Instagram is a powerful tool, but how do you know if your account is actually doing its job? Is it attracting the right audience, increasing engagement, or driving sales? If you’re unsure, it’s time to give your Gram a grade and start auditing your Instagram account regularly. In this class, we shared practical tips on how to evaluate your Instagram presence and make sure it’s aligned with your business goals.

Why You Should Audit Your Instagram

Auditing your Instagram is essential for keeping your profile fresh, relevant, and effective. Think of it like redecorating your front porch for each new season. No one wants to see pumpkins and hay bales in March! The same goes for your Instagram. You need to update your content, bio, and overall strategy regularly to reflect where your business is now.

In our "Give Your Gram a Grade" class, we stressed that you should aim to audit your account at least twice a year—ideally every quarter. This isn’t just about aesthetics. It’s about ensuring your Instagram is working for you by reaching your target audience, improving engagement, and boosting conversions.

Tips for a Winning Instagram Audit

Let’s dive into some key areas you need to focus on during your Instagram audit:

1. Check Your Bio

Your bio is the storefront window of your Instagram. Is it clear? Does it reflect what your business does right now? Here’s a quick checklist for your bio:

• Profile Picture: Make sure it’s clear, recognizable, and, if possible, a smiling face or clean logo.
• Keywords: Include keywords that help potential followers find you. Instagram searches for these keywords to categorize your account and show it to relevant users.
• Call to Action: Encourage people to take action, whether it’s visiting your website, joining your newsletter, or downloading a freebie. This helps drive traffic from your Instagram profile to your business.

Tip: You only have 150 characters in your bio, so every word counts! Make it concise, clear, and action-driven.

2. Evaluate Your Content

Instagram is all about storytelling. Are you telling the right story for your business? Take a look at the last 12 posts on your feed and ask yourself:

• Are they visually appealing and consistent with your brand?
• Do they align with your current business goals or are they outdated?
• Are they getting engagement (likes, comments, shares)?

Use Instagram Insights to see which posts are performing the best. Posts that get the most engagement give you a clue about what your audience loves. For example, if a certain type of Reel or post is driving more engagement, you should create more content in that format.

Tip: Don’t be afraid to recycle high-performing posts. Recreating top posts can keep your feed fresh while tapping into what your audience already enjoys.

3. Use Instagram’s New Features

Instagram constantly rolls out new features—whether it’s updated editing tools, Reels improvements, or algorithm changes. Make sure you’re taking advantage of these new tools. Instagram rewards accounts that use its latest features by pushing them higher in search results and feeds.

For instance, if Instagram introduces a new editing tool for Reels, use it! The platform will prioritize your content, giving you a better chance to reach new audiences.

Tip: Stay up to date with Instagram changes and trends by following their blog or other industry resources. We also discuss new features in our Social Simplified program!

4. Analyze Your Engagement

Take a look at your account’s engagement rate. While it’s easy to focus on gaining more followers, true growth comes from engagement. It’s better to have 1,000 followers who comment, like, and share your content than 10,000 who ignore your posts.

Audit your follower list for inactive accounts, bots, or spam. Removing these can actually increase your engagement rate, as it helps Instagram's algorithm show your posts to the right people.

Tip: You can calculate your engagement rate by dividing the total likes, comments, and shares by the number of followers, then multiplying by 100. Aim for at least a 6% engagement rate if you have under 5,000 followers.

Common Instagram Mistakes to Avoid

When performing your audit, be on the lookout for these common Instagram pitfalls:

• Inconsistent Posting: Posting too sporadically can make you fall off your audience’s radar.
• Unclear Messaging: Make sure your content reflects your current business goals, not what you were doing six months ago.
• Not Using Hashtags: While the power of hashtags has changed, they’re still important for visibility. Use relevant hashtags in each post to reach a wider audience.

Wrapping Up: Take Action Today!

Auditing your Instagram can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. Start small by evaluating one area at a time—begin with your bio, then move on to your content, and finally your engagement metrics.

This audit isn’t a one-time thing. You should revisit it regularly to ensure that your Instagram is always aligned with your evolving business goals. Remember, auditing doesn’t just help you maintain your profile—it actively boosts your engagement, visibility, and conversion rates.

If you're ready to take your Instagram audit to the next level, be sure to check out our Social Simplified plan for more tips, monthly content strategies, and guidance. Or, for a more personalized experience, consider joining our Social Club or signing up for one of our VIP coaching programs.

Your Instagram is your digital storefront. Keep it alive, dynamic, and reflective of your business’s growth!