Buckle up, marketers and creators – a lot is about to happen on Instagram over the next 12 months! When it comes to Instagram marketing trends, the only constant is change. Of course, social media sites and platforms in general are in a constant state of evolution. However, if you’re using Instagram as a marketing tool, you should be prepared to get ahead of the curve. The truth is, Instagram marketing trends can make or break your social media marketing strategy! Read on for our top 5 Instagram marketing trends to keep an eye on for 2023.

Instagram marketing trend #1: Long live Reels and TikTok-style content

It’s no secret that Reels are Instagram’s response to TikTok and that many Reels use trends (such as music and dialogues) that first appeared on TikTok. Ever since Head of Instagram Adam Mosseri announced that the all video posts would become Reels, the social media platform has focused even more on the multi-clip video format. It’s not a new Instagram marketing trend, but you can expect to see many more Reels in 2023. It can pay off big for brands to leverage Reels in their social media marketing strategy. We recommend staying up to date with what’s happening on TikTok and easing into Reels through informational content.

Instagram marketing trend #2: Instagram Shopping becomes the norm

Did you know than more than 130 million Instagram users tap on an Instagram Shopping post each month? Brick-and-mortar stores can only dream of this foot traffic! Instagram Shopping was big in 2021, thanks to the perfect storm of COVID-19 pandemic shopping habits and improved digital tools. Rather than directing customers to their website, Instagram Shopping allows brands to sell directly on the social media platform using their own immersive storefront and product tags – and this will continue this year, too. So, if you don’t have Instagram Shopping enabled on your account yet, go learn how to set up your Instagram shop now!

Instagram marketing trend #3: Creator-inspired content is king

When it comes to content ideation, no one does it quite like relatable content creators. They’re the trendsetters of Instagram who’ve cultivated hyper-engaged communities with their authentic and unfiltered content. In fact, 4 out of 5 Gen Z Instagram users agree that content creators have as much – or more – influence on culture as traditional celebrities. If you’re a brand, keep an eye on the local content creator community in 2023. Working with nano and micro-influencers who are relevant to your brand will be most effective. Their content may come across as more organic and less promotional plus they typically charge less. It’s a win-win!

Instagram marketing trend #4: When in doubt, boost it out!

It can be challenging trying to keep up with Instagram’s ever-evolving algorithm. One minute, you’re extremely successful and the next, your organic reach and engagement has dropped so low that you’re wondering if you’ve been shadow banned. With this in mind, we suspect that more brands will be stepping up their Instagram ads this year. Boosted content is a surefire way to improve your visibility on the social media app. Audience targeting will not only have your content seen by a wider audience, but also result in increased engagement and conversion.

Instagram marketing trend #5: Live-ing it up with live content

The use of Instagram Live skyrocketed in 2020 and 2021 (thanks, pandemic). In 2023, it’s likely that we’re going to turn to our mobile devices for connection yet again. According to a survey, 80% of social media audiences would rather watch a livestream than read a blog post – you let that sink in. Brands that give the people what they want are going to be well-positioned to connect with their Instagram followers. We recommend shooting raw, authentic Instagram Live footage with your smartphone to help humanise your brand and create a deeper connection.