Instagram is one of the most popular social media platforms today, with over 1 billion monthly active users. As Instagram continues to grow and evolve, there are many features and hacks that aren‘t widely known.
In this detailed guide, we will uncover 27 secret Instagram tips and tricks to level up your Instagram game in 2024. Whether you want to boost engagement, gain more followers, or simply use Instagram more efficiently, these tips will help you improve your Instagram strategy.
Contents
- 1. Turn on Post Notifications for Relevant Accounts
- 2. Use Instagram as a Photo Editor
- 3. Organize Your Favorite Instagram Filters
- 4. Clear Your Search History
- 5. Control Your Tagged Posts
- 6. Browse Anonymously with Airplane Mode
- 7. Hide Unwanted Tagged Photos
- 8. Add Clickable Links in Your Bio
- 9. Remove Locations from Your Photo Map
- 10. Discover Photos from Around the World
- 11. Find Nearby Photo Hotspots
- 12. Limit Ad Tracking
- 13. Hide Posts from Specific Users in Hashtags
- 14. Share Posts Privately via Direct Message
- 15. Repost Others‘ Photos Privately
- 16. Use Returns for Better Captions
- 17. Direct Message Users Easily
- 18. See Top Hashtags in Your Niche
- 19. Embed Instagram Photos on Your Website
- 20. Utilize Instagram Photo Borders
- 21. Manage Multiple Accounts
- 22. Make Your Profile Private
- 23. Add Swipeable Links in Stories
- 24. Cross-Post to Facebook and Twitter
- 25. Run Instagram Ads via Facebook
- 26. Like Comments to Increase Engagement
- 27. Save Stories to Highlights
- Final Thoughts
1. Turn on Post Notifications for Relevant Accounts
One easy way to stay on top of your niche on Instagram is to turn on post notifications for relevant accounts. This way, you‘ll be notified every time they make a new post so you never miss an important update.
To turn on notifications:
- Go to the profile of the account you want to follow
- Tap the 3 dots icon in the top right
- Select "Turn on Post Notifications"
You can always turn off notifications later if needed. This is an excellent way to monitor competitors or get inspiration from influencers in your industry.
2. Use Instagram as a Photo Editor
The editing tools on Instagram are surprisingly powerful. You can use Instagram to edit photos for other platforms without having to post them.
To do this:
- Go to Settings > Account > Original Posts and turn on "Save Original Photos"
- Open a photo in the Instagram editor and edit as desired
- Turn on Airplane Mode and post the edited photo
- The edited version will save to your camera roll without posting publicly
Now you have an easy way to utilize Instagram‘s filters and editing features for any purpose.
3. Organize Your Favorite Instagram Filters
Tired of scrolling through the same filters over and over? You can now customize and organize your favorites to save time editing.
- Open a photo in the Instagram editor
- Scroll to the filters and tap "Manage" in the top right corner
- Rearrange filters by holding and dragging them
- Toggle off filters you want to hide
4. Clear Your Search History
To keep your curious Insta-stalking private, you can clear your search history right in the app.
Go to your profile > Settings > Security > Clear Search History. This will wipe all of your previous searches. You can also delete searches one by one from your recent search list.
5. Control Your Tagged Posts
Don‘t want unflattering photos of you being visible to all? Change your tagging options:
- Go to your profile > photos of you
- Tap the 3 dots > Tagging Options
- Choose "Add Manually"
Now you can approve or ignore any tags before they appear on your profile.
6. Browse Anonymously with Airplane Mode
View any profile or posts without others knowing by using Airplane Mode.
To do this:
- Load the profile or post you want to view
- Turn on Airplane Mode
- Continue browsing without your activity being tracked
You can like, comment and interact anonymously without it registering.
7. Hide Unwanted Tagged Photos
Accidentally tagged in an unflattering photo? You can hide it from your profile.
- Go to your profile > Photos of You
- Tap the 3 dots > Hide Photos
- Select the photos you want to hide
- Confirm by tapping "Hide Photos"
The photos will still be visible on the original poster‘s profile if tagged there.
8. Add Clickable Links in Your Bio
Your Instagram bio is prime real estate for driving traffic. You can add clickable links there to send people to your website or online store.
To add a clickable link:
- Go to your profile
- Tap "Edit Profile"
- Paste your desired link into the website field in your bio
Now you have an easy call-to-action!
9. Remove Locations from Your Photo Map
Don‘t want locations visible on your photo map? You can remove them.
