.
Whether you're looking to improve your account or are in charge of a brand's business profile, there are some easy tricks to get you started.
From repackaging your Instagram Stories to scheduling posts in advance, these Instagram hacks are designed for everyone.
Why you need to improve your Instagram game
Instagram is always changing, and brands and individuals can greatly suffer if they fail to stay on top of the platform's developments. Social media sites never stand still. Popular content one month might be totally forgotten about the next.
Just think about when Instagram first launched and everyone added tinted filters to their pictures. That quickly became tiresome as people sought more authentic images and videos.
Even if you're nailing your Instagram game right now, there's always a need to innovate. By staying on top of Meta's algorithm changes and shifts in audience preferences, you can build a forward-thinking presence on the platform.
That's why it's important to have a few Instagram hacks up your sleeve, so you can innovate when the platform does.
In this guide:
- Hacks for optimizing your Instagram account
- Instagram content hacks
- Instagram Story hacks
- Instagram Reels hacks
- Instagram growth hacks
- Instagram management hacks
- Frequently asked questions
Ready to become an Instagram pro? Let's dive into some game-changing tips that will have you posting like a social media wizard in no time.
Hacks for optimizing your Instagram profile
We're going to start at the beginning. If you need to set up an Instagram account, then these quick tips will help you optimize everything right away. If you already have a profile or manage multiple accounts, then don't worry, you can tweak what's there.
Set up your Instagram account for success
Start by choosing a username that's easy to remember and reflects your brand. Avoid names that might clash with someone else, as it could confuse people.
Use a clear profile picture – your logo works great for businesses. After that, write a bio that includes your contact information and everything else you can think of. Your account should have as much information as possible, as this will help you appear in Instagram's search algorithms.
You can also switch to a professional account to get access to insights and extra features. This lets you see how your posts are doing and who's looking at them.
Don't forget to link your website or shopping page to make it easier for people to find out more about you and buy your products.
Add keywords to your Instagram bio
Your bio is prime real estate for attracting followers. Remember, it's right at the top of your profile and the second thing people will see after your grid.
You can be smart here and use SEO techniques to optimize your bio. Use relevant keywords that describe what you do or what you're about, as this helps people find you when they search Instagram.
Think about what your ideal followers might be looking for and remember to keep it short and sweet – you only have 150 characters to work with.
Be smart with emojis in your Instagram bio
While Instagram allows you to experiment with fonts, emojis still play a big role in creating an engaging bio. Use different fonts and thoughtful text tweaks to make your profile stand out.
Emojis are great at signposting sentences or sections of your Instagram bio, and for signing off.
Just make sure you don't overuse or misuse them. A brand might not look particularly professional if you sign off your bio with "#blessed 🌸💖🏖️."
Only use emojis that are relevant to your brand. An eco-friendly brand, for example, can be subtle with a single plant emoji, like this.
Hide photos you've been tagged in
Your grid is a really important space, especially when people come to your profile for the first time. To keep it looking polished, be sure to check any posts that you’re tagged in and hide those that don’t align with your brand identity. Additionally, curating your Instagram feed to maintain a cohesive aesthetic can significantly enhance your profile’s appeal.
A clean grid is really beneficial, but it can become littered with tagged posts from other Instagram accounts if you’re not careful.
Your tagged photos will still exist, but they won’t appear on your profile page.
Instagram content hacks
Now let’s look at some ways you can tweak your existing and new Instagram content, so that it aligns with your overall brand. You might need to make small edits to your profile, but the payoff will be worth it.
These hacks will help you level up your Instagram content game and stay competitive – your rival brands are probably already using some of these strategies, so take note. For example, you can manage the visibility of your Instagram feed posts by muting certain accounts, ensuring that only relevant content appears in your feed.
You’ll also learn how to schedule posts, choose video covers, manage comments, and more.
Schedule your posts in advance
Scheduling posts on Instagram is all part of a wider content creation strategy that should weave into your overall social media goals. You can either use a social media management tool to schedule your posts and map it all out in advance, or schedule each post from the Instagram app.
However, be aware that scheduled Instagram posts are only available to those with a professional account. If you have this, you'll simply need to tap "Advanced settings" at the bottom of your post. Slide the button for "Schedule this post" and pick a date and time. The app will post for you at the set time.
If you don't have a business profile, then third-party tools are your best option. You can also use the Meta Business Suite to schedule your content on a calendar.
Scheduling saves you time and helps keep your feed consistent. You can plan a whole week of posts in one sitting and visualize it all. This approach lets you maintain a clear narrative, ensure consistent branding, and minimize errors.
It's great for busy times when you can't post daily, or when your team is short on resources.
Remember to keep your content fresh and don't schedule too far in advance or your posts might feel outdated.
