10 Best Instagram Monitoring Tools To Help Boost Engagement

There are 25 million brand accounts vying for engagement on Instagram. As marketers, watching random meme pages, viral trends, and influencer posts grab all the attention and followers you wish your own brand could get kind of hurts.   

Instead of just watching from the sidelines, we can learn a lot by looking into the data behind these success stories. And to get the data that we need, we need to find the right tools. 

This article covers the 10 best Instagram monitoring tools to help boost engagement for your business. From analyzing engagement trends to tracking follower growth, these are the tools designed to inform your Instagram marketing strategy and help your brand stand out. 

What are Instagram monitoring tools?

Instagram monitoring tools are specialized software solutions that analyze and interpret data generated by users and interactions on the platform.

These tools track your brand’s Instagram performance with precise analytics, identify industry trends, and engage in social listening to get better insight into competitor strategies.

By utilizing Instagram monitoring tools, businesses can fine-tune their social media strategies based on actionable data. These tools offer a comprehensive view of your brand’s online presence, from tracking engagement metrics like likes, comments, and shares, to understanding the demographic breakdown of your audience.

This enables you to craft content that resonates with your followers, at the times they are most active, thereby increasing the likelihood of higher engagement.

4 Key benefits of using Instagram monitoring tools

Instagram monitoring tools are important for anyone looking to improve their presence on the platform and improve engagement. They give you clear insights into how your posts are performing, what your audience prefers, and what strategies your competitors might be using.

Let’s take a quick look at how these tools could make a big difference for your Instagram strategy.

1. Accurate measurement of your Instagram profile performance 

Instagram monitoring tools streamline the process of measuring your profile’s performance by consolidating key metrics—like engagement rates, follower growth, and post reach—into clear, digestible reports.

They enable you to pinpoint which content connects best with your audience and adjust your strategy accordingly. With these tools, you’re equipped to make data-driven decisions, ensuring your Instagram efforts are as effective and targeted as possible.

2. Insightful data from social listening 

Social listening through Instagram monitoring tools lets you tune into what’s being said about your brand, industry, and competitors on Instagram. It involves analyzing the conversations and sentiments expressed by users to gather insights. 

This process helps you understand how your brand is perceived, identify emerging trends, and keep an eye on what competitors are doing. With social listening, you can discover opportunities to engage with your audience in more meaningful ways, address any concerns or feedback, and adapt your strategy to meet their needs and preferences.

3. Boost engagement from the right audience 

Boosting engagement from the right audience on Instagram is as much about raising your numbers as it is about connecting with people who are genuinely interested in what you have to offer. Instagram monitoring tools can be incredibly helpful in achieving this.

They allow you to really understand your audience’s demographics, interests, and behaviors. By understanding who your audience is and what they care about, you can create content that is really relevant to your target audience.

These tools allow you to identify the most engaging posts and times to post, ensuring your content reaches your audience when they’re most active, leading to higher quality engagement, and building a community that is more likely to convert into loyal customers or brand advocates.

4. Cut down manual work 

Instagram monitoring tools can automate the collection and analysis of data related to your Instagram activity, saving you countless hours of manual tracking and spreadsheet updating. 

Instead of sifting through your posts to gauge engagement or manually tracking your follower growth, these tools aggregate all your data into easy-to-read reports and dashboards. This automation not only streamlines your social media management process but also allows you to focus your time and effort on strategy and content creation, ultimately enhancing your productivity and efficiency.

10 Best Instagram monitoring tools to help boost engagement

To help you sift through the numerous options available and find the best monitoring tools to fit your needs, we’ve carefully curated a list of the 10 best Instagram monitoring tools. 

1. Keyhole

Keyhole is a powerful Instagram monitoring tool that is known for offering real-time tracking and analytics, making it a valuable asset for brands who want to boost their engagement on the platform. 

Understanding audience sentiment and competitor analysis 

At its core, Keyhole excels in tracking specific hashtags and keywords, a feature that allows brands to tap into ongoing conversations, gauge audience sentiment, and identify trending topics.

This insight allows brands to craft content that resonates, thus boosting visibility and engagement, while forging meaningful connections by engaging with your audience on topics they care about.

