The Instagram Stories - Social Media News

On this episode of The Instagram Stories, I'm breaking down the latest insights from Adam Mosseri, the head of Instagram, on how creators can maximize their reach and understand Instagram ranking. This is part four in his series, where Adam shares three key pieces of advice: first, focus on engagement rates, not just total views or likes. He explains that Instagram uses proxies like watch time, shares, and likes to determine interest, so understanding the *rate* (percentage of people who liked or shared after seeing your content) is crucial. I'll also walk you through where to find these insights on your own posts, showing you how skip rate, share rate, and like rate are ranked in order of importance for your reach.

Adam's second piece of advice is to experiment. What resonates today might not resonate tomorrow, so keep trying new things. He even mentions `trial reels` as a low-pressure way to test content with non-followers. His third tip is about post frequency: while more posts can mean more reach, it's vital to find a sustainable rhythm to avoid burnout.

We also tackle listener questions, starting with an update on the `Edits app beta` for desktop. Adam confirms it's rolling out to a limited number of creators, and I'm personally eager to get my hands on it! For `Instagram Stories`, we discuss `automatic subtitles`. While they're not automatic, Adam demonstrates how easy it is to add them using the `caption sticker` from your sticker tray, giving creators the choice. I recommend adding subtitles to all your content, including song lyrics.

Other questions covered include whether Instagram `boosts specific genres` like art or food (Adam says no, it's about user interest), if `blocking someone harms your reach` (it doesn't), or if `deleting old videos or archiving` them affects current reach (also no). We clarify the `restrict feature`, explaining that restricted users can comment, but only you see it unless you approve, and they won't know they're restricted. Finally, Adam addresses using an `old account` to start posting again, advising not to overreact if the first few posts underperform as the algorithm warms up. We wrap up with a look at Meta's new `Muse Charm` hardware and how it can interact with your Instagram account.

If you found these insights helpful, follow the show and leave a review!

Links:
Instagram: Guide to Ranking (Instagram)


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Headphones: Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds (Amazon)
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Phone: Samsung S25 Ultra with S-Pen included (Amazon)

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On this episode, I'm breaking down the biggest social media updates for creators from the recent Meta Connect and Made on YouTube events, plus a key Instagram strategy to boost organic engagement. First, we dive into the Meta Connect announcements, where Mark Zuckerberg unveiled Muse, their new AI personal agent with voice and real-time video capabilities. This "personal superintelligence" is designed to help users accomplish goals, and Meta is exploring a novel business model where Muse helps people make money through transactions, a significant shift from their usual approach. We also cover Meta's new glasses, including enhanced privacy features, private processing for AI, FDA-cleared hearing aids for mild to moderate hearing loss, camera-free audio glasses, Ray-Ban Meta Gen 3, and even VR glasses that offer a private cinema or workstation.
Next, we shift to the Made on YouTube event, focusing on new creator tools coming to YouTube Studio. You'll hear about Ask Studio expanding to mobile, which I've found incredibly useful for generating thumbnails and scripts. YouTube is also rolling out A/B testing for videos and Shorts, new Research and Insights destinations, Dynamic Thumbnails, and conversational editing for Shorts, all designed to help improve content performance and discover new audiences.
Finally, for our strategy segment, Steven Adams from Emplifi shares insights from their new report on Instagram collab posts. The data shows that letting creators publish the post (accepted collaborations) drives significantly higher organic reach and engagement, especially in retail and e-commerce, with over five times more shares for authentic content. The report also highlights that focusing on Reels for engagement is far more effective than carousels in these partnerships. I'll link to the full Emplifi report in the show notes. Thanks for listening! Follow the show and leave a review if these updates helped you think about your content strategy.

Links:
Mark Zuckerberg's Meta Connect Roundup (Instagram)
Meta Connect 2026 (YouTube)
YouTube: MadeOn YouTube 2026: Shorts Series, Video A/B testing, Shopping Updates & more | Creator Roundup (YouTube)
Emplifi: Instagram collab posts drive higher organic engagement across brand sizes (Emplifi)



Leave a Review of the Podcast: Apple Podcasts

Connect with me on Instagram: @danielhillmedia
Connect with me on Threads: @danielhillmedia
Connect with me on YouTube: @danielhill_media

The Equipment I Use:
Microphone: Shure MV7+ USB-C & XLR Podcast Dynamic Mic with Stand (Amazon)
Headphones: Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds (Amazon)
Laptop: Dell Latitude 7320 Detachable Detachable 2-in-1 Laptop Tablet Touch | 13" (Amazon)
Phone: Samsung S25 Ultra with S-Pen included (Amazon)



Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Meta introduces its "Meta One" unified subscription tier and previews the upcoming "Edits+" feature. Threads launches new podcast integration tools, Instagram’s head explains algorithm controls, and growth strategist Maral Sattar shares tips for turning podcast content into engaging social clips.

In this episode of The Instagram Stories, host Daniel Hill breaks down the latest platform updates and social media strategies:

Meta One Launch: Meta bundles individual subscription plans across Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp into a single "Meta One" package offering enhanced AI features and new tools like links in Reels.

Edits+ Preview: A first look at the upcoming Edits+ creator tools, featuring expanded cloud storage for cross-device project backups and additional Meta AI credits.

Threads for Podcasters: New features for creators on Threads, including podcast profile banners, episode pickers, tappable link cards, and built-in reach insights.

