Introduction
If you want to increase your Instagram presence and capitalize on emerging trends, you’ve come to the right place!
The Instagram landscape is ever-evolving, and the ability to quickly identify and respond to trends is essential for your success on the platform.
We’ve compiled a list of the top 10+ emerging Instagram trends & forecasts for 2023 and how to use them to your advantage.
By the end of this post, you’ll better understand the current and future trends on Instagram and the strategies you can use to take advantage of them.
Let’s jump right in!
1 Emerging Instagram Trends & Forecasts
1. Impact Of Reels
Since the launch of Instagram’s newest feature, “Reels,” Instagram has seen a massive surge in user engagement. Reels allow people to create 15-second videos, similar to TikTok and are quickly becoming an effective influencer marketing tool. As Reels become more embedded into Instagram’s platform, brands will use this new medium to engage with followers and drive sales. As Reels evolve, Instagram will likely become an even more powerful platform for influencer marketing, with brands leveraging the reach of Reels to grow their audiences.
2. Creating Nostalgic Content
Instagram has recently seen a surge in nostalgic content among users – content that evokes sentimentality and takes users on a journey back in time. As more people turn to platforms like Instagram to connect with what makes them feel good and connected, such nostalgic content can help them to re-engage with their cultural heritage and personal history. Companies founded decades earlier can also use this trend to remind consumers of their stories, heritage, and values. For companies looking to stand out and engage with their consumers, creating nostalgic content can be a great way to grab people’s attention and create an emotional connection. In the coming year, we expect to see more companies and Instagram influencers diving into this nostalgic trend.
3. Utilizing AR Effects
Augmented reality (AR) effects have recently become a popular feature on Instagram. This emerging trend allows users to create and customize fun visuals for their posts and stories. From creative face filters that transform the look of their selfies to adding interactive effects to videos, AR effects have become a valuable tool for businesses and influencers trying to stand out.
The opportunities AR brings to Instagram are endless – from simple 3D stickers, frames, and masks to complex virtual objects that can interact with their environment. Brands can engage users more effectively through creative campaigns, significantly boosting user experience, engagement, and conversion rates.
4. Instagram In-Shopping Feature
Instagram has recently launched an in-shopping feature, allowing users to buy products from their feeds and Stories from brands they follow. This feature has made connecting with customers easier and allows businesses to showcase their products more effectively.
With this feature, customers can browse products, put them into their shopping cart, and make purchases without leaving the app. This feature is expected to grow in popularity and appeal to a broader range of businesses as it allows them to make their products easily accessible to their customers.
5. IGTV Takeover
IGTV is steadily becoming increasingly popular for brands to reach their audiences. As the platform expands, its features and business capabilities become more sophisticated. Businesses can now include links, tags, and calls to action within their IGTV posts, making engaging their audiences and generating leads easier. This trend has been further bolstered by the emergence of IGTV Ads, a new service that launched in 2020 which allows marketers to serve ads directly within IGTV content. Although it may be too early to tell, IGTV Ads are proving an excellent way for businesses to increase their reach and engagement.
6. Incorporating Trending Memes
Incorporating memes into Instagram posts has become increasingly popular in recent years. Memes, typically photos with funny or relatable captions, have added humor, personality, and relatability to posts. They also provide a way to break into a conversation and engage with audiences quickly.
In 2023, incorporating memes in posts will likely continue to be a key trend. Instagram posts with memes carry a higher-than-average engagement rate, so businesses should look for opportunities to leverage trending memes as part of their social media strategy.
7. Live Shopping
Live shopping is an emerging trend on Instagram that can accommodate a variety of content. This type of shopping experience provides a real-time connection between viewers and the products being featured. Consumers can make purchase decisions through this interactive platform while watching a live product stream. Sponsored posts, influencers, and celebrities often participate in this growing trend to influence buying decisions.
Live shopping can also incorporate product tutorials, reviews, and other information to help inform and entice potential buyers. As an increasingly popular marketing strategy, this trend is predicted to remain famous for brands and marketers looking to build relationships with their target audience.
8. Employing UGC Content
As brands become increasingly aware of the value of user-generated content (UGC) on Instagram, they are beginning to employ various tactics to leverage UGC for marketing purposes. From promoting user-generated posts on their profiles to hosting sweepstakes and contests to encourage fans to share their content, brands are finding new ways to use their fans’ valuable content. This can be something as simple as asking customers to post creative images of the products they purchased or as involved as partnering with influencers to create campaigns.
Regardless of the approach, leveraging UGC is an excellent way for brands to increase their reach, engage with their audience, and build brand loyalty on Instagram.
9. Collaboration With Micro-Influencers
As Instagram’s user numbers and influence grow, more brands are beginning to take advantage of micro-influencer’s reach. Micro-influencers are individuals with lower follower counts that still have the potential to reach many followers with their content.
Collaborating with micro-influencers can be a great way for brands to gain visibility on Instagram, as their smaller followers tend to be more engaged with the content they post than more significant influencers. By taking advantage of micro-influencers, brands can promote their products cost-effectively and build deeper relationships with their followers.
10. Growth Of Paid Promotion
Instagram advertising is quickly becoming a must-have for any brand that wants to impact the platform significantly. In 2021, it’s estimated that the Instagram marketing industry will be worth $14 million and is expected to continue to grow exponentially in the years to come. Many businesses are turning to paid promotion to help them reach their desired audience, as organic reach on Instagram is becoming increasingly difficult to achieve. As a result, there will be ever-increasing competition to get noticed on the platform, and it is expected that as the cost of advertising increases, more businesses will rely on Instagram Ads to make an impact.
11. Engagement With Carousel Posts
Instagram is constantly introducing new features to keep its users engaged – and there is no better platform to use than Carousel Posts. On Instagram, users can post multiple photos or videos at once and add text and links to engage their followers with more dynamic content.
Recent Instagram data indicates that carousel posts see up to 25% more engagement than single-post content, which is why it is quickly becoming a popular trend. This trend is predicted to continue to grow in the next two years as more brands and influencers are utilizing this feature to engage with their audiences.
Conclusion
In short, the 10+ emerging trends & forecasts for Instagram are evolving and moving quickly. As with any platform, users must stay up-to-date on the latest features and trends to maximize their success. Utilizing the trends of Reels, Nostalgic Content, AR Effects, IGTV, Memes, Live Shopping, UGC Content, Micro-Influencers, Paid Promotion, and Carousel Posts can help brands reach their goals and build their presence on the platform.
With Instagram’s continual growth and evolution, staying on top of updates and changes is crucial for success. Brands should take the time to understand the trends and forecasts currently influencing the platform and explore the opportunities they may provide. By leveraging the latest Instagram trends and forecasts, brands have a greater chance of reaching their desired objectives and further building their presence on the platform.
