Image via Complex Original
In a world where your Instagram likes correlate directly with your relevancy, everyone wants to take a popular picture. A research paper published by Aditya Khosla, a graduate student at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, has identified foolproof ways to increase popularity as well as likes on your favored social network. We scoured through Khosla's paper to come up with these tips, which will increase your average of ten likes exponentially. Scientific research proves that modifications in your photos' compositions can take your Instagram to the next level.
Everyone has the chance to go viral these days, but so few do. If you have yet to figure out why you can’t bring in the attention you think you deserve, these tips will help. Here is our guide, relying on Khosla's research, for How to Make Your Photo Go Viral on Instagram.
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Consider going through a red period.
It's no coincidence that red is the color for stop lights, yield signs, and almost anything else you can think of that means halt, and it's safe to say we're wired to pay attention to red objects. When compared to cooler colors, like blues and greens, research shows that hues of red tend to stop viewers in their tracks more than other tones.
Instagram what you're drinking.
Surprisingly, teacups rank high among the most-liked photos on Instagram. The occasional beverage post can add a much needed personal touch to your feed.
Make some famous friends.
This one might seem obvious, but it's about the power of proximity. Posing with well known Instagramers or celebrities (if you can pull if off) will definitely create a surge of traffic your way. With a little help from their fan base, your Instagram's popularity will skyrocket.
Geo-tag your photographs.
Geo-tagging at concerts, galleries, or any heavily populated event can create connections and allow your photos to have a much broader audience than just your followers. Fellow Instagram users who are at the same location can now view and like your photos, which in turn increases likes and may even start some new friendships.
Don't photograph spatulas, plungers, laptops, golf carts, or space heaters.
According to research, these items are subconscious turn-offs (except, maybe, for the picture above). Refrain from photographing these objects to ensure your place amongst the Instagram elite.
But do take pictures of miniskirts, bikinis, cups, bras, perfume, and revolvers.
Nothing screams viral sensation like a miniskirt and a firearm. Keep these objects, which are correlated with the popularity of a photo, in mind when taking your next selfie. Studies have shown that Instagram posts that include these sorts of items boost the image's popularity.
Think about textures.
Studies show that texture plays a key roll in how much attention your photos receive. Pictures that incorporate some sort of tactile effect, whether it's a fuzzy sweater or even a textured background like a brick wall, can really make a difference in the likes your posts receive.
Include people instead of things.
Feature your fellow human beings in pictures. They literally breathe life into the composition. When compared to scenes with minimal activity, pictures with people stimulate a greater response.
The busier your composition, the better.
Don't expect your post to go viral if it's just the run-of-the-mill selfie. Try and create posts that are energized and unforgettable. According to research, dynamic compositions attract tons of viewers' attention while scenes of monotony are easily overlooked.
Time your posts wisely.
Time is of the essence when posting pictures to Instagram. Waiting until your followers are unoccupied and free to troll all your pictures will definitely increase visibility as well as likes. Studies show the optimal day for posting photos is Sunday, even though most people post on Thursday (we expect it's because of #tbt).
Keep up with the latest trends and news.
Make yourself the go-to source for cutting-edge information. Staying up to date with the trends of popular culture can increase your following exponentially. Your followers will want to appear as in the know as you, making them more prone to like and share your posts.