18 Instagram Trends to Keep an Eye on in 2024

Are you ready to take your Instagram game to the next level in 2024? With Instagram constantly evolving, keeping up with the latest Instagram trends is essential for maintaining a competitive edge.

According to our latest report on Instagram content benchmarks, showcasing current trends on Instagram marketing can lead to a noticeable increase in engagement and brand visibility.

If you're used to scheduling posts and sticking to a rigid content calendar, adapting to these trends might seem challenging.

But fear not!

This guide will walk you through the most impactful Instagram trends for 2024, providing you with actionable insights and examples to elevate your social media strategy with trends.

Table of contents
1. Reels are the best-performing post type
2. Encourage DMs as calls-to-action on feed posts and Reels
3. Use AI Instagram listening capabilities to identify trends and analyze sentiment
4. Measure the right Instagram metrics
5. Integrate AI
6. Integrate video memes into your strategy
7. Create brand personalities
8. Share photo dumps
9. Share text posts on Instagram
10. Experiment with Threads
11. Integrate trending audio tracks
12. Learn Instagram SEO
13. Choose to build a community over followers
14. Build brand partnerships to expand reach
15. Experiment with AR
16. Live streaming is still a powerful trend
17. Incorporate user-generated content
18. Food content boost engagement on Instagram

#1. Reels are the best-performing post type

Reels are trending on Instagram as the most engaging post type, captivating audiences with their short, dynamic, and visually appealing format.

According to the latest Socialinsider’s Instagram benchmarks report, Reels outperform other content types in engagement, reach, and overall interactions on social media.

The study shows that Reels achieve higher average engagement rates than traditional posts and Stories, thanks to their multi-sensory experience.

For businesses, incorporating Instagram reels ideas can significantly boost visibility and interaction.

Brands like Nike and Sephora use popular Instagram Reel trends to present new products, share behind-the-scenes content, and engage creatively with their audience. These brands stay relevant and drive engagement using trending audios and trending challenges.

To maximize Reels' impact, ensure your content is authentic, aligns with your brand's voice, and uses popular audio and hashtags.

Regularly run Instagram audits with insights from Socialinsider's social media benchmarks to fine-tune your strategy.

#2. Encourage DMs as calls-to-action on feed posts and Reels

Direct messages (DMs) are a specific trend for brands that want to build a personal relationships with their audience. Encouraging DMs as calls-to-action on your feed posts and Reels can significantly boost your engagement and deepen your connection with followers.

"One of the lesser appreciated tactics for Instagram strategy is to encourage DMs with your audience.

Direct messages are considered a "personal relationship" between the two chat participants.

So while DMs help you build rapport and relationships with your audience and followers, those conversations also help bolster your algorithmic ranking with those users.
Good relationships AND better feed placement! So make sure you're encouraging DMs as calls-to-action on feed posts and Reels as well as in your Stories." - said Jenn Herman, Instagram Expert.

Integrate CTAs that prompt users to send you a DM to create personalized interactions. Simple strategies include asking questions in captions, encouraging users to share their thoughts via DM, or offering exclusive content in exchange for a direct message.

Using DMs provides personalized product recommendations and gathers customer feedback. This enhances the customer experience and boosts your brand's algorithmic ranking, improving feed visibility.

Incorporate phrases like "DM us for more info," "Send us a message to get a special offer," or "We'd love to hear your thoughts! Drop us a DM." These tactics foster stronger audience relationships and enhance your Instagram content's performance.

#3. Use AI Instagram listening insights to identify trends and analyze sentiment

AI-powered Instagram listening tools are essential for social media managers. They help identify emerging trends, analyze sentiment, and generate post topics that resonate with your audience.

Tools like Socialinsider's Instagram listening feature provide insights by tracking branded hashtags of your brand or for your competitors, and industry keywords. This helps you understand trending topics and audience sentiment.

For instance, positive sentiment around a product launch can lead to more promotional content, while negative sentiment might indicate areas needing improvement.

Here's how I used Socialinsider to show real-time trend analysis and sentiment breakdown. As a Swiftie myself, I took this opportunity to ”spy” on Miss Americana.

