Likes used to be one of the biggest indicators of how well a post was performing. But as the platform evolved, Instagram made a number of tweaks to how it analyzed and served content to users.
Instagram’s algorithm now focuses less on engagement and more on how well the content is suited for the audience. This means that posts with a more cohesive and visually-pleasing aesthetic are more likely to be seen by followers. This is why posts that have a clear call to action and an engaging caption (like the ones from Fenty Skin, below) tend to do well on the platform.
On the other hand, “satisfying” content also does well on Instagram, a platform that grew from being about sharing gratifying experiences (like spotting a mermaid or watching Skittles turn into noodles). If your brand can create or share visual content that makes people happy or feel accomplished, chances are it will get more likes. This might include timelapses of your process or a cool product demo, as exemplified by Trader Joe’s post below.
Another way to get more likes on your Instagram posts is by geotagging them, which lets other people know where the photo was taken. This also gives them a chance to interact with the location and potentially see more photos from that area. instagram like post