3 Terrible Instagram Tips

Terrible tactics you need to stop doing!

Author

Samer C.
June 5th, 2024 • Reading Time: 5 minutes

In partnership with

I got the idea for today’s edition from a post by a marketing ‘guru’ and the backlash he received in the comments (lol). 

Then I remembered a few weeks ago falling into the rabbit hole of ‘faceless’ Instagram profiles trying to convince me that I can get 1M followers and make $10K/month if I comment on their Reels to receive a top-secret PDF 🫠 

So here are 3 terrible, TERRIBLE, tips you need to ignore starting today.

They’re actually a big red flag if someone recommends them 🚩

File Under: How to Not…

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🚩 Focusing on SEO

It's shocking how many are still peddling outdated SEO strategies.

SEO means 'Search Engine Optimization.' It's about using words and phrases that people often use when searching online. For example, if you use the phrase "hotels in New York," your posts are more likely to show up when someone searches for that on Instagram.

Here's the truth: Instagram’s algorithm has evolved.

It's sophisticated enough to categorize your content without these hacks.

The algorithm knows what your video is about even if has zero words in the caption. Zero hashtags. Zero on-video text.

It still knows.

🚩 Using Hashtags

When I worked at Meta, the recommendation was to use 3-8 hashtags, max!

This recommendation has since died—thankfully.

Hashtags look ugly and the more one adds, the more desperate they look.

Adam Mosseri, Head of Instagram, has been saying this since 2022. He’s said it here, and here, and recently 4 days ago from the writing of this post.

🚩 Trending Audio

When Reesa Teesa broke the internet a few months ago, she used zero trending audio and posted more than 500 mins of video telling ONE story.

Of course, there’s an audio-based trend going on at any given point in time.

Let’s be real: Trending audio is nice, but it’s a gimmick.

Many ‘gurus’ are still pushing the idea that success on Instagram comes from using trending audio to "hack" the algorithm.

This approach might catch someone’s eye (ear?), but it won’t hold their interest or earn their respect.

Remember, real connection comes from quality, not gimmicks.

If your content is good enough, it doesn't need tricks to stand out.

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