One in three voters uses Instagram daily, making it one of the most important social media platforms for campaigns, especially when it comes to reaching younger, more persuadable audiences. It’s visual-first and increasingly video-driven, which can feel limiting for campaigns that are used to long statements and links.
With billions of pieces of content posted every day and users spending meaningful time scrolling, campaigns that understand how Instagram wants content to look and feel are the ones that break through.
Here are eight practical ways to get more out of Instagram right now.
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Carousels
Carousels are one of the most reliable engagement drivers on Instagram. You can include up to 20 images or slides, which makes them ideal for storytelling.
Use carousels to:
- Walk through a candidate’s background or biography
- Break down a policy position into simple, swipeable chunks
- Share before-and-after contrasts or timelines
The first slide should earn the swipe, and every slide after that should reward it. Think headlines, not paragraphs.
Trending Audio
Trending audio signals relevance to the algorithm and to users. When done well, it can dramatically increase reach on Reels.
A few rules of thumb:
- Only use trending audio if it fits the tone of your campaign
- Study how other creators are using the sound before jumping in
- Don’t force humor or irony if it’s not authentic
You can find trending audio directly in the Reels composer. If the arrow icon is pointing up, it’s gaining momentum.
Story Stickers
Instagram Stories are built for interaction, and stickers are the fastest way to get it.
Polls, questions, sliders, and quizzes all:
- Increase engagement signals
- Encourage low-friction participation
- Train followers to interact with your content
Use stickers to ask simple questions, gather feedback, or preview upcoming campaign moments.
Text Posts and Memes
Text posts and memes can work for campaigns if they’re genuinely good.
Successful text posts usually:
- Reflect a real moment or shared frustration
- Are timely and culturally aware
- Feel native to Instagram, not recycled from another platform
You can reshare memes from others, as long as you give credit and ensure they align with your campaign’s voice. These posts are also useful gap-fillers when you don’t have fresh photos or video from the trail.
Video Memes
Video memes take the concept one step further and are often even more engaging.
This might look like:
- Pairing a trending meme format with campaign footage
- Reacting to a viral moment in a way that adds context or contrast
- Using humor to humanize the candidate without undercutting seriousness
The best video memes feel like internet culture first and campaign content second.
Add Audio To Still Images
Even if you’re posting a static image, adding audio can help it travel further, especially in Reels.
This is a simple way to:
- Give new life to photos from the trail
- Take advantage of trending sounds without filming new video
- Improve discovery and completion rates
Think of it as upgrading a photo into lightweight video content.
Add a Note
Instagram Notes are short text updates that appear above posts and Reels for up to three days. They’re only visible to followers you follow back.
According to Instagram, adding a Note can increase the likelihood that your content is seen by those users. In practice, it functions as a small but real distribution boost.
Use Notes to:
- Add context to a post
- Highlight urgency or timeliness
- Reinforce why a piece of content matters
It’s a subtle feature, but subtle features often matter most.
Multiple Links in Bio
Instagram now allows up to five links in your bio. Use them.
Prioritize:
- Your campaign website
- A primary call to action (donate, volunteer, RSVP)
- Other key platforms or resources
Revisit these links regularly. Your bio should reflect what you want supporters to do right now, not what mattered three months ago.
Conclusion
Instagram rewards campaigns that understand its language: visual, timely, and interactive. Use these formats and features to meet voters where they already are, work with the algorithm instead of against it, and turn attention into real engagement.