- Go to your profile > tap your photo map
- Zoom into the section you want to edit
- Tap "Edit" in the top right corner
- Deselect any photos you don‘t want tied to that location
- Confirm by tapping "Done"
The locations will be permanently removed.
10. Discover Photos from Around the World
Instagram‘s map feature lets you explore content worldwide. Search for locations in the search bar or click on geotags to discover photos.
11. Find Nearby Photo Hotspots
Find top photo spots near your current location right from the Instagram app.
- Tap the magnifying glass icon on the home page
- Select "Near Current Location"
- Browse nearby places and their top photos
12. Limit Ad Tracking
By default, Instagram uses your activity to target ads. You can opt out of this tracking:
On iOS:
Settings > Privacy > Advertising > Limit Ad Tracking
On Android:
Google Settings > Ads > Opt out of interest-based ads
Tired of seeing the same accounts dominate certain hashtags? You can hide their posts.
- Tap the 3 dots above any post in a hashtag feed
- Choose "Hide" or "Don‘t Show for This Hashtag"
This will prevent posts from that user showing under that hashtag.
Want to share a post directly with someone? You can forward posts through Instagram Direct.
- Go to any post and tap the DM icon
- Select who to send it to
- Type a message and send
The post will appear in your DM chat.
15. Repost Others‘ Photos Privately
You can also share posts from others privately via DM.
- Go to any post and tap the DM icon
- Select who to share it with
- Send!
16. Use Returns for Better Captions
Strategically use line breaks in captions to showcase hashtags.
- In the caption, press return 2-3 times
- Place relevant hashtags below the readable caption
This keeps hashtags from cluttering your captions.
17. Direct Message Users Easily
To start a new DM conversation fast:
- Tap the DM icon in the top right
- Tap the pencil icon
- Search for the username
- Compose your message
You can find users quickly without leaving your inbox.
Find popular hashtags to reach more users:
- Search for relevant keywords
- Tap "Tags" to see top hashtags containing that term
Aim for hashtags with enough posts to have reach but not millions.
19. Embed Instagram Photos on Your Website
Want to showcase Instagram content on your site? You can embed posts and profiles.
- Go to any post and tap the 3 dots
- Select "Embed" and copy the HTML
- Paste the code into your site HTML
Now your Instagram content can live directly on your website!
20. Utilize Instagram Photo Borders
Borders can make your Instagram posts stand out. To add one:
- Edit your photo in Instagram
- Tap a filter, then tap it again
- Tap the borders icon on the right
You can add a border with or without a filter.
21. Manage Multiple Accounts
Switch between multiple Instagram accounts instead of constantly logging in and out:
- Go to your profile > username > Add Account
- Log in to the other account
- Tap your username to switch accounts
You can manage up to 5 accounts from one app.
22. Make Your Profile Private
You can restrict your profile so only approved followers see your content:
- Go to your profile > Settings > Privacy
- Toggle on "Private Account"
Your posts will now only be visible to your existing followers.
23. Add Swipeable Links in Stories
Add swipe up links to your Instagram Stories if you have:
- An Instagram business profile
- Over 10k followers
Or
- A verified account
This lets you drive traffic from Stories directly to websites.
24. Cross-Post to Facebook and Twitter
You can automatically share Instagram posts to other platforms.
- Go to Settings > Linked Accounts
- Connect desired social accounts
- Toggle on settings to auto-share
Now your content will instantly reach more networks!
25. Run Instagram Ads via Facebook
Grow your following with paid Instagram ads:
- Create ads in Facebook Ads Manager
- Select "Instagram" as the placement
- Target your ideal audience
Facebook ads offer robust targeting options.
26. Like Comments to Increase Engagement
Liking comments is an easy way to boost engagement.
- Go to your post and tap "View all comments"
- Double tap the comment you want to like
The user will get notified and may re-engage with your brand.
27. Save Stories to Highlights
Highlight key stories so they remain visible after 24 hours.
- Post a story
- Once it expires, tap your profile pic
- Select "Story Highlights" in the bottom left
- Add the story to a new or existing highlight
Highlight covers also let you reinforce your brand aesthetically!
Final Thoughts
There you have it – 27 secret Instagram tips and hacks that can give you an edge in 2024. From optimizing your profile to increasing reach, these tricks will help take your Instagram game to the next level.
Which of these were your favorite tips? Are there any other hidden Instagram features we should know about? Let us know in the comments!
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