The Truth About Instagram Marketing: Best Practices That Actually Work

The Truth About Instagram Marketing: Best Practices That Actually Work

When it comes to Instagram, there’s no shortage of myths about how the algorithm works. You’ve probably heard things like “don’t use third-party scheduling apps” or “hashtags don’t matter anymore.” The truth is, much of this advice is outdated—or simply wrong.

‍

If you want to maximize your brand’s performance on Instagram in 2025, here’s what actually works.

1. Posting Tools: Don’t Fear the Scheduler

Many marketers worry that scheduling posts through third-party apps like Loomly, Buffer, or Later will hurt performance. In fact, Meta has confirmed there is no algorithm penalty for using approved platforms.

‍

Best practice: Use Meta Business Suite for full feature access, but don’t be afraid of schedulers if they fit your workflow. Just make sure your posts render exactly the way you intend.

‍

2. Add Location Tags for Better Discovery

Including a business location in posts helps improve visibility—especially for local audiences. A simple geotag can connect your content with nearby users who may become real customers.

‍

3. Hashtags Still Matter (But Use Them Smartly)

Hashtags aren’t dead—they’ve just evolved. Instead of adding 30 generic tags, focus on 5–10 relevant ones tied to your industry, brand, or campaign.

‍

Also remember: Instagram is moving toward keyword search. Write captions with clear, descriptive language so your posts appear in searches even without hashtags.

‍

4. Use Interactive Formats to Boost Engagement

Instagram favors content that sparks interaction. Carousels, Reels, and Stories with polls, stickers, or questions encourage users to tap, swipe, and share—sending strong engagement signals to the algorithm.

‍

5. Links in Captions Don’t Work

Links in captions aren’t clickable and can frustrate users. Instead, drive traffic through:

• A link in bio strategy
• The link sticker in Stories
• Carousels that include a call-to-action slide

‍

6. Write Human Captions (Even if AI Helps)

Instagram doesn’t penalize AI-generated captions. What hurts performance is low engagement from captions that feel robotic or generic.

‍

Pro tip: Use AI for brainstorming or drafts, but always refine captions in your authentic brand voice, with personality and a clear call-to-action.

‍

The Bottom Line

Instagram does not penalize posts made through approved scheduling tools like Loomly, Buffer, or Planable. What matters most is the quality and engagement of your content—not the tool you use to publish it. Focus on creating authentic, interactive posts with clear captions, and your reach will reflect how your audience responds, not how the post got online.