Kenya’s Instagram Habits Revealed: Unveiling the Most Popular Engagement Strategies
On average, Kenyans spend 2-3 hours per day on Instagram. This time is spent on liking photos and watching reels, commenting, posting, and viewing stories. With so many features to explore, it's easy to get lost in the app and spend a lot of time on it.
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| Utilizing the power of Instagram for Magnetic Social Media Engagement |
Today we are going to talk about some unique that Kenyans engage in on the platform beyond typical activities
Beyond Likes and Filters: The Real Game of Kenyan Instagram Engagement
Instagram was and still is the favorite app among Kenyan teenagers in 2016. It allows users to post, comment, and like, and gain followers in return.
Most Kenyans prioritized and still do so by using two main features which are following and commenting. Between 2016 and 2020 a lot of people used and to some point abused the follow button more than any other feature.
Let me explain, for one to get many followers at a glance you had to follow very active accounts and then unfollow very inactive accounts, this was referred to as the follow-unfollow method which was by the time a very popular strategy
Previously, certain Instagram users relied on bots to follow and unfollow accounts in large quantities.
This was made possible because Instagram had less strict anti-spam measures in place at the time. Nevertheless, Instagram took action against accounts that engaged in suspicious activities, such as follow/unfollow, resulting in consequences for many users.
Unlike the follow button, the comment section was another most spammed feature on Instagram where people or bots would make the same comment over and over again giving the impression that someone has commented on your photos and you end up following the account.
This explains why these features were and still are the most used over other features such as stories.
The reason behind this is to build connections. Instagram is a social media platform where you follow a specific type of niche and build connections from there.
Following and commenting on Instagram is more than just social interaction. The platform broadcasting feature, for instance, allows users to share a wide range of content, from exciting announcements to exclusive behind-the-scenes content, and even detailed information about upcoming events.
One of the most captivating trends on Instagram is the 'explore page'.This feature keeps users hooked as they discover new profiles, and forge meaningful connections. It's like stepping into an entirely different universe within Instagram itself.
Decoding the Kenyan Insta-Lingo: A Glossary of comments and reactions
A common slang term used by Instagram creators is "Gain".It refers to the act of gaining followers on social media platforms such as Instagram. This term was popular between the years 2016 and 2020, however, it was often overused. Consequently, Instagram would flag accounts of those who excessively used the term over and over while commenting.
The most common emoji used on Instagram until now is the love emoji then the fire emoji. At first, they were good reaction emojis to show love to someone, however, I viewed it as an engagement pattern of people looking for followers, and it's not like they loved what you post.
It's worth noting that many people will simply react to a post using either the fire or love emoji without fully understanding the context behind the post or what it's actually about.
For these individuals, their primary objective is to gain more followers. However, it's important to recognize that the majority of these reactions come from genuine individuals who follow and appreciate your work.
Using GIFs in Instagram comments has definitely made online communication much more fun and engaging. Whenever I stumbled across a post that I didn't fully understand I would scroll through the comment section to see if anyone has posted a relevant GIF that could help me grasp the message. It's a great way to connect with others and share a good laugh.
More Than Just Duble Taps: The Nuances of Kenyas Comment Section
There is more to likes on Instagram this is because Kenyans have explored a variety of reactions such as hot heated debates. On October 2023 Instagram Launched polls for the comment section which would make the comment section more fun and interactive it would be a very nice space for heated debates as people would post controversial topics and let their followers debate in the comment section which is an engagement tactic.
The Hasgtags that Bind: Kenyan Communities Unite on Instagram
Hashtags have become incredibly popular on Instagram as they help increase visibility by categorizing posts into various topics. Whenever someone searches for a specific hashtag, your post can appear at the top, making it easier for people to find your account.
If you have a particular interest, such as cats, you can easily find related content by searching for specific hashtags. Simply click on the search icon and type in your desired hashtag, for example, "#cats".
The most popular hashtag related to cats will appear at the top, allowing you to increase your visibility by using trending hashtags. This is a widely used strategy to gain more exposure on social media platforms.
Also by using hashtags, you can target specific audiences that attract interested users in that topic increasing the chances of engagement from your ideal audience.