Choose a cover photo for your video
Instagram will automatically generate a cover photo for videos unless you choose to do it yourself. It's always recommended that you do it, rather than leaving the choice to the algorithm.
When uploading, look for the "Cover" option. Tap it to scroll through video frames or upload a separate image. A smart hack is to design a cover image that isn't actually featured in the video. That way you can combine a few highlights and some text to really make your content stand out.
People will then see the cover photo on your grid, click on it, and begin watching the video as normal.
Remember the basics with cover photos. A good one shows what the video is about, and it should be clear and eye-catching. Avoid blurry frames or odd expressions, as it just looks unprofessional.
Test different covers to see what works best and then edit or delete the ones that flop. That way you can experiment while also maintaining brand consistency on your grid.
If you're stuck on how to create your graphics, a great little Instagram hack is to join a free platform like Pixlr or Canva and use the AI functions to generate a video page for you.
Hide comments from your feed
No one likes negative comments, and sometimes you need a break from them, even if they're largely positive. Instagram lets you hide comments without deleting them. Go to your post and tap the three dots menu. Select "Turn off commenting" to hide all comments. People can still leave comments, but only you will see them.
This hack is useful for sensitive posts or when you're unable to monitor your account. You can turn comments back on anytime. Just go back to the post settings and select "Turn on commenting."
Remember, engagement is key on Instagram. Use this feature sparingly to avoid missing out on valuable feedback.
Filter comments based on keywords
You can also filter comments and hide those that contain abuse, bad language, or constitute libel. Go to your profile settings and scroll down to "Hidden words." Click here to turn on "Hide Comments." Add words or phrases you want to filter out.
This hack means you stay in control, and it helps keep your comments section positive. Not only do you not see them, but others can't see them either. You can filter any terms you choose.
A good tip here is to update your filter list regularly to catch new unwanted terms. It becomes especially useful if your brand is involved in a scandal with an easily recognizable phrase.
The filter works best when combined with active comment moderation. It's not perfect, but it can save you time and stress.
Instagram Story hacks
Instagram Stories are really useful for brands that want to publish disposable or time-sensitive content. They’re great for reposting other people’s content and creating a buzz around a specific event. They’re gone in 24 hours, which means audiences often come back again and again to see what’s new. One effective way to enhance your Stories is by customizing the Instagram Story background, either by changing it to an image for better engagement or by hiding hashtags while maintaining a sleek aesthetic.
If you’re new to Instagram Stories, these handy tricks will help you create engaging and original content right from the start.
Record video hands-free
You don't need to hold down the record button to make Instagram Story videos. To go hands-free:
- Click on "Story" and ensure your camera is on.
- Click the arrow to reveal the "Hands-free" mode.
- Then tap the record button once to start.
- Tap again to stop.
This is a little hack, but it lets you step back from your phone and film yourself or show off a process more easily. It means your Stories don't have to be hand-held selfies anymore. You can record up to 15 seconds at a time this way.
Instagram introduced this feature as a reaction to TikTok, which mastered the hands-free video style years ago.
Hide a Story from specific users
Sometimes you want to keep your Stories away from certain people. It's uncommon for brands to do this, but individual users and influencers might find this hack useful.
If you only want to share a Story with specific people, then you can easily hide certain followers.
To do this, you'll have to follow these steps:
- Go to your profile and tap the three-line menu icon.
- Scroll down to "Hide story and Live."
- Enter the names of users you don't want to see your Stories.
You can always change your settings at a later date.
The beauty of this function is you're able to keep some content private. For individuals, that usually means preventing family members and coworkers from seeing certain things. Brands don't often use this function – although you might want to hide your Stories from a rival company in order to not give away the secrets of your success.
Change the cover image of your Story Highlights
This is really important if brands want to create consistency on their Instagram profile. You can save Story Highlights and group them on your profile, but unless you change the cover picture, Instagram will simply take an image from a Story.
This looks really unprofessional. So, make sure you change yours by following these steps:
- Tap on your highlight.
- Click the three dots.
- Tap "Edit Highlight" to open the edit page.
- Select "Edit Cover."
- You can either choose a new image or scroll through your highlight images to find one that suits you.
A quick additional Instagram hack is to look at how other brands showcase their highlights. Just look at this example from Audi.
All its latest car models are showcased in the highlights section of Audi's Instagram profile. The cover photos have the same style, while the titles are understandable and uniform. They help the entire profile stay on brand.
Send Story Highlights to Threads
You might not know this, but you can turn your best Story highlights into Threads.
It's a smart way to repurpose content you've already created and give it new life. It's the most cost-effective, and it naturally stays on brand.
To do this, go to your profile and tap on the highlight you want to use. Press the "More" button at the bottom right of the screen and click "Send." You'll see the "Threads" option in the bottom-left corner.
