In a surprising turn of events, Adam Mosseri, the head of Instagram, recently downplayed the importance of follower count as a key metric for account value.
This statement challenges a long-held belief in the social media world, where follower numbers have been seen as a badge of honor and a measure of success.
Mosseri’s argument hinges on the inauthenticity that can plague follower counts. These inflated numbers can come from inactive accounts or bots, providing a misleading picture of an account’s true reach and influence.
Instead, he emphasizes the importance of engagement – the real connections forged between an account and its audience.
Here’s why engagement trumps follower count:
- Quality over Quantity: A small, highly engaged audience is far more valuable than a large, passive one. Likes, comments, and shares demonstrate a genuine interest in the content, making these followers more likely to convert into customers or brand advocates.
- Focus on Resonance: Engagement metrics provide valuable insights into what content resonates with your audience. This allows you to tailor your strategy and create content that truly connects with your followers.
So, what should you be focusing on instead of follower count?
- Engagement Rate: This metric reveals the percentage of your followers who actively engage with your posts through likes, comments, or shares.
- Reach: This shows you the number of unique accounts that see your content, giving you a broader picture of your audience.
- Click-Through Rate: This measures the effectiveness of calls to action within your content, indicating how well your audience responds to specific links or promotions.
By prioritizing engagement and these other metrics, you gain a deeper understanding of your audience and the impact of your content.
This shift in focus allows you to build a more meaningful connection with your followers and ultimately achieve your goals on Instagram, whether it’s brand awareness, sales, or community building.