Hi everyone, I’ve been thinking for a while now about what’s going on with the reach and engagement on platforms like Instagram and TikTok.
I’ve been posting content organically on a few accounts (one for my business, another for my personal golf channel) and I’ve noticed that organic posts and strategies just don’t seem to be working like they used to, especially on new accounts like my golf one.
Is organic social media marketing pretty much gone, and is everything just about paying for ads now?
Would love to hear your thoughts or get any advice on this.
Organic reach isn’t gone, but things have changed a lot, especially for newer accounts. Instagram and TikTok now focus on content that grabs attention and gets engagement right away. On Instagram, newer accounts need to focus more on Reels because they get the most organic reach. Trending audio can help, but make sure your video grabs attention right from the start and gives value or entertainment quickly.
On TikTok, posting regularly and experimenting with different types of content is the way to go. TikTok’s algorithm still helps new content get discovered, but it rewards consistent posting and mixing up formats, trends, and hooks. Instead of relying on hashtags or engagement pods, try to create content that people want to share with their friends—that’s a great way to get more organic reach.
If you’re struggling, focus on a specific audience. For example, a golf channel could focus on one type of golfer (like beginners or gear enthusiasts) and make posts just for them. Content goes viral when it’s super relevant to a small group, not to everyone. Organic reach isn’t dead—it just takes better strategy and adjusting to how platforms work today.
I’ve had some big wins on social media in 2024, all organic. It’s not dead, but it’s definitely harder. You need amazing content to get noticed over the paid ads and all the people trying low-effort engagement tricks. If your product fits the space, you can use those tricks, but if it doesn’t, you’ll have to stand out in other ways.
You need to prove your content is worth sharing before it gets pushed out to more people. If not, it’ll get buried unless you pay to promote it.
It’s not gone, but it’s definitely tougher. Organic reach is getting harder across the board, even for things like SEO and organic search traffic. Competing with big influencers and major publishers is just getting harder.
Organic isn’t dead, but it’s definitely become more difficult. It’s tough to get your content noticed without paying for ads or doing some networking.
You can try using engagement hacks, like trending sounds, memes, or discussing current events to help your content reach more people. Hashtags and sharing your posts in relevant groups can help too.