Our guide explains how to like a message on Instagram, how to like a post on Instagram, and 13 Instagram mistakes to avoid.
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You can like messages on Instagram in a similar fashion to liking a post or comment. Unlike public posts and comments where you can like by tapping a heart icon, you have to double tap for how to like a message on Instagram.
Instagram, like many other social media platforms, allows users to interact in a private messaging setting in addition to the features that make up the majority of its use.
Users can send direct messages to other users, including text, images, and even other Instagram posts. Similar to its public posts, when they know how to like on Instagram, users can “like” direct messages as well. The steps below explain how to like a message on Instagram, how to like a post on Instagram — and don’t forget our 13 mistakes to avoid on Instagram, at the end.
How to like a message on Instagram
1. Open your Instagram app. From your main Instagram feed, tap on the icon in the upper right corner of the screen that resembles an arrow or a paper airplane. If you have unread messages, a red badge with a number will appear on top of the icon.
2. Tap on the conversation you want to view.
3. For how to like a message on Instagram, you select one of the messages this person has sent you, then simply double-tap on the message you wish to “like.” Once you’ve liked a message, you can double-tap it again to undo the “like.”
Keep in mind that liking a message is distinct from liking a comment or post on Instagram. Instagram posts and comments will have a small heart icon that you can tap in order to like that post or comment, but you need to use the double tap steps above for how to like a message on Instagram.
How to like a post on Instragram
For how to like something on Instagram, jJust double tap a photo or video to like it or tap the heart icon below the post. If you’ve accidentally liked a post, tap the heart icon again to unlike it.
When you unlike a post, the story that you liked the photo or video will disappear from Activity. If the person who shared the post has push notifications turned on, they’ll still get the notification that you liked the photo or video.
How to unlike a post photo or video on Instagram
If you’ve accidentally double tapped or tapped the heart icon below a post, you can remove the like by tapping the heart icon again.
Things to keep in mind:
- Very soon after you remove a like, the like alert will disappear from other people’s Activity.
- If you’ve accidentally liked a photo and then unliked it, the person who posted it will still get a push notification if they have notifications turned on.
- If you like, unlike and then re-like a photo, the person who posted will only receive one Activity alert for the latest like and one push notification for the initial like if they have push notifications turned on.
13 Instagram mistakes and how to avoid them
Liking a message requires having a direct messaging conversation with another user, and doesn’t include a visible heart icon until after you’ve already liked the message.
Maybe you know the feeling of scrolling down your Instagram feed a bit and then thinking “Oh my god, what did I do there?”. Don’t worry, you don’t have to worry about that! It is quite natural that you don’t do everything right at the beginning and only learn over time.
But there are 13 Instagram mistakes that we really want to save you from! In this article I will introduce you to them in detail.
ERROR NO. 1: UNPROFESSIONAL INSTAGRAM PICTURES
Let’s start with one of the worst mistakes: bad photos. At the beginning you may also have thought to yourself: “Okay, I’ll grab my iPhone and take pictures on it.” Don’t! If you really want to take your Instagram account seriously, your focus should be on beautiful, high-quality photos .
TIP: Find a unique visual language that suits you and Instagram!
ERROR NO. 2: NO HARMONIOUS INSTAGRAM FEED
The key to Instagram is a harmonious, beautiful feed. The photos must fit together perfectly as a whole.
The reason for this is pretty simple: Before someone follows you on Instagram, they’ll most certainly be looking at your profile (and not just at the individual photos). If your photos look inconsistent as a whole , you will likely not gain new followers. Find a consistent look for your feed.
TIP: Think carefully about which visual language you want to use on your profile and stick to it strictly at the beginning!
Your colors are green and yellow? Then, for example, don’t post red flowers (however beautiful they are 😉).
Don’t worry: not everything has to be perfect from the start! Allow yourself to experiment with different styles , but make a goal of finding a consistent look .
ERROR NO. 3: BAD TEXT
“Who cares if the picture is beautiful?” Even if the focus on Instagram is on the photos, you should not neglect the texts (captions). With the right text, you encourage users to leave a comment – and that goes down well with the Instagram algorithm.
Roughly speaking, the more interaction on your profile, the better. But not all comments are the same: My users are currently interacting a lot with my pictures and responding to my texts in their comments. From this I can see that my texts are actually read. A comment like “lovely” or “super pretty 🙂” doesn’t do you much good because what feels like 1000 images are flooded with such meaningless comments.
Suggestions for improving good Instagram texts:
Always try to tell a story.
End your text with a so-called call-to-action, for example an open question or a reference to new content on your website or YouTube channel.
ERROR NO. 4: NO INTERACTION WITH USERS
Instagram used to work as follows: Open the app, upload a picture, close the app. Oh dear … In addition to high-quality images and a nice feed, interaction with users is essential! That means: diligently like pictures and comment sensibly (!) On the one hand, this arouses the interest of other users and, on the other hand, creates engagement on your own profile, which in turn has a positive effect on the algorithm. Refer above for our guide to how to like a message on Instagram also.
