Instagram Just Made it Possible to Track Brand Engagement

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Instagram announced this week that it's planning to put significantly more manpower into the hands of companies that are currently advertising on the social media network. The three new analytical tools—account insights, ad insights, and ad staging—will be unveiled to paid advertisers first (think Michael Kors, General Electric) and then to other brands after.

The Next Web explains that account insights, arguably the most important one for brands who aren't paying for sponsored posts, "allows businesses to see how they're increasing brand awareness on Instagram through impressions, reach, and engagement." Also known as: what's the best time of day to blow up the feed.

No matter what the data shows, one of the biggest benefits Instagram will most likely see is an increase in posts. With hard numbers and stats, brands will feel less like they're throwing photos and selfies at the wall to see what sticks, and instead, be able to come up with solid strategies and schedules for sharing content.

On the advertising end of it, the ad staging tool will do something that's pretty remarkable: brands and their teams will be able to "preview, save, and collaborate on ad creative for upcoming campaigns."
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