Reasons You Have Low Engagement on Instagram

The Instagram engagement and its connection is a bit of a mystery, isn't it? Have you ever wondered what makes for a good Instagram engagement rate how to boost your own or why it's important? It's worth noting that Instagram engagement rates have been on a decrease for most users throughout this year. 

 If you've noticed the same decreasing engagements on your Instagram and want to learn how to increase it, keep reading. Let's dive into our article and explore the world of social media!...

Many people have been using Instagram, especially brands and businesses for their products. However, Instagram has a new update on its interface and its application to avoid spamming which resulted in a decrease in Instagram engagements across the platform as a whole. 

What Is The Instagram Engagement Rate?

The Instagram engagement rate is a metric that indicates how much your audience engages with your content. You can calculate it by looking at the number of your followers, likes, and comments, or you can use a free Instagram engagement rate calculator. If you're experiencing a decline in your Instagram engagement, it's important to solve it carefully, as it could lead to the loss of both followers and customers.

How To Calculate Engagement Rate On Instagram?

Wondering how to calculate your Instagram engagement rate and see which one of your post is on high engaged or low? As mentioned earlier, you have a couple of options. One is you can use Kuasar video to see the engagement rates with the Scoring tool. Or you can use free Instagram engagement rate calculators available through a quick Google search. 

Alternatively, you can calculate it manually with some simple math. There are two primary methods:

(Likes + Comments) / Followers * 100

If you have a business profile, you can also use: (Likes + Comments) / Instagram Impressions * 100

What Is A Good Engagement Rate On Instagram In 2023?

Do you know what qualifies as a good Instagram engagement rate? Once you've done the calculation, you can assess your rates. Here's the breakdown:

• Less than 1%: This is considered a low IG engagement rate.
• 1-3%: Average engagement rate range.
• 3-5%: High engagement rate.
• More than 5%: Represents a very high engagement rate

Why Should I Care About My Instagram Engagement Rate?

If you're a business owner or an agency that uses Instagram for your business, it's important to pay attention to your engagement rate. This metric matters not only to brands, influencers, and potential partners looking for success validation but also to your potential customers who check your page. When you have a large following but very little engagement, it can raise suspicions that your followers might be fake, which can harm your trust and reputation.

Having an engaged following also shows that your audience is genuinely interested in what you're sharing, and they might become your customers or potential collaborators in the future. You don't need to obsess over your engagement rate, but it's definitely something worth considering regularly. 

Instagram's algorithm places a lot of importance on engagement as a ranking factor. Your Instagram feed is organized based on what the algorithm thinks you'll like and interact with the most. It constantly changes the order of your feed to show you posts from accounts and topics you engage with frequently at the top.

In simple terms, the more engagement your content receives, the higher the chance your followers will see your post. So, when you learn how to increase engagement on Instagram, you also increase your chances of gaining more Instagram followers.

 Why Has My Engagement Dropped On Instagram 2023?

You might be questioning why your Instagram engagements are low nowadays. 

As you know Instagram is the most popular social media platform in 2023. With its dynamic features, it continuously evolves and improves as results in Instagram algorithm to change. The Wall Street Journal also reported that with Instagram Reels experiencing a significant drop in user engagement, Instagram engagement, in general, is also on the decline.

Let's now discuss the reasons behind these Instagram engagement issues and gain a better understanding of the current Instagram algorithm:

Instagram Algorithm: If you're wondering why your Instagram engagement has suddenly decreased, it's helpful to begin with a quick overview of the algorithm. The Instagram algorithm considers multiple factors, particularly during the first 30 minutes after a post is published. These factors include likes, shares, direct messages, and comments. Instagram analyzes all these aspects, tracks their speed, and tries to link them together in a network. In the end, it looks for accounts with similar audiences and behaviors to make comparisons and determine which post is more attractive. 

New Features: If you're wondering why your Instagram posts aren't getting as much engagement, it's worth noting that Instagram has introduced several new features over time. These features enable users to filter out posts and ads they don't want to see in their feeds. Options like muting accounts or turning off suggestions might encourage your followers or users to customize their feeds to show only the content they are most interested in. These new features could be a reason for the decrease in your Instagram engagement. 

Providing Users With Low-Quality Content: Instagram has also begun to reduce the visibility of low-quality content so the more original and high-quality content you share on Instagram, the more likely you are to boost your Instagram engagement.

Removing Bots: In recent years, Instagram has undergone changes, including the removal of bots and accounts suspected of spamming the platform. This could be one of the reasons why Instagram engagement is down in 2023. If your account was followed by or interacted with spam accounts, you may see a drop in your follower count. Instagram has also asked certain users suspected of spamming to verify their identities.

Buying Engagement & Followers: Purchasing followers and likes to grow Instagram accounts can have a negative impact on your engagement. As mentioned earlier, Instagram not only removes fake accounts but also penalizes users who buy followers and likes to inflate their Instagram engagement.

6.  Tips to Improve your Engagement Rate

Grow Your Following and Engage with Other Accounts

One of the most effective ways to boost your engagement rate is by increasing your interactions with other users' accounts. Whether you're leaving comments on your followers' posts or liking content from pages you appreciate or believe may be interested in following you, engaging with others encourages them to interact with your posts.

Another method to enhance your engagement is by growing your follower count with genuine and relevant followers. New followers are often eager to engage with your content. They decided to follow you for a reason since they are interested in your high-quality posts. Additionally, the algorithm shows multiple posts from you to new followers when they first connect with your account. This provides them with an opportunity to see your content and engage with it.

