2021 Predictions For Instagram Usage

Written by Trinity Duong

Staying in the know of future Instagram trends and updates allows for creators and small businesses to pursue their marketing and social expansion with an extra boost of confidence because it ensures success through the prediction of utilizing new features. It can expand the horizons for how you perceive and employ new tactics.

Instagram has been and remains a creative space and with new possible features, the social media application has captured the hearts of many small businesses. Growth through media is a huge advantage due to the immediate interaction and feedback. Having a social media service strategy is beyond important and predicting new features and making use of them is how every user online can use their creativity for a much bigger purpose such as captivating an audience or growing their artistic vision and branded ideals.

So what can we expect from Instagram in 2021?

There have been many speculations for the advancement of the app since the recent extreme renovations to their notifications tab and the insertion of a shopping channel and reels at the forefront. And while Instagram has received much backlash from regular users, the creators of the app have helped benefit small creators and businesses which expands their scope of users to a more socio-economic standpoint. 

Reels Boosting

With the rise of TikTok, Instagram has adapted its app to feature many more videos under the surname “Reels” however it has been met with a lot of criticism due to the lack of authenticity of the algorithm. Predictions for 2021 “Reels” definitely will incorporate a newer and  “with the times” algorithm, one that parallels TikTok due to the addiction and increase in usage that has manifested because of it. 

Instagram Shopping

Instagram shopping may also intensify with more features being added to the organization of the tab. Perhaps rather than shopping by browsing boutiques the page will revert to an explore page featuring images by brands that apply to your own algorithm and style. However, another prediction for the Instagram shopping tab is that they may transition back to the notifications tab due to the backlash faced by the public. A lot of users may feel there is no use and the social distrust in the app’s appreciation for creators have begun to intensify. Therefore with the lack of use from precedent public reactions, the creators of Instagram may find little benefit and use from the previous update and backtrack it back to the normal bar. 

SEO Keywords

On a global scale, SEO keywords are predicted to eventually replace hashtags. While hashtags have affected SEO’s in the past through the categorization of keywords, the use for them on social media platforms has declined significantly and have not become so common with newer users. We can also expect to see a decline in Facebook ads running. While they have been a key instrument in helping organizations reach campaign objectives, reach has declined significantly due to the present competition on Facebook-owned applications, and with less supply, the demand for ads will shoot down. Facebook creators may try to counter this by creating video ads as well as employ future algorithm changes.

Algorithm

All of this is done to intensify the usage of social media and technology. With the fixed algorithm of “Reels”, there may be a huge increase in usage and the rebranding of Instagram shopping can help users feel less uncomfortable with the formation and business fix of the app. The SEO keywords will become the new branded “hashtag” and ads will come in new forms and sizes due to the modern appeal for users. There is a huge change coming to incorporate social media into all phases of life and its beginning by reestablishing itself in a newer, better form for current users.

What are your predictions for Instagram and social media in 2021?