Instagrammable

What is Instagrammable?

Instagrammable refers to anything visually appealing or interesting enough to be worth sharing on Instagram. This term describes places, products, experiences, or content specifically designed or curated to be aesthetically pleasing and shareworthy on social media, particularly Instagram. 

An Instagrammable element typically features eye-catching compositions, striking colors, unique visual elements, or creative arrangements that encourage users to capture, post, and engage with the content.

Nowadays, creating Instagrammable content has become a strategic approach for brands looking to increase their social media engagement and expand their reach. 

By understanding what makes content shareable on Instagram, businesses can craft more effective social media marketing strategies that resonate with their target audience.

Characteristics of Instagrammable content

What exactly makes something Instagrammable? 

While aesthetic preferences evolve over time, certain qualities consistently attract engagement on the platform:

Visually appealing

The most fundamental characteristic of Instagrammable content is its visual appeal. This includes:

• Vibrant colors and contrasts that catch the eye while scrolling through the feed
• Thoughtful composition that follows aesthetic principles and creates visual harmony
• High-quality imagery with proper lighting and good resolution
• Distinctive visual style that aligns with current Instagram aesthetic trends or creates a unique look

Creating visually appealing content doesn't always require professional equipment. With today's smartphone cameras and image editing tools, even small businesses can produce content that stands out in users' feeds.

Authentic and relatable

While polished aesthetics matter, today's Instagram users also value authenticity. The most engaging Instagrammable content often:

• Tells a story that resonates with the viewer's experiences or aspirations
• Showcases real moments with a hint of aspiration rather than completely staged scenes
• Reflects current cultural trends while maintaining brand identity
• Connects emotionally with viewers through relatable scenarios or shared values

Brands that balance aesthetic appeal with authentic storytelling can create more meaningful connections with their audience, leading to higher engagement rates and stronger brand loyalty.

Unique and distinctive

In a sea of similar content, truly Instagrammable posts offer something unique:

• Novel perspectives on familiar subjects or experiences
• Unexpected elements that surprise and delight viewers
• Creative concepts that showcase originality and innovation
• Brand-specific touches that make the content instantly recognizable

Creating distinctive content helps brands stand out in crowded feeds and can significantly improve social media reach by encouraging shares and saves.

Technically optimized

Even the most beautiful content needs to be technically optimized for Instagram:

• Correct image sizes and formats that display properly on various devices
• Strategic use of Instagram features like carousels, Reels, and Stories
• Appropriate hashtags that increase discoverability
• Optimal posting times that align with audience activity patterns

Using tools like Instagram analytics can help brands determine the most effective technical specifications for their content.

Types of Instagrammable content

Several content formats perform particularly well on Instagram. Here are the most effective types of Instagrammable content for businesses:

Carousel posts

Instagram carousel posts allow users to swipe through multiple images or videos in a single post. This format is highly Instagrammable because it:

• Enables storytelling through a sequence of images
• Increases engagement by encouraging users to swipe through the entire carousel
• Provides more value by including multiple related images in one post
• Allows for more comprehensive product showcases or tutorials

Brands can use carousels to feature product collections, share before-and-after transformations, or walk viewers through step-by-step processes.

User-generated content

Sharing content created by customers or followers can significantly boost a brand's Instagrammable factor by:

• Building community around the brand
• Demonstrating real-world applications of products or services
• Creating social proof through authentic endorsements
• Diversifying content style while maintaining brand alignment

Encouraging followers to share their experiences with branded hashtags can generate a steady stream of Instagrammable content for repurposing.

Behind-the-scenes content

Content that offers glimpses into brand operations or product creation can be highly Instagrammable because it:

• Satisfies curiosity about how things work
• Humanizes the brand by showcasing the people behind it
• Creates a sense of exclusivity through "insider" access
• Demonstrates transparency and builds trust

Behind-the-scenes content feels authentic while still offering opportunities for aesthetic presentation.

Themed collections and series

Creating cohesive themed collections or ongoing series can enhance Instagrammability by:

• Establishing visual continuity across multiple posts
• Building anticipation for the next installment
• Demonstrating brand consistency and attention to detail
• Creating a distinctive Instagram feed aesthetic that's instantly recognizable

These collections can be organized by color schemes, product categories, seasonal themes, or campaign concepts.

How to create Instagrammable content?

Creating content that performs well on Instagram requires both creativity and strategy. Here's how to develop Instagrammable content for your brand:

Develop a consistent aesthetic

A cohesive visual identity helps your content stand out and become instantly recognizable:

• Create a signature style through consistent use of colors, filters, and compositional elements
• Develop visual templates that can be customized for different content while maintaining brand identity
• Establish a consistent Instagram feed layout that creates visual harmony when viewed as a grid
• Choose a color palette that represents your brand and appeals to your target audience

Tools like Instagram planning apps can help visualize how different content pieces will look together in your feed.

Use high-quality visuals

The foundation of Instagrammable content is visual excellence:

• Invest in good lighting, whether natural or artificial, to enhance image quality
• Learn basic photography principles such as the rule of thirds and leading lines
• Edit photos consistently using presets or filters that align with your brand aesthetic
• Consider professional photography for flagship content or campaign materials

Even smartphone photographers can create striking visuals by understanding these foundational elements.

