I wouldn’t be surprised if there was a secret Instagram directory accessible only to those under the age of 20. Whether it’s knowing how to get the most likes, sharing beautiful pictures, or interacting with other users, teens seem to know. Something about Instagram that most users don’t.
We took a look at some popular teen-run Instagram accounts and spoke to some trusted teens to discover exactly what makes them so successful. Read on to find out:
- Secret technique of using LB, CB and FB to get more likes (we explain what they mean below)
- Why are teens using the Pod method to speed up Instagram’s algorithm?
- The art of self-regulation and being extra
Read on to learn what they do and how you can apply these tactics to your own brand’s Instagram strategy. Calm down, young brother.
In this episode of the Moyens I/O Podcast, three high school students share surprising insights on how they use Instagram and other social networks. Listen now.
4 reasons why teens are better on Instagram than businesses
1. They know how to hack the system
I discovered this trick one day when Kylie Jenner’s last Instagram post appeared on my page. Explore the page. I clicked on her most recent post and saw that 99 percent of the comments either said “LB”, “CB”, “FB” or “First” and they were all from teenagers.
I did some research and discovered this:
- LB means “like back”
- CB stands for “review”
- FB stands for “followback”
- “First” means the user wants to like their latest post
Instagram users post these comments on celebrity posts (most famously those of Kylie and Kendall Jenner) to get likes, comments and follows from other users. If you see someone commenting on LB and you like their latest picture, you can expect them to return the favor.
I wanted to see if this would work, so cat’s instagram account To comment “LB”. Within seconds, her last photo gained more than ten new likes and two new followers. Secret? Instagram’s algorithm.
this Instagram algorithm does not show users their posts in chronological order, but according to which content will be most interesting to the user. Instagram determines this based on factors like timing and engagement.
With organic reach steadily declining, teens have realized that the more likes and comments their posts can get, the less likely they are to be missed by their target audience (friends).
If you’re seeing a drop in organic reach, try this trick. But keep in mind that others can see which posts your brand likes and comments on. You want to make absolutely sure that your brand likes and comments on appropriate content.
Check out our post for more ways to increase your organic reach on Instagram Instagram Algorithm: What You Need to Know to Increase Organic Reach.
2. They”extra”
“If someone calls you extra, you are either trying too hard or overdoing it.” Popsugar explains. Extra behavior is defined as extreme whether it is an overreaction or an overly emotional response to something. If there’s one thing I miss about being young, it’s that extra, boundless feeling. Teens don’t hold back when it comes to sharing how they’re feeling, and their approach to Instagram reflects this enviable premium quality.
Unlike some brands, teens aren’t afraid to take risks, whether online or not. IRL. If they’re celebrating or upset about something, they usually don’t try to hide it. And it’s this cheeky emotional content that gets them high engagement.
Posting, “Arousing certain emotions can help increase the chances of a message being shared” 4 Lessons Social Media and Psychology Marketers Need to Know “When people are physiologically aroused due to emotional stimuli or for any other reason, the autonomic nerve is activated, which increases social transmission.”
Emotions play a crucial role in social media interaction, and teens aren’t afraid to put it to the test.
Not only that, the real emotion also helps to show it. originality to the audience. Being cool all the time is unrealistic (and exaggerated) and social media users know that. Add some honest content and personality to your Instagram feed once in a while and see how your audience responds.
3. They are ruthless self-editors
While young people love to share original content, Instagram also ensures that it fits their style. Aesthetics is everything, and if a photo or video’s style doesn’t match their account’s overall look, it’s not shared or deleted as soon as you see how it looks on their chart.
I spoke with Georgia, a 15-year-old from Vancouver, and learned how important her Instagram style is to her and her social circle. “I will always make sure that any image I post matches all of my other items,” she explains, “I like to keep it very clean and use white borders, so make sure my photos are minimal and all have the same look. Sometimes I just have to see how it will look in my other posts. I’ll post a photo and delete it immediately if it stands out.”
If you want to streamline your Instagram account like a familiar teenager, curation is key. Use a tool like Preview App This allows you to schedule your Instagram content to ensure maximum consistency and style.
4. They work in capsules
If you need a lesson in loyalty, look no further than the young. If a friend shares a post, they immediately like and/or comment to show their support.
“My friends and I are in a group text where we let each other know when we post something on Instagram,” my teen resource says, “This lets the group know so everyone else can like the post or leave a supportive comment. We do a heart-eye emoji or a flame, but even such a simple comment will help the post get more likes in the long run.”
In addition to these loyal groups of friends, many young people are also part of the group. Instagram panes.
“An Insta pod is a secret group of users who join forces in group messages to like and comment on each other’s posts and gain more engagement on Instagram.” Mashable explains, “it happened compared “A family of dolphins living in harmony and supporting each other… like a group of cheerleaders helping each other on Instagram.”
Instagram splits work through private messages between user groups with related brands. For example, a group of home decor brands might be on an Instagram feed with each other. When someone posts on Instagram, other group members are expected to like and/or comment on the post.
The key to joining your own Instagram pod is to find influencers in your industry. If you’re a Buzzsumo user, the newly launched Impressive search feature. Simply enter a keyword like “eco-living” or “restaurants” and you’ll get a list of relevant Instagram influencers. Check out our post for a complete guide to finding relevant Instagram influencers Influencer Marketing on Social Media: Everything You Need to Know.
Once you’ve gathered a list of potential pod members, simply reach out to them to get the ball rolling. My teen resource shared a set of guidelines for one of the pod lists for all members. E.g:
- When you post on Instagram, be sure to notify the group using the following. emoji
- When someone else shares the emoji, immediately like their latest picture and leave a relevant comment with at least five words.
- Before sharing your own post, make sure you have mastered the topic and add likes and comments to other members’ posts.
- If you only post your own photos and don’t like or comment on other members’ content, you will be asked to leave the pane.
As with all areas of your social media strategy, being respectful and courteous never fails.
Teens often pave the way for trends to emerge, and Instagram is no exception. With the guide above, you can apply your teen’s intuition to your own strategy and see your results improve.
Create, schedule and monitor your Instagram account with Moyens I/O. Try it for free today.
Learn more
