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After managing 50+ Instagram accounts in 2025, here’s what ACTUALLY moved the needle for growth
Posted by on January 13, 2026 at 6:26 amI've been deep in the trenches managing Instagram growth for various niches (fitness, e-commerce, SaaS, personal brands) throughout 2025, and I wanted to share what's actually working vs. what everyone thinks works.
**What's WORKING in 2026:**
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**Carousels > Reels for engagement** – Plot twist, I know. But carousel posts with educational content are getting 2-3x more saves and shares than quick Reels. The algorithm seems to favor content that keeps people ON the platform longer.
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**Comment reply strategy** – Replying to every comment within the first 30 minutes is huge. But here's the hack: reply with a QUESTION to keep the thread going.
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**Collaboration posts with micro-influencers** – Not talking about big names. Accounts with 5K-20K followers in your niche. The collab feature shares the post to both audiences.
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**Story polls + quizzes before posting** – Warm up your audience engagement before dropping a post. Instagram notices the account activity.
**What's NOT working anymore:**
– Hashtag strategies (seriously, they're almost dead)
– Follow/unfollow (will get you shadowbanned fast)
– Posting at "optimal times" – quality > timing
– Engagement pods (Instagram got smart)
**Biggest surprise:** Accounts that post 3-4x per week consistently outperform those posting daily with varying quality.
What strategies have you found working this year? Would love to hear from others in the trenches.
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1 Reply
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thanks for sharing . should i focus on only 1 theme? like fitness, makeup, or outfit?.
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