Yesterday, Instagram released its year in review data for 2017, revealing the year’s top hashtags, most-liked posts and videos, most-followed celebrities and much more. Today, the company has announced that its network is now being used by over 25 million active businesses, up from 15 million in July. The social network has also highlighted that a vast majority of these are small businesses.
Statistics show that over 80% of accounts on Instagram follow a business, while 200 million Instagrammers actively visit the profile of a business every day. Using the service, businesses are making valuable connections and sparking conversations with people like never before. With one in three small businesses on Instagram saying they built their business on Instagram, it has now become a destination where business is done, not just discovered.
US retailers are using shopping tags to help people discover new products on Instagram. Here’s what Joe Nullet, VP of Branding & Marketing at Man Outfitters says:
“When you only have milliseconds to capture the attention of your customers organically, the ability to directly connect them with products that pique their interest is priceless. Customers who follow business accounts for quality content can now easily be guided to products without disrupting their natural browsing habits, and even those with little interest in promotions can’t help but take notice. We no longer have to deal with customers commenting ‘Where can I find this shirt?’ on a promotional post—everything they need to find their product is right there with shopping on Instagram.”
Instagram is also sharing resources for small businesses with tips and tricks on how to use Instagram this holiday season. You can learn more at this link.
