How to Get Featured on Instagram’s Explore Page

Ever since Instagram stole the spotlight from many other similar websites a few years ago, businesses and individuals have used it to promote themselves. It is a beast on the internet and has repeatedly proven to be an immensely powerful tool in the right hands.

After all, what better way to promote your brand than to appeal to Instagram’s massive audience? And the best way to do so is to find yourself a spot on the coveted Explore page. What was once the “Popular” page has now become far more personal.

How Does It Work?

To understand how to reach the Explore page, you have to know how it works. Many of us are surely aware of and use Youtube on a daily or near-daily basis. One of the video-sharing website’s essential traits is its “Recommendation” algorithm.

It works in a quite simple way. Depending on what a user searches for and watches, the algorithm begins to narrow down potential suggestions for the said user. It slowly filters content according to the user’s interests, whether it is music or cartoons or tutorials, and videos fitting the user’s criteria begin to show up on their front page.

Where it had previously showcased things people liked en masse, the Explore page on Instagram now functions in similar ways. Depending on what you search for, or the individuals or brands you follow, the Explore page will present you with carefully curated content.

Why Should I Try to Reach the Explore Page?

To continue from the comparison with Youtube, the answer to this question is quite obvious. If your content finds its way to the Explore page, it will reach many people or potential customers.

If enough like and share your content, you have a much higher chance of reaching a wider audience through the Explore page. Even more so because the content on the page caters to the individual user’s preferences.

How to Get There

There are many tips and tricks to get more exposure. Some are simple, some a bit trickier. One of the best ways to make your content more visible to your target audience is to find a niche.

To compare with Youtube, which has different types of channels. Some content creators focus on creating video game-related clips, while others talk about world news and some work on make-up tutorials.

Specializing in a few or perhaps even one kind of content will allow you to reach your target audience more efficiently. Therefore, you might want to look up similar, already established profiles. Try to find them, learn where they made mistakes, and apply any smart tactics they’ve used to gain more followers.

Quality vs Quantity

The more content you put out there, the better. It depends on what you’re trying to show, of course. If you’re a solo entrepreneur that’s trying to push a product or perhaps an artist, the more you show of your craft, the easier it will be to reach the people.

It does not mean, however, to focus just on the numbers. The quality of the work you post on Instagram should always be the best you can do. A good impression may earn you a post like, and one by one, those double-taps will push you closer to showing up on the Explore page.

So, to recap, whatever you wish to post online, try to make it look as good as you can. If it is a photo, make sure it’s sharp and well-composed. If it is a video, try to make it look professional. You’d be surprised what you can do with good lighting. Also, even lower budget mobile phones of today have solid recording capabilities.

Photos or Videos?

People are divided when it comes to the question of the type of content you should post. Some claim that nothing tops a high-quality photo, while others swear up and down that videos are a more popular option. We believe, however, that the best option is a balance of the two. Make sure to use eye-catching photos to grab your viewer’s attention and videos to keep them entertained and informed.

Stories are another great tool to use. You can include both photos and videos in your Stories. Many influencers like to use Stories to keep their fans and followers up to date on any recent happenings. A smart move would be to utilize these Stories to notify your followers that more content is coming. You can also inform them that you will be hosting a QnA session on your profile where they can talk to you directly.

Engagement

Once you’ve grabbed the audience’s attention, you should focus on engagement. By engaging and talking to your followers, you will slowly but surely build a strong base of fans. They will, in turn, share your content with their friends. It isn’t always easy, of course, but your followers are your best investment.

Hashtags Galore

Clever use of hashtags will get you far on Instagram. Knowing how to market yourself and your content appropriately is essential. This will, of course, depend significantly on the kind of content you create.

Using the correct hashtags on your photos and clips will ensure you’re reaching the right audience. A good tip that many have recommended is to start by using as many as you can (30 is maximum). Later, slowly remove the less relevant hashtags as you establish yourself in your niche.

Summing It Up

While there are no real guarantees that you’ll reach the Explore page, combining these general tips is going to give you a good starting point. Have you any special tricks of the trade to share, if you found yourself in the same position in the past? Feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments section below.