Are you ready to talk about engagement pods on Instagram? We are so ready to break it down for you like it’s 2001 and we’re rocking out to “Oops!… I Did It Again” by Britney Spears. So, what are engagement pods, you ask? They’re basically groups of Instagram users who agree to help each other boost their engagement by liking, commenting, and sharing each other’s posts. We’re saying no to engagement pods, and this is why.

Now, I know what you’re thinking. “Sounds like a good idea, right?” Wrong! It’s against Instagram community guidelines, and honestly, it’s just not fetch. Instagram wants to keep it real and make sure engagement is genuine. Using engagement pods to fake your engagement just goes against everything the platform stands for, and can actually hurt your account in the long run. If you think about it, the people commenting on your posts aren’t your ideal audience right? So all you’re really doing is telling Instagram that you want your content to be seen by more of this type of account, and your content might only get seen by your competitors. Not really helping you much is it?

But here’s the real kicker: using engagement pods can make you look like a total phony. If people find out that you’re using engagement pods, they might start to question whether your content is legit and if your followers are even real. Yikes! Plus, Instagram’s algorithm is smart enough to detect accounts that use engagement pods, and it can actually hurt your visibility on the platform.

To be fully transparent, back in the early days of Instagram we were in an engagement pod (before we knew the effect it could have on our account). And we tell ya what. It was stressful. Needing to be present at multiple times of the day to comment on posts. It was a lot of pressure. And the results? We didn’t see genuine connections being formed or massive engagement coming from that. But instead, the results come from our own tactics in our own time genuinely spending time leaving thoughtful, humourous or valuable comments on our follower’s posts.

So, what’s the solution? Instead of trying to cheat the system, focus on creating awesome content that resonates with your audience. Be authentic and true to yourself, just like we were when we were jamming to the Spice Girls back in the day. By doing this, you’ll build a loyal following that will engage with your content naturally, without the need for any fake boosting. Want a little more support? Check out our Oh My Digital All-Stars.

In conclusion, engagement pods are a big no-no. Let’s keep it real and keep it fun, just like we did in the early 2000s. Thanks for tuning in, and we can’t wait to see all the amazing content you’ll create!

XOXO

OMD SQUAD