The Threads platform isn't as active as sites like X and TikTok, but it still offers a valuable stage for brands to spread their message. What's more, you don't have to create content specific for Threads because you can simply repurpose Stories instead.
Instagram Reels hacks
Now let's look at Reels. These are different from Stories and were a bit controversial when they launched, as many people confused the two. Well, Reels are Meta's response to TikTok videos, and they're really good for showcasing your brand without relying on your Instagram grid.
The algorithm for Instagram Reels casts the net far wider than normal posts, which means your content's reach is far greater and you get better engagement.
We've collected some hacks specific to Instagram Reels, so you can create more impactful videos that stand out in the crowded social media landscape.
Include captions
People are drawn to captions in videos, whether it's on TikTok, YouTube, or Instagram. Your Reels will greatly benefit if you include captions because even those listening to your videos end up reading captions as they appear.
Of course, captions are also great for making your Reels more accessible to those who are deaf or hard of hearing. Thankfully, the evolution of AI means captions are now easy to add.
Simply record your Reel as usual. Then tap the sticker icon and select "Captions." Instagram will auto-generate your captions, which you can then edit for accuracy.
You can also change the caption style to match your brand's look. This is really important because you don't want a funny or sarcastic font used in a message that might be very serious.
Captions not only help viewers understand your content better, but they also boost engagement by keeping people watching longer.
Use a Green Screen
Influencers know how to use the Green Screen mode on Instagram to great effect. The green screen effect lets you place yourself in any setting or background, which means you can hide unwanted backgrounds or set your Reels in a different place.
The problem with Green Screen is it doesn't always work. Glitches can happen when the camera struggles to distinguish between the foreground and the background.
This Instagram feature actually creates a natural, authentic feel that influencers use to their advantage. However, brands have to be more careful. If you try to make a Green Screen look like a real background, and it glitches, you'll look very unprofessional.
It's therefore important to judge when to use the Green Screen option and when to stick to your usual background.
Instagram growth hacks
Now let's move away from specific areas of the platform and look at Instagram hacks around growing your presence and profile. Your following can only grow if you encourage it, which means working on strategy and posting the right content.
Below are three proven tactics that can help boost your visibility and engagement on the platform. These go beyond general Instagram hacks and are the sort of things many brands overlook.
Switch to a business profile to access more features
This should be a simple job for any brand. Switching to an Instagram business profile unlocks valuable tools to grow your account. For a start, you get access to Instagram Insights, which provides data on your followers and post performance. Now you can focus on your content and use hard data to make smarter decisions.
Business profiles also allow you to add contact buttons and industry categories. This doesn't just look more professional, it makes it easier for potential followers to reach you.
In an industry where lead generation is difficult enough already, having direct links to your website or shopping pages is pivotal.
You can also create and run ads directly from the Instagram app. This is a little hack some brand managers just don't know about.
To switch, go to "Settings" and scroll down to "For professionals." The easiest way for a company to launch a business account is to mark the brand as a business when they create their Instagram and Facebook profile on the Meta Business Suite.
Make it easy to shop from your Instagram account
This might be the most important of all Instagram hacks for your business. The sales funnel on Instagram is a lot smoother and quicker when people can buy directly from the platform. There's no need to channel them to your website or anything like that.
To do this, you'll need to set up Instagram Shopping. Make sure you have a business account and a Facebook catalog. Once approved, you can add product tags to posts and create shoppable Stories.
Now, the aim here is to tag products in posts and Stories. This creates a seamless buying experience for your followers. When users tap a tagged item, they see product details and can purchase without leaving the app.
Cross-promote your content across multiple Instagram accounts
Plenty of brands operate multiple accounts to cover different markets. Under Armour, for example, doesn’t have just one Instagram profile. The brand has more than 25. Why? Because there are different audiences for different sections of the business. People who are into skateboarding won’t want to follow Under Armour Run content, and vice versa.
That’s not to say you can’t cross-pollinate your content. If you manage multiple Instagram accounts, cross-promotion can significantly expand your reach. It’s particularly important if your brand has a core message or purpose, and needs to use every business account possible to push the same cause. Understanding how Instagram users engage with different types of content can help you tailor your cross-promotion strategies more effectively.
Use Instagram features like “Add post to your Story” to easily reshare content. When posting to Stories, tag the original account to drive traffic there.
Instagram management hacks
Your Instagram posts, Stories, and Reels are only ever as successful as your management. If you manage your accounts well, then your content will shine. Make mistakes and overlook obvious things, and your profiles will look unprofessional.
Managing your presence can be much simpler with a few useful Instagram hacks. You'll save time and effort while keeping your content organized and professional. Let's take a look at four quick hacks to improve your output.
Manage multiple Instagram accounts from one device
This might sound obvious but paying attention to detail will really help if you have to manage various accounts at once.
