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Instagram Adds new Functionality to Web App

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Instagram adds new functionality to web app

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Instagram added new functionality to their web app. The Instagram web app now includes a notifications tab [Figure 1] so Instagram users can see activity from their followers. The notifications also helps users find new friends on Instagram but notifying them when a Facebook friend has opened an account.

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Figure 1

Social media giant, Facebook, owns Instagram. Instagram is a major social media channel in its own right. The app boasts over 400 million users. Instagram is a mobile app with most of its functionality only available through mobile devices. Instagram users upload photos to their profiles. Photos may be enhanced with filters and some in-app editing.

This change comes just a few weeks after Instagram debuted a change to its algorithm in hopes to increases revenue from the mobile app. Instagram also now allows users to manage multiple Instagram accounts from one mobile device.

In addition to the notifications tab, users can also discover and find new users and topics to follow via another Instagram feature. The URL says, “Explore” but the web page title says, “discover people.” Actually, users can discover and explore people and brands, making this a great way to build a following on Instagram.

As always, Instagram users can edit their profile bio, link and profile phots via the desktop app.

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Social Channel Instagram Evolves

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Social Channel Instagram Evolves

Instagram announced last week, the social channel is altering its algorithm to show users posts they are likely to “want to see.” Currently posts to show in reverse chronological order. Instagram boasts over 400 million active users.

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This algorithm change is not unexpected. The new format is similar to Facebook’s methodology. Facebook owns Instagram. After a long test period, Instagram opened up advertising to everyone last fall. Advertisers only need a Facebook page to advertise on Instagram. Yes! That’s correct. You do not need an Instagram account to advertise on Instagram. Ads can be posted and managed from your Facebook ads manager.

Instagram now allows video ads too. The race to capture video users is heated. Facebook made it clear that it wants a bigger portion of YouTube’s audience. Facebook favors native video in organic posts. Both Facebook and Instagram have video ad capability.

A study by Quintly showed the average Instagram brand posts just over one time per day. This is an increase over the first half of 2015. However, as the social channel grows, the engagement rate dropped significantly, by 40% [Figure 1]. According to the Quintly study, video posts increased from 1.78 posts per day to 2.77 on Instagram.

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Figure 1

This may be due to the larger audiences that brands boast but it is a metric to keep an eye on. Engagement from Instagram is difficult enough to track. Posts cannot contain links so there are no click though rate metrics to track. However, Instagram ads do have actionable buttons including “learn more” and “shop now.”

Instagram gave us the ability to manage multiple accounts from one device. This is available for Android and iOS users. The remainder of the recent updates (algorithm, ads platform) have been to improve Instagram’s bottom line.

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Instagram Now Allows Multiple Accounts

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Instagram Now Allows Multiple Accounts

The Instagram app now allows multiple account logins. In the past, users with more than one account of those who were managing accounts for others had to log in and out of their Instagram accounts. Some Instagram users even kept multiple devices to use the app. Multiple account login is available to iOS and Android app users.

To get multiple account access, update your Instagram app via the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store. Close the app the complete the update.

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To add another Instagram account to the app:

  • Tap the person silhouette in the Instagram app
  • Tap the ellipses in the upper right corner
  • Scroll down to the bottom of the OPTIONS panel
  • Tap “Add Account”
  • Enter a username and password, then tap login

That is it!

To switch between accounts tap your avatar in the lower right corner to go to the account home screen. Then tap the username in the upper left corner of the screen to drop down a user menu of account names. Select the account you want to use.

App users can add up to five accounts.

This week, Instagram announced they would be altering the order in which posts are shown. The app is moving away from a chronologically ordered timeline to emulate the Facebook algorithm. Popular posts are more likely to show. This is a move to increase the revenue generated from the app.

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Influencer Marketing Explained Part 1

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Influencer Marketing Explained Part 1 Video

The last blog post gave an influencer marketing introduction to the concept of influencer marketing. This is part one of a series on digital influencer marketing. Consider enlisting people (and sometimes animals!) with large social media followings to help promote your business online.

Since much of finding the right influencer for influencer marketing content comes in the form of social media and YouTube videos, I decided to make a video out of it. Below is another digital marketing tutorial on influencer marketing. Check it out on my metrony YouTube channel, or watch it below

What Is Influencer Marketing?

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What is Influencer Marketing?

Have you ever tried new restaurant because a friend raved about it? Perhaps you asked co-workers for a hotel recommendation for a business trip. If so, then you relied on word-of-mouth marketing to help you make a purchase decision. Your friend told you about an experience, and you considered it because you trusted their opinion. This is referred to as word-of-mouth marketing. Word-of-mouth marketing drives sales, and it does so very effectively!

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Shoppers also trust the opinions of consumers they do not know. For example, have you ever consulted TripAdvisor before booking a hotel or cruise? I have! I want to see the reviews for of off-brand and sometimes even name brand venues. People are willing to look to each other, reviewers, bloggers, vloggers, and celebrities for recommendations. This is called influencer marketing.

what is Influencer marketing is the process companies work with key brand ambassadors to promote their product, service, or brand. They may work with one famous celebrity in a pricey campaign comprised of TV spots, press releases, and social media. However, many brands are enlisting the services of small and medium influencers though social media and blogging campaigns.

Influencer marketing is the fastest-growing online customer-acquisition channel. I had a hard time nailing down this statistic but let us call it at about 65% to 75% of marketers plan to include influencer marketing in their strategy this year. That may include actually paying an influencer. However, it may likely mean working with a group of influencers who are compensated with early product testing, free samples, and advance information!

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