Best Practices For Getting Recommended On Instagram

Any image, posts, reels, and videos found on Instagram’s Explore page, from users you do not follow, or in the reels tab are classified as Instagram Recommendations.

The IG feature helps discover new content and communities  to  grow into three folds. The platform makes personalized recommendations that are specifically unique for each user. For example, if a user interacts more with bookstores and restaurants, IG will recommend recipes, food, reading, or book content.

There are certain criteria for users to be eligible for IG recommendations. Even if their eligibility for recommendations is met, there is no guarantee that the content will be recommended. Listed below are the steps to become eligible for IG recommendations:

• Step 1: Stick To Instagram Community Guidelines

IG’s community guidelines apply to every content available on the platform. Any content that violates the community guidelines gets removed, and if such content is posted repeatedly, the account may be blocked from being recommended.

However, if you have not violated the policies and your account has been removed, you can always request a re-review through Account Status. The platform uses human review and technology to review and detect content that violates policies.

• Step 2: Have A Public Account

Your account status must be public for the content to get recommended. You can check the status in your account settings. Make it public if it’s private so that Instagram can recommend your work.

If you are using a business or creator account, it is automatically public as per IG policies.

• Step 3: Follow Instagram Recommendation Guidelines

The content recommended to other users must pass through the high standards of Instagram. It is to avoid recommending something that may be taken as inappropriate or offensive by audiences who have not shown interest in watching such content.

If the content doesn’t pass the recommendation guidelines, users can still forward it to their followers but not to non-followers. Such content includes violence, promotion of regulated products, and sexually explicit content.

Also, if the user continues to post content against the IG’s recommendations guidelines, the account may be blocked from being recommended. This also applies to something in a user’s bio or profile picture that violates the guidelines.

Being eligible for recommendations is the first step, and the second step is to know what kind of content to post that Instagram’s recommendation algorithm picks.

Below are the top Instagram recommendation best practices tips that can help your content reach a wider audience.

• Share Original Content

Original content implies the content was filmed by the users or was not posted on the platform. Remember not to re-upload reels already there or post aggregated or unoriginal content.

If you like a reel and feel your followers will like it, share it using the share button on your story. You can use the collabs feature to create one post that both users can share if you collaborate.

• Post Engaging Reels

Ensure you create more reels as content to increase your recommendation chances. Remember to optimize the content so users can watch it vertically on full screen. Keep your reels short and crisp, preferably 90 seconds or less. 

Try to attract the viewer in the first three seconds of your reel and keep them interested till the end. Never post a content which is recycled or has a watermark on the video.

• Optimize Content For Search

Always include relevant keywords in your content so that IG can search. You can keep your profile name or handle related to the content you wish to post. 

Add relevant keywords about you and what you do in your bio. Add hashtags and keywords in captions to help you easily search your content.

Instagram has laid down several guidelines for content and accounts that users must follow.

• For Content Recommendation

1. It should not discuss self-harm, eating disorders, suicide, or anything related to depression and death.

2. There should not be any violence, like fighting.

3. Sexually provocative or explicit material is not appropriate.

4. No promotion of regulated products, like vaping or tobacco, adult services or products, or pharmaceutical drugs.

5. Anything shared by a non-recommended account.

6. Low-quality or sensitive content related to finance or health.

7. Any content that users share as a dislike.

8. Content associated with low-quality publishing.

9. Misleading or false content.

• For Account Recommendation

1. If recently violated any community guideline.

2. Repeatedly shared non-recommended content.

3. Repeatedly shared vaccine-related information.

4. Involved in misleading practices of increasing followers.

5. If banned from running advertisements.

6. Repeatedly shared deceptive or false information.

7. If associated with offline organizations or movements related to violence.

8. Depict or discuss self-harm or suicide in username, account name, bio, or profile picture.

The first step to getting recommended by Instagram is to be eligible for it. That implies anything posted, including videos and photos, must comply with IG’s guidelines.

Additionally, do not forget to follow the best practices or tips mentioned in the article to reach a broader audience. So, why the wait? Create engaging content and let IG’s algorithm choose it for recommendations.