Craft engaging captions

While Instagram is primarily visual, captions significantly influence engagement:

• Tell stories that complement and enhance the visual elements
• Include calls to action that encourage comments, shares, or clicks
• Incorporate relevant hashtags strategically to increase discoverability
• Show personality through voice and tone that aligns with your brand

Using an Instagram caption generator can help spark ideas when you're feeling stuck on what to write.

Use Instagram features

Maximizing Instagram's native features can enhance your content's Instagrammability:

• Experiment with Instagram Reels for short-form video content
• Create interactive Stories with polls, questions, and other engagement features
• Use Instagram's filters and effects to add visual interest
• Incorporate Instagram Guides to organize and repurpose existing content

Staying current with Instagram's evolving features helps keep your content fresh and engaging.

Plan and schedule strategically

Consistent posting of Instagrammable content requires planning:

• Create a content calendar to maintain posting consistency
• Schedule posts at optimal times when your audience is most active
• Batch create content to maintain quality while improving efficiency
• Analyze performance metrics to refine your Instagrammable content strategy

Using a social media management tool can streamline the planning and scheduling process.

Examples of Instagrammable content campaigns

Several brands have mastered the art of creating Instagrammable content. Here are some notable examples and what makes them effective:

Product showcases with unique styling

Brands that present their products in visually distinctive ways create highly Instagrammable content. For example:

• Flat lays with carefully arranged product collections
• Contextual photography showing products in aspirational settings
• Creative unboxing sequences that build anticipation
• Before-and-after demonstrations that highlight product benefits

These approaches transform standard product photography into shareable content that drives engagement.

Location-based campaigns

Content tied to specific locations can be highly Instagrammable:

• Pop-up installations designed specifically for social media sharing
• Brand activations at popular events or destinations
• Store designs with distinctive photo opportunities
• Partnerships with iconic locations that align with brand values

Location-based campaigns encourage in-person visits while generating online engagement.

Seasonal and trending themes

Content that aligns with current trends or seasons often performs well:

• Holiday-themed product styling that taps into seasonal excitement
• Content inspired by viral trends but with a unique brand twist
• Seasonal color schemes that refresh the brand's look periodically
• Limited-time offerings promoted through special visual campaigns

Staying current with trends while maintaining brand identity creates relevant yet distinctive content.

Interactive challenges and contests

Encouraging audience participation through challenges creates user-generated Instagrammable content:

• Branded hashtag challenges that prompt creative contributions
• Photo contests with distinctive themes or requirements
• Before-and-after challenges related to product usage
• Transformation series that showcase progress over time

These campaigns multiply content creation through audience participation while building community.

Measuring the success of Instagrammable content

To determine whether your content truly qualifies as "Instagrammable," track these key metrics:

Engagement metrics

Engagement indicates how compelling your content is to viewers:

• Likes, comments, and shares show immediate audience response
• Saves indicate content that users find valuable enough to reference later
• Story replies and interactions demonstrate active engagement
• Completion rates for video content reveal viewer interest levels

High engagement rates typically indicate successful Instagrammable content.

Growth metrics

Truly Instagrammable content should contribute to account growth:

• Follower growth rate following specific content pieces
• Reach and impressions compared to account averages
• Profile visits generated by individual posts
• Website clicks or conversions attributed to Instagram content

Tracking these metrics helps identify which content styles most effectively attract new audience members.

Competitive benchmarking

Comparing your Instagrammable content to competitors provides context:

• Engagement rate relative to industry averages
• Content performance against similar brands
• Trending content themes within your niche
• Visual styles that perform well in your category

Tools like Instagram competitor analytics can help benchmark your performance.

Tools for creating Instagrammable content

Several tools can help brands develop and optimize Instagrammable content:

Design and editing tools

Creating visually striking images requires the right tools:

• Photo editing apps like Adobe Lightroom, VSCO, or Snapseed
• Graphic design platforms such as Canva or Adobe Express
• Video editing software for creating dynamic content
• Template libraries for consistent formatting

These tools help maintain visual quality and consistency across your content.

Content planning tools

Organizing your Instagrammable content for maximum impact requires planning:

• Visual feed planners that preview how posts will look together
• Content calendars for scheduling and theme coordination
• Hashtag research tools to improve content discoverability
• Scheduling platforms like ContentStudio that streamline posting

Planning tools ensure your Instagrammable content creates a cohesive brand presence.

Analytics platforms

Measuring content performance informs future strategy:

• Instagram Insights for basic performance metrics
• Third-party analytics tools for deeper data analysis
• Competitor analysis platforms to benchmark performance
• Audience insight tools to understand follower preferences

Data-driven decisions lead to increasingly effective Instagrammable content over time.

AI assistance tools

Artificial intelligence can enhance content creation:

• AI caption generators for engaging text
• Image enhancement tools for visual optimization
• Content recommendation engines for theme inspiration
• Predictive analytics for optimizing posting schedules

AI tools can streamline workflows while improving content quality.

Conclusion

Creating Instagrammable content is both an art and a science. By understanding the platform's visual nature, staying current with trends, and consistently delivering high-quality, authentic content, brands can build a distinctive presence that resonates with audiences.

Remember that truly Instagrammable content reflects your brand's unique identity while providing value to viewers. Rather than simply chasing aesthetics, focus on creating meaningful visual stories that connect with your specific audience.