Choose the Best Instagram Trend for Your Business In 2022

It's time to get ahead of the curve. You know what we mean: you're running a business, and you want to make sure people know about it. Not only that, but you want to be at the forefront of trends so that your products are seen as forward-thinking and cutting-edge.

And hey—we get it! It can be hard to keep track of all the different ways people are using Instagram. With so many different trends to choose from, how do you know which one is right for your business?

The answer is simple: you don't. Every Instagram trend has its strengths, and every social media platform has its own way of doing things—so picking just one can feel overwhelming. That's why we've put together a list of some of the best Instagram trends to help you decide which one works best for your brand and goals.

Trend #1: Use Dance Challenges to Increase Engagement

Dances are all the rage on social media these days. From TikTok to Instagram and everything in between, people love dancing challenges both big (like Reels) and small 24-hour marathons where you can post your own choreography. The next logical step for this trend?

Expect high engagement from participating in or initiating dance challenges on the platform.

But how can you use this Instagram trend to benefit your brand? Keep reading to find out how you can use dance challenges to engage your followers on social media!

Dance challenges are a great way to get your followers involved with your brand on social media. Not only are they fun and engaging, but they also encourage creativity and collaboration. And when done right, they can be a powerful marketing tool that helps you to reach a wider audience and achieve your business goals.

How to use dance challenges to engage your followers on Instagram

1. Choose the right challenge for your brand

There are endless possibilities when it comes to dancing challenges, so be careful to choose one that aligns with your brand identity and objectives. For example, if you're a fashion brand, you might want to consider a challenge that involves creative styling and choreography. Or if you're a fitness brand, you could create a challenge that encourages people to get active and have fun at the same time.

2. Partner with influencers and micro-influencers

Collaborating with influencers and micro-influencers is a great way to amplify your reach and get more people involved in your challenge. When selecting influencers to partner with, look for those who have an engaged following that aligns with your target audience. And be sure to clearly communicate your expectations and objectives for the partnership so that everyone is on the same page.

3. Promote, promote, promote!

Once you've selected the perfect challenge and lined up some influencer partners, it's time to start promoting your challenge across all of your channels. Use eye-catching visuals and catchy captions to grab attention and make people want to participate. And remember to include all the relevant details like how to enter, what prize is up for grabs, etc.

4. Engage with participants

A key part of any successful social media campaign is engagement. So make sure you're actively responding to comments, questions, and entries throughout the duration of your challenge. This will not only show that you're listening but also help build deeper connections with your followers. And who knows, you might even discover some new talent along the way!

Trend #2: Instagram Shopping

As we move into 2022, it's clear that Instagram shopping is here to stay. This trend was born out of the pandemic, as people turned to social media for their shopping needs. And with improved digital tools, it's only going to become more popular.

If you're a business owner, this is something you need to be aware of. Instagram shopping allows customers to purchase products directly from the app, without having to go to your website. This makes it extremely convenient for them, and means you could see a lot more sales coming through.

To make the most of this trend, there are a few things you should keep in mind. Your product photos need to be top notch. They should be clear and inviting, and make the shopper want to learn more.

You also need to have a strong call to action in your posts. This could be something like “tap to shop now” or “swipe up to buy.” Make it easy for people to take the next step.

Moreover, you need to be active in promoting your products on Instagram. This means posting regularly, using relevant hashtags, and running ads. If you do all of this, you'll be well on your way to capitalizing on the Instagram shopping trend.

Trend #3: User-Generated Content

If you're not already using user-generated content (UGC) as part of your social media marketing strategy, then you're missing out on a major opportunity.

In addition to being popular, UGC plays a great role in your marketing and building a good brand. UGC is simply content that is created not by your business, but by individuals and brands that follow you and create independently. You can post UGC on your page by getting permission from them.

UGC is beneficial mainly because it lets you have more content in less time, but it also builds trust with your audience.

Having UGC means that fans endorse your brand with confidence. It means a lot when a fan or follower invests time in creating a post or video about your brand. Not only that, but they are also risking their own image by making a post endorsing your brand. Even though UGC has been around for a while, it is becoming much more relevant in 2022.

Why UGC has become an important part of social media marketing

1. UGC is Cost-Effective

One of the biggest advantages of UGC is that it's extremely cost-effective. Rather than paying influencers or hiring a professional photographer/videographer, you can simply ask your fans to submit their content. Of course, you'll need to offer some kind of incentive (more on that later), but overall, UGC is a much cheaper way to get high-quality content for your feed.

2. UGC Is More Trustworthy Than Traditional Advertising

These days, people are extremely skeptical of traditional advertising methods like banner ads and TV commercials. We've all been bombarded with advertising so much that we've become desensitized to it. But with UGC, people are much more likely to believe the claims being made because they know that real people are behind them—not paid actresses or models reading from a script.

