ROCKS DIGITAL  BLOG

Eric Johnson

The Instagram Algorithm Can Help You Dominate Your Region – Here’s How

Instagram Strategy
Ink Drop/shutterstock.com

When you hear “algorithm” you might first think Google or Facebook, but the Instagram algorithm should be on your radar. On Instagram, over 800 million people are fighting for attention. As the network grows, it’s inevitable that the algorithm on it will get stronger and stronger. Instagram’s already developing a funnel that chokes out all irrelevant content and champions the best of the best.

Think Facebook. The social network made algorithms infamous when it instituted one of the strongest ever in 2009. Nowadays, the Facebook algorithm is humming along and the spotlight has turned to Instagram (a Facebook company).

The Instagram Algorithm

Today, Instagram’s making algorithmic changes that are having an obvious effect on the way users interact with content.

Marketers often view these changes as negative. They see engagement rates slide, and they protest the updates that the network institutes.

However, what we often forget is that algorithms offer great benefits to marketers. They’re predictable, and that means that getting around them is definitely possible.

Three Ways to Get Local with the Instagram Algorithm

One of the biggest “ins” to appearing on top of the Instagram feed is optimizing content so that it appears to algorithms as locally based.

1. Instagram Location Tags

If you’re planning to use Instagram as a vital part of your digital marketing strategy in 2018, there’s one statistic you definitely need to know:

Posts that contain a location tag get 79% more engagement.

Why? There’s one obvious reason. The location tag works sort of like a hashtag. It allows your post to get out in front of another audience that might not have seen it otherwise.

However, there’s an underlying reason that’s making an even bigger difference.

Catch this:

The Instagram algorithm is using location to determine relevance.

How did I come to that theory? Well, it’s actually pretty simple deductive reasoning. Instagram has made it clear that their algorithm is attempting to figure out the genuine relationships that exist between users.

While they may preference person-to-person relationships, it’s logical to assume that Instagram also determines what a personalized business-to-consumer experience looks like.

Wouldn’t it make sense, then, that Instagram is using location to determine what’s relevant to users? If you’re from Chicago and follow two coffee shops – one from down the street and one from Los Angeles, it’s only logical to assume that you’d prefer to see day-to-day updates from the local place.

But beyond location tags, is there any other way to appeal to a local audience?

Absolutely! Hashtags can play an extremely significant role.

2. Utilizing Local Hashtags

Twitter may have popularized the hashtag, but Instagram effectively re-invented it. On Instagram, hashtags offer much more longevity and a much greater opportunity to be discovered.

To bring your local optimization efforts to the next level on Instagram, start mixing in a couple of localized hashtags.

That being said, don’t bother with using a bunch of the basic hashtags that simply contain the name of your city or state. You might add in a couple of these, but the hashtags that will really make a significant difference in your strategy are the ones that local influencers are making use of.

Look into almost any niche, and you’ll find that there are series of localized hashtags customized just for users interested in something specific.

For instance, foodies in Minneapolis have an entire set of hashtags that are both niche and locality specific. This allows them to connect with a tight knit community. If you were a restaurant in this city, you’d want to be in amongst the crowd who’s most interested in what you’re doing.

As an added bonus, convincing influencers that you’re genuinely interested in the same category will encourage them to interact with your brand for no additional charge.

3. Local Stories

On Instagram, one feature that’s slipping by under the radar is local stories. By going to a location tag like “Los Angeles, CA” or “Joe’s Pizza Place” you can find all sorts of contributions to one story.

In some cases, making it on to this local story can have great implications for your brand awareness efforts. Try targeting your stories towards what it is that you do. Otherwise, you risk bringing irrelevant traffic over to your profile.

That being said, Instagram stories that are location-tagged should not be overtly promotional. No one’s going to stumble across your story via a location tag and fall for sales tactics.

Use the Instagram Algorithm to Provide a Local Win for Businesses and Customers!

Looking to start dominating in your local region? Posts with a location tag get almost 80% more engagement!

Starting using a unique combination of these three localized techniques and start providing value to the people in your community. Over time, you’re sure to find that hard work pays off on Instagram. Make sure to track your Instagram metrics, so you’ll know your ROI.

Are you ready to make the Instagram Algorithm your local ally? Share your perspective in the comments below!

Eric Johnson

Eric Johnson is a Digital Content Creator for FeedbackWrench. He specializes in building web presences for small business owners.

More Posts

Download Our SEO Guide

Created in a joint partnership with Advice Local, this guide — What You Need to Know About SEO — provides an introduction to SEO concepts, strategies and best practices for optimizing a website. Complete the form below and get instant access.

