Instagram Marketing Trends & Predictions for 2026 (Part 1): Why Instagram Feels Harder Right Now

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Instagram feels harder than it used to. Your views might be down. Your reach might feel inconsistent. Your content might feel like it is disappearing into the void.

This is not your fault.

In this Strut It episode, I kick off a four part series on Instagram Marketing Trends and Predictions for 2026. I break down what is actually happening on the platform using real data from two massive studies that analyzed more than 44 million posts and nearly 2 million accounts.

You will learn why reach is down, why competition is up, and why this shift is secretly the best opportunity small businesses have had in years.

What You’ll Learn

00:00 – Why Instagram feels harder right now
03:02 – What two major studies reveal about reach, Reels, and competition
08:10 – Why more content means less average reach
09:27 – How the algorithm has shifted toward recommendations and DMs
12:21 – Why small accounts are growing faster than big ones
16:06 – What resonance over reach really means for your business
17:01 – Why views and income are not the same thing
15:09 – How I grew my business by 300 percent with lower average views
20:11 – Why niche content now beats broad content
20:41 – How shareable content wins in 2026
24:00 – Why community matters more than ever
24:56 – Why Reels still matter and how to think about them differently
25:51 – The three strategic takeaways you need to focus on this year

Resources Mentioned

• Join the Hot Reels VIP Waitlist:
• Free Guide: Monetize Your IG Guide:

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• Apply for your FREE Instagram Breakthrough Session with Elizabeth
• Free guide to Monetize Your IG: Seven Simple and Proven Ways to Finally Make Money on Instagram

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