Tips and Tricks to Mastering Instagram Explore to Amplify Your Reach

Instagram, since its birth in 2010, has evolved from a simple photo-sharing app. It’s now a comprehensive platform for businesses, influencers, and everyday users to express, engage, and connect.

It’s forecasted that there will be 1.44 billion active monthly users on Instagram by 2025, representing 31.2% of worldwide Internet users.

What's even more astonishing is that over 200 million accounts visit the Instagram Explore page every single day! This makes it an untapped goldmine for content creators and marketers.

So, let’s take a look at how to increase your Instagram reach with Instagram Explore.

What is the Instagram Explore page?

The Instagram Explore page is a curated feed that provides users with personalised content tailored to their preferences.

This highly customised section of Instagram is based on an AI-powered algorithm that factors in your likes, follows, and overall activity to suggest posts that it believes you'll enjoy.

Every user's Explore page is unique, mirroring their individual tastes, interests, and interactions. Think of it as a personal assistant that sifts through millions of posts to deliver the most appealing content to you, from engaging photos and reels to captivating stories and IGTV videos.

This makes the Instagram Explore page an intriguing space for content creators and marketers. With the right approach, they can leverage its advanced algorithm to boost visibility, generate engagement, and achieve a larger digital footprint.

To stand out in this vast ocean of content and make your posts appear on your audience's Explore page, you need to understand how it works and strategise accordingly. We’ll reveal this and more below.

How to use Instagram's Explore page

Using the Instagram Explore page is a breeze.

All you need to do is tap on the magnifying glass icon at the bottom of your Instagram app to open the Explore page.

Here, you will find a variety of content - photos, videos, stories, and more - tailored to your interests.

You can also search for content based on keywords, hashtags, or usernames in the search bar at the top.

When you see content you like, engage with it by liking, commenting, or sharing it.

The more you interact, the better Instagram understands your preferences, making your Explore page more attuned to your interests over time.

The Impact of the Instagram Explore Page on Your Brand: Why It Matters

In the ever-evolving digital marketing landscape, standing out is the key. The Instagram Explore page is a dynamic platform that can accelerate this process for your brand, enhancing visibility and engagement.

Here are the three main reasons why Instagram Explore matters to your brand:

• Increased visibility - The Explore page serves your content to a wider, yet targeted, audience beyond your followers. This can significantly boost your brand's exposure, helping you reach potential customers who are likely to be interested in your product or service.
• Higher engagement rates - With content tailored to users' interests, the likelihood of engagement - likes, comments, shares - is much higher. This increased interaction can boost your brand's online presence and credibility.
• Increased traffic and conversions - As more users discover your brand through the Explore page, there's a higher chance they will visit your profile or website, increasing the likelihood of conversions.

Understanding the Algorithm Behind Instagram Explore

The Instagram Explore algorithm is a complex, AI-powered system that curates personalised content based on several Instagram Explore ranking factors:

• User interactions - The algorithm takes into account the posts you've liked, shared, or commented on, the accounts you follow, and the type of content you engage with regularly.
• Similarity to previously liked posts - The Instagram Explore algorithm also looks for similarities between the content you've interacted with in the past and new content. For example, if you frequently like and share travel photography, the algorithm will suggest more of such content.
• Trending topics and hashtags - The algorithm keeps track of trending topics and hashtags and often features them on the Explore page to keep users updated with the latest trends.
• Relevance scores - Each post is given a relevance score based on how likely it is that the user will be interested in it. This score is determined by analysing various factors like the post’s details, the user’s historical data, and global trends.

Understanding how the Instagram Explore algorithm works can help you create a more effective strategy to ensure your content reaches a wider audience.

The key lies in generating engaging, high-quality content that resonates with your target audience and keeps them coming back for more.

5 Proven Tips and Tricks to Get Featured on the Instagram Explore Page

To harness the power of the Instagram Explore page, it's crucial to understand how to get your content featured prominently.

Here are some tried-and-true tips and tricks to help you do just that.

1. Engage with your audience

Actively engage with your audience by responding to comments on your posts, liking their content, and even following them back.

This not only fosters a loyal community but also signals to Instagram that your content encourages engagement.

2. Make the most of tools to increase your Instagram reach

There are several tools that can help you get featured on the Instagram Explore page more effectively. Some of the top Instagram tools to consider include:

• Instagram Insights - This built-in analytics tool gives you valuable data about your followers and how they interact with your content. Use this information to better understand your audience and tailor your content strategy.
• Social media management tools - Platforms like Hootsuite, Buffer, and Sprout Social allow you to schedule posts, track engagement metrics, and monitor hashtags, which can help you with your Instagram Explore page optimisation.
• Hashtag generator tools - Tools like All Hashtag and HashtagsForLikes can help you identify popular and relevant hashtags to increase your content's visibility.
• AI-powered analytics tools - Advanced AI tools like Cortex and Pulsar provide deep insights into your content performance, trends, and audience preferences, enabling you to fine-tune your strategy for maximum impact.

3. Post high-quality content

This can't be stressed enough - high-quality, engaging content is king.

Ensure your posts, whether they're images, videos, or stories, are high-resolution and aesthetically pleasing.

Adding value to your audience through your content increases the chances of engagement, which is a key factor in getting featured on the Explore page.

4. Leverage popular and relevant hashtags

Hashtags can increase your content's visibility. Use relevant and trending hashtags that align with your content and audience.

Instagram allows up to 30 hashtags per post, but it's recommended to use between 5 and 10 for optimal engagement.

5. Post regularly and at optimal times

Consistency and timing are essential. Posting regularly indicates that you're an active user, and posting when your audience is most active can lead to higher engagement.

Use Instagram Insights to understand when your followers are online and adjust your posting schedule accordingly.

Amplify Your Reach with Instagram Explore

As you can see, the Instagram Explore page provides you with a great opportunity to reach more people with engaging, exciting, and relevant content. You’re also more likely to have your posts put in front of people who are genuinely interested in your brand.

However, growing an audience on Instagram requires a clever and careful approach. Follow the tips and guidance provided above to get started, or get in touch with our friendly and experienced team to find out more.