TIP: In the beginning, take 15-30 minutes each day to answer comments and messages, and to look around and interact with other profiles. Be careful not to just put off 0815 comments, such as “pretty” or just an emoji. You can only build a loyal community if you interact regularly and meaningfully on Instagram.
ERROR NO. 5: NO CLEARLY DEFINED TARGET GROUP
Instagram is, roughly speaking, more of an app for the younger target group, but the app can be used to target different target groups: You speak depending on whether you are talking about handicraft DIYs, healthy recipes, building a business or something completely different a completely different group of users.
TIP: With every post, consider whether it fits your target group and brings added value.
ERROR NO. 6: NO SYSTEMATIC SCHEDULE
If you convert your account into a business profile, you can easily see what times your community is online . You should also post your content accordingly! For example, your community may be mostly online in the evenings. Post your Instagram content when most of it is online!
You can view this data by clicking on your profile as follows: On the top right on the 3 lines | Insights | Target group | scroll all the way down!
ERROR NO. 7: ITEM WITHOUT AN EDITORIAL PLAN
Many Instagram users just post spontaneously and do not worry about the order of their postings or the time of uploading. The problem: You can’t plan your feed nicely if you only post spontaneously. So that my posts don’t look random, I always plan them in advance for at least a week and think about the arrangement in which my feed will look best. There are helpful apps for this, such as “Preview”.
TIP: Create a simple Excel table , for example , in which you plan the contributions for the next few days and weeks. Then you don’t have to worry about developing new ideas every day!
Error NO. 8: SHOOT NEW PHOTOS EVERY DAY
Prepare decorations, pick out clothes, do make-up, set up photo equipment, find the right location … If you want to take high-quality photos, you have to allow enough time for preparation! So that you don’t have this stress every day, shoot motifs bundled, e.g. once a month. Soyou always have enough content on hand and don’t break into a sweat because you need a photo for my Instagram account quickly. Another advantage: If you take photos in a recurring setting, this ensures a uniform look in your feed!
TIP: Take not just one, but at least 10 photos for every photo shoot. This will save you a lot of work in the long term!
ERROR NO. 9: TOO LITTLE PERSONALITY
Instagram is a personal, human platform! There’s no point just holding products in front of the camera. You can dare to show yourself and give a real insight into your life or behind the scenes of your business! Your followers want to know more about you and your story.
TIP: Post enough personal content so that users have the feeling of getting to know you authentically via the platform. And at the same time only post content that you are actually comfortable with. Nobody is forcing you to drag your family or life partner in front of the camera – find a way that feels good to you.
ERROR NO. 10: BE UNCHANGEABLE
The biggest mistake that you can make and that almost no one avoids: You don’t dare to do anything differently. But from my own experience I can tell you how important it is to create unique content that you won’t find in anyone else.
TIP: Let yourself be inspired by other channels, but always think about what defines YOU and dare to try something completely new. Who knows: maybe you will start the next trend!
Because it is so important to create something unique, I have prepared a whole video for you on the subject:
ERROR NO. 11: DO NOT USE FORMATS
Today, recurring formats are a standard tool on Instagram. Some examples:
Plain text
Transformation Post
Personal mail
Checklist
…
Recurring formats give structure to an Instagram feed. This framework gives your followers a sense of what to expect from your account.
TIP: Identify formats that match your content and plan them regularly in order to meet the expectations of your users.
ERROR NO. 12: DO NOT DELIVER ADDED VALUE
Always ask yourself: What is the added value in your posts? Do people really want to see another selfie or another product? You can of course continue to present your products on Instagram. But always try to integrate these into your posts in such a way that you offer additional added value.
Keyword “WOW effect” – ask yourself: Would a stranger be enthusiastic about your content? If not, then you have to consider what added value you can offer potential followers.
INSTAGRAM ERROR NO. 13: NO FIXED NICHE
Quite a lot of people make the mistake of posting everything and nothing – or mixing up too many topics in one account! Focus on one topic and stick with it. The good thing about it: if you do it right, you can grow in virtually any niche. The niche shouldn’t be tiny, of course, but it doesn’t have to be huge either.
For example, instead of just posting food, you could focus on healthy dishes based on a certain diet or just post photos of crazy dessert creations.
Why do I need a strategy to grow on Instagram?
Yes, there are accounts that have made it without a strategy. But to be honest: Very few Instagrammers have this luck! Most channels fail to grow unless they employ a strategy.
Is it important to have a lot of followers?
Less is more. And: quality comes before quantity. 2,000 followers with whom you have developed a good relationship are worth a lot more than 10,000 followers who almost never interact with your content and don’t really have you on screen.
How many followers means you are successful on Instagram?
Again, of course, it all depends on what goals you set yourself! Very important: Don’t get too stuck on the numbers for your goals, but think about how you can improve your content. Then the numbers will automatically develop positively!