3. UGC Helps You Tap Into New Markets

When you use UGC as part of your social media marketing strategy, you're essentially getting free market research. By seeing what kind of content your fans are creating, you can get a good idea of what interests them and what doesn't. This information can be extremely valuable for tapping into new markets or targeting new demographics.

Trend #4: Make The Most of Instagram Video

IGTV may have not been as successful as Instagram had hoped, but that doesn't mean that video content on the platform isn't valuable.

In fact, now that Instagram videos can be up to 60 minutes long, there are more opportunities than ever before to create engaging and informative content for your followers.

By taking advantage of the longer video timespan, you can create content that really stands out on Instagram. Instagram videos can be used in a number of ways.

Some businesses use them as a way to show off their products or services, while others use them as a way to engage with their followers and promote content. They can also be used to create short marketing videos or even live videos.

How Can Businesses Use the Video Instagram Trend?

There are several ways businesses can utilize Instagram Video. Below, we've outlined a few examples:

1. Create a product demonstration video

To market a physical product, one great way to use Instagram Video is by filming a demonstration video. This type of video will allow your customers to see your product in action and learn more about its features. You can also use this opportunity to highlight any unique selling points that make your product special.

2. Give a behind-the-scenes look

People love getting a behind-the-scenes look at businesses they love. Use Instagram Video as an opportunity to give your followers a tour of your office space or show them how your products are made. This type of content will help humanize your brand and make your customers feel more connected to you.

3. Share customer testimonials

Customer testimonials are always valuable for businesses, as they show prospective customers that you're doing something right. On Instagram Video, you can share testimonials from happy customers in the form of short video clips. Be sure to include quotes from your customers so that people can see the great things they're saying about you!

Trend #5: Link Stickers

Since the retirement of the swipe-up feature, brands and influencers have had to rely on Link Stickers as a way to include links in their Stories. While this isn't as user-friendly as the swipe-up feature, it's still a viable option. And because Instagram is always updating its features, it's likely that the swipe-up feature will be reintroduced at some point in the future.

As of right now, Instagram link stickers are a relatively new feature, and their popularity is growing. Since the link stickers are relatively new, not many businesses are using them yet. So, if you decide to start using them, you'll likely be one of the first in your industry to do so.

Trend #6: Influencer Marketing – An Instagram Trend That Never Fails

When it comes to finding the right influencer for your brand, you must look at a diverse set of individuals, not just celebrities.

In fact, nano-influencers as well as micro-influencers are becoming more popular because their audiences find it easy to relate to them.

Even if they have just a few thousand people following their content, their audience engagement levels are quite high since they have more time to engage with a smaller number of people compared to a wider number of people.

So if you're looking for an authentic representation of your brand on Instagram, consider partnering with a relatable nano or micro-influencer.

What is a Nano or Micro-Influencer?

A nano or micro-influencer is someone with between 1,000 and 100,000 followers on Instagram. They are often seen as more relatable than celebrities because they are everyday folks whose following includes people who share their interests and lifestyle. Nano and micro-influencers are also more likely to have engaged audiences because they are easier to reach and connect with.

How to Find the Right Nano or Micro-Influencer for Your Brand

When you're looking for the right nano or micro-influencer to partner with, you must consider their audience and whether or not they would be interested in your brand. For example, if you sell skincare products, you might want to partner with an influencer who is passionate about beauty and has an engaged following of skincare enthusiasts. After finding some possible and reliable partners, reach out and ask them if a collaboration is possible. If you get a positive response, great! If not, don't worry – keep looking until you find the perfect match.

The Benefits of Partnering With a Nano or Micro-Influencer

There are several benefits to partnering with nano or micro-influencer over a celebrity influencer for this Instagram trend. First of all, nano and micro-influencers tend to be more affordable than celebrities, so their partnerships are more budget-friendly.

Second, as mentioned before, their audiences are usually more engaged because the nano/micro-influencer is easier to connect with.

Since the nano/micro-influencer is more relatable than a celebrity, their partnerships tend to come across as more authentic and genuine. If you're looking for an authentic representation of your brand on Instagram, consider partnering with a relatable nano or micro-influencer.

These influencers have engaged audiences and can provide an authentic partnership at a fraction of the cost of celebrity influencers.

Trend #7: Cause Marketing

In today's market, consumers are looking to support businesses that share their beliefs and social commitments. This is especially true on Instagram, where popular issues can get a lot of traction quickly. Cause marketing is a great way to reach out to potential customers and let them know that you're someone they can support. Here are some of the benefits of using cause marketing in your Instagram campaigns.

