How To Make A Food Blog On Instagram

Want to start an Instagram food account and become a food influencer?

This step-by-step guide will show youhow to make your food Instagram famous, become a food influencer, and make money by following these 9 simple steps:

Step 1: Pick a food blog name

The first step to finding a good Instagram food blog name is choosing your niche or topic.

Once you have a niche it's time to choose your blog name.

A good food blog name should be descriptive so that potential readers can instantly tell what your food blog is about just from the name.

For example, a cooking or food blog doesn't necessarily have to have the word "cooking" in it.

But the words "food", "recipes", and "meals" let people know that your blog is about food.

If you find that the name you wanted is already taken there are a few things you can do:

Add small words. Words like "a", "my", or "the". For example, TheFoodBlogger instead of FoodBlogger.
Add dashes between words. For example, food-blogger

Pro Tip: Once you've picked your Instagram account name, it would be helpful if youstarted your own blog in order to build a stronger brand and monetize. If you're not sure where to start, check out How to Start a Food Blog: Step by Step from Kinsta.

If you get stuck or have questions at any point, simply send me a message and I will do my best to help you out.

Brainstorming Instagram Food Blog Names

Here's how:

Look at the competitions' food blog names (TasteOfYum.com, AllRecipes.com)
Choose a theme Instagram food blog (keto, desserts)
Select words and phrases from your theme (CountryLiving.com)
Get inspiration from cook books (Joy Of Cooking)
Use another language in your food blog name (Mangia.nyc)
Use a thesaurus to create a word list (Tasty.co)
Play with words to words (Delish.com)
Mix and match to find name ideas (FoodAndWine.com)
Utilize food puns and humor (CrazyCuisine.com)
Change the spelling of comment food related words (TheKitchn.com)
Use Your Own Name Into Your Food Blog Name (NatashasKitchen.com)

Making your food Instagram famous starts with choosing a catchy name.

Next step: Create your Instagram food blog

Step 2: Register your Instagram food account

Now that you've got a name picked out it's time to get your free Instagram food blog account created.

This is easy, the steps below will walk you right through andmake the process easy.

How to create an Instagram account from the mobile app

Download the Instagram app from the App Store (iPhone) or Google Play Store (Android).
Once the app is installed, tap the Instagram icon to open it.
TapSign Up With Email or Phone Number (Android) orCreate New Account (iPhone), then enter your email address or phone number (which will require a confirmation code) and tapNext. You can also tapLog in with Facebook to sign up with your Facebook account.
If you register with your email or phone number, create a username and password, fill out your profile info and then tapDone. If you register with Facebook, you'll be prompted to log into your Facebook account if you're currently logged out.

How to create an Instagram account from a computer:

Go to instagram.com.
Enter your email address, create a username and password or clickLog in with Facebook to sign up with your Facebook account.
If you register with an email, clickSign up. If you register with Facebook, you'll be prompted to log into your Facebook account if you're currently logged out.

If you sign up with email, make sure you enter your email address correctly and choose an email address that only you can access.

If you log out and forget your password, you'll need to be able to access your email to get back into your Instagram account.

When signing up, Instagram will also ask for yourfull name.

Here, you can put your full business name which will make it easier for people to find you through Instagram's search function.

Step 3: Customize your Instagram profile

Logging in

Tap the "Edit Profile" button on your account page. In order to better distinguish your Instagram account from others, it's a good idea to customize your account's details.
- You can also add this information when initially setting up your account on mobile.
Tap "Add Profile Photo". If you already have a profile photo, this option will be entitled "Change Profile Photo". You have several options for uploading your profile photo:
- Import from Facebook – Select a photo from your Facebook media. Your Facebook account and Instagram account must be linked.
- Import from Twitter – Select a photo from your Twitter media. Your Twitter account and Instagram account must be linked.
- Take Photo – Take a photo to use for your profile.
- Choose from Library – Select a photo from your camera roll.
Upload a profile photo from your chosen source. This will lend a distinct image or face to your Instagram account, making it more recognizable than an account without a profile picture.
- This is a good place to upload a logo if your Instagram is dedicated to a brand or business.
Tap the "Name" field to add a name. This spot is usually reserved for your full name, but Instagram allows users to add a single name (e.g., a first or a last name).
- If you're using this account for work, consider placing your business' name here in lieu of your own.
Tap the "Username" field to add a custom username. This is how you will appear to others on Instagram. For maximum user accessibility, try to make your username something related to your Instagram's predominant content.
- If your preferred username is currently being used, Instagram will prompt you to choose a different username.
Tap the "Website" field to add your website's URL. If you have a dedicated website (e.g., for personal content, for photography, or for your business), putting its URL link in this field will display it below your profile information when other users visit your page. This is a good way for you to promote your work or life outside of Instagram without paying for advertising.
Tap the "Bio" field to add an account bio. This should be information related to your Instagram content and/or your intentions; for example, if your Instagram is primarily a nature-based photography collection, mention that in the bio box.
- You can also put relevant hashtags in this field, which can make your account easier to find for users searching for similar content.
Review your private information. This is at the bottom of the page; only you can see this information, as it pertains to your Instagram account's registration. From here, you can change the following items:
- Your registered email address.
- Your registered phone number.
- Your gender preference.
Tap "Done" in the top right corner. This will save your changes!

Step 4: Take stunning photos

Another way to make your food Instagram famous is to focus on taking great photos.

