Call Her Creator Podcast Episode 46: Instagram Updates for 2025 – What You Need to Know to Grow Your Account
Host: Katelyn Rhoades
Title: Ep 46: Instagram Updates for 2025: What You Need to Know to Grow Your Account
Release Date: November 13, 2024
In Episode 46 of Call Her Creator, hosted by Katelyn Rhoades and powered by Stan, Katelyn delves into the latest Instagram updates slated for 2025. This comprehensive episode is a must-listen for creators and entrepreneurs aiming to leverage Instagram's evolving features to enhance their online presence and grow their accounts effectively.
1. The Dominance of Instagram in Social Media
Katelyn opens the episode by emphasizing Instagram's enduring strength in the social media landscape. Citing a recent study, she highlights that Instagram now boasts more users than TikTok, reinforcing its position as a critical platform for marketers and creators alike.
Notable Quote:
"If there's any reason to start today, that is what you guys need to hear, is that Everybody's on there. 50% of people are finding stores and products because of it." (00:02:45)
She underscores the importance of Instagram for driving website traffic and sales, sharing her personal experience of most website visits for her business originating from social media.
2. Key Instagram Statistics for Marketers
Katelyn presents crucial statistics from Social Media Examiner that highlight Instagram's effectiveness as a marketing tool:
- 90% of Instagram accounts follow at least one business.
- 70% of users discover new products through Instagram.
- 50% of users visit a website after seeing an Instagram ad.
These numbers illustrate the platform's potential for product discovery and conversion, making it essential for creators to actively engage on Instagram.
3. New Instagram Stories Features
a. Comment on Stories
Instagram has introduced the ability to comment directly on Stories, enhancing engagement between creators and their audiences.
Notable Quote:
"It's good for both sides. Whether you're getting comments or giving comments, it's going to help both of you." (00:05:15)
Katelyn explains how this feature benefits both storytellers and viewers by boosting engagement metrics, which can improve the algorithmic visibility of stories.
b. Reveal Sticker
The Reveal Sticker allows creators to blur content until users interact, either by tapping the sticker or sending a direct message (DM).
Notable Quote:
"Use the Reveal sticker to create anticipation for product launches, exclusive offers, behind the scenes content." (00:08:30)
She suggests utilizing this feature for teasing new products or exclusive content, thereby driving DM interactions and fostering a sense of exclusivity.
c. Enhanced Fonts and Stickers
Instagram has expanded its library of fonts and stickers, including music integration.
Notable Quote:
"Use the add your sticker to create community-driven playlists or to align your brand with specific music genres." (00:12:20)
Katelyn recommends leveraging these creative tools to enhance brand alignment and community engagement through music and stylistic customization.
4. Enhanced Feed Post Features
a. Extended Carousel Posts
Instagram now allows up to 20 slides in carousel posts, doubling the previous limit.
Notable Example: Katelyn shares an anecdote about a brand that creatively used extended carousels with humorous content, significantly boosting engagement despite not directly aligning with their brand.
Usage Ideas:
- Tutorials: Step-by-step guides related to products or services.
- How-To Guides: Address frequently asked questions with comprehensive slide decks.
- Before and After Transformations: Detailed showcases that keep viewers engaged longer.
- Customer Testimonials: Highlighting customer experiences with product images.
b. In-App Text Overlay
Creators can now add text overlays directly within Instagram, eliminating the need for external design tools.
Notable Quote:
"It's perfect for quick on-the-go content creation." (00:16:45)
This feature supports efficient content creation, allowing for immediate text additions and edits within the app.
c. Interactive Elements: Polls and Prompts
Interactive polls can now be added to feed posts, similar to Story interactions, encouraging audience participation and feedback.
Notable Quote:
"Use these polls and prompts to gather audience opinions, increase interactions, gain valuable insights from your followers." (00:19:10)
Katelyn advises using polls to foster engagement and collect valuable data on audience preferences.
d. Product Tags
Product tags streamline the shopping experience by allowing businesses to tag products with names, prices, and purchase links directly in posts.
