BREAKING NEWS: Instagram's latest features and how brands can use them.

Ah, Instagram. Just when you think you’ve mastered it, it goes and gets a makeover.

Everyone’s favourite photo-sharing platform has evolved dramatically since its launch and we’re not just talking about the app’s icon (remember the polaroid camera?) Some of Instagram’s most popular features, like Instagram Stories, didn’t even exist when the app debuted more than a decade ago.

Fast-forward to today and Instagram is still keeping us on our toes with changes to its look and overall application. And seeing as Instagram is one of the world’s most powerful marketing tools, it’s key that we stay on top of all of it.

In this post, we delve into Instagram’s latest features and how brands can make use of them:

• Link Stories for Everyone:  Just last month, Instagram announced that all users have access to stories links — a feature previously reserved for accounts with more than 10K followers. This is a huge development for niche and smaller brands as they can now drive traffic to their own site and other off-app sites directly from their story posts. Brands should consider using this feature when they want to drive traffic to updates on their website (i.e. new products, new promotions, etc.) or to a positive mention of their brand in the press.

• IG Reel Brand Partnerships: Influencer partnerships are huge as we know, but when influencers use this updated tag in their paid posts (especially Reels) it allows brands to boost content, add reach and is also a clean and powerful way to direct influencer audiences right to the brand page

• Collabs: Similar to partnerships, Instagram collabs are the organic way of cross-pollinating content between creators or brands. Brands can take advantage of this update by creating cool creative campaigns where they work with influencers and their content style.

• Live Scheduling: Instagram live is still very important and a great way for brands to create a stronger fanbase. By scheduling lives, you are now able to create a sense of consistency with your audience. This sense of anticipation gives brands the opportunity to use Instagram for so much more than just a tool to show off products via images.

Instagram is a key component of any marketing strategy and that’s not changing anytime soon! We hope the above guide sheds some light on Instagram’s newest features and how lifestyle brands can get the most out of them.

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