Flashback: it’s 2008, you open Instagram, catch up on your friends’ Valencia-filtered pictures of coffee, their dinner from last night, heart a few motivational quotes, and save a few outfits from an influencer you love. 

Life was good. Chronological timelines. Candid pictures with zero context or over-thought captions.

Those days are gone…

The Instagram algorithm got a major update in 2026, moving further away from showing us content from who we follow but suggested content based on interests.

Which means, in order to grow and get your content seen, we need to adapt, and this post will help you do just that. 

Flashback: it’s 2008, you open Instagram, catch up on your friends’ Valencia-filtered pictures of coffee, their dinner from last night, heart a few motivational quotes, and save a few outfits from an influencer you love. 

Life was good. Chronological timelines. Candid pictures with zero context or over-thought captions.

Those days are gone…

The Instagram algorithm got a major update in 2026, moving further away from showing us content from who we follow but suggested content based on interests.

Which means, in order to grow and get your content seen, we need to adapt, and this post will help you do just that. 

But First, What is Interest-Based Content?

Today, Instagram’s algorithm is suggesting content in your feed based on your interests. It delivers content that fits your hobbies, location, season of life, and the topics you typically engage with.

Instagram watches what you pause on, what you rewatch, what you save, and what you share, then suggests posts based on its findings. Meaning, you don’t have to be following an account to see their content. You just have to be interested in the kind of content they make.

So, if you’re always saving recipes and rewatching home decor Reels, your feed will include more accounts showing those things whether you follow them or not.

This is great news for smaller accounts!! Instagram is offering you one of the biggest opportunities to grow your reach.  Because if you can create content that matches what your ideal client is interested in, the algorithm puts your content in front of them!!

Why Interest-Based Content is Good News for Smaller Accounts

Previously, your reach was typically limited to your existing followers. Growth was slow because you had to hope and pray people would follow your account so that you could begin showing up in their feeds.

But now, your reach is determined by how well your content resonates with the interests of your ideal client. 

This is a game-changer!!

The accounts that will grow the most are the ones that:

✅ Genuinely know their audience

✅ Lead with identity and personality

✅ Are honest, specific, and human

If you’ve been feeling like your Instagram growth has stalled, this shift is your permission to stop chasing a follower count and start chasing interest resonance instead.

The Key to Creating
Interest-Based Content to Grow Your Instagram

Get to know your audience as if they’re your best friend!! Literally.

In order to create content that gets in front of them, you need to know:

• What your ideal client is scrolling for at night
• What identities they claim (girl mom, teacher, empty nester, etc.)
• What makes them laugh
• What frustrates them
• What questions they Google when no one’s watching
• What shows they binge, what podcasts they listen to
• What season of life they’re in
• Their desires

The more you understand them, the sharper your content becomes. And if you’re looking at this list and have no clue what those answers are, it’s time to do some market research.

How to Actually Know What Your Audience Wants

Let’s talk about how to do market research since it’s the foundation for helping you create interest-based content and good content in general! The accounts that are converting and growing on Instagram aren’t the ones who are always going viral. They’re the ones who understand their audience deeply.

Follow the accounts your ideal clients follow. So that you can understand what their world looks like.

Go where they are online. Facebook groups, TikTok, Threads, what are they talking about? 

Take notes! Keep a running list of actual phrases, words, and expressions your ideal client uses. You can use those words in your hooks and captions.

Talk with your existing followers. Reply to DMs with questions. Use polls, ask them what they’re struggling with and what they’re excited about. Every conversation you have is research.

Small Habits to Help the Algorithm Help You

📱 Be consistent with your topics.

The algorithm categorizes content, and if you jump around too much, you’ll confuse it. 

📱 Don’t skimp on your captions.

They are a goldmine for keywords! And keywords help the algorithm know what your content is about.

📱 Encourage shares and saves.

They both signal to Instagram that your content is resonating.

📱 Reply to comments.

Especially in the first hour after posting. This helps the algorithm to see that you’re engaging in conversations, which it loves!!

Now Let’s Talk About Instagram Hooks!

Now that you’ve done the research, let’s shift your hook strategy.

Focus on identity first. Start with the person you want to reach and write your hook so they immediately think, “That’s me!” within the first 2 seconds.

❌ Old way: New restaurant in Dallas

✅ New way: I think I just found my favorite new date night spot in Dallas

❌ Old way: Mudroom organization tip

✅ New way: For the family whose mudroom looks like five people moved out but left all their stuff behind, here’s how I’d organize it.

❌ Old way: Cheer competition tips

✅ New way: If you’re a first-time cheer mom who just realized competitions are an all-day event, here’s what you’ll want in your bag.

❌ Old way: Easy dinner ideas

✅ New way: Trader Joe’s frozen dinners I eat on busy weeknights as a Dietitian

See the shift? The identity-first hook calls out a very specific person, in this case, where they live, which gives the algorithm exactly what it needs to route your content to the right people. 

Long Story Short

The shift into interest-based content is a huge win for any accounts that are looking to grow on Instagram without needing a huge brand.

And when you pair identity and interest in your content, it will help your posts be seen by the people who can say, “yup, this is for me!”

Take the time to learn more about your ideal client, write content that speaks directly to them, and show up as a real human looking to connect.

And when you’re ready to put this strategy into practice, download my free resource to help you create
bingeworthy carousels!!

The best part: no expert Canva design skills required.