Notable Quote:
"Instagram wants to make it even easier for people to shop on Instagram." (00:21:55)
This feature is particularly beneficial for retailers aiming to drive direct sales through enhanced e-commerce capabilities.
5. Reels Features
a. Multiple Audio Tracks
Creators can now layer up to 20 different audio tracks in a single Reel, enabling more dynamic and professional-sounding content.
Notable Quote:
"You can add Sound effects, voiceovers, music to enhance your storytelling." (00:25:30)
Katelyn shares creative applications of multiple audio tracks, such as:
- Day in the Life Reels: Different background music for various parts of the day.
- Product Demonstrations: Layering sound effects to enrich the demonstration experience.
- Customer Testimonials: Showcasing multiple voiceovers for diverse testimonials.
b. Enhanced Editing Features
Instagram has revamped the Reel editing interface, including:
- Undo/Redo Button Relocation: The undo button is now where the play button used to be, requiring users to adapt to the new layout.
- Clip Splitting: Similar to TikTok and InShot, allowing for seamless transitions and detailed editing.
- Drafts and Duplication: Save Reels as drafts and duplicate existing ones for easy iteration and content repurposing.
Notable Quote:
"Use duplication to test different edits or versions of your reels without starting from scratch." (00:27:50)
Katelyn emphasizes the efficiency these tools bring to content creation, enabling creators to fine-tune their Reels with greater ease.
c. Tagging More Collaborators
The ability to tag up to five collaborators in a Reel opens opportunities for cross-promotion and audience expansion.
Notable Quote:
"Collaborative reels help get you in front of more eyes." (00:31:15)
She encourages creators to engage in multiple collaborations to maximize reach and mutual growth.
d. Live Video Features
Instagram now supports desktop live streaming and enhanced capabilities for broadcast channels.
Notable Quote:
"Live Instagrams build trust through real-time interactions." (00:34:40)
Katelyn advocates for leveraging desktop live streaming to reach broader audiences and utilize broadcast channels for exclusive content, enhancing community engagement.
6. Integration of Meta AI
Instagram has integrated Meta AI, a conversational AI assistant, accessible through the Explore page.
Capabilities:
- Hashtag Research: Quickly find trending and relevant hashtags.
- Content Ideas: Generate creative concepts tailored to specific industries.
- Marketing Information: Access insights and data without leaving the app.
Notable Quote:
"Meta AI can help offload some work for us by giving us a little Meta AI chatbot." (00:38:20)
Katelyn shares her positive experience using Meta AI for trend analysis and content ideation, encouraging creators to explore its functionalities to enhance their marketing efforts.
7. Reveal Bot for Instagram Ads
Reveal Bot is an automation tool designed to optimize Instagram ad performance through advanced rule creation.
Features:
- Frequent Performance Checks: Every 15 minutes, compared to Facebook’s 30-minute intervals.
- Automated Adjustments: Pause underperforming ads, increase budgets for high performers, and adjust bids based on real-time data.
Notable Quote:
"Reveal bot for Instagram ads is something I'm definitely going to check out." (00:40:50)
Katelyn highlights Reveal Bot’s potential to maximize ad spend efficiency, especially during high-competition periods like the holiday season, by making swift, data-driven decisions.
Conclusion and Takeaways
In this episode, Katelyn Rhoades provides a thorough analysis of Instagram’s latest updates, offering practical advice and actionable strategies for creators and marketers to enhance their Instagram presence. From leveraging new Stories and Reels features to utilizing Meta AI and advanced ad tools like Reveal Bot, the episode equips listeners with the knowledge to stay ahead in the ever-evolving social media landscape.
Final Notable Quote:
"Jump on these new features, the algorithm will continue to push your content out." (00:43:10)
Katelyn encourages creators to actively adopt and experiment with these updates to harness Instagram's full potential for business growth and audience engagement.
Engage with Katelyn: Katelyn invites listeners to share their experiences with the discussed updates and leave reviews on the podcast. She emphasizes community support and the importance of collective learning in navigating new social media features.
Next Steps: Listeners are encouraged to explore and implement the discussed features, stay updated with future episodes, and engage with the Call Her Creator community for ongoing support and insights.