Some of the popular Instagram hashtag campaigns in Kenya include;
- #gainwithmchina
- #nairobi
- #igkenya
- #nairobikenya
- #kenya
- #tembeakenya
- #kenyamemes
- #gainwithxtiandela
Engagement and Community
Similar to other social media platforms, hashtags act as a starting point for discussion and interaction around specific topics. This enables users to participate in your posts by replying and following your hashtag sparks new conversations
Hashtags also connect users with shared interests forming online communities around specific topics. Therefore if you participate in these communities it will help foster collaboration and connection
Some hashtags are often associated with challenges and trends making users participate in the challenges. These hashtags range from creativity and self-expression, community inclusivity, and humor and playfulness
Creativity and Self-expression
Have you ever considered participating in art challenges? They can be a great way to improve your skills and get inspired. There are so many different types of challenges out there, from recreating existing artwork to using specific techniques like watercolors or digital art.
You can even participate in drawing prompts to challenge your creativity in new ways. Some popular art challenges include #upcycledkenya #drawingisyourstyle and #characterdesignchallenge. Have you ever tried any of these challenges before? It would be great if I told you in the comment section.
Similarly, photography challenges encourage users to experiment with different themes, angles, and techniques such as double exposure or black-and-white photography.
Photography plays a vital role in creating a successful presence on Instagram in Kenya. Many Kenyan creators invest significant time and effort in collaborating with professional photographers, editing their photos, and sharing them on Instagram. This approach enables them to showcase their work effectively, gain more followers, and increase engagement on their profiles.
Some of the popular photography challenges include #365photos #mobilephotography and #macrochallenge.
Fashion and beauty trends encourage users to showcase their personal style and makeup skills, or recreate specific looks that are currently popular. Many Kenyan girls are deeply interested in this trend and have developed their own unique techniques. Some prefer using specific makeup brands over others. Popular hashtags associated with this trend include #slayke and #africanprintpop.
Community and Inclusivity
Social justice initiatives, such as the well-known #ifikiewazazi campaign, are designed to bring attention to important issues, share personal stories, and encourage discussion about the use of social media.
This particular campaign was a response to a troubling trend of explicit photos being shared on social media platforms. Young individuals were seen engaging in suggestive poses and actions, seemingly unconcerned about their identities being revealed.
The effectiveness of this hashtag is evident as it has led to an increase in parental vigilance. Parents are now more informed about their children's online activities and are taking proactive steps to monitor smartphone usage
Humor and Playfulness
Filter and effects challenges involve using specific filters or effects to create funny or unique results. For example #faceapp challenge #oldgechallenge
The music and dance challenge is a popular trend in Kenya where people can participate in dancing to various songs. Many artists in Kenya find this challenge to be very effective.
They release a song and pay popular social media influencers to perform the dance challenge with their song. As a result, many people join the challenge, such as the #Jerusalemchallenge.
Memes and caption challenges where people create captions or memes based on specific prompts or images.For example #kenyamemes #memeskenya
The future of Kenyan Instagram Engagement: predictions and possibilities
Over the past couple, Instagram has always been the go-to social platform, even referred to as the super app where you can go shopping, and influencers can create their online store almost becoming very boring. Instagram added new features such as broadcasts, polls in the comment section, and avatars to say the least.
According to Statista, it is forecasted that the number of Instagram users will continue to increase between 2024 and 2027 by 234.8 million users which is 17.65%
There is potential for Kenyan Instagram communities to influence or drive broader trends on the platform by creating content and virality using cultural lenses where creators offer fresh perspectives and experiences adding diversity and richness to the content landscape
Also, local trends going global such as challenges, memes, and hashtags originating in the Kenyan communities can spread quickly influencing broader trends on the platform. Also, Kenyan creators can readily adapt and build upon existing trends injecting their own flavor and innovation approaches.
Kenyan communities are marked by strong bonds shared experiences and vibrant discussion, this will generate engagements and amplify their collective voice and interest. For example, a person in the tech niche can build a strong sense and identity that will amplify their voice to the tech community
Social activism awareness where Kenyans where Kenyans utilize Instagram to raise awareness about local and global issues.Finally by supporting local through targeted campaigns and positive online word-of-mouth influencing consumer choices and boosting local economies.
There can be challenges as well as opportunities for creators, it could be a smoother ride to success as limited internet connectivity in some regions, especially rural regions, hinders participation and potential reach. According to a Data reportal, Kenya had 10,55 social media users as of January 2023 equivalent to 19.3 percent of the population, and 1.86 internet users at the start of 2023 internet access stood at 32.7%.
The language barrier can be a hurdle for Kenyan content creators as they primarily speak Swahili, a language only understood by Kenyans and some East African countries.
This can make it difficult for them to reach a global audience. However, creating multilingual content and translating it can help to broaden their engagement with a wider audience.
It can be difficult for Kenyan voices to gain visibility on Instagram due to algorithm bias that favors larger creators and established communities.
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