Instagram Feed: what it is
Instagram uses the term Feed in a very general way, which can create some confusion among users. Often, people mix up the concept of the Feed with that of the News Feed: two sections we use every day, but with very different functions!
The difference between Feed and News Feed:
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The Instagram Feed — or more specifically, the News Feed — is the main screen you land on when you open the app.
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Your personal Feed, on the other hand, is your profile: the page where all your published content is displayed, along with your profile picture and bio.
Now that this distinction is clear, let’s see how you can make the most of the Instagram Feed!
How the Instagram Feed works and how it differs from Explore
Let’s make one more distinction: the Instagram Feed is not the same as the Explore section. Understanding this difference is key to knowing where to find content that best fits what you’re looking for.
THE INSTAGRAM FEED (the main page) shows content from both the accounts you follow and profiles suggested by Instagram. But why do you see certain posts and not others?
It all depends on:
- Past interactions with a specific account;
- The relevance of the content, according to Instagram;
- Engagement — meaning the number of interactions a post has received.
THE EXPLORE SECTION, on the other hand, is designed to help you discover new content from accounts you don’t yet follow. To access it, tap the magnifying glass icon. Here, the algorithm focuses on trends, viral content, and your personal interests based on your activity on the platform. The more time you spend in Explore, the more the content shown will update and adapt to your preferences.
One key factor that influences both sections is the use of Hashtags: in the Feed, they help you reach a broader audience, while in Explore they’re essential for appearing among trending posts.
How to use the Instagram Feed strategically
What if we told you there’s a way to increase the visibility of your posts without completely overhauling your strategy?
A few years ago, Instagram introduced a feature that lets you customize what you see in your main Feed. In practice, you have three viewing options:
For you: the standard version, showing posts from both accounts you follow and suggestions from the algorithm;
Following: this view only shows posts from the accounts you follow, in chronological order;
Favorites: a personalized selection showing only posts from accounts you’ve added to your favorites, also in chronological order.
The real secret? Being in someone’s Favorites!
If you’re a creator or a brand, being added to a user’s Favorites list can make a huge difference. Instagram sees this choice as a sign of strong interest and, as a result, tends to give your content more visibility.
Being on someone’s Favorites list means:
⦿ Greater visibility in their Feed, with your posts showing up higher;
⦿ More frequent appearances, even in the regular home Feed;
⦿ Less risk of getting lost among algorithm-suggested content.
Conclusion
Understanding how the Feed works, staying updated on its changes, and knowing how to take advantage of all its opportunities is essential for successfully managing your presence on the platform.
Instagram is constantly evolving, and to keep up, you need to refine your strategy over time.
Get inspired by our tips and let our team support you! Contact us here and discover our growth plans — together, we’ll find the best path to help your profile shine!
