Call Her Creator with Katelyn Rhoades

Episode 121: Instagram Analytics Made Simple – How to Read Your Data & Grow Faster

Date: January 27, 2026

Episode Overview

In this actionable episode, host Katelyn Rhoades demystifies Instagram analytics, guiding ambitious women creators and entrepreneurs on how to read, understand, and leverage platform metrics for growth and income. If you’ve ever opened the professional dashboard and felt overwhelmed by impressions, reach, engagement rates, and follower growth, Katelyn breaks down what each number means, why it matters, and how to translate analytics into smarter content strategy and business results.

With a tone that’s both strategic and supportive, she shares step-by-step advice, real-world tips, and encouragement for women looking to use Instagram as a genuine tool for influence and opportunity.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Why Instagram Analytics Matter

[03:00]

• Content Preference: Analytics reveal what your audience actually likes—lean into formats that perform best for you.
  • “The algorithm will serve your content to more people when you have better engagement. So listen to your audience. They're giving you metrics.” — Katelyn [04:40]
• Strategic Tracking: Metrics help you stay aligned with personal or business goals (e.g., follower growth, story views).
• Campaign Measurement: Without analytics, you might waste money or miss out on optimizing paid campaigns.

2. How to Access Instagram Analytics

[07:30]

• Account Type: You need a business or creator account to view analytics (not personal).
  • Katelyn busts myths about switching account types reducing reach:
    “There was a myth going around that when you switch your account from personal to professional, your reach dips dramatically. Not true... That bust your myth right there.” [07:56]
• Navigation: Go to your profile > Insights or professional dashboard to access all metrics.

3. Understanding Key Instagram Metrics

a. Impressions vs. Reach

[09:00]

• Impressions: Total times your content was seen – can count multiple views from one user.
  • “So let's say that Sally saw your reel three times. Your reach is one, your impressions would be three.” [09:20]
• Reach: Number of unique accounts who saw your content—always less than or equal to impressions.
• Ad Fatigue Warning: For ads, high impressions with much lower reach can mean users see it too often—refresh creative if so.

b. Boosting Reach: Quick Tips

[11:10]

1. Post when your audience is online—check analytics or infer from audience work habits.
2. Prioritize Reels—still favored by the algorithm.
   • “I personally get more engagement when I post reels versus other formats.” [11:40]
3. Use targeted hashtags—track performance via post insights.
4. Collaborate with other accounts—reach new audiences.
5. Share to Stories mindfully—don’t be overly repetitive, warm up audience with polls/questions first.

c. Engagement Rate

[13:32]

• Measures total engagements relative to follower count.
  • Engagement rate = (Total Engagements / Follower Count) x 100
• Don’t compare to celebrities or global brands—keep expectations realistic.
  • “You have to understand that these global brands are obviously going to have really good engagement rates... For someone like me or Miss Sally over here, people don't know us that well.” [13:55]

d. Follower Growth

[15:28]

• Called a “vanity metric”—but more followers still means more reach and revenue potential.
• There’s no guaranteed number/month; don’t fall for empty promises.
  • “If their first question is how many followers are you going to get me in the first month? That's a red flag to me because nobody can tell you unless they're buying them.” [16:40]
• Use sustained content value and authentic engagement for organic growth.

e. Tracking Hashtags

[18:50]

• Use built-in insights or tools like Flick; see which hashtags drive discovery.

f. Instagram Stories Analytics

[20:10]

• “I always tell people, ‘Sell on stories.’ That's where you've got these warm leads.”
• Metrics to track:
  • Story Replies: Direct messages from stories = high engagement.
  • Story Exits: Swipes away can mean too much content, repetition, or lack of interest.
• Pro Tip: Use stickers (polls, quizzes, questions) to drive engagement and signal what works.

4. Actionable Strategies to Improve Your Analytics

a. Create Engaging, Relatable Content

[24:50]

• Engaging = comment-worthy, relatable, and shareable. Use clear calls to action:
  • “Double tap if you agree.”
  • “Send to someone in the DMs.”

b. Collaborate Outside Your Niche

• Partner with accounts that supplement (not compete with) your business (e.g., realtors with mortgage brokers, bakers with event planners) for value-packed co-lives or posts.

c. Use Keywords Authentically

• Add relevant keywords to your titles/captions, but avoid “keyword stuffing.”
  • “Don’t just stuff them on the reel for no reason. That’s so dumb.” [27:00]

d. Leverage the Favorites/Close Friends Feature

• Create VIP or product-specific content for close segments; “the green circle” effect makes followers feel special.

e. Monitor Analytics Regularly; Repurpose High-Performing Content

• Check analytics at least monthly (or weekly for a deep dive).
• Repurpose your top three posts—change the title or format, but use proven content.
  • “There’s no reason for you to keep recreating the wheel every single time. Take what’s working and redo it again.” [28:50]

f. Check Account Status

• Ensure you haven’t violated community guidelines; address issues to restore recommendation eligibility.

g. Always Post Original Content

• Be yourself. Don’t repost others’ videos or graphics without meaning—originality is key.
  • “People hire you for you, not for what you do, but because they like who you are as a person.” [29:35]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “So listen to your audience. They're giving you metrics. Go pay attention to them. Go understand them so that you can lean in harder to that.” — Katelyn [04:30]
• “If you want to know what content to make more of, pay attention to what is already working in your insights.” [28:20]
• “Engagement is still possible. And your account is not dead. You just have to put in a little work.” [29:45]
• On engagement rates: “Don’t compare your engagement to Nike or Kim Kardashian… make sure you have realistic goals in mind.” [14:00]
• On original content: “Be your own person. Be original. People want original thought.” [29:40]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [03:00] – Why analytics are non-negotiable for growth
• [07:30] – Accessing Instagram analytics: how to make your account eligible
• [09:00] – Impressions vs. reach: What’s the difference?
• [11:10] – Five quick tips to instantly improve reach
• [13:32] – Understanding engagement rate (and setting healthy expectations)
• [15:28] – The real talk on follower growth as a metric
• [18:50] – How to track and analyze hashtags for performance
• [20:10] – Instagram Stories analytics and metrics that matter
• [24:50] – Game-plan to boost reach and engagement
• [28:20] – Repurposing your top-performing content
• [29:35] – The importance of originality in content creation

Closing & Challenge

[29:46–31:00]

Katelyn wraps the episode by encouraging listeners not to give up on engagement, and introduces her 28-day Instagram Engagement Reset Challenge—a guided, actionable daily program to reignite account momentum.

“Engagement doesn’t die forever. It just needs a little reset... The truth is you don’t need to reinvent your business or burn out trying to post more.” [30:00]

Summary Conclusion

This episode is an essential, no-fluff guide to Instagram analytics for women creators and entrepreneurs. Katelyn Rhoades walks you through not just what each metric means, but precisely how to translate Instagram’s data into smarter content, stronger engagement, and tangible business growth. With practical tips, encouragement, and a dose of myth-busting, this is required listening for anyone ready to use Instagram as a tool—not just a time sink—for building influence and income.

For more action steps, challenge details, and resources, check the episode show notes or DM @callhercreator on Instagram.