Instagram is more than just a photo/video sharing app. It’s a platform to experiment  with creativity and learn the ropes. Instagram allows its users to play with their content to make it more visually aesthetic and consumer-friendly. If you want to be a part of the big Instagram club, you’ve got to keep track of everything that Instagram offers, including updates and cool hacks which will be of service, especially when you’re faced with a creative block.

We’re going to list down few hacks that will give your Instagram content the much-needed makeover it deserves.

1. Hide Hashtags on Your Stories

Did you know that you are allowed to use a maximum of 10 hashtags on your Instagram stories? But, using 10 hashtags on your stories can make it look really muddled up. There’s a smart way to use hashtags yet make it look invincible to your followers. 

Smart Way A – Add the hashtags and shrink it using your index and thumb finger. Now, place an emoji or GIF on top of the hashtags.

Smart Way B – Add hashtags, shrink it, and highlight all the hashtags by tapping it. Now, use the ink dropper icon in the bottom left corner and tap on the area where you want your hashtags to be invisible. The hashtags will then match the colour of the chosen area, hiding it on your Story.

2. Special Bio Name/Caption

A great Instagram bio and caption equals more followers. Your bio and caption is a depiction of who your are and what your content is. You can make it visually attractive by adding special characters to it. All you have to do is write your bio or caption on a Word doc, add the special characters wherever required, copy and paste it on Instagram. It works like a charm.

3. Sneak-peek of Stories

Sometimes, the element of surprise will get you more traction. Attract your followers to go through the rest of your  stories by dangling a carrot in front of them. Add a picture to your Instagram story, tap the pen icon, and choose a preferred colour. Now, hold on your screen for 2 seconds and you’ll see a layer of the colour appear on top of your picture. Choose the eraser icon and scrape off the part you think will entice your audience. There you go!

4. Funk Up Your Font

Move over Instagram’s standard fonts! Play with your fonts on Instagram by heading to a website called LingoJam. It works as a translator to convert a normal text into a creative one. Copy and paste it on your Instagram caption.

5. Remove Embarrassing Posts Without Deleting

Scrolling through your old posts on Instagram may take you down memory lane, but there are going to be embarrassing posts you wished you never posted. You can avoid deleting it. Instead, add it to your Archives by tapping ‘…’ on your post, located on the top right corner. It’ll no longer be visible on your feed.

6. Stop-Motion Graphics From Pictures

Stop-motion graphics are great if you want to showcase products or play with your pictures. Download the LifeLapse app on your smartphone and get working. You can now create stop-motion shots within minutes. How cool is that?

7. Boomerang Your Live Photos

This is one of Instagram’s hidden gems. Add a live photo from your camera roll on to your Instagram story. Press on your screen for two seconds until you see the word ‘Boomerang’ appears in the photo. That’s about it, you’ve got yourself a boomerang without actually boomerang-ing. 

8. Hashtag Alert

There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to Instagram hashtags. Effective use of hashtags can get your brand the visibility it deserves. Instagram allows its users to use 30 hashtags per post. You can either use your hashtag capacity to its fullest or limit it to 10 or less. However, if you’re the ‘more is more’ type of influencer, you can use more than 30 hashtags. All you have to do is add an ampersand (“&”) symbol before each hashtag after you’re done with the 30 hashtag limit. We recommend that you don’t overdo your hashtags and use this trick only when required. 

These hacks will take your Instagram game up a notch. All said and done, the business of influencing isn’t a piece of cake. You’ve got to be at par with creative trends. The biggest success stories on Instagram were born as a result of experimentation. It’s hard work, but every sweat is worth it because, at the end of the day, you’ve got to make way for progress, one Instagram post at a time.