Instagram has turned into a jungle for users and influencers fighting for every like and comment. A SocialInsider study reveals that engagement has dropped a whopping 28% compared to last year! Yes, you read that right — 28%! Instagram boss Adam Mosseri explains that algorithms rank content on feeds, reels, stories, and the explore page, each with its own rules. But here’s where most people mess up — more hashtags won’t save bad content; originality and relevance are king. The recommendation? Use only 3 to 5 relevant hashtags. Carousels and reels are currently the hottest formats, while plain images are sinking into oblivion. Another disaster is using content from TikTok or blurry, poorly lit photos — Instagram punishes that! Buying likes and followers? Forget it, the algorithm easily spots fake activity and penalizes it. The most important signals are watch time, shares, and comments, not just likes. Ignoring comments and DMs is like throwing money out the window — Instagram loves interaction and rewards those who nurture it. And yes, irregular posting is another reach killer. Better to post three quality posts a week than five in one day and then disappear. Finally, ignoring Instagram Insights is like driving blindfolded. Track your metrics, adjust your strategy, and optimize your profile with a clear bio and call to action. If you thought Instagram was just for pretty pictures, think again — this is a war for attention, and only the smartest survive! So, have you made any of these mistakes yet? Or got some secret hacks? Drop a comment and let’s see who really rules Instagram!