    ROCKING DIGITAL SERVICES

    Web Design & Development

    Your website needs to be aesthetically pleasing and functional. We build websites for desktop and mobile that are both.

    LOCAL SEARCH & SEO

    Your website needs to attract search engines and consumers. We are experts in local search and SEO, and can make that happen.

    CONTENT CREATION & MARKETING

    Anybody can write words on a page, but can they write content that integrates SEO best practices and converts? We can.

    PPC & Paid Search

    PPC & Paid Search

    Need more customers? We create paid campaigns to reach your target audience and increase sales.

    Tracking & Optimization

    You need a solid foundation for success online, and our tracking & optimization services get it done.

    Graphic Design Services

    Graphic Design Services

    From logo design to your business card, brochures – and everything in-between for print & web – we can help!

    Here’s What Our Client's Have to Say

    Their Local Business Websites Rock

    ★★★★★
    Rocks Digital knows how to build local business websites that convert prospects to customers. Not only do I recommend them to work on my reputation management client’s websites, but they work on the Reputation Sensei brand, too.
    - Chris Snellgrove

    They Customize Their Solutions

    ★★★★★
    Rocks Digital customizes to meet their client’s needs. We needed our existing website optimized for search. We are now placing for more industry keywords and continue to improve. They consult with our in-house team on content optimization, manage our GMB listing & more.
    - Greta Valenti

    Highly Recommend

    ★★★★★
    Rocks Digital manages not only the Association of Directory Publishers website, but our Trusted Local Directory. From helping us get our event information on the website to producing guides, blogs and new content, they have what it takes.
    - Cindi Aldrich

    Rocks Digital Is the Best Choice

    ★★★★★
    As a long-term client, when it was time to change the primary focus of my real estate business, and my website, I knew Rocks Digital was the way to go. They took my existing website, gave it a complete new look, and still managed to keep my existing content.
    - David Dorum

    Brought My Ideas to Fruition

    ★★★★★
    Rocks Digital came highly recommended. Once I started working with them I knew why. They took my ideas for a beautiful website and brought them to the screen. From the design phase to content creation, each component was thoughtfully considered and addressed.
    - Clay Adams

    Conversions Are on the Rise

    ★★★★★
    Rocks Digital manages two of my websites. They produce our blogs, our service pages and manage our paid search campaigns. Conversions are up and new patients are coming in the door. I highly recommend their digital marketing services.
    - Dr. Thomas Chacko

    Agency Services Are Top Notch

    ★★★★★
    We shifted to Rocks Digital agency services earlier in the year. We are so glad we did. Our website sessions are up, page views are up, and bounce rate is down. Now we can easily see how many form fills we have had at any given time through their real-time reporting.
    - Kristin Schafer

    Their Local Business Websites Rock

    ★★★★★
    Rocks Digital knows how to build local business websites that convert prospects to customers. Not only do I recommend them to work on my reputation management client’s websites, but they work on the Reputation Sensei brand, too.
    - Chris Snellgrove

    They Customize Their Solutions

    ★★★★★
    Rocks Digital customizes to meet their client’s needs. We needed our existing website optimized for search. We are now placing for more industry keywords and continue to improve. They consult with our in-house team on content optimization, manage our GMB listing & more.
    - Greta Valenti

    Highly Recommend

    ★★★★★
    Rocks Digital manages not only the Association of Directory Publishers website, but our Trusted Local Directory. From helping us get our event information on the website to producing guides, blogs and new content, they have what it takes.
    - Cindi Aldrich
    Name
    Email
    Review Title
    Rating
    Review Content

    LATEST BLOG POSTS

    Hire a digital marketing agency.

    Why Hire a Digital Marketing Agency

    Staying ahead of search engine updates and marketing trends is a constant challenge, so it’s no surprise that businesses frequently turn to digital marketing agencies.

    Content writing services.

    How to Select a Content Writing Service

    From increasing local search presence to attracting new customers, businesses need quality content to thrive online. The leading content writing services consistently make life easier

    LOCAL VISIBILITY REPORT

    Is your Google My Business listing helping or hurting you? Is bad data causing consumers and search engines to lose trust in your business? This is information you simply must know.

    To get these answers right now, just enter your business name below to run our FREE
    visibility report.


    Need a facelift
    for your website? More search traffic? Need to blog, but don’t have time?

    Our Digital Services Could Be For You
    Get a Free Local Visibility Report Now