Instagram Algorithm Insights: Adam Mosseri shares three practical tools users can leverage to control their feed and tune their recommendations.

Podcast Growth Strategy: Growth strategist Miral Sattar drops by to discuss faceless content tactics, B-roll utilization, and how to structure short-form video hooks for maximum listener conversion.

Links:
Meta: Introducing Meta One: A Subscription Service With More Features and AI to Create, Connect, and Stand Out (Meta)
Edits: Edits Plus: Coming Soon! (Instagram)
Threads: Threads Expands Podcast Toolkit for Creators and Listeners (FB)
Instagram: Part 3 of Ranking series - The controls you have to shape your experience (Instagram)


Leave a Review of the Podcast: Apple Podcasts

Connect with me on Instagram: @danielhillmedia
Connect with me on Threads: @danielhillmedia
Connect with me on YouTube: @danielhill_media

The Equipment I Use:
Microphone: Shure MV7+ USB-C & XLR Podcast Dynamic Mic with Stand (Amazon)
Headphones: Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds (Amazon)
Laptop: Dell Latitude 7320 Detachable Detachable 2-in-1 Laptop Tablet Touch | 13" (Amazon)
Phone: Samsung S25 Ultra with S-Pen included (Amazon)



Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode of The Instagram Stories - Social Media News, host Daniel Hill breaks down Instagram Head Adam Mosseri's latest Q&A insights, addressing long-form video plans, account handle impacts, and algorithm updates. Plus, creator Bailey shares a step-by-step tutorial on using the Edits app to streamline video workflow.
Are Reels getting replaced by long-form video? Does your Instagram handle actually impact your reach? On this episode of The Instagram Stories - Social Media News, host Daniel Hill unpacks recent Q&A responses from Adam Mosseri on algorithm ranking, monetization glitches, and account handle optimization. Later in the show, creator Bailey walks through how to edit high-performing videos using the Edits app.

Podcast Movement NYC - September 17th/18th (Registration)

Key topics include:
Long-Form Video Plans: Adam Mosseri clarifies Instagram's stance on long-form content versus short-form Reels.
Handle vs. Name Optimization: Why your handle isn't a growth hack, but the searchable name field is.
Algorithm & Account Ranking: Upcoming creator resources explaining how Instagram ranks content and how to manage your reach.
Edits App Tutorial: Creator Bailey MacNinch shares a step-by-step process for removing dead space, adding text overlays, and styling captions using the Edits app.

Links:
Podcast Movement NYC - September 17th/18th (Registration)
Edit Video Using the Edits App (Instagram)



Podcast Movement NYC - September 17th/18th (Registration)


Leave a Review of the Podcast: Apple Podcasts

Connect with me on Instagram: @danielhillmedia
Connect with me on Threads: @danielhillmedia
Connect with me on YouTube: @danielhill_media

The Equipment I Use:
Microphone: Shure MV7+ USB-C & XLR Podcast Dynamic Mic with Stand (Amazon)
Headphones: Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds (Amazon)
Laptop: Dell Latitude 7320 Detachable Detachable 2-in-1 Laptop Tablet Touch | 13" (Amazon)
Phone: Samsung S25 Ultra with S-Pen included (Amazon)



Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode of The Instagram Stories - Social Media News, host Daniel Hill breaks down major updates across Meta, Instagram, and YouTube. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg introduces "Muse," a new 24/7 personal AI assistant designed to tackle real-world tasks, manage schedules, and automate workflows. Plus, Instagram Head Adam Mosseri shares two big updates: a new profile feature that allows you to add tagged posts directly to your main grid, and part two of his deep dive into how Instagram's ranking algorithm prioritizes originality, recency, and fresh creators. Finally, YouTube rolls out a new AI tool for YouTube Shorts that gives creators actionable feedback on hooks, pacing, and visuals before hitting publish.
Key Topics Covered:
Meta Introduces Muse: Mark Zuckerberg announces Meta's new personal AI agent, highlighting its privacy-first architecture, task automation capabilities, and subscription tiers.
Instagram Grid Feature: Adam Mosseri explains how users can now pin tagged photos and videos straight to their main profile grid.
YouTube Shorts AI Feedback: A look at YouTube's new pre-publish AI review tool designed to analyze pacing, hooks, and engagement for Shorts creators.
Instagram Algorithm Ranking Part 2: Breakdowns on how Instagram defines originality, evaluates recency, auditions new creators, and scales its AI models.

Links:
Meta: Muse - AI Personal Assistant (Instagram)
Instagram: Tagged Content to Profile (Instagram)
YouTube: Get Feedback on Shorts Before Publishing (YouTube)



Podcast Movement NYC - September 17th/18th (Registration)


Leave a Review of the Podcast: Apple Podcasts

Connect with me on Instagram: @danielhillmedia
Connect with me on Threads: @danielhillmedia
Connect with me on YouTube: @danielhill_media

The Equipment I Use:
Microphone: Shure MV7+ USB-C & XLR Podcast Dynamic Mic with Stand (Amazon)
Headphones: Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds (Amazon)
Laptop: Dell Latitude 7320 Detachable Detachable 2-in-1 Laptop Tablet Touch | 13" (Amazon)
Phone: Samsung S25 Ultra with S-Pen included (Amazon)



Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.