How to Fix Your IG Engagement in 2025: Real Strategies Anyone Can Use

Summary

Podcast Summary: Social Media Decoded

Episode: How to Fix Your IG Engagement in 2025: Real Strategies Anyone Can Use
Host: Michelle Thames
Release Date: July 28, 2025

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Introduction to Instagram Engagement Challenges

Timestamp: [00:51]

Michelle Thames opens the episode by addressing a common frustration among Instagram users: declining likes and comments despite increased posting efforts. She empathizes with listeners, reassuring them that they are not alone in experiencing reduced engagement metrics. Michelle sets the tone for the episode by promising actionable strategies to navigate the evolving Instagram landscape in 2025.

Notable Quote:

"I'm here for the real talk. Zero fluff and easy wins."
— Michelle Thames [00:51]

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Key Changes in Instagram Engagement Algorithms

Timestamp: [01:20]

Michelle delves into the significant shifts in Instagram's algorithm that have impacted user engagement. She outlines four primary changes that marketers and content creators need to understand to adapt effectively:

1. Emphasis on Saves and Shares:
   Instagram now prioritizes content that encourages users to save posts for later or share them with friends. This metric has become more influential than traditional likes and comments.

2. Authenticity Over Perfection:
   Audiences are increasingly valuing genuine, behind-the-scenes content over polished, perfect posts. Michelle shares her personal experience, noting that her behind-the-scenes reels have outperformed her other content.

3. Demand for Value and Connection:
   Users seek content that teaches, inspires, entertains, and fosters a sense of community. Michelle emphasizes the importance of providing tangible value in every post.

4. Importance of SEO:
   Optimizing captions, alt text, and usernames with relevant keywords is crucial for discoverability on both Instagram and Google search. Michelle cites examples of how strategic keyword use has boosted visibility for creators.

Notable Quotes:

"Instagram's algorithm is all about saves and shares."
— Michelle Thames [02:15]

"Authenticity wins over perfection."
— Michelle Thames [02:45]

"SEO absolutely 100% matters on Instagram."
— Michelle Thames [03:50]

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Common Engagement Mistakes and Real-Life Examples

Timestamp: [05:19]

Michelle identifies three prevalent mistakes that hinder Instagram engagement, supported by real-life anecdotes from her listeners:

1. Posting Without Connecting:
   Michelle shares Brian's story, a listener who posted daily but rarely interacted with his audience. Once Brian began responding to comments and engaging directly through DMs and voice notes, his engagement and follower count saw a significant boost.

   Notable Quote:

   "When he started responding with real answers, asking questions, or even just sending a voice note back to someone who DM'd him, his engagement and followers both jump because the people felt seen."
   — Michelle Thames [05:30]

2. Creating Non-Savable, Non-Shareable Content:
   Jade, a friend running a cooking account, initially posted only aesthetically pleasing meal photos. By shifting to practical content like five-minute dinners and carousel recipes, her posts became more shareable and sparked real conversations.

3. Ignoring Instagram's SEO Tools:
   Darius, an artist, leveraged keywords and alt text in his posts, making his content discoverable through Instagram and Google searches. This strategy attracted new followers who found him via search rather than scrolling.

Notable Quote:

"If you're not sure what keywords to use, think about what your friends, followers or even you would search to find your content and put that in your next caption."
— Michelle Thames [07:15]

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The Five-Day Instagram Engagement Fix

Timestamp: [08:00]

Michelle presents a structured five-day plan designed to enhance Instagram engagement. She encourages listeners to implement these steps and share their results:

1. Day 1: Engage Through Stories

   • Action: Ask a question, create a poll, or seek advice in your Instagram Stories.
   • Example: Michelle shares a story about going to the gym and asks if her followers are staying active.

   Notable Quote:

   "Ask a question in stories, poll your followers or ask for advice."
   — Michelle Thames [08:15]

2. Day 2: Post a Carousel with Value

   • Action: Share content that solves a problem, entertains, or inspires action.
   • Example: A carousel featuring “three apps I use every day” or a “quick dinner recipe.”

3. Day 3: Share Your Face

   • Action: Post a reel or go live, sharing personal tips, wins, or challenges.
   • Example: Even if nervous, showing a behind-the-scenes look or discussing a personal milestone.

4. Day 4: Shout Out to Followers or Friends

   • Action: Tag someone who engages with your posts or inspires you.
   • Example: Acknowledging a follower who consistently interacts with your content.