Moreover, Keyhole’s competitor analysis sheds light on the strategies employed by competing brands. 

For ecommerce brands like Tumble, this is a feature that they rely on to gain insight into what kind of content really gets the best engagement, the best hashtags to use, and the best posting times to maximize engagement.

“Having the ability to understand our competitors’ strategies lets us benchmark our performance and identify areas in our campaigns that we can improve. We look into what kind of content drives engagement for top brands in our space and adapt their strategy to ours so we can better serve our audience,” explains Tumble founder Zach Dannett. 

Keyhole also provides detailed analytics on engagement metrics such as likes, comments, shares, and overall engagement rates. This data is critical for understanding what type of content resonates with your audience. Knowing which posts generate the most engagement helps you refine your content strategy to produce more of what your audience loves.

Tracking influencer performance

One of Keyhole’s most unique features is its capability to track influencer performance and increase ROI. This is a must-have component to grow your brand’s organic reach on Instagram through fruitful influencer partnerships.  

Instagram influencer marketing however tends to take a lot of resources and naturally brands will want to maximize their investments. Keyhole helps you track their performance so you know who to invest in or reinvest in.

You can find the right influencers in your niche and use the tool’s profile analytics to differentiate those who have the potential to be really effective. Keyhole also allows brands to monitor the performance of influencers they are already partnered with or considering partnering with.

This includes delivering detailed analytics on engagement rates, reach, and the overall impact of their posts related to your brand or campaign.

2. Hootsuite

Hootsuite is another marketer-favorite social media monitoring tool. It collects performance data from Instagram and curates it into easy-to-analyze reports and comes with a suite of features that can significantly enhance engagement for brands on the platform. 

Advanced scheduling tools

With Hootsuite, you can schedule your posts in advance, which is essential for maintaining a consistent content calendar and ensuring that your posts go live at times when your audience is most active.

Keep in mind that posting consistently at optimal times increases your content’s visibility and  helps improve engagement rates significantly. Additionally, Hootsuite allows you to schedule your posts in advance so you can plan your content and keep your audience engaged and interested. 

Analytics and reporting

Hootsuite also provides detailed analytics on your social media performance, covering engagement metrics, audience demographics, and the effectiveness of your content strategy.

By gathering information on these insights, you can continuously refine your content and engagement tactics based on what resonates most with your audience. Understanding which types of posts garner the most interaction helps you to produce more engaging content, tailored to the preferences of your followers.

3. Instagram insights

Instagram Insights is a free, native Instagram monitoring tool that helps users learn more about follower trends and content performance. 

It provides insights into Instagram posts, stories, Reels, videos, and Live videos. You can even understand how people interacted with them and track metrics, such as shares, reach, saves, and impressions on your posts. 

Understanding your audience

Instagram Insights gives you access to important demographic information about your followers, including age, gender, and location. This information is essential for tailoring your content to match the preferences of your audience. 

Getting insight into the demographics of your audience can help you create content that will be relevant and resonate on a deeper level. For example, learning that a considerable portion of your followers come from a specific region can help guide your content strategy towards topics and cultural references that they can find more interesting and relatable.

Additionally, aligning your posts with the times when your target audience is most active improves visibility and raises engagement.

Post performance analysis

Insights provides detailed metrics on the performance of individual posts, Stories, and Live videos. This includes data on likes, comments, shares, saves, and views.

By analyzing which types of posts generate the most engagement, you can adjust your content strategy to focus on what works best. This could mean creating more of a certain type of post or posting at times when engagement is highest.

4. Sprout Social 

Sprout Social offers an extensive suite of Instagram analytics, engagement, and automation features. 

Sprout helps you quickly monitor and gauge Instagram trends and collects deep insights at a profile and post level. One aspect that stood out to us is its highly visual and interactive graphs and reporting based on real-time monitoring. 

Smart inbox with keyword and hashtag monitoring

In addition to aggregating messages and mentions, Sprout Social’s Smart Inbox allows for the monitoring of specific keywords and hashtags relevant to your brand or campaign. This feature is especially important for engaging with niche conversations and communities.

