Around the new year, I decided I really wanted to streamline my Instagram account. I don’t mean my own photos however (although perhaps I should delete some of the really rubbish ones!), I mean the accounts that I follow and the photos I end up seeing on my feed. Although doing this hasn’t exactly beaten the algorithm, I am finally seeing a lot of different accounts when I have a scroll through π
So how did I do it?
First of all I started by clicking on the list of people I follow and scrolled right to the bottom of the list so I could work my way back up to the top. At that point I was following well over 1500 accounts (that’s a lot of scrolling!!) ππ
*Disclaimer* This process took me about three days on and off. It’s a bit boring but I found it so worth it in the end.
I clicked on the first account and looked at their latest photo to see when they last posted and if their last activity was four months ago or longer, I unfollowed them.
I also decided to unfollow anyone who mainly posted photos of their children (because unless I know you in real life or talk to you a lot on social media, I don’t actually want to see hundreds of photos of your kids doing pretty much the same thing, I’m just not into that), anyone who posted continuous selfies or the same outfit shot fifteen times but in ever so slightly different poses, anyone who posted really dark or really bad quality photos and anyone who mainly posted those “inspirational” quotes (because I hate them, I’m not even sorry).
I’d personally rather see a nice variety of pics on someone’s feed, like fashion, make up, animals, food and scenery!! I also ended up deleting a lot of brands and companies, some that I’d only followed for competitions, because I’d rather follow individual accounts. I did keep a few of my favourite brands that I actually want to see photos from though!
For every account I kept, I liked some of their latest photos and left a couple of comments here and there as well. I found so many incredible accounts that I’d forgotten I’d even followed in the first place π Once I’d finished, I started having a little scroll through and was delighted to see a much more varied feed and I was able to see pics from the accounts that I’d forgotten about π
One of the other perks was that I immediately saw a rise in my engagement as people started liking and commenting back on my photos. I’m guessing that a lot of people who follow me might not have seen my photos for ages due to the algorithm!
I’m now starting to follow more accounts, usually by checking out the people who like the same photos as me as I find they usually have similar feeds with the aesthetics I like π
I also decided to clean up my follower list and go through all the bot, MLM and dead accounts because you can now force people to unfollow you (although they don’t get notified that you’ve made them unfollow you!!)Β I lost about 400 followers that way but at least I know that my engagement and follow count is from real people who actually want to be following me!
Have you ever had a mass Instagram clear out? Would you be tempted? Let me know in the comments below π x
Follow me on:Β Bloglovin π FacebookΒ π Instagram π PinterestΒ π Twitter
36 Comments
I should start cleaning my Instagram account and be more active so I can have more engagement, because you know the Algorithm is a pain in the butt
Michelle| http://www.brokebutflawless.com
I know, why change something that was working so well?
I’m currently having a massive Instagram clear out right now so this post was perfect! x x
Ellis // http://www.elliswoolley.co.uk
Ah thanks Ellis π x
This is so interesting, every few months I like to go through all my followings and take off the ones that no longer inspire me.
http://www.thewhimsicalwildling.com/
It’s such a great way to keep Instagram fresh!!
This is what I need to do again! I havenβt posted in ages but Iβm going to be getting back into it soon and want it to be fresh!
Fix Me In Forty Five
This will be a great way for you to come back to Insta and for it to feel fresh ππ
I just did this too! I actually got an app that unfollowed ‘inactive accounts’ for me (save some time) and then made a conscious effort to visit all the accounts i still followed and engage with their content – aka comments, as well as likes! I will definitely have a look at your following list π
Bumble and Be
Oh I knew you could do that for Twitter but not for Insta!! I wish I’d known about that before ππ
I think its a good thing to only follow people that you’re close to or really admire the feed π
http://izzyk1998.blogspot.co.uk
http://izzykreviews.blogspot.co.uk
It makes Instagram a much nicer place π x
I have been doing exactly the same as you so now I’m only seeing people I want to follow and like in my feed and I am enjoying using the app even more!
It’s great isn’t it? I love scrolling through Instagram now π xx
Love this, glad you didnβt bin me off in your cull. I think itβs a good idea to thin things down a bit here and there. Instagram is so fickle, I sometimes get unfollowed by accounts I engage with which is strange. I often have s twitter cull too. I have to ask myself β why was I even following you anyway?! (Not you) some randomer.
Great post.
Samantha x
http://Thebeautyspyglass.com
Are you kidding? Your feed is stunning, exactly the kind of thing I love seeing!
I’m gearing myself up for a Twitter cull! Xx
Really?! Aw that means so much. Thank you! Xx
Are you kidding?? Yours is incredible, I love it so much xxx
my twitter cull is next!
I need to do this but it’s even more effort lol
Iβve been (very slowly) been having a clear out too! And youβre right, liking and commenting on posts of people have really helped with engagement, and now their posts are showing up more too!
Really helpful post, Iβm going to persevere with the clear out!
Hels xx
http://www.thehelsproject.com
P.S I promise not to post too many photos of Dougie :p
I don’t know why I’ve never thought to do it before! It’s definitely worth it!
But Dougie is cute and you post loads of non-Dougie pics too! Xx
I need to have a clear out as well, thereβs nothing better than unfollow inactive people on Instagram. This is such great advice! π xx
amerzwithlove.com
Such a satisfying feeling, isn’t it? Good luck xx
Love the sound of this! And itβs 100% something I need to try. People I follow are full of accounts that Iβm not really interested anymore in and they hide the amazing accounts. Thanks for the advice π x
You’re welcome, hope it doesn’t take you too long! xx
I think I’m going to have to do this soon, I know there are so many people I’m missing out on that I already follow and accounts that I never interact with that can go. Thanks for the kick up the backside to get it done lol
Abi xo | http://www.wanderlustdaydreaming.co.uk
Ahaha, you’re more than welcome!! It’s such a pain in the bum to do, but I felt so satisfied once I reached the top of the list!! π x
You’ve encouraged me to have a bit of a tidy up myself, Holly.
As much as I love the ppl I interact with, I’d love my feed to be more varied π
Gillian xx Eyelinerflicks.com
Yay, I hope it goes well π xx
i need to have a clear out too. and yep, it def takes time and engagement to build a great community
I’m really looking forward to working on mine this year!! π x
I am one of those people who posts quotes but I do have a weekly series and have done for almost two years lol π
I want to follow more people but I don’t know how to look for them.
I remember when the algorithm started changing and you could turn on notifications for certain accounts you follow I did that for no accounts so in my view everyone and their account is on an even playing field π x
I mean more every single photo being an inspirational quote lol … I don’t mind the odd one but I prefer seeing photos.
I often check out my fave accounts and see who they follow as they usually follow some pretty awesome accounts, you could try that? xx
That’s a good idea, thanks Holly x
You’re welcome π xx