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Social Media has changed the way we communicate and interact with one another forever. Behind Facebook, Instagram is the most used social media platform in the United States. The app has progressively become more popular over time by adding new features that users have the opportunity to explore, such as Instagram Guides.
Instagram Guides is a new feature to the popular social media platform which allows accounts to share their content into a single useful and creative resource. This feature was first released in May 2020 with the idea that Guides were designed for travel.
Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic and travel restrictions, the feature was launched with a wellness theme instead. It wasn’t until November 2020 that Guides were introduced to all users and updated to include more themes.
Instagram Guides are designed to allow users the opportunity to share step-by-step directions, lists, recommendations, and more. It allows accounts to streamline information by compiling posts into one source instead of spreading it out over multiple Instagram posts.
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There are a few easy steps to creating a Guide on Instagram.
Once completing the above steps, users have the option to include:
Similarly to posts, reels, and IGTV, Guides are able to be shared on one’s Instagram story and with others.
“Places” are one option to choose from when deciding which Guide to create on Instagram. The Places Guide allows one to recommend or document places around a city or state that you have visited or want to experience in the future.
This guide allows users to choose up to 30 different places per Guide as well as the opportunity to pick 5 different posts associated with those places.
Another option one has to choose from is the Products Guide. This guide is designed for accounts to recommend their favorite products from any store in the Instagram shop.
The Products Guide only lets you choose one store product at a time, but users can choose up to 5 images in that product feed if applicable. The limit of 30 products also applies to this type of guide as well.
The last guide type is designed for users to share posts they have created or saved over time. In order to share other creator’s content, you will have to save their post by tapping the bookmark icon on the bottom right side of their post. It will then show up as part of your saved posts and you will be able to add it to your guide.
The unique aspect of the posts guide is each post has an individual section and isn't compiled together like a slideshow, as the other two guide types do. Nonetheless, the same 30 posts limit applies just like the places and products guide.
Instagram Guides is now available to every user on the platform and it has created an abundance of opportunity for influencers, businesses, and creators. The new benefits appeal to everyone looking to make a Guide on their account.
Wondering if Guides are for you? There are plenty of reasons to start utilizing this fresh new feature to better engage with your Instagram audience.
Guides are not only great for the everyday Instagram user, but they are an extremely helpful tool for businesses and influencers marketing their products and services. The ability to have long-form content helps to provide necessary educational content for customers or prospects to consult time and time again. Through curating your own Guides, you can expect to:
Instagram Guides allow everyone greater access to explore a different medium and share the content they desire. The feature not only benefits individual users to share their own ideas, it also lets businesses market their products, tips, and any other relevant recommendations.
If you’re looking for tips on how to utilize Instagram as a marketing platform, contact us to learn more today.