By actively monitoring and participating in conversations tied to specific keywords or hashtags, you can engage directly with users who are interested in these topics but might not yet follow your brand. It’s a proactive engagement strategy that helps increase your visibility within these communities and also encourages interactions, helping to build a more engaged and loyal following.

Viral post technology

​​Sprout Social’s ViralPost technology analyzes your audience’s engagement patterns and identifies the optimal times for posting. Unlike basic scheduling tools that require manual input for timing, ViralPost automatically schedules your content when it’s most likely to generate high engagement based on your audience’s activity. 

By making sure that your posts go live at moments when your audience is most active, ViralPost maximizes visibility and interaction with your content. This leads to higher likes, comments, and shares, as your posts are more likely to be seen and engaged with by people who are currently online and interacting on Instagram.

5. Buffer

Buffer is largely a social media management tool that also offers simple monitoring solutions. Its straightforward dashboard allows users to monitor metrics, track performance, and create reports for Instagram. 

Instagram stories scheduling

Buffer allows for the scheduling of Instagram Stories, a core feature that not all social media management tools offer. This capability is especially relevant for brands aiming to maintain a consistent presence with their Stories, which are a significant driver of engagement on the platform. 

This key Buffer feature supports planning and scheduling Stories in advance, which allows brands to ensure a steady stream of engaging content that captures the full attention of their audience. This consistent engagement helps keep the brand top-of-mind among followers and encourages active participation through polls, questions, and swipe-up links.

Reminders for optimal posting times

While Buffer provides analytics on the best times to post, its unique approach involves sending reminders for these optimal posting times. This means that even content that cannot be directly scheduled through third-party tools due to Instagram’s API restrictions, like multi-photo posts or certain types of video content, still gets posted when engagement is likely to be highest.

6. Phlanx

Phlanx is a bit different from the more typically used social media tools, focusing on engagement metrics and influencer collaboration opportunities. Its distinctive features cater specifically to brands looking to enhance their Instagram engagement through strategic partnerships and data-driven insights. Here’s how Phlanx can boost your Instagram engagement:

Engagement calculator

The Engagement Calculator is a notable feature of Phlanx, which allows users to instantly assess the engagement rate of any Instagram account. This tool is particularly useful for brands considering influencer partnerships, as it provides a clear picture of how actively involved an influencer’s audience is with their content.

Phlanx also provides access to an extensive influencer directory, making it easier for brands to find and connect with potential influencers across various niches. This directory is a powerful tool for brands looking to expand their reach and engagement on Instagram through influencer collaborations.

Essentially, Phlanx facilitates connections with relevant influencers, and brands can tap into new audiences and leverage the trust and engagement that influencers have already established with their followers. This not only increases the brand’s visibility but also drives engagement from users who are predisposed to be interested in the brand’s offerings, thanks to the influencer’s endorsement.

7. Brand24

Brand24 is an AI-driven social media monitoring and listening platform. It’s best for marketers looking to monitor and analyze online conversations happening about their brand and competitors. 

It’s not a complete Instagram monitoring tool, but it does offer advanced social listening and sentiment analysis. In addition to Instagram and other social media platforms, Brand24 listens to conversations happening on blog posts, forums, podcasts, review sites, and websites. 

Real-time monitoring and alerts

Brand24 excels in providing real-time updates on mentions, comments, and hashtags related to your brand, even beyond Instagram. This immediate feedback loop allows brands to engage with audiences the moment they are mentioned, keeping the conversation lively and responsive.

Remember, timely responses and interactions, especially when users are actively discussing your brand or related topics, can significantly enhance engagement. It shows your audience that you’re not just present but actively participating and valuing their input, fostering a more connected and engaged community.

Competitor analysis

On top of monitoring your own brand, Brand24 also offers insights into how your competition is performing on social media. This competitive analysis includes engagement rates, audience growth, and the effectiveness of their content.

Getting a full picture of your competitor landscape enables you to identify gaps in your own strategy or opportunities to capitalize on strengths. This insight ensures your engagement tactics are not only effective but also competitive within your niche, keeping you a step ahead in the engagement game.

8. Mentionlytics

Mentionlytics is an AI social media monitoring tool. It helps you monitor conversations about your brand, your competitors, or specific keywords. 

Real-time monitoring of brand mentions across Instagram enables measuring key engagement metrics and maintaining a positive brand reputation. 