   Notable Quote:

   "Tag someone who's engaged with your post, shared your stuff or inspired you."
   — Michelle Thames [09:45]

5. Day 5: Ask for Saves or Shares

   • Action: Encourage followers to save your post for later or share it with friends.
   • Example: Ending a post with, “If this helped, save it for later or share with a friend.”

   Notable Quote:

   "End your post with if this helped, save it for later or share with a friend."
   — Michelle Thames [10:10]

Michelle urges listeners to diligently apply these steps and report back on their experiences through various channels, including Spotify comments, Instagram DMs, or Threads.

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Additional Support and Resources

Timestamp: [10:55]

To further assist her audience, Michelle promotes her personalized Power Hour Strategy Sessions, which offer tailored audits of Instagram profiles, podcasts, or overall brands. She distinguishes these sessions from generic courses, emphasizing the bespoke, one-on-one support provided.

Michelle also highlights her free 7-Day Visibility Shift, a private audio experience delivering quick wins directly to subscribers' inboxes.

Notable Quote:

"This is not a course. This is you and me getting my eyes on whatever it is that you want in your business."
— Michelle Thames [09:30]

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Conclusion and Call to Action

Timestamp: [11:20]

Michelle wraps up the episode by encouraging listeners to take action on the tips shared, share their successes, and engage with her through various platforms. She reiterates the importance of visibility and building a thriving online presence.

Notable Quote:

"Every share helps more people get visible, grow and thrive on their terms."
— Michelle Thames [11:00]

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Key Takeaways

• Adapt to Algorithm Changes: Focus on creating content that encourages saves and shares, emphasizes authenticity, and provides clear value.
• Engage Actively: Connect with your audience by responding to comments, engaging in DMs, and fostering real conversations.
• Optimize for SEO: Use relevant keywords in captions, alt text, and usernames to enhance discoverability.
• Implement the Five-Day Fix: Follow a structured plan to boost engagement through strategic posting and interaction.
• Seek Personalized Support: Utilize available resources like strategy sessions and free audio experiences for tailored guidance.

Final Thoughts

Michelle Thames delivers a comprehensive and actionable guide to navigating Instagram's engagement challenges in 2025. By focusing on genuine connections, strategic content creation, and leveraging new algorithmic priorities, listeners are equipped with the tools needed to enhance their Instagram presence effectively.

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For more insights and strategies, tune in to future episodes of Social Media Decoded with Michelle Thames.

Transcript

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[Michelle Thames]

Hey there and welcome back to Social Media Decoded. I'm Michelle Thames, and if you've ever found yourself asking, why are my Instagram likes and comments down even when I'm posting more? This episode is for you. We're getting into what's really changed with Instagram engagement in 2025, how to stop the scroll, and the exact five day fix that you can start this week to see real results. Whether you're a creator, business owner, side hustler, student, or just someone who wants to build community and have fun online, this is for you and y'. All. A quick update. I am so excited to share my new visible and booked merch collection by Social Media Decoded is live. I wanted something like this for so long and I wanted something that you could wear that you could sit from and carry that says I. I'm showing up and proud of it. So if you get your hands on a T shirt, a mug or a tote, make sure you tag me so I can shout you out. Check it all out at the link in the show notes. All right, let's dive in. I'm here for the real talk. Zero fluff and easy wins. Let's talk about what's really happening with Instagram engagement in 2025. Let's be honest, Instagram is always changing and in 2025, the shifts are bigger than ever. So here's what I noticed. I've noticed fewer likes and comments even when you're working hard on your content. So you're not the only one. You are not the only one. Me too. Okay. I've noticed lower reach and story views no matter how consistent I am. So when I say you're not alone, I mean it. You're not alone. Or you may just feel like you're putting yourself out there for nothing. You are not alone. And no, you do not need to give up or start dancing on reels. Hey, unless you want to. Here's what's changed. The first thing is that Instagram's algorithm is all about saves and shares. Now, posts that get people to come back or share with friends are what's winning. Number two is authenticity wins over perfection. Your real life behind the scenes or even lessons learned are what people engage with the most. I know recently I just posted a behind the scenes reel and it did better than all the other reels that I posted. So my thought process is to post more reals right behind the scenes and things like that, because that's what people really like. Number three, people want value. Teach, inspire, entertain, connect. I don't care who's telling y' all that people don't want value. They do still want value. But it's not just value. Value, value, value, value. Right? We want to entertain as well. We want to connect. Well, at least for me. Okay, I don't know what the other I want to call them gurus. I'm not a guru, but I'm an expert. But what the other people are saying, okay, this is what I am noticing. All right, so people want that. The fourth thing that I notice is that SEO absolutely 100% matters on Instagram. Your captions, your alt, text, and even your username help you get found not just by followers, but by Google search. Google search friend. And the best part? No matter who you are or how many followers you have, you can turn this around by making a few simple shifts.

