What’s Next for Influencers When Instagram Removes Likes?

Within the past few weeks, leading social media platform Instagram announced they are testing removing likes from their platform. Many are questioning what will Influencers do once Instagram removes likes?

I sat down with my friend, Joey Price, to find out.

For those of you who don’t know Joey, he is the Founder and CEO of Jumpstart HR, an #HRpodcaster at Business, Life, and Coffee, and an Instagram Influencer.

Interview with Joey Price on What Happens When Instagram Removes Likes?

Your platform of choice is currently Instagram, since Instagram will hide likes, what’s next? 

Great question! While continuing to ride the wave of Insta Algorithm changes, you have to constantly build your own platform. So I’m always building my email list and podcast subscribers. As for IG specifically, I like the idea of tracking views/impressions rather than likes anyways. Not to go too deep in the weeds here, but I think decision fatigue makes its way onto social media more than we think. People have to ask “do I want to/have to/need to like this photo?” However, impressions are IG’s most authentic way to reward good content. If you notice more impressions on a particular piece of IG content then that means it’s resonating with people somewhere. That might not always mean it’s the most “liked” piece of content on your page but it could mean it’s the most shared, saved, and discoverable through relevant hashtags. 

Without Instagram likes as a starting place, what are other ways to measure engagement on Instagram? 

I recommend tracking which posts get saved, high impressions, shared to IG stories/friend’s DMs, and commented on. For example, I had a recent post that blew up compared to my normal shares and it was because the content triggered emotion and was practically helpful. It was a post about how to be financially savvy around the holiday gift-giving season. 87% of people who viewed the post were not my followers! In addition, the high volume of shares let me know that people resonated with it enough to post to their Instagram Stories and the saves let me know people wanted to refer back to it at some point. These measurables are known only to the person doing the posting and I think they are much more valuable and organic than likes.

What are some other ways brands can work with Influencers?

First of all, before brands agree to work with influencers, they have to be certain that said influencer “influences” on the platform regardless of platform changes. Secondarily, consider an arrangement to have the influencer post content on their channels and you share on yours. It helps make the relationship appear even more credible. 

What is your advice to Influencers who want to grow their Instagram audience? 

• 1. Know who you’re trying to reach and why.
• 2. Provide more value than vanity (remember that people consume your page for THEIR benefit first, not yours).
• 3. Check out my new influencer workbook that will help you become a more confident brand-builder and develop a following over the course of a year! 

What Influencer content have you found to be most successful on Instagram?

Since I don’t look that great in a bikini, I mostly partner with brands on pieces that either a) inform or b) inspire. Instagram can be confused as being a primarily visually heavy medium but the reality is that a lot of engagement can be sparked from great copywriting. I’ve partnered with brands to discuss their latest research, to celebrate company offerings, to highlight products, and to explore new places. As long as your posts are oriented towards information and inspiration without being to stiff, you’re likely going to make great content! 

Do you think TikTok will become the new Instagram? 

Nope. I know Gary Vee loves it but not everyone has the time to curate their life according to a soundtrack. 

Where can readers find you online? 

Follow me on Twitter or Instagram at @joeyvpricehr. Hire me for HR consulting services at jumpstart-hr.com. Learn more about me at joeyvpricehr.com. And subscribe to my podcast Business, Life, and Coffee podcast.

A huge thanks to Joey for answering all our questions. If you have any more questions on Instagram, Influencers, HR, or this topic, leave a comment below and we’ll answer-away!