Here are some tips for taking Instagram food photos:

Shoot In Natural Light. The best kind of light for food photography is soft, diffused, natural daylight. Overcast days are great for food photography because the clouds act like a giant diffuser.
Choose The Best Angle. Shooting from above is a good choice, especially when the food is arranged on a plate or bowl. An overhead phone mount will come in handy, there are several budget options on Amazon. Shooting from one side is a good choice when you want to show details. If you're unsure which angle to choose, try different perspectives.
Enhance The Image With Editing. Sometimes your phone doesn't capture food quite the way you want. You can adjust images after you've taken the shot by using a photo editing app like VSCO, Camera+ or Adobe Lightroom for mobile.
Use A Professional Phone Camera Lens. Attach an affordable camera lens to your mobile phone for stunning extreme close-up food images. Recommended: Xenvo Pro Lens for iPhone, Android and Pixel

Instagram Food Styling Tips

Use textured backgrounds. Try experimenting with a marble, slate or wooden cutting board. See which colors and textures are best to showcase the dish, ingredient, or drink you are shooting. White marble and light backgrounds are usually best. Budget option: Use food photography textured paper to save money.
Find the Best Light. Don't use flash. Natural sunlight or professional lighting is ideal. When dining at a restaurant, always request to sit near a window or under a skylight. Space saver option: Use a studio light box to get the best food photography lighting without the fuss.
Choose the Right Subject. Your post will be better if you are excited about the dish. When in doubt, don't post it.
Show Scale and Proportion. Utilize an object that gives the food scale and draws your eye to the dish. This could be a hand holding the food or a piece of silverware next to your dish.
Choose Natural Angles. Shoot based on how the chef crafts a dish. If the dish is built vertically, shoot it straight on. When the dish is built flat, shoot from above.
Tell A Story. How can you make pancakes tell a story? Syrup! Dripping photos of a yolk, sauce, or gooey cheese get more double-taps. Pasta twirled on a fork is more engaging than pasta sitting on a plate because you can picture yourself taking that bite.

[More From SharePostt: How To Cook A Turkey For The First Time]

Step 5: Start posting on Instagram

Now that your blog is up and running it's time to actually do some blogging.

The fun part!

Go to the left menu and click on "Posts".

Posting to Instagram consistently can help your audience grow, but doing it right is just as important.

Here's how to post to your Instagram account step-by-step.

1. Tap the + icon at the bottom of your screen

See that plus sign ("+") in the center of the image above?

That's your starting point.

See that post from our culture account?

That's your end point. Click that plus sign and you'll be ready for the next step, below.

2. Choose a photo or video from your library — or shoot one in the app

Instagram will show you the photos already saved to your phone.

Choose one of those to post.

Alternatively, you can click "Photo" or "Video" in the bottom to take a photo or video within the Instagram app itself, if you don't already have an image you want to use.

Once you choose an image, click "Next" in the top right.

3. Crop the image

You aren't limited to just a square image on Instagram.

You can actually share horizontal or vertical images as well.

To get more of your image seen, pinch the screen of the photo you've selected on the Library screen.

However, while Instagram does allow vertical and horizontal options, the images still need to fit into some specific dimensions.

So, you might still need to crop a tiny bit of your photo to get it to fit.

4. Pick a filter (optional)

Instagram offers 25 filters — scroll to the right to peruse your options, and click on one to preview how it will look on your photo.

You can click "Edit" at the bottom right to adjust contrast, brightness, etc.

When you're ready, click "Next" in the top right.

5. Type your caption.

Get creative and write an engaging caption to go with your photo.

Text can help optimize your post in Instagram's search algorithm which can benefit you.

You'll get better at writing captions as time goes on and you do more of it.

But if you're really unsure of how to caption a new photo, then check out the FAQ section below for 100 food Instagram caption examples – it'll point you in the right direction.

[More From SharePostt: 150+ Foods That Start With E]

6. Use hashtags for post optimization

With Instagram's search feature, users can search by hashtags.

So, you should make sure to write relevant hashtags in your caption.

If someone does a search of a hashtag you placed in your caption, they might find your post as well as others that included the same one.

Here are some of the most popular food and food photography hashtags on Instagram:

#food
#foodPorn
#yummy
#delicious
#dinner
#breakfast
#yum
#foodphotography
#foodie
#foodstagram
#foodblogger
#instafood
#foodlover
#instafood
#instayum

7. Tag friends

Want your friend or their followers to see a photo that you posted of the two of you? Tag them!

On the post page, you can click "Tag People" to tag other Instagram accounts in your post.

Alternatively, you can include their handle (or their username beginning with an @ symbol) in your caption.

8. Add your location

If you're on a fun vacation or at a neat event and you don't feel like including that information in your caption, you can mark where you are in another way.

On the post page, tap "Add Location" to put a location on your image (which makes it easier for people to find your post).

When you post an image or video with a location, it will show up between your name and the block of content on the feed.

9. Use emojis

Emojis are fun and can make your caption more eye catching.

If you know of a few relevant emojis that could fit with your post, stick them in the caption area.

For example, if you're posting a vacation photo, you could include a beach umbrella or a plane to show you flew somewhere.

Be sure not to go overboard and post emojis just for the sake of posting them.

If you post a bowling emoji along with a photo of a beach, that obviously won't make sense to people.

Similarly, if you post 20 emojis that loosely relate to a post, you might just annoy your followers or come off as desperate.

Finally, if you want to share your content on your other, connected social media sites (like Facebook or Twitter), simply slide the bar from the left to the right.

When you're ready to post, click "Share" in the top right.

12. Edit the post

Typos happen to everyone! If you just posted something and notice a glaring spelling error, don't panic.

Simply tap the three dots that appear on the right across from your name, then tap "Edit."

Go to the left menu and click on "Posts".

You will see there is already a post there.

This is a default post on every new WordPress blog, and we don't need it.

To delete it click "Trash" just under the post.

To begin writing a new post, click the "Add New" link.

You are now on the post editor screen. Enter the title of your post in the top box and then begin writing your post in the lower box.

If you would like to add a picture to your post, click on the "Add Image" icon and click "Upload" to upload a picture from your computer. You can make adjustments to the picture size on the next screen.

When you are ready click "Insert into post" to add the picture.

Once you have finished your post just click the "Publish" button on the top right side of the screen to publish it.

Congratulations! You now know how to start your own Instagram blog and publish content!

Step 6: Promote your Instagram blog

How to promote your food blog on Instagram:

Creating an Instagram food blog and posting great content is just the start.

In order to grow your blog you will need spend some time promoting it, especially when you first start.

A good way to get readers to your Instagram blog is to post links on your social media accounts like Facebook and Twitter.

This is great, because not only do your friends see the link, but if your friends share the link with their friends it automatically multiplies your visitors.

How to promote your food blog on Instagram?

Create high-quality content consistently and your food Instagram will grow organically.