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[Michelle Thames]

Three most common engagement mistakes and how real people feel. Fix them. Let's talk about real life for a second. These are mistakes that I see most often when people come to me for help. The first thing is posting without connecting. Here's an example. One listener, Brian, told me that he posted every day but almost never replied to any of his comments. When he started responding with real answers, asking questions, or even just sending a voice note back to someone who DM'd him, he, his engagement and followers both jump because the people felt seen like I am a voice note type of girl. I will send you a voice note in a second. So hey, if you want to chat with me, go ahead and DM me over on Instagram at Michelle L. Thanes. You should be following me anyway because when I say the level up is coming on the social media, if you think I post a lot now, I really don't, right? But I'm going to increase that. So come, come chat with me over on Instagram. I'm testing a lot of things. Why am I testing? Because I want to be able tell you what matters from something that I've tried testing as true, not just from talking out the side of my neck. So everything I'm sharing with you better believe I'm testing as well. The second thing is that people are not creating savable shareable content. One of my friends, Jade, who runs a cooking account used to just post pretty meal pictures. That's it. When we switched up her content to five minute dinners, carousel recipes and save this type of content meal plans, suddenly her posts got shared in group chats and dms. The algorithm loved it and her DM turned into real conversations. Yes. The third thing I see is that we are ignoring Instagram's new SEO tools. For example, Darius, an artist, started using keywords like abstract art tutorials in his captions and added alt text describing each piece. His posts started showing up in Instagram search and Google and he started getting new followers who discover him by searching, not just scrolling. And if you're not sure what keywords to use, think about what your friends, followers or even you would search to find your content and put that in your next caption. Do this today, okay? Do this today. Now here's the good stuff. The five day Instagram engagement fix for you. I hope you're ready. Get your pens and your notepads out. Take notes and implement this and tag me Michelle Themes on Instagram. If this works. If it worked for you. Okay, try these. Try these steps for just five days and see what changes on day one. Ask a question in stories, poll your followers or ask for advice. What content do you want to see or which one do you prefer? Behind the scenes or how to Tips On Mondays I usually share, especially me going to the gym asking if people are even moving their bodies today. It could be anything. Then Day number two I want you to post a carousel with some value. Share something that solves a problem, make someone laugh or inspires action. It could be three apps I use every single day or save this quick dinner recipe. Day 3 Share your face in a reel or a live stream. Even if you're nervous, share a tip, a win or a challenge that you're facing. People want to connect with the real you. Day 4 Shout out a follower or a friend. Tag someone who's engaged with your post, shared your stuff or inspired you. Watch how many people appreciate being seen. Day 5 Ask for a save or share. End your post with if this helped, save it for later or share with a friend. People need a nudge. If you do this, let me know what happens. Reply in the Spotify comments DM me or or tag me on threads. I love seeing your results and always shout listeners out for the wins. I always love the listener wins. I know social media can feel overwhelming, but small tweaks add up. If you want more hands on support, my Power hour strategy sessions are now open. If you want more hands on support, my power hour strategy sessions are open. Well, they're 90 minutes really. I'll audit your Instagram podcast or overall brand and build a personalized plan that you can use right away. This is not a course. I repeat, this is not a course. This is you and me getting my eyes on whatever it is that you want in your business. When it comes to marketing and visibility and my free 7 day visibility shift, my private audio experience is what you also need. Okay, get it in the show notes if you want these quick wins for free delivered straight to your inbox. And don't forget to grab the new visible and booked merch. Wear it, sip from it or carry it to remind yourself that you're building something amazing and you deserve to be seen. Let me know which tip you'll try first. Reply in the Q and A on Spotify, DM me on Instagram or drop your thoughts on threads. Ichellelthaimes I reply to every message and share my favorite listener tips and wins. If this episode helped you share with a friend, tag me in your stories or leave a quick review. Every share helps more people get visible, grow and thrive on their terms. Thank you for tuning into social media Decoded Go be visible wherever that means for you and I'll catch you in the next episode. Peace.

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