Whenever we are impressed by any Instagram post, we all used to click the ‘Like’ button. Instagram likes not only show the users’ appreciation for the content but they also matter the most for content creators. The number of likes your post receives is one of the important metrics to consider to improve popularity, visibility, and engagement rates of your account.
Marketers, creators, influencers, and brands can determine the reach of their posts based on the likes count. But the question is whether one should focus on organic likes or free likes to boost their Instagram popularity. Keep reading this post to understand the difference between free likes and organic likes.
Significance of organic likes on Instagram
Organic likes are the likes that are given by real people actively running their Instagram accounts. These likes reflect the content quality and engagement a post creates among the audience. Instagram’s algorithm prioritizes likes which are generated naturally by the viewers. The audience also considers organic likes to be more reliable and authentic.
Gaining plenty of organic likes is important for the following reasons:
● Quality likes: These likes are of extreme quality because they are given by people who are genuinely impressed by the quality and nature of your content. People hit the like button by their own desire when they find the post worth engaging.
● Higher visibility on the Explore Page: As mentioned above, the algorithm values organic likes which come from users really interested in the post. It shows that the post is interacting naturally with the audience and is more likely to drive more engagement. As a result, the algorithm ranks the post at the top of the Explore Page.
● Long-term organic engagement: Real likes develop the credibility of the Instagram account among followers and encourage them to further show increasing engagement. Since these likes are given by real users, they indicate the authentic engagement and interest of the audience.
● No risk: Since organic likes are quality and authentic likes, they generate no risk for the creator. The algorithm considers them 100% safe and genuine and also doesn’t penalize the channel or post.
Not just these but real likes offer many more benefits. The only drawback is that gaining these likes can be time-consuming and challenging, mainly for new creators or brands. Compelling users to click the Like button requires time, patience, a strategic approach, and consistent effort. However, the outcomes of those efforts will be long-term.
Are free likes beneficial or harmful?
Free likes on Instagram, contrary to organic likes, are generally provided by engagement pods or third-party social media service providers rather than real users. Most creators nowadays consider getting Instagram free likes to get instant popularity because these likes are received immediately. Some users exchange likes with each other to increase likes count while some users pay some amount to service providers to push the number of likes on their posts. Higher like counts quickly capture the audience’s attention and provide an immediate boost in the appearance on the Explore Page.
Although free likes are the easiest and quickest way to maximize the likes count on Instagram and increase initial engagement, they don’t assure long-term organic engagement and growth. They also come with the risk of getting your account or post deleted by Instagram because the algorithm considers artificial likes (gathered from unknown sources) spammy or inauthentic. When free likes don’t come from authentic users, it may decrease engagement quality and negatively affect the credibility and performance of your channel.
Free or organic likes: which ones are important to boost Instagram popularity?
Instagram organic likes and free likes both play a significant role in increasing the popularity of the platform. You can consider using free likes if you wish to quickly go viral on the platform without thinking much about long-term engagement and growth. However, if you want to boost popularity while developing a dedicated following and trustworthy relationship with loyal followers, gaining organic likes is highly recommended.
To ensure the optimum balance between these two types of likes, you can consider getting free likes initially to improve the likes count, visibility, and reach of your post. Once you start receiving the initial engagement, you can make a transition from free likes to real likes by implementing an organic growth strategy. By integrating the authenticity of real likes with free likes, you can skyrocket your Instagram popularity and success.
Tips to get real likes and develop genuine engagement.
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Host like-to-enter giveaways or contests.
Organize a giveaway or contest and ask your followers to like your post to enter the contest. It drives more engagement and encourages your followers to show appreciation.
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Stay informed with the new trends and updates.
Keep eyes on the latest updates and trends, such as content formats, hashtags, and challenges to boost engagement and attract more likes.
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Tag other creators or users.
Tagging other Instagram accounts is another important strategy to develop relationships with other users and promote your post to their audience.
The tagged user will be notified about your post and if they are interested in your post, they tend to like it.
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Optimize your post timing.
Correct posting time is important for boosting engagement on your Instagram account. Focusing on when your followers are most active helps in ensuring that your post is seen by the potential audience quickly. You can use Instagram Insights to find out when your main audience is most active and use the right posting time for better results. You can also experiment with different timings to determine the correct one.
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Cross-promote your content on numerous social networks.
Expand the reach of your Instagram content across other social networks to drive your engagement back on Instagram and gain more ROI from single content. Identify key platforms and customize your content for each platform.
Hopefully, this guide will help you make the best use of free likes and organic likes for the popularity of your Instagram account.