Step 7: Commit to a regular publishing schedule

Another way to make your food Instagram famous is to get people to consistently come back to your blog, you need to give them a reason.

Consistency is key.

Sets expectations with your followers:People know when to come back and check out your blog and will check in regularly for new content.
Sets expectations with yourself: It can be easy to get out of the habit of posting regularly if you miss a couple days. However, if you decide on and commit to a schedule, you know when youhave to publish.

Not only this, but developing a content strategy and publishing consistently helps you test and understand what types of content works.

What is a blog content strategy?

A blog content strategy is really just an actionable plan for implementing everything you've already figured out up to this point.

Know your niche
Know your ideal reader and what they're looking for
Know the value you want to give

Step 8: Make Money On Instagram

Once you have put in the effort of creating great food blog content and promoting your Instagram blog, making money from your Instagram food blog is actually the easy part.

There are 3 major ways to make money on Instagram.

Be an affiliate marketer selling other people's products
Sell your own products with WooCommerce on WordPress. Or dropship products on Shopify.
Become a food influencer and post sponsored content (more on this in the next section)

New to WooCommerce?

If you get stuck or have questions at any point, simply send me a message and I will do my best to help you out.

What is sponsored Instagram content?

A sponsored post on Instagram is paid for by the poster to reach a wider audience.

Brands sponsor Instagram influencers — who create a posts that feature the brand in some way.

Make Money On Instagram With Affiliate Marketing

Unlike sponsored content, this strategy only makes money (you earn a fee or percentage for every sale) when your followers buy a product.

On the plus side, as an affiliate marketer you don't need to worry about producing that product or fulfilling orders.

Meanwhile, as Instagram rolls out product tags and Instagram Checkout, marketers are no longer limited to saying 'link in bio.'

As customers find it easier to buy on Instagram, affiliate marketers may well see their sales increase.

Here's how to get started as an Instagram affiliate marketer.

Load WooCommerce Stores in 249ms!

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Find merchants to affiliate with

You can affiliate with a brand directly, or you can join what's called an 'affiliate network,' or both. (The answer is always both.)

Amazon Associates is the most obvious place to start.

The limitation is that they don't offer codes; you have to use the affiliate link they provide.

While that's great for Pinterest, blogs, or email newsletters, on Instagram you have to put that link in your bio, or—if you have a business account—your Instagram Story.

Clickbank, Rakuten, and CJ Affiliates are also reputable affiliate networks to consider.

Post about the product

As with influencers, affiliate marketing also falls under FTC and ASA rules, so be clear about the nature of your relationship with the product.

Fortunately, 54% of people say they appreciate transparency when marketers divulge their relationships, and the #ad hashtag doesn't offend them.

Making Money On Instagram Selling Your Own Products

The second strategy for making money on Instagram as a food blogger goes beyond marketing and into the realm of actual e-commerce.

Rather than using your personal brand to sell other people's products, sell your own.

This might be a recipe book of your most popular kitchen tools. But it could also be your time and advice as a consultant.

And if you already own a food business like a restaurant, food product, or catering company, selling on Instagram is an obvious addition to your marketing strategy.

Set up your Instagram business account

In the past few years, Instagram has been rolling out all sorts of shopping-focused features: the Explore tab, product tags, shoppable posts, shoppable Stories, and Instagram Checkout.

In order to take advantage of them, you need a business account. You also need to create a product catalogue.

Build an e-commerce site

Set up an e-commerce website to provide more information to your customers. Consider running a few ads to build awareness.

You'll probably also need to build a landing page to guide people through the final purchasing steps.

Keep your audience's experience at top of mind.

Post your products on Instagram

You can hype your products using regular Instagram posts or Stories. Instagram analytics tools will help you measure your success.

Step 9: Become an Instagram food influencer

How to make your food Instagram famous:

The third strategy for making money on Instagram is to become food an influencer.

Here's how:

Choose a Targeted Niche

According to a recent study, 55% of brands say they prefer micro-influencers, who they perceive to have a more authentic connection with their audience.

That means the more specific you get, the better.

The 'Keto' niche is over-saturated, so why not try 'Vegan keto' instead? (Or don't, if that one's taken.)

Setup an Instagram Business Account

If you intend to become an Instagram influencer, you need to switch to a business account as that opens up a lot more options.

Don't worry, it's totally free.

Here's how to set up a business account on Instagram

Go to your profile and tap in the upper right corner.
Tap Settings.
TapAccount.
TapSwitch to Professional Account.
TapBusiness.
If you'd like, you can follow the steps to connect your business account to a Facebook Page associated with your business. This step is optional, and will make it easier to use all of the features available for businesses across the Facebook family of apps. At this time, only one Facebook Page can be connected to your business account.
Add details, like your business category and contact information.
TapDone.

With a business account, you'll be able to access business features and Instagram Insights.

These tools can help you understand who is engaging with your business on Instagram.

You also have the option to display or hide your business category and contact information on your profile.

After setting up, go to your profile and tapEdit Profile.

Go toProfile Display under Public Business Information to choose whether you want to hide or display your category label and contact info.

Then, tapDone.

Grow Your Follower Count

81% of Instagram influencers have between 15,000 and 100,000 followers.

Here are some tips for getting more Instagram followers fast!

How do you get followers on Instagram?

Post pictures of ooey-gooey cheese or junk food
Use bright, natural lighting
Post every day. Consistency is key.
Follow and engage with other foodies.
Reply to comments left on your posts.
Keep up with food trends.
Be picky about your hashtags.
Write fun and engaging captions.
Geotag.

Commit to posting consistently. And commit to posting content that is exactly what your audience wants.

How often should food influencers post on Instagram?

Post consistently at least 1-3 times per day.
Major brands post on average of 1.5 times per day.
Generally, profiles that post seven or more times a week (or at least once a day) get more likes and gain more followers faster.
Avoid so-so posts just to get something up on IG every day.
Always test. Posting on the wrong day might mean your followers never see your post. Posting at the right time will increase engagement and views.

This will boost your followers like crazy.

I go into much more detail on how to grow your followers on Instagram later in this section.

