Instead of trying to crack the algorithm on your own, have a look at what Instagram says you should do to reach more people.

Creators have tried numerous approaches to boost their engagement and broaden their reach when it comes to sharing content on Instagram. Now, the social platform has released a new feature called “best practices“, letting creators know exactly how they can maximise their content efforts.

Aimed at creators, businesses, and professionals, the new best practices feature can be accessed by users with professional accounts. This tool offers tailored tips and advice on various aspects of content creation. For independent musicians, this can be particularly useful as Instagram remains a key platform to promote music and engage with fans.


The feature, located in Instagram’s professional dashboard, covers five important areas: creation, engagement, reach, monetization, and platform guidelines. Musicians can find insights on how often to post, the optimal length for Reels, how to better use trending audio, and even tips on leveraging hashtags effectively. Understanding these elements can help boost the visibility of music-related content and ensure that posts reach the right audience.

The best practices feature also emphasises the importance of engagement, helping musicians understand metrics like comments, likes, and shares. More importantly, it focuses on growing reach by improving the relationship between Reels and follower growth. Musicians looking to grow their fanbase can benefit from this advice by adapting their content to be more shareable and discoverable.

One key update to note is Instagram’s shift towards “views” as the primary performance metric, meaning that musicians should focus more on how often their content is viewed rather than chasing viral success. This focus on metrics can help musicians better understand what works for them, encouraging consistency without the pressure and transience of virality.

Additionally, the monetization section provides creators with guidance on different revenue streams available on the platform. This can be particularly helpful for musicians seeking to earn through Instagram by understanding how to best position their content to expand financial opportunities, such as through branded content or live events.

The new best practices feature will evolve over time, providing more educational resources and personalised tips based on account performance. This means musicians can continue to adapt and improve their strategies to keep up with Instagram’s latest developments and stay competitive on the platform.


For more information on tips on navigating Instagram as an independent artist, check out more helpful articles from the RouteNote blog.