The Magic of The Algorithm
The point of creating and introducing the algorithm in the first place was not just to expand Instagram’s base, but to keep users engaged longer. Having a lot of regular users is important for a social media platform, but after that, the money is in keeping them looking at the platform for as long as possible, so that they can see as many advertisements as possible. Here is how the algorithm makes that happen.
A user logs on and looks at pictures and videos.
The algorithm collects relevant data about what the user took an interest in, and stores the data for next time.
The user comes back, and finds that the pictures and videos they are looking at are now catered to their personal taste, so they spend more time on the platform.
The algorithm collects even more specific data, and stores it for next time.
Rinse and repeat.
As you can see, the system is set up to benefit both the user and the advertisers; and benefitting the user and advertisers is good for Instagram as a whole.
Cheaters Never Prosper
For your own good, do not spend time or resources trying to cheat the system. The short term results of using spam bots or other unsavory methods are simply not worth what you will invest. Instagram is constantly on the lookout for spamming accounts, and they get banned regularly. Even if they don’t find you out right away, the users will hardly be fooled. If you post an advertisement something most people have never heard of, and get 200,000 likes in the first hour, most users are savvy enough to see right through that. Even using organic marketing services, which offer actual people to like and comment on your posts for a price, is simply not as effective as working with the system for actual organic likes over the long haul.
High-Quality Content Draws High-Quality Users
Ask yourself this question: would you rather have 100,000 likes and make 25 sales, or would you rather have 100 likes and make 99 sales? In this circumstance, obviously making more sales with less likes is preferable, but what you really want is both. Gimmicks and tricks will get you thousands of likes, and zero real interest. A fantastic product will get you a loyal base, and little expansion. However, a quality product combined with quality content on Instagram will bring in the kind of users that are actually looking to buy, and if you impress them, they will help to spread the word for you through likes and word-of-mouth.
Look at it this way, you can evoke a legitimate reaction from people by asking them if they prefer Chevrolet or Ford. The question is, why? It is because Chevy and Ford have both done one thing demonstrably right, they made their brands a question of honesty and quality, rather than just popularity. People will almost feel a moral obligation to commit to certain brands over