You can easily switch between different Instagram accounts without logging in and out, so long as you have the app.
To set up multiple account access, go to your profile and tap the menu icon. Select "Settings and privacy," then "Add account." Enter the login information for your other account. You might need to perform two-factor verification at this point to confirm you're the owner of the added account.
Now, you can switch between accounts by tapping your profile picture and choosing the account you want to use.
This feature lets you post, comment, and engage as different accounts quickly. It's great for social media managers or anyone juggling multiple brands or personas on Instagram.
Save drafts for later
Don't rush to post when inspiration strikes. Instagram lets you save drafts to finish later.
Start creating a post as usual. Add your photo or video, edit it, and write your caption. Instead of posting, tap the back arrow. Then tap the "X." This might sound counterintuitive, but your changes will be saved, trust us. You'll see a pop-up asking if you want to save your draft. Tap "Save Draft" to store it for later.
When you want to return to your drafts, simply tap the central "+" icon on your app's home screen to open your photo reel. You'll see your "Recents" and also your "Drafts." Tap on "Drafts" and you'll have a grid of all your posts waiting to be published.
Save your live video
After ending a livestream, you can save the video to your phone. This lets you repurpose the content later. It's a useful feature, especially for those who don't have recording equipment.
When your live video ends, tap "Save" in the top-right corner. The video will be saved to your camera roll.
You can then edit the video, share clips on your feed, or use it for other marketing materials. Run it through video software to add further graphics and captions.
This is a really great way to get more value from your live content and reach viewers who missed the original broadcast. You can take one live video, cut it up, and place it on Reels and Stories long after the live event has ended.
Use a social media management tool
If you haven't already, it's worth thinking about using a social media management tool to take simple tasks off your hands. A tool like Brandwatch is great for developing an understanding of your Instagram audience and realigning your content creation to suit.
Social media management tools are designed to gather data, suggest post ideas, and generally support your activity. You can dramatically reduce the amount of time you spend preparing posts and scheduling. Of all the Instagram hacks out there, using software is top of the pile.
Frequently asked questions
Instagram has various facets to it, which makes it a little difficult to navigate at times. Algorithm changes and tweaks to the app mean marketers have to be on their toes. If you're still unsure about what Instagram hacks are right for you, then let us help. Below, we tackle some common questions about account security, engagement tactics, and growth strategies – the sort of things you need to know.
How can I recover my Instagram account if it's been hacked?
If you suspect your account has been hacked, act fast. Go to the login page and click "Forgot password?" Enter your email or username and follow the steps to reset your password. This is a quick and effective way of defeating hackers. If that doesn't work, report the issue to Instagram support. Make sure you also change your email password and any other passwords that are identical or similar to your Instagram one.
What are some effective Instagram Story hacks to increase engagement?
Brands that produce Instagram Stories usually do the same basic things really well. They ensure brand consistency across each Instagram Story and go big on publishing shared content. They make a lot of effort championing events on Stories, and bringing the best snippets into one big highlight. Ensuring all Instagram Stories follow the same brand style on your profile page is also key. This means creating Story cover pictures that look slick and professional.
What strategies can help me grow my followers on Instagram organically?
Organic Instagram growth can be difficult to achieve, and it requires diligent work. Brands and individuals need to ensure their high-quality content is consistent. Audiences love consistency because they want to know what they're getting before they watch a video or view a post. If you know a specific influencer posts funny videos, for example, you'll be more willing to watch their content when it appears on your feed. Other tactics include engaging with your audience, sharing their posts on your Stories, and cross-promoting on other social media platforms.
How can I secure my Instagram account to prevent unauthorized access?
It's important you enable two-factor authentication in your settings. Make sure you connect your account to a phone or email address that is also secure. Use a strong, unique password – don't be tempted to use "PASSWORD" or "INSTAGRAM." Be cautious of phishing attempts, too. Never share your login information and always log out when using shared devices. This last point is particularly important for brands where employees might use their personal phones, tablets, and computers to access a business account or the Facebook Business Manager.
What are the latest features on Instagram Reels, and how can I use them?
Reels now allow longer video options, up to 90 seconds. Try the new templates to streamline content creation and maintain consistent themes across all your Reel posts. Use trending audio clips to boost discoverability – just like TikTok.
What should beginners know to effectively use Instagram for their goals?
Beginners need to start by understanding their target audience. Once you do this, you can align your content to that audience and grab their attention. New brands need to do this creatively and design a consistent aesthetic across their feed – including posts, Stories, and Reels. Use Instagram Insights to track your performance or a third-party management tool for deeper insights. Engage with other accounts in your niche. Finally, be patient and consistent with your posting schedule. These small Instagram hacks will help your brand in the long run.
