Podcast Summary

Podcast: Build Your Tribe | Grow Your Business with Social Media
Host: Brock Johnson
Episode: These 9 Instagram Hacks Actually Work In 2025 (#854)
Date: October 13, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode, Brock Johnson dives into “hacks” for Instagram that are delivering real results as of late 2025. Unlike evergreen strategies, these hacks capitalize on fleeting algorithm quirks and trends to quickly boost engagement, story views, and profile activity. Brock guides listeners through nine simple but powerful tricks, breaking each one down with actionable, step-by-step advice and his signature playful delivery.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

What’s the Difference Between a Strategy and a Hack?

• Strategies: Long-term, foundation-building tactics that are proven and rarely change.
• Hacks: Short-term exploits or trends to get spikes in reach or engagement. Not guaranteed to last.

1. Meta Glasses Hack

[01:06]

• Instagram Stories made with Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses are currently prioritized by the algorithm.
• How to Hack: Download a specific fisheye photo (linked in show notes), post it to your Story so Instagram thinks it’s from Meta Glasses. Then layer your own image over it to hide the original photo.
• Best Use: Use strategically – for important business promos, or to boost a story with links or calls-to-action.

“Instagram thinks this story was made using meta glasses, it will likely boost it to more people.” — Brock Johnson [02:13]

2. The ‘STD’ Story Hack

[03:01]

• Single: Let all previous and future stories expire. Post only one.
• Text-heavy: Make your Story image packed with text so viewers must tap and hold to read—increasing retention.
• DM Automation: Rather than a link sticker, prompt viewers to respond in DMs for a freebie/offer, further boosting engagement.

“You can’t have an STD without the D.” — Brock Johnson [04:28]

• Extra: Brock raves about DM Automation as the best tool for getting more sales and views.

3. Two-Slide Carousel Hack

[06:12]

• Carousels are less saturated than Reels and present a great growth opportunity.
• Repurpose an old talking-head Reel by:
  • Slide 1: A graphic with a compelling headline.
  • Slide 2: The Reel video itself.
• Fast, efficient, and leverages your archive.

“This two slider carousel… is a great way to repurpose the content that you've already made.” — Brock Johnson [07:03]

4. The Horizontal Reel Trend

[08:00]

• Posting short, wide (horizontal) reels stands out because nearly all Reels are vertical.
• Simple to create with 5120px x 1080p dimensions in Canva.
• Be strategic—avoid overdoing it so followers don’t get annoyed.

“It’s grabbing people’s attention. It’s simply that we’re so used to these vertical, tall, full-screen reels that suddenly when we see one that’s shrunken down and super horizontal, it grabs our attention.” — Brock Johnson [09:20]

5. Hook Swap (Transitional Reel) Hack

[10:41]

• The hook (first seconds of your Reel) matters most.
• “Hook swap” = open with a viral/familiar clip, use a match cut to transition into your own video.
• Keeps viewers engaged and watching longer.
• Brock offers a free library of 40 transitional hooks—just DM “swap” to @brock11johnson.

“Seamlessly transitioning between the two hooks in your audience, and then they’re so hooked that they keep watching…” — Brock Johnson [11:38]

6. DM Automation

[13:10]

• Still underused by creators and businesses (<1% adoption).
• Instead of “link in bio,” prompt comments for an automated DM response—triple win for viewers, algorithm, and you.
• Brock recommends ManyChat for safe, Meta-approved automation.

“It has revolutionized my business on Instagram.” — Brock Johnson [14:44]

7. The Secret Post

[15:15]

• Post an image, immediately archive it so nobody can see it.
• Unarchive days, weeks, or months later and challenge followers to find the “secret post” for giveaways or games.
• Increases profile engagement as people browse your feed.

“It’s a pattern interrupt, it’s a game, and it’s very, very interactive.” — Brock Johnson [16:07]

8. Hidden Timer Confetti Trick

[16:45]

• Use the countdown timer sticker in Stories; set it to expire one minute after posting.
• Drag the sticker off-screen so it’s invisible. When the timer ends, confetti bursts over your story—surprise effect grabs attention.

“Anyone viewing my story after that first minute… will see an explosion of confetti across their screen.” — Brock Johnson [17:27]

9. Multiple Q&A Replies in One Story

[18:14]

• Normally, you can only reply to one question sticker at a time.
• Hack: screenshot several Q&A stickers, crop them, and layer as images on one reply story.
• Lets you answer several similar questions or batch content.

“You can select all of those screenshots… and it will add them as if you are responding to multiple questions at the same time.” — Brock Johnson [18:55]

Memorable Quotes

• “Hacks are oftentimes just a flash in the pan…a quick boost in views.” [00:16]
• “You can’t have an STD without the D.” [04:28]
• “I’m praying this one isn’t so overdone… but it’s the horizontal reel trend.” [08:13]
• “It has revolutionized my business on Instagram.” [14:44]

Quick Reference: Important Hacks & Timestamps

| Hack | Description | Timestamp | |--------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------|-----------| | Meta Glasses Hack | Spoof Stories as Meta Glasses for boosted reach | 01:06 | | STD Story Hack | One text-heavy story + DM prompt | 03:01 | | Two-Slide Carousel | First: graphic headline, Second: Reel video | 06:12 | | Horizontal Reel | Short/wide reels for thumb-stopping attention | 08:00 | | Hook Swap | Viral hook transitions into your content | 10:41 | | DM Automation | Keyword triggers automated resource via DM | 13:10 | | Secret Post | Post—archive—unarchive as engagement game | 15:15 | | Hidden Timer Confetti | Timer sticker hidden for confetti effect | 16:45 | | Multiple Q&A in One Story | Layer several questions, respond at once | 18:14 |

Episode Tone

Brock employs a breezy, encouraging style with lots of humor (“You can't have an STD without the D!”) and actionable “do this today” steps. He’s clear about the fleeting nature of hacks and stresses maximizing them while they’re working.

Takeaways

• These are timely hacks—don’t expect them to work forever.
• Use them to supercharge reach, engagement, and fun with your audience right now.
• DM Automation, in particular, offers advantages that go beyond a typical organic trick—it’s a must-try for those intent on converting followers to customers.
• Personalization, experimentation, and a willingness to play with trends will always win.

For full explanations and tutorials, check Brock’s Instagram (@brock11johnson) or show notes for linked resources and images. As always—happy networking!