Add Hashtags

Hashtags are a great way to get your content in front of potential followers' Instagram feed. But before you start using any hashtag that comes to mind, let's discuss a few strategy tips. First, Instagram allows you to use up to 30 hashtags per post, so try to use all of it but do not exceed the limit. You don't have to use all 30 on every post, but it's a good idea for important posts that you want to have high traffic and visibility. Just make sure the hashtags you choose are relevant to your content. For example if you are going to post about your designs, using #nutrition hashtag won’t work. Because people that are searching for nutrition tips may not be interested in your designs. 

Moreover, Instagram's technology is becoming smarter, using AI to recognize that your design post and hashtag don't match, which can work against you.

Lastly, make sure you use hashtags that your audience is actively searching for and using. When you discover a strong community- or industry-focused hashtag with a manageable number of posts, go ahead and use it. Don't be afraid to mix it up! Use hashtags that relate to your image, even if they're slightly different from your typical message. You never know who might come across your posts and find them interesting.

Use Call to Actions (CTAs)

Do you include a Call to Action (CTA) in all of your posts? It's encouraging your followers to 'check out the link in my bio to sign up for my email list' or simply saying 'double-tap if you agree,' asking your audience to take action is a key opportunity for engagement. If you're aiming for more engagement, it's a logical step to ask followers to like, comment, or save your posts.While using Instagram Stories, be sure to include CTAs there as well. Engagement in Stories is great for starting conversations with your followers and building relationships. Instagram Story features like question boxes, polls, quizzes, swipe-up links, and other interactive buttons also contribute to your engagement. So, don't hesitate to ask your followers for their thoughts, advice, or anything that you want to do to engage with your followers.

Richen Your Bio

Let's talk about your Instagram bio for a moment. Your bio is your best opportunity to connect with potential followers and encourage them to hit the 'follow' button. You can also include a call to action (CTA) to remind people to click the link and take the desired action.

A good Instagram bio provides potential followers with enough information to decide whether they want to follow you. Depending on your brand, you can choose to provide a brief description with emojis for a more casual feel or keep it professional. If you have a business account, you can include contact information or a reservation button if you're a restaurant. Many people turn to social media to learn more about their favorite brands, so make it easy for them to get in touch with you. Be clear and concise, but also let your brand's personality shine through.

Ensure You're Sharing Quality Content

 One of the most effective ways to encourage your followers to engage with your posts is to have high-quality content. People want to interact with real people, so try to show your real you to your followers. Even if you're not running a personal account or a personal brand, don't worry! You can showcase your team members, and post behind-the-scenes videos or photos. User-generated content (UGC) can also be a game-changer here.

People love getting an insider's view. Sharing secrets, telling stories, and offering advice often creates a bond with your audience. Give your followers a reason to view your images, read your captions, and engage with you.

While you're at it, make sure your feed looks matched and it looks like something that your followers say ‘Yes! My fav paged posted!’.  Whether you stick to a specific photo theme, pattern, or use a particular filter consistently, make sure your audience can instantly recognize one of your posts. Potential followers will likely visit your profile to decide whether to follow you or not. A visually appealing feed increases the likelihood of gaining new followers.

Collaboration with Influencers 

Having a partnership with an influencer, brand can help you reach an entirely new audience, ready and eager to engage. Your partner is likely to introduce you to their audience, and since their audience trusts them, they'll be more eager to learn about you. Influencers' followers are often very loyal, just like followers of certain brands. When you find the right partner whose audience aligns with your goals, collaboration can significantly boost engagement. You can run a joint contest or swap stories takeovers to introduce each other to your audiences. The key here is to ensure that your audiences and partnership goals align. If your audience is genuinely interested in your potential partner and vice versa, it's a sign of a good partnership. Clearly define the goals of the collaboration. With good preparation, collaborations are an excellent way to increase your followers and engagement.

Wrapping it up

If you've noticed a drop in your Instagram engagement, it's likely because of a recent algorithm update. Unfortunately, there's not much you can do to change the algorithm; but there's a good chance that your Instagram management could use some improvement. You can try implementing the tactics mentioned in this article; they are likely to increase your Instagram engagement.

But if you don't have the time to regularly analyze Instagram's algorithm or invest more time in managing your account, Kuasar Video can be a time-saving tool for analyzing and scoring and offering an ultimate solution with new trends.

FAQ

1. What is the Instagram engagement rate, and why is it important?

The Instagram engagement rate measures how much your audience interacts with your content. It's crucial because it indicates the level of interest your followers have in your posts. If your engagement rate is low, it may result in the loss of followers and potential customers

2. How can I calculate my Instagram engagement rate?

You can calculate your engagement rate manually using the formula (Likes + Comments) / Followers * 100, or if you have a business profile, you can use (Likes + Comments) / Instagram Impressions * 100. Alternatively, you can use tools like Kuasar Video or free online calculators.

3. Why has my Instagram engagement dropped, and what can I do to improve it?

Instagram engagement might decrease due to changes in the platform's algorithm, new features, low-quality content, and the removal of bots and fake accounts. To boost your engagement, consider engaging with other users, using relevant hashtags, adding CTAs in your posts and stories, optimizing your Instagram bio, sharing high-quality content, and collaborating with influencers or brands.