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Instagram may not have as many users as its massive big brother Facebook, but it is a powerhouse when it comes to grabbing - and keeping - the attention of a target audience One thing that is extremely helpful when trying to stay ahead of the game on Instagram is keeping an eye on stats. While we must be careful and consider the source of said statistics, they can help us predict trends and isolate opportunities in the market to make an impact. The following Instagram statistics are extremely valuable when planning your social media marketing strategy for 2020. Check them out!

Keep These Stats in Mind for Your 2020 Instagram Strategy

1. Instagram images get about 23% more engagement than images on Facebook

Instagram users tend to be engaged and enthusiastic; this is partly down to the reasons why people join Instagram and Facebook. Instagram appeals to those who want to be inspired, who want to find like-minded people and brands with which to share ideas. Facebook tends to appeal to those who want to connect with those they already know. This is a great opportunity for businesses.

 2. Posts that have videos get 38% more engagement than those with images

Video marketing is dominating the social scene: take advantage. In 3 - 60 seconds, you can reach out, connect, and engage your audience. Add video to your posts, your Stories, and your ads. In fact, video should be a major part of your 2020 content strategy as a whole.

 3. The best time to post is …. It depends

A broad answer: the best time to post on Instagram is between 2 p.m. - 3 p.m. CDT (3 p.m. - 4 p.m EDT) on weekdays.

A more specific answer: the best time to post depends on your industry to a larger extent. According to Hootsuite, the following are the best days and times per industry:

• Travel and Tourism: Friday 9am - 1 p.m.
• Media and Entertainment: Tuesdays and Thursdays 12 p.m. - 3 p.m.
• Food and Beverage: Fridays 12 p.m.
• Retail: Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays 12 p.m.
• Professional Services: Friday, Tuesday, and Wednesday 9 a.m. or 10 a.m.
• Non-Profit: Tuesday 4 p.m. or 10 a.m.
• Non-Retail E-commerce: Thursday 9 p.m. to 4 p.m.
• Pharma and Healthcare: Wednesday and Sunday 9 a.m.
• Personal Care: Friday and Thursday 1 p.m., 2 p.m., or 3 p.m.
• Technology: Monday and Tuesday 2 p.m.
• Education: Thursday 4 p.m. or 5 p.m.

If you’re not seeing the engagement you need, test different times.

 4. 70% of Instagram hashtags are branded

A branded hashtag is unique to you. It could be your name or a phrase that captures your identity or a specific campaign you’re running (e.g., #inmyownskin from Dove, #justdoit from Nike). Make sure your brand is out there, waiting to be discovered!

 5. Include at least one hashtag to increase engagement by up to 12.6%

One little hashtag can increase engagement with a post by a significant 12.6%. Be sure to include at least one in every post (and for the magic number, read on).

 6. 11

If you were wondering how many hashtags to include, 11 is the answer, according to many case studies. Engagement starts growing after 8 and then starts to decline after 11.

 7. Longer hashtags are more effective

Longer hashtags typically perform better than shorter ones as they are more specific. You can also use them to appeal to niche markets. Aim for between 21-24 characters.

 8. 46% of Instagram content is Stories

Brands and influencer marketing pros alike are catching on to the appeal of Stories! Instagram Stories are great ways to engage with your audience, especially now with Stickers that are more interactive. Go ahead: tell us a Story!

 9. Stories Ads increase key metrics

Stories Ads allow you to share full screen, vertical format videos and photos, and you can target these ads by reach, video views, app installs, brand awareness, and conversions. These ads increase ad recall, message association, purchase intent, and click-through-rate.

 10. 400 million Instagram users watch Stories every day

Most users (80%) watch Stories just as frequently as they check their feeds. Do not neglect this powerful feature!

Use these statistics as a starting point for your 2020 Instagram strategy: focusing on organic posts, hashtags, and Stories can help you achieve significant results.

Bonus Stats

Did you know that brand engagement rates are 10 times higher on Instagram than on Facebook, and that brands on Instagram see engagement from 4% of their followers as opposed to the less than 0.1% they get on Facebook and Twitter? Consider those your 11th and 12th key Instagram statistics to keep in mind as you plan your 2020 social media marketing strategy!