Instagram Guides is one of the biggest news launched in 2020. The social network’s new feature started as an idea to curate content about health and wellness, aiming to help raise awareness of COVID-19.
Several content creators have partnered with health organizations to spread information on dealing with anxiety and grief arising from the pandemic. However, due to the success of Gaia’s, Instagram announced that it would officially release the format for all profiles. According to the platform, the goal is “to make it easy for you to discover, organize and share products, places, and posts from your favorite Instagram accounts.”
Want to know what Instagram Guides is and how both influencers and business can use it? So, let’s explain:
- What are Instagram Guides;
- How to use Instagram Guides;
- Four ways to create content in Instagram Guides.
What Are Instagram Guides?
Instagram Guides is a feature that allows you to gather different content on the same topic in one place. Above all, it serves as a curation of content that your audience can access in a more organized and practical way, unlike the feed that works as a mixture of scattered content.
Try to think of Guides as many categorized folders where you find related content. It’s like a reading list where all posts connect and complement each other.
You can enter your best posts and even add extra information to complement them. It is similar to a blog in that it allows brands and creators to develop denser content.
In Instagram Guides, you can also gather content generated by other users in addition to your own. We’ll talk more about that later.
How To Use Instagram Guides?
Now, let’s see a step-by-step guide to learning how to use Gaia’s. It is straightforward and intuitive, so you will hardly have any problems. Follow the steps below to learn more!
Access Guides
There are two ways to view Instagram Guides. The first is through a user’s feed. Access the feed and click on a tab similar to a magazine. You can see it next to the IGTV and Reels charges. By clicking on the account, you will find all the folders of that user’s Guides.
The other option is through the Product Guides that are inside Instagram Shopping. To access them, click on the Shopping tab and, below the search bar, drag to the side to find the “Explore Guides” button. Thus, you will see several Guides related to products in this feature that is very similar to the “Explore” of Instagram.
Create And Share A Guide
To create your first Instagram Guide, click on the Guides tab in your feed and select the “+” icon. Instagram will ask you if you want to create a Location, Product, or Post Guide. Understand the differences in each of the categories below!
Location Guide
With this type of Guide, you can recommend places to your followers, such as restaurants, bars, beaches, and tourist sites. It’s great for brands and content creators in the travel or food niche.
Product Guide
You can indicate your favorite brands and products with the Product Guide, as long as they are linked to Instagram Shopping. This option is perfect for content creators and influencers who have paid or unpaid partnerships. Currently, brands invest a lot in referral marketing due to the high financial return.
Publications Guide
This tab allows you to select content and publications posted or saved by you. Therefore, you can curate content from other users. As you can see below, the @vitaalere profile has created a Publications Guide with a short intro in text and a title for each content.
4 Ways To Create Content In Instagram Guides
Instagram Guides can be used in several strategic ways. Because it looks like an internal social network blog, its possibilities are endless. Here are some examples of content creation for Gaia’s:
Curation For News Platforms
Contrary to many think, newspapers and news sites can also naturally use Gaia’s. It is possible to gather several news articles on the same topic in a Guide, which qualifies the customer experience. For example, a newspaper could collect all relevant information about COVID-19 in one Guide.
Curation For Brands
It is possible for brands using Instagram Shopping to curate their products as if they were a catalog. In addition, if you use the Product Guide, you gain more chances to appear on Explore, generating more visibility for your profile and, consequently, more buyers.
However, be sure to create Publication Guides, especially if you post relevant content and tips. Ideally, brands should not only focus on their products but also on producing valuable content. So take advantage of Guides to gather your best posts.
Curation For Influencers
The cool thing about Instagram Guides is that it has become an excellent opportunity for influencers and creators. When creating your Guides, you can indicate partner brands and products, another way to monetize your Instagram.
However, also be sure to publish Guides with your most relevant content. For example, if you are in the fitness niche, it is possible to share all your posts related to your recipes, exercises, and fitness routine in a single Guide.
Curation For NGOs
Finally, let’s not forget the first profiles that had access to the Guides: charities. They can use the feature to share their tips and those of other profiles related to well-being, health, and social causes. Therefore, by doing this curation, you support professionals in the area and help raise awareness.
Conclusion
Anyway, Instagram Guides is here to stay. After all, with so much information disseminated on social networks and the Internet, there must be a specific content organization. Also, through Guides, you can be discovered by someone’s referral. So, don’t hesitate to use this fantastic feature!
Also Read: How To Manage Your Branding On Social Media