Instagram has taken the social media world by storm since its launch in 2010. What started as a simple photo-sharing app has evolved into a robust platform with a wide array of features used by over 1 billion people worldwide. From small businesses to huge brands, influencers to everyday users, Instagram‘s diverse user base is what makes it such a unique and powerful tool.
But let‘s be real – as much as we all love scrolling through aesthetically pleasing feeds, discovering new content, and connecting with friends and followers, Instagram can also be a huge source of frustration at times. Whether you‘re a casual ‘grammer or rely on the app for your business or personal brand, chances are you‘ve encountered your fair share of annoying issues and limitations.
As someone who has been an avid Instagram user for nearly a decade, and who runs a social media marketing agency managing accounts for a variety of clients, I‘ve seen it all when it comes to Instagram problems. And I‘m here to commiserate with you, offer some solutions, and share insider tips to make your experience on the app a little smoother.
Problem #1: The Dreaded Algorithm
Ah, the Instagram algorithm. It‘s like that frenemy who‘s somehow always causing drama in your life. You think you‘ve finally figured out how to appease it and get your content seen, and then BOOM – it changes again and leaves you scrambling.
The algorithm is arguably Instagram users‘ biggest complaint and source of frustration. For those not familiar, rather than showing posts in chronological order like in the early days, Instagram uses a complex algorithm to determine what content to show each user and in what order. While the intention is to show people more of what they‘ll likely be interested in, it can feel impossible to get your posts in front of your followers.
The Solution:
Unfortunately, there‘s no magic formula for "beating" the algorithm. Even as a social media expert, I‘ll admit it can often feel like throwing spaghetti at the wall and seeing what sticks. However, there are some strategies you can use to improve your chances of getting seen:
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Post consistently: Aim to post at least once per day, if not more. The algorithm favors accounts that are regularly active.
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Post at optimal times: While Instagram no longer shows posts chronologically, timing still matters. According to research from Later, the best times to post are weekdays between 10am-3pm, with the highest engagement occurring at 6am, 10am, and 10pm. The worst times? 3am-6am daily, so avoid those late night posting sprees.
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Encourage engagement: The more likes, comments, shares, and saves your posts get, the more likely the algorithm is to show them to more people. Write engaging captions that inspire interaction, like asking questions or encouraging people to tag a friend.
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Use relevant hashtags: Hashtags are one of the main ways people discover new content on Instagram. Using relevant, targeted hashtags can get your posts in front of interested users who don‘t already follow you. Research shows posts with at least one hashtag get 12.6% more engagement on average. Aim for a mix of popular and niche hashtags in every post.
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Utilize all of Instagram‘s features: The algorithm tends to give extra weight to newer features like Reels, Stories, and IGTV. Experiment with different types of content formats to see what performs best with your unique audience.
Problem #2: Shadowbanning is Real (Maybe?)
Shadowbanning is like the Loch Ness Monster of Instagram – there‘s no concrete proof it exists, but enough people claim to have experienced it that it‘s become accepted as fact in the Instagram world. Essentially, shadowbanning refers to when your account gets "flagged" by Instagram, leading to significantly reduced visibility and engagement, without any notification that it has happened.
Many users believe they have been shadowbanned because their posts stop showing up in hashtag searches, their engagement drops drastically overnight, and their follower growth slows to a halt. It‘s an incredibly frustrating experience that can feel like being sent to Instagram purgatory.
The Solution:
Again, Instagram adamantly denies that shadowbanning is a real practice. However, they have admitted to having measures in place to restrict accounts that violate Community Guidelines or display spammy or bot-like behavior. To reduce your risk of getting restricted:
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Follow Instagram‘s rules: Familiarize yourself with the Community Guidelines and Terms of Use, and make sure you‘re not violating any of them. This includes things like posting explicit content, using banned hashtags, and buying fake followers or engagement.
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Don‘t use banned hashtags: Periodically, Instagram will restrict certain hashtags that are frequently used to share content that goes against their policies. Using these hashtags, even unknowingly, can get your account flagged.
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Avoid repetitive actions: Instagram‘s anti-spam filters can pick up on repetitive behavior like mass liking, commenting, following/unfollowing, and posting. If your account suddenly starts displaying these actions, it could be mistaken for a bot and penalized. Space out your actions and always aim for authentic engagement.
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Check your hashtag results: If you notice your posts aren‘t showing up under the hashtags you use, it could be an indicator that your account has been restricted. Try editing the post and removing the hashtags to see if it then shows up in your followers‘ feeds.
Problem #3: Engagement is Hard to Get
With such a massive and growing user base, it can often feel like shouting into the void trying to get noticed and attract engagement on Instagram. You share what you think is an amazing post, wait for the likes and comments to roll in…and hear nothing but crickets. It‘s disheartening, especially when it seems like other accounts in your niche are thriving.
