If you’ve ever felt like Instagram is just one big game of "How Many Hoops Can You Jump Through?" — congratulations, you’re not alone. As artists, all we really want to do is share our work and connect with people who get it. But instead, it feels like we spend most of our time trying to decode what Instagram actually wants from us.
Lucky for us, Instagram’s been throwing us a few breadcrumbs lately, finally revealing some of their best practices. But let’s be honest, keeping up with their constant changes is exhausting. So, let’s break down the latest Instagram tips—along with a few unspoken rules—so you can stop stressing about the algorithm and get back to, you know, making art.
1. Consistency is Key (Or So They Say)
Let’s start with the classic advice: post on a consistent schedule. Instagram loves creators who post at the same times on the same days, like clockwork. It’s their way of deciding, “Oh, you’re reliable? We’ll show your content to more people.”
So, if you can manage to show up every Tuesday and Thursday at 3 PM, great! But if that feels like too much, don’t sweat it. Just do what works for you and your energy levels.
For more insights on structuring your art business, check out our guide on Marketing Basics for Illustrators: Create a Kick-Ass Plan & Use Essential Tools.
Pro Tip: Don’t let a rigid schedule kill your creativity. The best posts come from a place of passion, not obligation. But hey, if you’re someone who needs a bit of structure to stay consistent, there are tools out there to help.
Scheduling Tools to Make Your Life Easier
Here’s where Meta Business Suite’s free scheduling tool on desktop or mobile comes in handy. You can plan your posts in advance and have them automatically go live at your ideal times. If that’s not your vibe, you can still make it work the old-school way: create drafts in the Instagram app, set an alarm, and manually hit "post" at the right time.
Whatever you choose, having a system in place is key to showing up consistently—without the stress of scrambling last minute.
Start Small and Build Up
Now, let’s get real for a second. If you miss a week, it’s not the end of the world. The worst thing you can do is set yourself up for burnout by trying to post 5 times a week right out of the gate.
It’s always better to start small and build from there. If you’re just getting into the groove, a minimum of 1 to 2 posts a week is a solid start. Only big brands or full-time influencers really need to be posting daily. For most artists, that’s overkill.
According to Instagram, the optimal posting frequency is 2 to 3 times a week. For those of us who can barely find time to post once a month, this feels like a stretch. But hey, if you can manage it, go for it. Just make sure you’re posting something you actually care about, not just hitting a quota.
Avoid the Burnout Trap
This is why challenges like Inktober can actually mess with your engagement. You go hard, posting every single day for a month, only to disappear for weeks afterward because you’re completely drained. It’s like starting from scratch when you finally come back. Instead, focus on creating a sustainable schedule that works for you, long-term.
Because at the end of the day, consistency isn’t about burning yourself out—it’s about showing up in a way that feels manageable and fun. So, whether that’s posting twice a week or twice a month, find your rhythm and stick with it.
Remember: You’re building a community, not just gaming an algorithm.
2. The Magic Number for Hashtags: 3 to 8 (But Make Them Count)
Gone are the days when packing your post with 30 hashtags felt like you were cracking Instagram’s algorithm. Now, it’s all about quality over quantity, with 3 to 8 hashtags being the sweet spot. Too many hashtags, and Instagram starts to think you’re spamming. Too few, and you’re not reaching as many potential followers as you could be.
It’s like Instagram’s Goldilocks situation: not too many, not too few—just right. But here's the thing: it's not just about hitting that magic number. It's also about using the right hashtags that actually connect with your audience.
Think Beyond Art-Specific Hashtags
Most artists fall into the trap of only using hashtags like #Art, #Illustration, or #Painter. But if you really want to attract your ideal audience, it’s time to think bigger. Hashtags aren’t just about describing your art—they’re about attracting people who are genuinely interested in what you create.
Instead of focusing solely on art-related tags, think about the interests, hobbies, and lifestyles of your target audience. What are they into? What kind of vibe do they resonate with? What problems are they trying to solve or what aesthetic are they drawn to?
For example:
Instead of just using #ButterflyArt, try something more targeted like #ButterflyLover or #NatureAesthetic.