How to Boost Your Social Media Presence With Cause Marketing

1. Reach a Wider Audience

When you partner with an organization or campaign that aligns with your brand values, you open up the potential to reach a much wider audience than you could on your own. This is because you tap into the followers of the organization or campaign, which can help to increase your brand awareness and reach significantly.

2. Enhance Your Brand Image and Reputation

By partnering with causes that are important to your target audience, you enhance your brand image and reputation in their eyes. This is because they see that you're not just concerned with making money—you're also interested in making a difference. And this can go a long way in building trust and loyalty among your target consumers.

3. Drive Engagement and Sales with an Ethical Instagram Trend

Cause marketing can also be a great way to drive engagement and sales. When consumers see that you're supporting a cause they care about, they're more likely to engage with your content and consider doing business with you. So if you're looking for an effective way to reach out to potential customers, using cause marketing on Instagram is a great strategy.

Is Cause Marketing Right For Your Business? 

Cause marketing is becoming more and more popular as people want to buy from businesses that share their beliefs and social commitment.

If you’re looking for ways to make your business stand out, using cause marketing in your Instagram campaigns is an excellent strategy—and one that comes with several benefits.

By partnering with an organization or campaign, you can reach a wider audience, enhance your brand image and reputation, and drive engagement and sales.

So if you're looking for an effective Instagram trend to connect with potential customers, using cause marketing is the way to go.

Steps to Create a Successful Cause Marketing Campaign

1. Determine the cause you'd like to support

There are many great causes to support, so take some time to think about which one is the best fit for your brand.

2. Create a campaign that supports that cause

Come up with a creative way to promote your chosen cause and get your followers involved.

3. Use relevant hashtags

Make it easy for people to find your campaign by using relevant hashtags.

4. Share impactful stories and images

Show your followers the impact your campaign is having and inspire them to get involved.

Trend #8: Hashtags are Still Important

Hashtags are a great way to help your posts get discovered by users who don't follow you yet. And while the use of hashtags has changed over the years—for example, users used to stuff their captions with as many relevant hashtags as possible in order to get more views–nowadays, a more strategic approach is necessary. That's because Instagram prohibits the use of excessive hashtags, so using too many in your caption will actually result in less people seeing your post.

So, what's the best way to use hashtags? The key to this Instagram trend is to use a mix of popular and niche hashtags. Popular hashtags (such as #instagood or #photooftheday) will help you reach a wider audience, while niche hashtags (such as #girlboss or #designspiration) will help you reach a more targeted audience.

Lastly, don't forget to use branded hashtags! These are hashtag created by businesses or brands (such as #forever21hairstyles or #NikeRunning). Not only do branded hashtags help improve brand awareness and reach, but they can also lead to increased engagement rates.

Understanding Instagram's Latest Hashtag Statistics

Anyone who has used Instagram for business purposes knows that hashtags are essential for driving engagement and reach. With this in mind, the latest Instagram statistics show that an average Instagram post contains as many as 10.7 hashtags. That's a lot of hashtags! But what do these numbers mean? Let's take a closer look.

What Do the Numbers Mean?

There are a few things to unpack here. First, let's look at the difference between average and median. In this instance, average means that the total number of hashtags used across all posts is divided by the total number of posts. This number can be skewed by a small number of posts that use a large number of hashtags.

Median, on the other hand, is the middle number in a list of numbers sorted from largest to smallest. So, in this instance, median would be the number of hashtags used in the post that falls in the middle of all other posts sorted by hashtag usage.

The second thing to note is that these numbers are averages and medians across all posts, not just those from businesses or influencers. This means that the average person on Instagram is using nearly 11 hashtags per post! That's a lot of hashtags.

So, what does all this mean for businesses and influencers?

First, it's important to remember that engagement is key on Instagram. If you're not using enough hashtags, you're not going to reach as many people as you could be. Second, don't go overboard with your hashtag usage. Too many hashtags can make your post look cluttered and spammy. Find a happy medium, and you'll be sure to see an uptick in engagement.

The bottom line is that if you want your content to be seen by as many people as possible on Instagram, you need to be using hashtags—and lots of them. However, it's important to strike a balance between using too many and too few hashtags. The sweet spot seems to be around 10-11 hashtags per post. Happy tagging!

Final Thoughts

Are you ready to jump on the Instagram trend bandwagon and start using some of these trends in your social media marketing? We hope so! Keep in mind that as new trends develop, some of these may fall out of favor while others will become even more popular. The important thing is to stay up-to-date with the latest changes and adapt your marketing strategy accordingly. What trend do you think will be most popular on Instagram in 2022? Let us know in the comments below!