Launched in 2010 by Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger, Instagram was set out to be a photo blog for users to share their experiences, travels, milestones, and general daily routines (Ugggg) with super hip, filtered pics that their friends, family, and anyone who wanted, could follow in real time.
It was innovative, fun and paved the way for a whole new generation to keep in touch without, well…..actually interacting.
Oh how things have changed. The OG Social Network, Facebook purchased Instagram for a staggering $1 Billion in 2012, confirming what the kids already knew; Instagram was here to stay and would become a major part of social connection and digital marketing for small and large businesses alike.
What once was a simple function app that allowed pictures to be uploaded and shared much like a blog, now houses video functions, an “explore” section, a “story” feed, and a digital platform for marketing ads and shopping experiences.
So what does this all mean? And how can Instagram help your digital marketing in 2019?
As of 2018, Instagram has garnered 1 billion active monthly users. 500 million users are active a day. And the ♡ button is hit 4.2 billion times a day. These are enormous numbers when it comes to user engagement and activity. Instagram sees 23% more engagement per photo over FB!
More stats on brands using Instagram for digital marketing:
- Brands are seeing 10% more engagement from users on Instagram over FB.
- 80% of users follow at least one brand in their feed.
- 200 million users visit a brand’s profile at least once a day.
One of the best attributes to Instagram’s ad and marketing platform is that the feed from an ad or promotion looks virtually the same to a user as a post from someone they follow. This lessens the user’s desire to ignore the post or find it spam like. The seamless integration coupled with the proper content management can result in high traffic, engagement, and conversions for your online business.
(Instagram even has a business profile for brands that tracks analytics and user stats within the app.)
With the newly integrated, Shoppable Posts, brands can post an image of an item from their store with a buy now button that takes the user straight to the site while remaining in Instagram.
The rather new, Stories feature lets brands connect on the most relatable and informal way by showing video and picture books of current happenings, sales, events, and announcements from the brand.
Users across all online platforms are becoming mobile-first when it comes to search, shopping, and engagement. And Instagram is becoming a one stop shop for user/brand interaction, connection and digital marketing. Not only does your business need a profile on Instagram, but in that profile needs to be a constant stream of activity. No longer is social media a trend. No longer is it for an 18-24yr old demographic. The way we engage online starts and ends with our smartphones. Your business needs to be present wherever users are and serving their needs when and where they arise.
Oh….did I mention a business profile on Instagram was free?
Your business needs a social media digital marketing and management team and at Searched Marketing we have the experience and guidance to keep your brand relevant and front facing on all social media channels.
Social Media & Digital Marketing in Atlanta
Searched Marketing provides social network marketing and digital marketing in Atlanta, Georgia. We offer our clients with maximum online exposure through the use of increasingly popular social media marketing networks such as the ones listed below.
We use social networks to market through custom brand pages, Facebook apps, reputation management and through enter to win contests. Email marketing, Search Engine Optimization and Pay Per Click services are often used in conjunction with social network marketing to to round-out a full integrated, digital marketing strategy that maximizes reach and exposure.
Call us at 404-835-7730 or contact us online here to chat about your digital marketing.