9 Things You Should Not Do On Instagram

Instagram is undeniably one of the top social apps these days Like most social media platforms, there’s a certain etiquette and culture that develops. In this post we’re going to usher you into the Instagram community by sharing some of the top things you should NOT do on Instagram. This post will save you from shadowbanning headaches and even make you a laugh a bit.

Ready? Let’s go.

Don’t Buy Followers or Likes

Unless you enjoy wasting time and money do not buy followers or likes. It’s a poor spending choice overall. We’ve worked with many clients who have done this in the past and they always end of up regretting it. Firstly, you spend money on buying followers. Then once they are loaded onto your account they slowly start to 1) fall off 2) Instagram removes them in bulk 3) You account inevitably become suppressed or banned (which makes it completely useless).

Clients who have purchased followers even once often find themselves struggling to grow any many times struggling to get past a certain follower count even if they start doing everything by the book. Buying followers or engagement is also against Instagram’s terms of service so just don’t do it.

Additionally, if you work with automation providers or companies who do not disclose their growth process chances are they are using software or automation that is not compliant or authorized by Instagram. In the end, if you can’t afford to pay someone to do it the right way the better bet is to learn how to grow your account on your own.

Don’t forget to join our Facebook Group as we share tips and insight on How to Grow Your Instagram Account and it’s Free.

Not Posting Consistently or Overly Promotional

One of the biggest challenges marketers face is posting or sharing content consistently. Ensuring you are consistent helps your audience engage with you in the long-run as they come to expect certain types of content from you. Additionally, large gaps in your feed also mean less exposure algorithmically. So don’t forget to post content! On the other end of the posting spectrum are accounts that post way too often for comfort or post too many promotional images.

The millennials would say, “They just don’t get it” (I’m a millennial so I know). The truth is social content is not about ads it’s about finding creative ways to spread your message, share your identity, or just be social with others. For example, a creative story about why you designed to your menu is much more valuable and engaging then images your menu prices. Avoid overly promotion content too often and instead create content that connects with your audience.

Not following Anyone ? ? ! ! ?

Do you even use Instagram though? Not following anyone seems a little ridiculous since it’s a social platform. Yes, it’s true some huge accounts choose not to follow anyone. But we can’t all be Beyonce, can we?  If you’re worried about how your following count will impact your brand consider this.

• Kim Kardashian – 133 m followers, follows 127 accounts
• Cardi B – 42.5 million followers , follows 3k + accounts
• Youtube – 18.8 m followers, follows 980 accounts
• Fila – 2m followers, follows 951 accounts
• Amazon – 1.7 m followers, follows 332 accounts

Just follow someone, it’s social media for goodness sake

Not Responding To Comments

Again circling back to the idea that Instagram is a social platform, be sure to respond to your comments. Albeit some comments may not require a response. However, for the most part, if someone comments with a question or says something nice, be social and respond, please. Also, we’ve noticed that the more you respond to comments especially within the first few hours of posting, engagement for that posts increases.

Using Hashtags Like A Newbie

Using hashtags is an effective method of gaining attention and potential followers. That’s because hashtags are used to organize similar content. More importantly, Instagram allows users to follower hashtags. This means that even if someone is not following you but they are following a hashtag you use chances are if the post ranks well they will see your content.

There’s a right way a wrong way to use hashtags on Instagram.

1. Don’t overstuff or use noncontextual hashtags
2. Hashtags are limited to 30 use them wisely
3. Add some non-hashtagged text to your captions, please

Bad 
#lets #be #real #you #will #get #annoyed #too #if #you #read #it #this #way #right?

Good
LOVE comes in all sorts of shapes & sizes…… Everyone has the right to love & we have NO right to take that away from someone!! #equalrights #onelove #loveislove #NoH8 #youlovewhoyoulove #loveisone ♥️♥️♥️ Credit  – VASSY

Constant Selfies

Posting a selfie is good, but if your followers constantly see your face on their feed every time you post, they’ll definitely think how terribly vain you are. We don’t want our followers to leave us, do we? If you are going to post a selfie, make it a special occasion with an interesting background. Something users can engage with.  Varying content is also visually appealing to the eye.

Posting Inappropriate Content

Posting content involving drugs, money, or alcohol is not exactly a good idea unless you’re posting something that’s actually relevant to your account or authorized by the platform. This is a simple oversight that most people don’t consider. However, if you are attempting to grow your account(s) for a specific purpose it’s definitely important to remain cognizant and in constant compliance with the platform.

Instagram also includes this tidbit in their community guidelines

Follow the law.

Instagram is not a place to support or praise terrorism, organized crime, or hate groups. Offering sexual services, buying or selling firearms and illegal or prescription drugs (even if it’s legal in your region) is also not allowed. Remember to always follow the law when offering to sell or buy other regulated goods. Accounts promoting online gambling, online real money games of skill or online lotteries must get our prior written permission before using any of our products.

We have zero tolerance when it comes to sharing sexual content involving minors or threatening to post intimate images of others.

Reddit Worthy Image Fails

Mirror selfies were all the rage a few years ago. Especially gym and bathroom shots. But that trend has pretty much phased out.

Oh wait, is that a toilet behind you? Yuck!!

Jokes aside, mirror selfies are an accident waiting to happen on social media. There are many cases where users post pictures without checking the background first. Take the infamous Reddit Bathroom selfie for example. I mean up close things look pretty standard but a closer look reveals a ridiculous situation. Always double check your content before posting. Again this is the internet – random post errors can turn into the next overused meme.

People Heart-ing Their Own Pictures X 10

This practice is often overlooked by many marketers or influencers. No one really talks about but it certainly exists and if something you should avoid.  On occasion, you may want to show yourself some love which is wonderful but using multiple accounts owned by you to up your like count is a bit tacky and for those who know you personally and can be a little embarrassing. In the end, fake engagement is worse than no engagement. This is an important detail because if you manage multiple accounts on the same device Instagram will know.

Final Thoughts on Things You Should Not Do On Instagram

Our list of 9 Things you should not do on Instagram is essential Instagram know how. We hope you enjoyed it. If you have more Instagram etiquette to share be sure to let us know in the comments below.