Who are the most followed Instagram food influencers?

According to socialpros.co, the top 10 most followed Instagram food influencers are:

Gordon Ramsay
Jamie Oliver
Ree Drummond
Martha Stewart
Yolanda Gampp
Antonino Cannavacciuolo
Ina Garten
MARIAM
Feel Good Foodie
CESAR GONZALEZ

These statistics present a ranking of the most popular food influencers worldwide on Instagram sorted by number of followers.

Know Your Audience

Instagram influencers don't cater to everyone, but only those with similar interests in the same niche.

To become an influencer, it is important that you know who you're targeting and then do it well to build a loyal follower base.

To understand your audience, you can first start by analysing your current follower base to get insights into their demographics and interests.

Instagram has a built-in analytics tool that provides insights about your current audience.

Here's how to access your Instagram analytics:

Make sure to convert your profile to a business account.
To view insights: Go to your profile.
Tap theInsights action button.
Select specific posts, stories or promotions you'd like to view insights on. You can also learn more about your audience.

In the Activity tab, you can track weekly Interactions, Reach, and Impressions.

The Content tab let's you see how your posts, stories, and promotions are performing.

The Audience tab gives important insights on your audience, including follower growth overtime.

You can only view Content, Activity, and Audience insights for the past week.

For posts and stories, you'll only see insights for content you've posted since you converted to a professional account.

Once you know what your audience likes, you'll be ready to deliver it to them.

Partner With Brands

Find brand partners by pitching to them directly.

Contact the brands you admire yourself and tell them what you can offer.

Let Brands Know You're Open to Collaborations

The final step towards your quest to becoming an influencer is to announce it to the world.

You need to come out and declare yourself as an influencer who is interested in brand collaborations.

You can do this by writing in your bio that you're an influencer and are interested in collaborations.

Include an email or website so they can reach you, and include a press kit if possible.

Another way to do this is by doing your own outreach and messaging relevant brands with a pitch on what you can offer.

It is best to design an outreach template that you can use to reach out to different brands, as that can save you a lot of time.

How do you find Instagram brand partners?

There are a lot of these marketplaces. AspireIQ, Upfluence, and Famebit are good places to start.

There are several influencer platforms where brands and influencers can find each other.

You can also use those to find brands in your niche who are looking for collaborations.

These are some of the more direct ways to look for brand collaborations.

An indirect way is to tag brands and mention them when you talk about their products in your posts.

It's important to build a name for yourself and network with brands in your niche.

This might not yield immediate results, but will help you form long-term brand associations that might lead to future collaborations.

How To Get More Followers On Instagram

What sets Influencers apart from other Instagram users are their follower count.

Want to discover how to get more real followers on Instagram fast?

These steps below will walk you right through andmake the process easy.

Did you know?

The Rock (aka Dwayne Johnson) charges advertisers $1 million per post on Instagram.

Check out more Instagram facts you should know in the FAQ section below.

1. Use Instagram Stories

What are Instagram Stories?

Instagram Stories are photos and videos which are visible to followers of the user's Instagram account — and to specific users the Story's sender follows.

Instagram Stories disappear after 24 hours.

Here's everything you need to know about gaining followers with Instagram Stories

How To Gain Followers with Instagram Stories

Instagram Stories are the fastest & easiest way to gain new followers.

The Instagram algorithm also favors accounts that use IG Stories, so be sure to use this feature.

Watch other accounts' Instagram stories. Don't just post IG stories, watch them too. This is how the algorithm works.
Post stories often (every few hours). New users will be able to discover your account when you post stories. The more you post, the more they appear on the explorer page, and the more followers you will gain.
Use the location tag. Whenever you tag a location (under stickers) in your Instagram Story, it will show up in that specific location's stories.
Use hashtags. You can use up to 10 hashtags per story.

How do I use Instagram stories for business?

Post your product
Post breaking industry news
Post a company or office event
Mention companies that follow/work with you
Post one of your company's blog posts.

2. Do Hashtag Research

We discussed hashtags above.

But to really take advantage of hashtags to grow your following, you need to a little hashtag research.

What are Instagram hashtags?

An Instagram hashtag lets users tag (categorize/describe) their posts to help other users easily find content. Hashtags start with the number sign "#" (aka hash symbol). Other microblogging platforms like Twitter and Tumblr also use hashtags.

Hashtags on Instagram are equivalent to keywords (aka search phrases) on the Google.

They tell Instagram what your content is about.

This helps Instagram show your posts to users that might be interested in it.

Without hashtags, Instagram wouldn't be able to do that.

Most Instagram users don't realize how important hashtags are.

In fact, if you do your hashtag research properly, you can boost followers using hashtags alone.

Did you know?

Users can also follow hashtags on Instagram.

For example #fitness or #makeup.

How To Optimize Your Hashtags

Mix up your hashtags with low density (easy to rank for) and high density (harder to rank for). Low density = less than 500,000 posts.
Start with using very low density hashtags if you're new to gain some instant traction and followers.
Create a custom or dedicated hashtag that includes your business name or a catchy phrase.
Promote your dedicated hashtag on your other social profiles, on your website, and your email blast.
Use industry-specific hashtags to ensure you gain a relevant following
Get creative with your hashtags. Be funny, ironic, or outrageous – but never boring!
Use event hashtags at seminars, conferences, annual events, and even local events.
Watch topically relevant and trending hashtags. Join these conversations to get in front of more people.
Avoid the hashtags of desperation (#follow4follow, #follow, #followme, #followback).
Don't copy paste the same hashtags in each post! A particular hashtag may see engagement today and fail tomorrow. This is the life of a hashtag.
Create a list of 100+ popular hashtags in your niche, and then choose 30 relevant hashtags for each new post.
Avoid spammy hashtags. #likeforlike, #follow4follow, #love, and #goodday don't work and you might get spam comments by using them.
Add hashtags in your comments.
Use invisible hashtags in Stories. Camouflage hashtags with the same color as the background, or hide them with a sticker.
Use a good hashtag tool.

Hashtag Research

Finding laser-targeted hashtags will help you skyrocket followers.

Here's how:

Search for popular posts

Instagram posts with hashtags get 70% more engagement.

