Instagram Pods: The Latest Method For Influencers To Game The Algorithm, And What You Need To Know About Them
The Instagram feed no longer displays posts in reverse chronological order due to an update to the app’s algorithm in 2016. Now, Instagram will only prioritise your post at the top of a user’s feed if you’ve garnered a particular amount of interaction with it.
The Instagram feed no longer displays posts in reverse chronological order due to an update to the app’s algorithm in 2016. Now, Instagram will only prioritise your post at the top of a user’s feed if you’ve garnered a particular amount of interaction with it.
A pod on Instagram: what’s that?
A pod on Instagram is a group chat between you and 15 to 20 other professionals in your field. While each pod has its own set of guidelines, in general, members are expected to like or comment on each other’s postings and share any new content they discover with their pod through direct messaging. This boosts the visibility of the user’s post among their followers’ feeds. Everyone in the group wins since the system is based on giving and receiving positive feedback in kind.
Instagram pods are essentially a more organised form of sending a group text to your pals stating something like, “Hey, I just posted a picture to Instagram, but it only has six likes, can you go like it so I don’t look lame?”
The idea is similar, except with pods you are expected to participate in an ongoing message thread with as many as twenty or thirty postings each day, rather than just texting your buddies every once in a while. Furthermore, doing it promptly is essential for success.
But if you’re serious about expanding your fan base, you may see significant gains. Find out which groups you should think about joining and whether or not you should continue reading.
Facebook Instagram Groups
The best place to start looking for Instagram pods is through Facebook groups like “Instagram Marketing Mastermind Pods.” Nonetheless, Facebook’s ownership of Instagram means that your group may theoretically be removed. (more on that below).
You may also check out Telegram, which is a chat service that incorporates “pods” within the programme itself. You may choose the ideal engagement group for your company by browsing Telegram’s directory (the link will only function after you have an account).
Don’t be deceived; locating a pod requires significant investment of time and energy. Companies seldom publicly admit to utilising pods because of the stigma associated with them. Using a pod raises suspicion that your participation isn’t genuine, which might damage consumer trust in your business.
Which brings up the following point: are pods a good concept in the first place?
Has Instagram Banned Pods?
Buzzfeed reports that Facebook has banned 10 groups for engaging in manipulative practises such “like for like” trading and urging users to join “pods” on the messaging app Telegram. All of these strategies are unethical since they attempt to “trick” Instagram’s algorithm.
Even though Instagram pods haven’t been outright prohibited, it’s obvious that neither Facebook nor Instagram approve of them, making them difficult to locate and join.
Furthermore, pods’ long-term usefulness is questionable. While they do increase interaction with the content you share with the group, this may not be the high-quality interaction (i.e., comments and likes from individuals who are likely to become future customers or passionate brand champions) you were hoping for.
As a result, you won’t be able to discern if your content is engaging with readers or not, and your engagement numbers will also be distorted. Do people like what you’ve created because they can relate to it, or because you asked them to?
My own personal pod consisted of me texting my buddies to like my Instagram photos once I’d uploaded them. In the course of a few weeks, I grew tired of inquiring. I realised that if I didn’t let my posts acquire traction organically, I’d have no idea what was successful and what wasn’t. Instead of attempting to game the system, I just adjust my approach if one of my posts doesn’t do very well in terms of engagement.
Pods may be beneficial for a short-term boost, but they can never replace genuine interaction, especially when trying out different types of content to find what resonates most with your target audience. Focus on content creation that naturally attracts likes and comments for long-term success.
