Good Content with Shannon McKinstrie The Instagram Algorithm is Not the Villain: Being More Intentional with Your Content
If you’ve been feeling confused, overwhelmed, or just simply stressed out by Instagram this past year, it’s time to change your approach for 2026. It’s not 2020 anymore and content strategies have changed. Going into the new year, we’re focusing on crafting a more intentional content strategy that’s all about authentic connection, powerful storytelling, and understanding exactly what your audience craves. We’ll discuss a major Instagram update from this past week (hashtags aren’t dead), how to best apply the change to your own content, and why it might feel like the algorithm is the enemy (it’s really not!). Let’s make 2026 our best year yet!
In this episode we’ll be covering:
- The latest update from Instagram: New hashtag update limits usage to three to five relevant hashtags per post.
- Prioritizing intentional content, with keyword-rich captions and on-screen text.
- Keeping audiences engaged and increasing retention rates through storytelling and humanizing your content.
- Using me-centric storytelling hooks and relatable language that builds emotional connection, driving shares and saves.
- Doing audience research and speaking directly to followers' needs, interests, and lifestyles for optimal reach.
- The algorithm myths: Instagram rewards valuable content that genuinely resonates with people.
Featured content in this episode:
Recommended episodes:
- Episode 088: Find Your Content Rhythm and Build a Simple Content Strategy
- Episode 089: How You’re Going to Become Really Good at Content Creation in 2026 (Part 1)
- Episode 090: How You’re Going to Become Really Good at Content Creation in 2026 (Part 2)
- Episode 091: My Personal Predictions for Instagram in 2026
- Episode 092: This is the Era of Experiences and Belonging
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