Just find the most popular posts in your niche, steal their hashtags, and make a hit list of hashtags that you can use.

How to find popular posts

Steal an influencer's hashtag. Go to an Influencer's post, click on a hashtag listed in; and follow it.
Follow trending niche hashtags. Once you've followed a hashtag, you'll see all the trending posts in that hashtag on your feed and in Stories.
Follow 10 relevant hashtags. You'll see all the popular posts associated with this hashtag.
Go to Tags and search for your niche keyword. When you follow this hashtag, you'll see a list of related hashtags that you can follow too.
Use the Explore Page. Search for keywords in your niche, click on hashtags. Click on its top posts. Make a list of hashtags they're using.

Tip: Update your hashtag hit list regularly so that you don't miss out on any new or trending hashtags.

Types of Hashtags

These are Instagram hashtags you should use. There are other types, but these are a good start.

Community hashtags. They're more targeted than niche hashtags and lower competition. For example, #crossfitcommunity.
Brand hashtags. For example, #Nike
Audience descriptive hashtags. For example, #babyfoodie
Product descriptive hashtags. For example, #beadedjewelry
Niche hashtags. For example, #keto
Location hashtags. For example, #gymlifenewyork
Event hashtags. For example, #superbowl

Use Targeted Hashtags

Your posts' hashtags should be specific so that people can find your content easily.

It's a good idea to research the best hashtags to use in your niche.

For example, here are some of the most popular food hashtags on Instagram:

#food
#foodPorn
#yummy
#delicious
#dinner
#breakfast
#yum
#foodphotography
#foodie
#foodstagram
#foodblogger
#instafood
#foodlover
#instafood
#instayum

How to add hashtags to your Instagram content

You can add hashtags in the caption or comments of your post.

If you have a public account and add hashtags to a post, the post will be visible on the corresponding hashtag page.

To tag a photo or video with a hashtag:

Take or upload a photo or video.
Choose to add a filter, then tapNext.
TapWrite a caption… and type # followed by text or emoji (example: #flower).
TapShare.

If you want to add a hashtag to a post you've already uploaded, edit the caption or include your hashtag in a comment on your photo.

After you tag your post with a hashtag, you'll be able to tap the hashtag to see a page that shows all photos and videos people have uploaded with that hashtag.

Things to keep in mind:

When people with private profiles tag posts, they won't appear publicly on hashtag pages.
Numbers are allowed in hashtags. However, spaces and special characters, like $ or %, won't work.
You can only tag your own posts. You can't tag other people's photos/videos.
You can use up to 30 tags on a post. If you include more than 30 tags on a single photo/video, your comment won't post.

3. Use Instagram Live

Instagram Live is a shortcut to massive followers.

What is Instagram Live?

Instagram Live lets you broadcast live video to your followers. Instagram allows up to one hour of live streaming at a time.

Follower's comments and likes can be seen by the person broadcasting – in real time – during the Live stream.

How do you watch live on Instagram?

When someone you follow shares a live video, their profile picture will appear at the top of your Feed with a colorful ring around it and the word Live.

Tap or click their profile picture to view their live video.

How do I start a live video on Instagram?

To start a live video from the Instagram app

Tap in the top left of Feed or swipe right from anywhere in Feed.
Scroll toLive at the bottom of the screen, then tap.
The number of viewers appears at the top of the screen and comments appear at the bottom.
You can add a comment by tappingComment at the bottom of the screen.
Tap a comment and tapPin Comment to pin it so that viewers can see it more easily.
When you're done, tapEnd in the top right then tap to confirm. From there, you can tap in the top left to save it to your camera roll.

Keep in mind that when you save your live video to your camera roll, only the video is saved, and not things like comments, likes and viewers.

It may take a minute for your live video to save to your phone, especially for longer videos.

Managing a live video

4. Switch To A Business Account

Why do you need an Instagram business account?

Free Perks

With a Business Account you can:

Get access to Instagram Shopping & Instagram Ads
add Action Buttons to your profile
Get realtime analytics on how your followers interact with your posts and stories.
Make money with your Instagram account. Sponsors require a business account.
Add a contact button that enables users to contact you via Instagram direct message, SMS, or email for customer support queries.
Add your company business hours, location and phone number.

Optimize Your Posting

For example: If you're a fitness influencer and your audience is engaging more with your workout and food posts, you'll NEED to know this.

Or you'll spend time creating the wrong content.

Instagram Insights tracks this for you.

You time is better spent posting and engaging with your audience, rather than counting likes on each post manually.

Helpful User Data

Instagram Insights lets you know analytics such as:

Audience demographics
Follower fluctuations
Audience's engagement with specific posts, stories and IGTV videos.
Paid activity (if applicable)
Website clicks
Profile views
Audience activity times
Top locations
and more

How to view Insights on Instagram

To view account insights:

Go to your profile.
Tap theInsights action button.
- You can also go to in the upper right corner, and tapInsights.
Tap the metrics under the Overview section or specific content you've shared for a more detailed breakdown.

Keep in mind that you'll only see insights for content you've posted since you converted to a business or creator account.

You'll also need a business account to run ads on Instagram.

This will help you sell products/services and to get discovered by new followers.

Starting a business account is quick and easy.

Set up an Instagram Business Account with these 3 simple steps.

Skip to #3 if you already have a regular Instagram account.

Step 1: Download and launch the app

Download the Instagram app for iOS from the App Store, Android from Google Play store or Windows Phone from the Windows Phone Store.

Once the app is installed on your mobile phone, tap to open it.

Step 2: Sign Up

TapSign Up, then enter your email address and tapNext, or tapLog in with Facebook to sign up with your Facebook account.

Step 3: Switch to business account

Within the app, find settings, then scroll down toSwitch to Business Account.

If you've converted your personal Instagram profile to a business account, you can switch it back at any time.

To convert back to a personal profile:

Go to your profile and tap in the upper right corner.
Tap Settings.
TapAccount.
TapSwitch to Personal Account.
TapSwitch Back to confirm.

Note: Each time you switch back to a personal account, your insights data on Instagram will be erased.