If your art focuses on self-care or mental health, use hashtags like #MindfulLiving, #SelfLoveJourney, or #MentalWellness.
Think about your materials or themes: #GothicVibes, #DarkAcademiaHomeDecor, or #BohoVibes.
3. Carousels vs. Reels: How to Reach Your Audience
Here's an interesting tidbit: carousels are more likely to be shown to your existing followers first. So, if you want to nurture your current community, consider using carousels to showcase your art in multiple slides.
On the other hand, Reels are Instagram’s way of saying, “Go meet new people!” Reels get pushed to new accounts first, helping you reach folks who’ve never heard of your work before.
Oh, and here’s a twist: longer Reels (around 30 seconds or more) are performing better lately. So, if you’ve got a juicy process video or an art story to share, don’t be afraid to stretch it out.
For more on crafting engaging content, read The Secret to Effortless Content Creation for Artists: Document, Don’t Create!
Pro Tip: Balance your content. Use carousels to connect with your loyal followers and Reels to attract new fans.
4. Captions: Keep Them Clear, Captivating, and Keyword-Rich
Always include captions, and make sure they’re actually readable. This is your golden opportunity to connect with your audience on a deeper level, so don't waste it! Captions are a great way to:
Share the story behind your art
Ask questions to engage your followers
Express a relatable moment or thought
But here’s the thing: readability is key. If your captions are long blocks of text, people will just scroll past. So, let’s break down some tips to keep your captions engaging and easy on the eyes:
Break Up Your Captions
Keep paragraphs short—3 to 4 lines max.
Start each section with an emoji to grab attention.
Use bullet points or lists to make your content easier to skim.
This way, your audience can quickly absorb your message without feeling overwhelmed by a wall of text.
Use Keywords Everywhere (Yes, Even in Your Captions)
Just like with hashtags, using the right keywords in your captions can boost your visibility. Sprinkle your main keywords throughout your text, just like you would with hashtags. This helps Instagram understand what your post is about and shows it to the right people.
Pro Tip: If you’re creating a Reel, don’t forget your hook text—that first sentence on your Reel. Make sure it includes your main keyword to maximize reach. This is your chance to catch people’s attention right away and let Instagram know who should see your content.
Get Comfortable Writing: Use Storytelling Prompts
Captions don’t need to be complicated, but they should feel genuine. If you’re stuck, try using the classic 5 W’s and How:
Who is this piece for?
What inspired it?
When did you come up with the idea?
Where do you imagine it fitting in someone's life?
Why did you make it? What’s the deeper meaning?
How did you create it? Share your process!
This will help you build a richer narrative around your art.
Tools to Make Caption Writing Easier
If writing captions feels like pulling teeth, here’s a hack: use talk-to-text and AI tools like ChatGPT to streamline your process.
Here’s my personal method:
Turn on dictation on your desktop and start talking. Let the thoughts flow freely without editing yourself.
Then, use ChatGPT to refine your messy thoughts into a clean, engaging caption.
This way, you can capture your genuine thoughts without getting bogged down by perfectionism.
Remember: Captions are your chance to connect with your audience, so let them see the real you. And don’t be afraid to experiment! The goal is to create posts that feel authentic, engaging, and true to your art.
5. Commenting Rules: Quality Over Quantity
Now, this one’s a bit wild: don’t respond to every single comment on your post. Instagram’s algorithm has decided that if you reply to comments with nothing but emojis, it looks like spam behavior. So, focus on meaningful interactions instead. Respond to the comments that actually start a conversation. It’s better to leave a few comments unanswered than to risk getting flagged as a bot.
Pro Tip: Use your comment section as an extension of your caption. Ask open-ended questions to get genuine engagement from your followers.
The Real Talk: It’s Exhausting, But You’re Not Alone
Let’s be honest—keeping up with Instagram’s rules is a full-time job. Sometimes it feels like they’re making it harder on purpose. But at the end of the day, your art deserves to be seen, no matter what hoops the algorithm throws in your way.
Keep sharing your art, keep showing up, and remember—you’re not just creating for the algorithm. You’re creating for you.
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