Improving brand visibility is not child’s play. Content creators need to roll up their sleeves and work diligently to grow their social media presence. However, when doing so, they must also follow certain rules to ensure that their posts do not conflict with the community guidelines of various social media channels. Instagram is undoubtedly one of the most used social media to improve your reach and reinforce your image. In fact, a well-established presence on this platform can do wonders for a business.

However, for cannabis entrepreneurs, the situation can become a bit bleak. Instagram for the cannabis shop has become problematic mainly due to its dominance over cannabis businesses. It can be seen in the form of shadowbanning the content of such companies, hindering their efforts to improve their reach on this popular platform. Surely there must be some way around it. More importantly, what does shadowban imply?

What is shadow banning?

It refers to blocking a specific user’s content on social networks so that the user does not know what is happening. Once shadows are banned, social media platforms like Facebook, TikTok, or Instagram will hide your posts from appearing in hashtags. If you’re shadowbanned on IG, your posts won’t show up in other people’s feeds until those people follow you.

In a nutshell; Shadowbanning is the ultimate nightmare for content creators and marketers. It drastically decreases the ability of your page to be found by new followers. Worst of all, you won’t even get a notification from Instagram about your shadowban. The smart algorithm will do its job silently, leaving you stranded in the dark.

If Instagram deletes your posts multiple times for being against your community guidelines, your entire account may soon be permanently deleted. Suffice it to say that you don’t want that to happen in any case. So how can you get away with it? Well, by following certain tips and tricks.

Instagram for Cannabis Store – How to use the algorithm to your advantage

Let’s call things by their name. If you have a business that deals with the cannabis industry and posts images of cannabis and its products, Instagram will not like them. Consequently, you will have to bear the burden of being shadowbanned. But you cannot deny that this social media platform is an important component of your social media marketing strategy. Below are tips that you can use to promote your business on it.

1. Focus on content diversity

First, evaluate what your company offers to customers. Then, compile a bunch of photos and videos that reflect your customer experiences and your brand vision. When you discover how your brand meets the needs of your customers, you can discover the customer experience that your company displays.

With this perspective, share pictures of your staff, clinic activities, honors you’ve received, and what you stand for. All of this should express the lifestyle that your audience wants to experience when interacting with your brand. Your goal should be to actively contribute to cannabis culture on Instagram rather than just flaunting your wares. In short, share lifestyle, experiences and people on the IG page.

2. Take advantage of Instagram tools

There is no shortage of tools that Instagram provides to brands. You can use tools like Instagram Stories, Instagram Guides, Reels, and Carousel posts to improve your engagement with your audience and help them get to know you better. All of these tools have different features and are great for promoting your brand in different ways.

For example, with Instagram Guides, you can provide richer content like tutorials and FAQs. While using Reels, you can create amazingly captivating 15-30 second videos about your brand and post them. If you want to post long-form video content, feel free to use IGTV.

3. Become a responsible hashtag user

This is where you have to tread carefully. You cannot use popular hashtags like #cannabis, #weed, #cannabiscommunity and many more in your posts. It’s a surefire way to get shadowbanned. You should carefully word your hashtags, even if it means removing cannabis hashtags entirely. Get innovative and use unique words like C*nnabis on your Facebook and Instagram pages. Instead of weed, write yes or stoner for stoner.

4. Make your content informative.

Who does not like to acquire knowledge and information? Facebook and Instagram are always up for it. Reputable publications that provide cannabis studies and research are not excluded primarily because they are educational in nature. Take a cue from these educational accounts and tailor your content to educate people about terpene interactions and legal regulations. It will give you an air of authority. Impart new knowledge to your followers in each of your videos.

Today, hemp and cannabis companies are making great strides in removing the stereotypes associated with these products. It also means that there is a lot of misinformation about cannabis and hemp products that needs to be corrected. Take advantage of it and start building a bond of trust with your audience.

5. Don’t make mistakes that you can easily avoid.

You will find that the cannabis shop environment on Instagram becomes more unfavorable for your business if you keep making mistakes regarding your content on this platform. These are some of the errors that you can fix.

Food to go?

Don’t fall into the trap of being inspired by a business that can successfully promote their cannabis-related sales content on IG. Please know that according to the rules of Instagram, posting any product or service related to cannabis is not correct. Finally, educate yourself about the new rules and regulations so you don’t make any mistakes.

Need help reading the new cannabis laws and getting ahead with your marketing strategy? Get in touch with Promarketer, a marketing company that specializes in enabling businesses to gain more traction online while complying with the laws.