Monetization tip:

Instagram is just a traffic source, the money is made off of Instagram with bystarting your own blog or online store in order to monetize your followers.

How to monetize Instagram food blog - Ecommerce WooCommerce

[RELATED: Selling on Instagram: Double Your Earnings the Right Way]

9. Customize Your Profile & Bio

Do you want to skyrocket your Instagram follower growth?

Then your profile & bio matter.

A lot! We mentioned optimizing your bio earlier, but let's go into greater detail here:

Start by optimizing your profile picture, handle, bio, and website link.

Choose a Great Username

Using a "handle" (aka @username) that is on-brand, simple, and searchable is key.

You'll want to use your business name – such as "@SharePostt."

Choose an Easily Searchable Business Name

You'll also need to add your business name to the "Name" section of your profile.

This is what users see under your Instagram profile picture, and in the search results.

To edit your Instagram profile business name, navigate to your profile, tap "Edit Profile," and then type in your desired name.

Use a Branded Instagram Profile Picture

Your profile picture should look great and be representative of your business.

It will show up next to all of your posts and comments.

Tip #1: Use the same profile picture on all of your social media profiles. This help your brand. Most businesses use their logo.

Tip #2: Check out businesses in your niche and see what types of profile pictures they're using.

Here's how to edit your Instagram picture:

In your profile, tap "Edit Profile," and then tap "Change Profile Picture."

Even though Instagram uses circular profile pictures, you don't have to create a circular profile picture yourself – Instagram will do the cropping for you.

If needed, you can zoom in or move the circle to customize the image crop.

Write an Informative Bio

After your Instagram profile picture and name, many users will look to your bio.

This is prime real estate, and you get just 150 characters. Consider using emojis – especially if you're targeting a younger audience.

Keep things simple, summarize what you do and how it benefits the user.

Then finish with a call-to-action (also know as "CTA") like: "SHOP the collection ????" (include a link to your website).

Other examples of effective CTAs:

Subscribe
Call now!
Master Any Skill NOW????????

Whatever your goal, think about what you want viewers to do.

Then use the last line of your bio to include a CTA and your link.

Tip #1: Some Instagram Bios use emojis instead of bullet points.

Tip #2: Use Bitly to track your Instagram profile link data like: clicks, referrers, and locations.

To Summarize:

Tap the "Edit Profile" button on your account page. In order to better distinguish your Instagram account from others, it's a good idea to customize your account's details.
- You can also add this information when initially setting up your account on mobile.
Tap "Add Profile Photo". If you already have a profile photo, this option will be entitled "Change Profile Photo". You have several options for uploading your profile photo:
- Import from Facebook – Select a photo from your Facebook media. Your Facebook account and Instagram account must be linked.
- Import from Twitter – Select a photo from your Twitter media. Your Twitter account and Instagram account must be linked.
- Take Photo – Take a photo to use for your profile.
- Choose from Library – Select a photo from your camera roll.
Upload a profile photo from your chosen source. This will lend a distinct image or face to your Instagram account, making it more recognizable than an account without a profile picture.
- This is a good place to upload a logo if your Instagram is dedicated to a brand or business.
Tap the "Name" field to add a name. This spot is usually reserved for your full name, but Instagram allows users to add a single name (e.g., a first or a last name).
- If you're using this account for work, consider placing your business' name here in lieu of your own.
Tap the "Username" field to add a custom username. This is how you will appear to others on Instagram. For maximum user accessibility, try to make your username something related to your Instagram's predominant content.
- If your preferred username is currently being used, Instagram will prompt you to choose a different username.
Tap the "Website" field to add your website's URL. If you have a dedicated website (e.g., for personal content, for photography, or for your business), putting its URL link in this field will display it below your profile information when other users visit your page. This is a good way for you to promote your work or life outside of Instagram without paying for advertising.
Tap the "Bio" field to add an account bio. This should be information related to your Instagram content and/or your intentions; for example, if your Instagram is primarily a nature-based photography collection, mention that in the bio box.
- You can also put relevant hashtags in this field, which can make your account easier to find for users searching for similar content.
Don't forget to review your private information. This is at the bottom of the page; only you can see this information, as it pertains to your Instagram account's registration. From here, you can change the following items:
- Your registered email address.
- Your registered phone number.
- Your gender preference.
Tap "Done" in the top right corner. This will save your changes!

10. Interact With Influencers

Interact with top influencers in your space and try to become one of their favorite people or brands.

When an influencer likes or engages with your posts, all of their followers see it too.

This can explode your new followers very quickly.

It's easier said than done, but aiming to become an influencer yourself is also worth the effort.

What are some tips forbecoming Instagramfamous?

Follow other accounts in your niche
Engage with users in your niche as well
Reply to comments from your followers
Pay for influencer shout outs (more on this later)

What is a Shoutout on Instagram?

An Instagram shoutout, is when a user promotes another user on their own Instagram account.

Usually User A creates a post/story that contains a photo/mention of User B.

A business shoutout may contain a photo or video of a specific product/service that User B sells.

Shoutouts typically fall under the umbrella of influencer marketing and can be paid, voluntary, or shoutout for shoutout.

11. Get Instagram Shoutouts

Choose the right partners

For example, if you're selling makeup, you're probably not going to have much success trying to get a fruitful shoutout from a sneaker Instagrammer.

Make sure your potential partners are compatible, look carefully through their profile, posts, and stories.

Also look at things like:

How many followers they have. Stick with "micro-influencers," when you're new, or people with audiences of roughly 5,000 to 50,000. The more followers they have, the more it'll cost you to buy Instagram shoutouts. If you're taking the S4S (shoutout for shoutout) route, look for users with similar numbers.
The content, tone, and feel of their profile. What kind of content do they post? Would their followers be interested in your brand?
How many likes and comments their posts get on average. If they have 50,000 followers, but only 50 likes they may have fake followers.

Taking time to do some research can make a difference in the quality of IG shoutouts you get.

Follow them

Once you decide that a account is a good fit, follow their account.

If they have other social media accounts follow and engage with them by liking and commenting. Don't overdue it.

This way, they'll be familiar with your profile when you message them to ask for your shoutout.