• I went to Sociailinsider’s Social Listening Tool and created a new project for my little endeavor. This AI-powered feature provides access to powerful Instagram listening data of many kinds: content, engagement, and demographics insights.
  
• After I added my hashtag #taylorswift, the magic started to happen. 1.9k posts using this hashtagin the last 30 days. It may seem that Taylor Swift is really trending on Instagram, getting huge engagement.

• But enough about the number of pieces of content people created around a hashtag. We can consider this a vanity metric. How’s the engagement going in 2024 for her?

• At this point, I think we’re both wondering what people have to say about Taylor Swift? Because data certainty shows a drop. Luckily, we have the sentiment analysis tool to see how people feel about her this year. Looks like she is safe and can continue the tour. She’s bringing so much joy.

This was just a little experiment, but think of how powerful Socialinsider is when we’re talking data.

Using these insights, you can create data-driven content that aligns with current trends and audience preferences, keeping your Instagram strategy relevant and engaging.

#4. Measure the right Instagram metrics

An Instagram trend that never gets old.

In the world of Instagram, not all metrics are created equal. To truly understand your performance and make data-driven decisions, focus on actionable metrics rather than vanity metrics. Vanity metrics, such as follower count and likes, can be misleading and do not necessarily reflect the effectiveness of your strategy.

Actionable metrics include engagement rates, social media reach, and conversions. These metrics provide deeper insights into how your content resonates with your audience and how effective it is in achieving your goals.

Using tools like Socialinsider’s Instagram Analytics, you can track and analyze these key metrics. Social media analytics tools offer comprehensive insights into your Instagram performance, allowing you to identify what’s working and what needs improvement.

By focusing on actionable metrics, you can fine-tune your strategy to better meet your objectives and drive meaningful results.

#5. Integrate AI

Integrating AI into your Instagram strategy can significantly enhance your content creation process and audience engagement. AI marketing tools offer various capabilities, from generating creative Instagram post ideas to analyzing data for better decision-making.

One innovative example is Reebok’s AI project, which showcases how brands can leverage AI to produce unique and engaging content. AI can help you identify top trends, optimize posting times, and personalize your social media interactions with followers.

AI also enhances your ability to engage with your audience. For example, AI chatbots can handle customer inquiries efficiently, providing instant responses and improving customer satisfaction.

Additionally, AI can help create personalized content recommendations, making your followers feel valued and understood.

#6. Integrate video memes into your strategy

Video memes are trending on Instagram. They are a fun and engaging way to connect with your audience. Combining humor and relatability, video memes can make your brand more approachable and shareable, increasing your reach and engagement.

Video memes are rapidly gaining popularity due to their ability to convey messages quickly and entertainingly. They often capitalize on trending topics and cultural moments, making them highly relevant and timely.

Brands like Duolingo frequently share video memes to educate and entertain their audience, blending informative content with humor to keep followers engaged. This strategy not only boosts engagement but also enhances brand recall.

To create effective video memes, focus on current trends and relatable scenarios that resonate with your audience. Use simple, clear visuals and concise text to convey your message quickly.

Tools like Socialinsider can help you identify trending topics by filtering posts by trending hashtags or keywords and measure the performance of your video memes, allowing you to refine your approach based on what works best.

#7. Create brand personalities

Showcasing your brand's personality on Instagram humanizes your business and builds stronger connections with your audience. Highlight the people behind your brand and share authentic stories to foster trust and loyalty. This is an easy segway to insert what’s trending on Instagram into your content calendar.

Brands like Wendy’s use humor and relatable content through their mascot to create a memorable identity. Define your brand's voice, share behind-the-scenes content, and use a consistent tone to reinforce your identity.

Engage with your audience by responding to comments, participating in trends, and sharing spontaneous content via Stories and Reels. This approach makes your brand more approachable and genuine, enhancing engagement and strengthening your brand's image on Instagram.

#8. Share photo dumps

Photo dumps, published as carousels, are definitely an Instagram trend now, as they’ve become the second-best content type on Instagram, right after Reels. These Instagram carousels allow you to share multiple photos or videos in a single post, telling a more comprehensive and engaging story.

