Spoiler: Engagement rate has nothing to do with how frequently those girls you knew in high school are getting engaged (but that’s crazy, right?). Instagram engagement refers to the total amount of content interactions (likes, saves, shares, replies) your content gets online.

High engagement indicates a strong connection with your audience, while low engagement can signal potential issues that need to be addressed. Truth be told, engagement ebbs and flows! If you’re in a slump and your Instagram engagement is down, here are a few reasons why that might be the case. ⬇️

5 Reasons Why Your Instagram Engagement Is Down

You’re Not Focusing on Quality 

The first and perhaps most obvious reason for a dip in Instagram engagement is low-quality content or posting about topics that are not relevant or trending. When we’re talking about low-quality content, we aren’t solely referring to the visual quality of photos and videos. We’re also talking about the quality of your subject matter and how much value your content is providing your audience.

Additionally, posting about topics that are not currently trending or relevant to your audience's interests can result in your content being overlooked.

#2 Your Posting Frequency Is Off

Finding the right balance when it comes to post frequency is crucial for maintaining high engagement on Instagram. Posting too often can overwhelm your audience's feed and potentially cause them to disengage or even unfollow your account. 

On the other hand, not posting enough can cause your content to get lost in the algorithm and decrease brand visibility.

#3 Your Content Strategy Lacks SEO

We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again. SEO isn’t only important for your blog articles and website—it’s also important for reach and engagement on socials. Marrying strong hashtag and keyword strategies is where it’s at right now on Instagram.

Hashtags allow your content to be discovered by users searching for specific topics or interests, increasing the likelihood of engagement. Similarly, incorporating relevant keywords into your captions and profile bio can improve your visibility and attract users who are interested in your content.

#4 Your Own Engagement Strategy Is Non-Existent

Ask, and you shall receive. Engage, and you shall boost your own engagement!

Building a strong sense of community is essential for fostering engagement on Instagram. If you're solely focused on broadcasting your message without actively engaging with your audience, you're missing out on valuable opportunities to connect and build relationships. By prioritizing community engagement, you can create a more interactive and dynamic experience for your followers, ultimately leading to increased engagement.

#5 The Algorithm Is Whack

Ah, the age-old struggle. What even IS the Instagram algorithm? 

The ever-evolving Instagram algorithm can also have a significant impact on engagement levels. Recent changes, such as the switch back to a chronological feed and the prioritization of Reels, have altered the way content is displayed and distributed to your followers. Brands that fail to adapt their strategy to accommodate these changes may experience a decline in engagement as their content gets buried in users' feeds.

Need Instagram Engagement Support? The Scotties Are Here.

No, you don’t have to be the one to stay up to date on all things social media engagement and the Instagram algorithm. There are people for that and *news flash* we are those people! 💁‍♀️

At Scott Social, we focus on creating quality content that establishes your brand as a leader in your industry. It’s not enough for your content to look high quality; it should also perform and produce high-quality results. Let us take the guesswork out of understanding social media algorithms and help you achieve your business goals. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you succeed on Instagram and beyond.