In the world occupied by social media platforms, engagement is key.
But before any engagement can happen, content must be created and shared. Without content, there won't be any engagement. Instagram is one of the most popular social media platforms, but competition is high, and it needs to keep on introducing new things, just to make creators stay on the platform.
And here, in a landscape where people are posting less and less on social media overall, the platform needs to be proactive.
And this time, Instagram is introducing 'Achievements' and 'Challenges,' in a bid to guide creators to "success."
First of, the Achievement feature, is like a milestone users can earn while using the platform.
In a blog post, Instagram said that:
Some of the achievement badges users can earn include:
- Trendspotter: When users use a trending audio or effect in a Reel.
- Plays: Is received when users reach a certain number of plays on a Reel.
- Followers: Is given to users who gained a certain number of followers.
"Once you complete a specific action or pass a certain milestone, you will be notified that you have unlocked an achievement," said Instagram.
The second feature, is Challenges, which is like what the name suggest, challenges users into doing something.
Challenges are designed to help users reach their goals by providing inspiration and motivation on how they can take their content further with their audience.
Initial challenges users can participate in are:
- Plays challenge: Where creators who create new Reels and receive a certain number of plays on those Reels within 30 days.
- Daily story challenge: Is added to users' Story at least once every day for the next 7 days.
These features have been around since 2023, but Instagram has only promoted it.
On the blog post, Instagram also included some tips and suggestions on making the most of the feature. They include:
- Track progress: Visit the Achievements section in the professional dashboard to know what to do to earn the next achievement.
- Consistency is key: Maintain a regular posting cadence to keep audience engaged, and complete daily story challenge.
- Embrace creativity: Experiment with different formats, effects, and themes to figure out what’s resonating and to unlock different badges.
- Encourage interaction: Use interactive stickers like polls and quizzes to engage with the audience.
"We hope Achievements and Challenges help you unlock your full potential and let your creativity shine so that you can celebrate your everyday victories, connect with your community, and thrive on Instagram," said Instagram.
In summary, Instagram is like introducing a new currency into the platform.
By gamifying the interaction, Instagram hopes users to stick around, and others engage with their posts.
The rewards may be meaningless to users. But to Instagram, it's a move that keep the platform competitive.