Especially when your team is on the go, like Ahref’s marketing team attending a conference, this format not only boosts engagement but also encourages users to spend more time on your post, increasing the likelihood of interaction.

#9. Share text posts on Instagram

Text posts are trending on Instagram, particularly for sharing announcements, quotes, or engaging questions. Simple yet effective, these posts are excellent for driving engagement and sparking conversations with your audience.

Headspace mostly uses text posts to share motivational quotes, company updates, and thought-provoking questions. This format is not only easy to create but also highly shareable, helping to spread your message further.

To make the most of text posts, use a clear and attractive design that aligns with your brand's aesthetic. Keep the message concise and impactful, and consider incorporating your brand's colors and fonts for consistency.

Engaging questions or prompts can encourage your followers to comment and share their thoughts, boosting interaction.

#10. Experiment with Threads

Threads, a growing trend and a great alternative to Twitter/X, has surpassed 100 million users. Despite this rapid growth, many top profiles on X haven't made the switch due to the challenge of building a new audience from scratch.

Instagram statistics show that consistent posting and engaging content are key to success on any platform, including Threads.

Brands should experiment with Threads to tap into its potential. By leveraging unique platform features and maintaining a regular posting schedule, you can effectively build a new audience.

Regularly evaluate your performance using Instagram's analytics tools to refine your strategy and maximize engagement.

Exploring Threads can diversify your social media presence, providing new engagement opportunities and helping you stay ahead in the dynamic world of social media.

#11. Integrate trending audio tracks

Music has become an essential element of Instagram content, especially in Reels and Stories. Integrating trending audio tracks can make your posts more engaging and discoverable.

Taco Bell is one brand example which uses music to enhance their visual content, creating a dynamic and immersive experience that resonates with their audience. By adding popular songs or energetic soundtracks, you can tap into existing trends and increase the likelihood of your content being shared.

To maximize the impact of music in your Instagram marketing strategy, stay updated on trending audio tracks and incorporate them into your Reels and Stories.

Use music to set the tone, evoke emotions, and complement your visuals. This approach not only enhances engagement but also helps your content stand out in a crowded feed.

#12. Learn Instagram SEO

Instagram has evolved from a simple photo-sharing app to a marketing powerhouse.

But how can you make your business profile stand out and attract more followers? With Instagram becoming more like a search engine, the trend of optimizing your business page to increase visibility and attract more followers.

Instagram analytics and Instagram metrics can provide valuable insights to enhance your strategy.

#13. Choose to build a community over followers

Building a strong community on Instagram is more than a passing trend. It is more valuable than just increasing your follower count. Fostering an engaged community leads to higher Instagram engagement rates and stronger brand loyalty.

Patagonia excels by creating content that resonates with their audience and encourages participation.

Use Instagram Stories, polls, and Q&A sessions to engage your audience. Highlight user-generated content to show appreciation and create a branded hashtag to foster a sense of belonging.

Prioritizing community over follower count creates a loyal audience that actively engages with your brand, leading to more meaningful connections and a stronger Instagram presence.

#14. Build brand partnerships to expand reach

Brand partnerships are an effective trend you can follow to expand your reach on Instagram. Collaborating with other brands allows you to tap into their audience, increasing visibility and engagement for both parties.

Alo Yoga frequently partners with yogis to create co-branded content that appeals to a broader audience. These partnerships can take various forms, such as joint giveaways, co-created content, or collaborative campaigns.

To maximize the benefits of brand partnerships, choose partners that align with your brand values and target audience. This ensures the collaboration feels authentic and resonates with both sets of followers. By leveraging each other’s strengths, you can create compelling content that attracts new followers and keeps your current audience engaged.

#15. Experiment with AR

Innovative content creation is key to standing out on Instagram. Brands like Jacquemus are pioneers in this area, using AR to captivate their audience.

Jacquemus' campaigns often feature surreal and artistic visuals that break the mold of traditional fashion marketing. Their content includes imaginative photo shoots, playful videos, and unique storytelling techniques that grab attention and encourage sharing.