DM Them

Reach out through a brief Instagram direct message.

Here's a shoutout template for your DM:

"Hi [their name]. I'm [your name] from [your company]. I've been following your page, and I love/appreciate/admire your [insert compliment/observation]."

"I think my followers would really enjoy your page. Would you like to trade a shoutout for shoutout?"

"Looking forward to hearing from you!"

How to Find Instagram Shoutout Pages

Find Instagram Pages That Post Similar Content as Your Page When looking for pages that you can reach to get a shoutout.

Start with industry-specific hashtags. You can find trending hashtags on sites like Best-Hashtags or TagsFinder.

For example, if you're selling green tea, some good hashtags to kick off your research might include:

#matcha
#greentea

Type your hashtags into the Instagram search bar and browse through profiles.

Clicking the hashtag in the dropdown will show you top posts from accounts that used the hashtag recently.

Instagram shoutout apps

A paid Instagram shoutout app like Shoutcart or NeoReach has its own database of pre-vetted influencers that you can sort through based on industry and keywords.

Should you buy Instagram shoutouts?

Yes, but try to avoid shady accounts to avoid getting ripped off financially, or harming your brand's reputation.

12. Use Instagram Stories

If you're not using Instagram Stories yet, you're missing out on getting more organic followers.

This feature allows you to pin Stories to your Instagram profile.

Essentially, you can use Story Highlights to promote, educate, and engage users – much like the different pages on your website.

To add Story Highlights to your Instagram profile, create an Instagram Story and then when viewing your story, simply tap "Highlight."

13. Follow Un-Follow Hack

Does the follow/un-follow hack still work?

Yes. But there are a few things you need to keep in mind:

Account Age

Instagram accounts less than six months old, are considered new.

The older an Instagram account, the higher the ability to perform Instagram follow and unfollow.

Engagement

If Instagram considers an account as a highly engaging one, it will let you follow/unfollow more people.

Work on your engagement rate as much it is possible.

Number of followers

If an Instagram account has many followers, it may unfollow a greater number of accounts on a daily basis.

How to avoid being banned on Instagram

The best way is to perform the Instagram follow/unfollow is to keep it under the new account limit of 50 per day, and the best way to do it is with 36-48 seconds intervals between each unfollow action.

If the account has more than six months, the user can raise the number to 200-400 unfollow with 12-22 seconds of gap between each unfollow.

The best approach to unfollow people on Instagram – if you do it manually – is to use a step-by-step increase in the number of actions.

For example, for the first week, try only to unfollow 50 people per day.

If it sounds safe, for week two, increase the number to 100 people per day, and so on.

How to Follow/Unfollow On Instagram Fast

Instagram bots to the rescue! Using an Instagram bot, Instagrammers can leave the job to the automation bots and just focus on more productive activities.

To avoid any risk of being banned by Instagram, use the best Instagram bots on the market.

If you want people to follow you, you'll want them to see your profile.

This step is often overlooked. Here's how to share your Instagram profile:

First, you'll want to grab your Instagram profile link, it's just instagram.com/yourusername.

Then, use that link to share your Instagram profile on other social media platforms and websites (like Twitter or your blog).

Also, consider sharing existing posts in your profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the qualities of an Instagram food influencer?

Likability
Passion For Food
Engagement
Authenticity
Mind for Marketing, Persuasion, & Sales
Expertise, Authority, & Trustworthiness
Develop Your Brand Persona
Desire To Help

What is an Instagram food blog?

Instagram is a picture and video-sharing platform.

You see many Instagram food creators "micro-blog" by writing out spaced out paragraphs or recipes under their pictures in the caption.

These posts lead to more engagement.

Instagram food bloggers often post from a personal perspective that allows them to connect with their followers. Instagram also has a "comments" section where readers can communicate with the food blogger.

Interacting with your readers in the comments section helps build trust with your followers.

This is the key to making money from your Instagram food blog.

It also helps your SEO (search engine optimization) can increase how often Instagram shows your posts to other users.

Should I start an Instagram food blog?

One of the misconceptions about starting an Instagram blog is that you need to be a great photographer to be successful. Nothing could be further from the truth.

People read blog sites to get a personal perspective on things, so most bloggers write in a very informal and conversational style.

In addition, you don't need to be an expert on your niche or topic to have a successful Instagram food account.

Followers of a food blog don't want to read a textbook from a food scientist, they want to see tasty food and hear the experiences of someone who has actually cooked some real meals, mistakes and all.

To be successful as an Instagram food blogger there is really just one requirement: a passion for your topic.

At its heart, Instagram food blogging is about sharing your passion and knowledge with the world.

Choosing a topic that you are passionate about makes the process of starting a successful blog so much easier.

Your passion will shine through and keep your readers interested.

So why would you go to the trouble of Instagram food blogging? There are a few reasons:

Make money from home. Instagram food blogging can be lucrative. The top food blogger earn quite a bit.
Share your passion. An Instagram food blog allows you to share your culinary story with the entire world. One of the most common ways Instagram food blogs are used are as a diary where the food blogger writes about their daily dining or cooking experiences with friends, family, and others.
Recognition for yourself or your business. Many food bloggers are considered experts just because of their Instagram food posts, and some have even gotten sponsorship deals based on their food blogs.
Find a community. You post content and people comment on it. This is a great way to connect with people who are interested in the same things as you are.

If you're starting an Instagram food blog, here's some tips and best practices for your new account:

You may share the entire recipe in the caption (the limit is 2,200 characters)
You can also include a shortened link to the recipe in the caption. Even though it's not clickable, users can copy/paste it
Make the caption engaging. Try something funny, or a clever play on words like, "Cheeses Take the Wheel"
Use emojis
As a rule of thumb, don't post anything that isn't great
Check to see which of your posts perform the best. Then share more like this. You can use theTailwindapp to help analyze engagement
Seasonal recipes are very popular (Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas…). Plan ahead. Post more of these recipes around the holidays.
Go to popular Instagram food blogs and model their most successful posts.
Do not add a text overlay to your food images.
Use 2-10 hashtags on your posts to improve search optimization. Food bloggers use the #ad hashtag for sponsored posts.
Create your own hashtag for users who try your recipe, then follow it and comment on users who take part.
Use video food posts more. They get great engagement on IG.
Add a call to action at the end such as "tag a friend", "click the link for the recipe in bio!"
Have a separate account for your personal posts. But do add behind the scenes posts of your food blog.