The Solution:
Getting consistent engagement on Instagram requires strategy, persistence, and a willingness to experiment. Some tips:
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Know your audience: To create content that resonates and inspires interaction, you need to have a deep understanding of who your target audience is and what they want from your account. What are their pain points, interests, sense of humor? Use Instagram‘s native analytics or a third-party tool to dive into your audience demographics and see which posts are performing best.
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Write engaging captions: Your caption is just as important as your visuals. Use storytelling, ask thought-provoking questions, share valuable information – give people a reason to stop and engage with your post vs just quickly double-tapping and scrolling by.
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Engage with others: Engagement is a two-way street! Set aside time every day to actively like, comment on, and share posts from other accounts in your niche. Not only does this put you on their radar, but it signals to the algorithm that you‘re an active and engaged user.
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Embrace Instagram‘s interactive features: Features like polls, questions, quizzes, and countdowns in Stories make it easy for people to engage with your content in just a tap or two. Use these tools to spark conversation and make your followers feel involved.
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Partner with complementary accounts: Identify other accounts that share a similar target audience and explore opportunities to cross-promote, host giveaways together, or collaborate in other ways. Introducing your account to a whole new engaged audience can work wonders!
Problem #4: Keeping Up with All the New Features
Every time you think you‘ve mastered Instagram, they roll out a new feature or change that leaves your head spinning. From Stories to Highlights to IGTV to Reels to Guides to Shopping – it‘s a lot to keep track of! And just when you feel like you‘ve gotten the hang of creating content for one format, suddenly another one is the new darling that the algorithm favors.
The Solution:
As overwhelming as it can be to stay on top of all the constant changes and additions to Instagram, it‘s important to at least have a pulse on them. Devoting some time to learning and experimenting with new features can help you stay ahead of the curve and take advantage of increased visibility opportunities. Some strategies:
- Follow Instagram‘s official @creators account for updates and tutorials on features
- Attend webinars or workshops geared towards staying up-to-date on Instagram
- When a new feature drops, don‘t be afraid to play around with it and see what works!
- Talk to other creators in your niche and see what‘s working for them
- Consider subscribing to an Instagram marketing newsletter or podcast to stay informed
It‘s easy to fall into the trap of feeling like you have to jump on every new trend or feature. But ultimately, focus on the content formats that most align with your brand and audience. You don‘t have to be everywhere, all the time! Choose what makes sense for your goals.
Problem #5: The Comparison Trap is Real
All those picture-perfect, curated feeds with glamorous lifestyles and flawless skin can take a toll on your mental health after a while. It‘s hard not to compare yourself to other creators and accounts and feel like you‘re falling short. Imposter syndrome is real, and Instagram can often exacerbate it, whether you‘re comparing your personal life or your brand‘s success. The pressure to live up to a certain standard can take all the fun and creativity out of the platform.
The Solution:
Prioritizing your mental well-being and cultivating a healthy relationship with Instagram is crucial for your creativity and longevity on the platform. Some tips:
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Practice intentional consumption: Unfollow or mute accounts that consistently make you feel bad about yourself. Fill your feed with content that inspire, educates and resonates with you. It‘s okay to set boundaries!
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Tap into a community: Building genuine connections with other like-minded creators can make the Instagram experience feel much less isolating. Engage in pods and group chats with people who lift you up and support your journey. Collaborate and cross-promote with accounts you admire.
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Take breaks as needed: If you find yourself getting lost in a negative spiral of comparison, put your phone down and step away. Use screen time limits and in-app reminders to keep your scrolling time in check.
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Cultivate other hobbies and forms of creativity: Having other outlets outside of Instagram is so important. Invest time in real-life activities and relationships that bring you joy and fulfillment – your ‘gram will still be there when you get back.
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Remember – comparison is the thief of joy: Keep in mind that Instagram is a highlight reel, not real life. Don‘t get swept up in a game of comparing your reality to someone else‘s perfectly-filtered version of events. Stay in your own lane and focus on what you‘re grateful for.
Final Thoughts: Stay the Course!
Instagram can be an incredible tool for business, creativity, and human connection – but it can also be a huge source of stress and frustration at times. As someone who has built a career in the Instagram world, I want to validate all of the challenges you‘re facing. We‘re truly all in this together, muddling our way through the algorithm changes, glitches, and pressure one day at a time.
My biggest piece of advice is not to let the annoyances sour your entire Instagram experience. At the end of the day, Instagram (and social media in general) is meant to enhance your life, not detract from it. Focus on the aspects you enjoy, the people you‘ve connected with, the opportunities it has brought you. And if it all gets to be too much, don‘t be afraid to take a step back. The app will still be there tomorrow.
Here‘s to embracing the love-hate relationship and making the most of all Instagram has to offer – problems be damned!