“Hop on” trends can be overwhelming. To incorporate new forms of content creation into your strategy, think outside the box and experiment with different styles and formats.

Use elements like unexpected angles, artistic concepts, and interactive content to engage your audience. Leveraging these innovative approaches can make your brand memorable and distinguish it from competitors.

#16. Live streaming is still a powerful trend

Live streaming on Instagram is a powerful trend you can use to engage with your audience in real-time. It offers a unique opportunity to connect personally, answer questions, and showcase your brand's human side.

To make the most of live streaming, plan your sessions around events, product reveals, or special announcements.

Promote your live streams in advance to ensure a good turnout, and interact with viewers during the broadcast by answering questions and responding to comments.

Live streaming creates an authentic and engaging experience that can significantly enhance your brand's presence on Instagram. Use this tactic to foster a more personal connection with your audience, increase engagement, and drive real-time interaction.

For example, Jenn Herman began a "Tea, Tactics, and Tenacity" live series every Sunday morning, where she answered a question from her community. This type of content creates a more human connection and fosters a close relationship with her community.

#17. Incorporate user-generated content

User-generated content (UGC) is a powerful way to build authenticity and trust on Instagram. Encouraging your followers to create content featuring your products or brand can significantly boost engagement and foster a sense of community.

GoPro excels at leveraging this Instagram trend by regularly sharing stunning photos and videos captured by their customers. This not only provides social proof but also showcases the real-world application and quality of their products.

#18. Food content boost engagement on Instagram

Food content is universally appealing and can significantly boost engagement on Instagram as one of the broader trends, even if your brand isn't directly related to food. Sharing visually appealing food-related posts can attract a wider audience and add a fun, relatable element to your content strategy.

Brands like IKEA effectively incorporate this Instagram trend by showcasing local cuisines from their travel destinations. This not only highlights the cultural aspect of their offerings but also engages food enthusiasts who may not have otherwise interacted with their content.

To integrate food content into your strategy, consider collaborating with food influencers or featuring food-related posts that align with your brand's lifestyle or themes.

For example, a fitness brand might share healthy recipes, or a tech company could post about gourmet coffee trends in their office.

Final thoughts

Building a strong brand presence on Instagram in 2024 is a must for a successful marketing strategy.

This guide covers the hottest Instagram trends that every marketer should follow in 2024.

This year will be an exciting one for this social media giant. With so many features, Instagram is THE platform you should use to promote your brand and message.

FAQs about Instagram trends

1. What are Instagram trends

Instagram trends today refer to authentic content in constantly changing posts, shifting topics, and behaviors that are popular on Instagram.

These trends can be categorized based on content types, such as Instagram reels trends and carousels, which are among the most engaging formats.

Additionally, trending Instagram hashtags help tag your content with the latest keywords relevant to specific trends and topics, ensuring your posts remain discoverable and relevant.

2. How to use Instagram marketing trends to boost your business

Instagram trends are what make you stay relevant in a world that is continuously changing and morphing.

Every social media director knows that in social media, in order to survive, you have to change. All. The. Time.

24/7, you need to stay on top of what’s new and find a way to implement the latest Instagram trends into your marketing strategy. Below, you’ll find several noteworthy trends to watch.

To climb higher on the success ladder, you have to know the newest Instagram trends. Always search for them.

Then, think about how you can adjust your marketing strategy to include those fresh ideas.

Start by searching for new trends on Instagram again because new ones emerge as we speak. Then repeat.

An important thing to keep in mind is that not all trends will work for your business.

Even if you use that viral audio for your Reel, it doesn’t mean it will automatically skyrocket and become viral.

It’s all about experimenting with several Instagram trends and testing them on your Instagram audience. Several times. It’s all a numbers game.

And we know the saying about the early bird. If you get your posts in front of their eyes, you will be top-of-mind when they’re looking for similar products.

Moreover, if you use tags and topics for your Instagram Reels engagement, these will double your chances of getting noticed and increase the number of prospects.

3. Is there a trending section on Instagram?

Reels Trends is a centralized location to help you understand what's trending across reels on Instagram. This destination allows you to find and leverage trending content to inspire you to create more engaging Reels content of your own.