What are some tips formaking my food Instagramfamous?

Consistently post stunning images

Learn food photography for free on YouTube (search "instagram food photography" and "cellphone food photography")
Save money by making your own food photography lighting (search "DIY food photography lighting" on YouTube).
Write engaging captions

Post photos that people like

Pasta, donuts, and other goodies are very popular.
If healthy food is your thing, research which posts are the most popular on your favorite Instagram blogs. And then re-create them on your food blog.

Branding

Choose a catchy name
Add a professional logo as your profile pic
Pay close attention to how the grid of recent posts looks. This is your visual brand. Plan this out ahead and stay on brand.

Instagram Algorithm Best Practices

Follow other accounts in your niche
Engage with users in your niche as well
Reply to comments from your followers
Do not purchase followers, likes or other engagement

What are some tips for writing good Instagram food captions?

Make them fun and engaging
Use emojis, but don't overdo it
Check grammar and spelling
Keep the tone informal
Show personality
Keep them brief

Here are 100+ great Instagram food caption examples from Parade.com:

I lost some weight once, but I found it again in the fridge.
I love pizza. I want to marry it, but it would just be to eat her family at the wedding.
I just want someone to look at me the way I look at food.
Sorry—I'm in a relationship. With food.
Sugar, spice, and everything nice.
My milkshake brings all the boys to the yard.
Home is wherever I'm with food.
"If we shake out all of the crumbs from all of the keyboards in the world, we can end world hunger."-Matthew Dolkart
Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.
Donut kill my vibe.
Call me Kim Carbdashian.
Everything tastes good when you're on a diet.
A slice of pie without cheese is like a kiss without a squeeze.
After a good dinner one can forgive anybody, even one's own relatives.
Burger is always better.
If I share my food with you, it's a big deal.
Food is an important part of a balanced diet.
Pilates? I thought you said pie and lattes!
"I am not a vegetarian because I love animals; I am a vegetarian because I hate plants."- A. Whitney Brown
Issa snack.
Related: The 10 Most Instagrammable Restaurants in the United States
You want a pizza this?
I make ice cream disappear. What's your superpower?
Carbe diem.
Eat less from the box, more from the earth.
You had me at 'pizza.'
Age and glasses of wine should never be counted.
The first sip of a hot beverage is always the scariest sip.
Brunch without champagne is just a sad breakfast.
Being a grown-up is the best, you don't need permission to have dessert for dinner.
"People who love to eat are always the best people." —Julia Child
Always crust your instincts.
A well balanced meal is a slice in both hands.
Let's talk about brunch, baby. Let's talk about you and me.
Either I eat all my food or I eat all my food. There is no in between.
Nine out of ten people love chocolate, and the 10th person is always lying.
When you think you see your food coming at a restaurant, and then you realize it's not yours.
There's no we in fries.
Found love in a hopeless plate.
Say yes to more cheese.
There is no better feeling than a warm pizza box on your lap.
I cook with wine. Sometimes I even add it to the food.
Even breakfast should begin with the desert.
I like hashtags because they look like waffles.
Just like Carrie Bradshaw, I love a good Burger.
"Give me all the bacon and eggs you have." –Ron Swanson
Being a foodie is difficult because all you want to do is eat – sometimes your friends' food as well.
If you want to avoid heartache, fall in love with food. It'll never break your heart.
I will stop eating ice cream out of the container once I make it completely level.
Seconds, thirds… who's counting?
The only way to ruin my day is to cancel lunch plans.
If you are not supposed to have midnight snacks, then why is there a light in the fridge?
Wining and dining.
The closest I've been to a diet this year is erasing food searches from my browser history.
In the mood for noods.
Television + food, a match made in heaven.
I am sorry for what I said when I was hungry.
Good food, good life.
Promises and pie-crust are made to be broken.
All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt.
I am a better person when I have less on my plate.
Does this make your heart MELT?
I think about food literally all day every day. It's a thing.
French fries are those potatoes who went to Harvard.
Life is like ice cream. Enjoy before it melts.
Every pizza is a personal pizza if you believe in yourself.
There is no greater love than the love of food.
When you mix good flavors, then the food turns into orchestra.
A burger is meant to be eaten like you love it.
Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.
An avocado a day keeps the doctor away.
My dinner stomach is full, but my dessert stomach still has room.
"The only thing I like better than talking about food is eating." -John Walters
Healthy Food = Happy Food; Happy Food = Happy Body; Happy Body = Happy Mind.
Food is really and truly the most effective medicine.
I'm not like other girls. I know what I want for dinner. I've been thinking about it since lunch.
Life is a combination of magic and pasta.
Being in love with food isn't a statement. It is an emotion.
There is nothing more romantic than Italian food.
When I cannot eat, I talk about eating.
Probably the best meat eater in the world.
Life is short. Eat more Donuts.
Food is not rational. Food is culture, habit, craving, and identity.
I may settle for everything but with food there is no compromise.
Some days I eat salads and go to the gym. Some days I eat cupcakes and refuse to put on pants. It's called balance.
Gigi Hadid eats a burger once a week and so do I.
My friends tell me that cooking is easy, but it's not easier than not cooking.
When life hands you lemons, give them back. You deserve chocolate.
Square Box, Round Pizza, Triangular Slice, It's So Misleading.
You don't need a silver fork to eat good food.
I followed my heart and it led me to the fridge.
Fish, to taste right, must swim three times – in water, in butter, and in wine.
"Another day, another 13,000 calories." — Andy Lassner
The only thing better than talking about food is eating it.
No matter how full I am, I still have room for dessert.
Count the memories, not the calories.
There's no better feeling in the world than a warm pizza box on your lap.
Anything is good if it's made of chocolate.
First, we eat. Then, we do everything else.
I love to sleep, because it's like a time machine for breakfast.
Food is the best medicine.

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