Extensive brand mentions tracking

Mentionlytics scours the web and social media platforms, including Instagram, to track every mention of your brand, keywords related to your business, or even competitors. This thorough approach ensures you get a comprehensive overview of how your brand is being talked about online.

This allows you to quickly respond to comments, engage in conversations, and address any concerns or negative feedback. It also demonstrates to your audience that you value their input and are attentive to their experiences, fostering a stronger, more engaged community.

Sentiment analysis and trend identification

One of the key advantages of Mentionlytics is that you’re tracking mentions while also gaining insights into the sentiment behind them and identifying emerging trends in your industry. This allows you to gauge public perception and adapt your content strategy to align with audience interests and sentiments.

Leveraging sentiment analysis and trend data helps you create content that resonates with your audience, promoting positive engagement. By aligning your content with current trends and addressing any areas of concern highlighted by sentiment analysis, you can enhance your brand’s relevance and appeal, driving more meaningful interactions on Instagram.

9. Later

Later is a social media management platform with a strong emphasis on visual content, which is what makes it such a great Instagram monitoring tool. Later helps streamline your Instagram strategy with tools designed for scheduling, analytics, and more, with unique features that particularly boost engagement. 

Visual content calendar

Later’s visual content calendar allows you to plan your Instagram feed aesthetically, ensuring that your posts not only deliver value but also maintain a visually appealing grid. This feature supports drag-and-drop scheduling, making it easy to organize and rearrange posts until you find the perfect layout.

A well-curated Instagram feed can significantly enhance user engagement. When followers find your feed visually appealing, they are more likely to spend time browsing your content, leading to higher engagement rates. Later’s visual planning tool also ensures your feed is consistent but also aligned with your brand’s aesthetic, captivating your audience at first glance.

Linkin.bio

Later’s Linkin.bio feature lets users create a clickable, shoppable version of your Instagram feed, which lets followers easily find and purchase products or read content directly from your posts. This feature bridges the gap between your Instagram content and your website or online store.

​​This is a handy feature that makes it easier for followers to access the products or content featured in your posts, Linkin.bio not only enhances the user experience but also encourages interaction with your brand beyond Instagram. This seamless integration of content and commerce can lead to increased engagement, as followers are more likely to interact with posts that offer an easy path to learn more or make a purchase.

10. Pallyy

Pallyy stands out by offering features specifically tailored for Instagram growth and engagement. Its emphasis on simplicity, combined with powerful analytics and scheduling capabilities, makes it a go-to choice for businesses aiming to boost their Instagram presence effectively. You can also monitor up to 10 competitors and visually analyze their performance side by side. 

Advanced scheduling features

Pallyy’s scheduling system allows for planning and organizing Instagram posts and story content in advance. The calendar view provides a clear overview of your content strategy, making it easy to maintain consistency and coherence in your posting schedule.

Regular and strategic posting, facilitated by Pallyy’s scheduling features, ensures your content reaches your audience when they’re most active. This consistency keeps your brand on your audience’s radar and can significantly increase engagement rates by leveraging optimal posting times.

Cost-effective pricing

Unlike many other social media tools that come with a steep price tag, Pallyy offers affordable pricing plans, making it accessible for small businesses and solo entrepreneurs looking to enhance their Instagram engagement without breaking the bank.

Incorporating Instagram SEO to boost engagement from the right audience

Getting your content in front of the right audience on Instagram can help boost your visibility and engagement by putting your content in front of people who are already interested in what you have to say. 

Jason Hennessey, Founder of Hennessey Digital, emphasizes the versatility of SEO strategies outside of traditional search engines: “SEO isn’t confined to Google or Bing; in fact, the principles of search engine optimization are applicable on social media platforms as well. Learning and leveraging these principles can help brands can enhance their discoverability and engagement on Instagram, turning searches into a powerful tool for visibility and engagement”

He shares these three tips to get started: 

1. Use relevant keywords in your bio

Your Instagram bio should include keywords that are relevant to your brand, business, or personal brand. This will help new followers understand what you do and makes your profile more discoverable to users searching for those keywords on Instagram. 

2. Incorporate hashtags strategically

Hashtags are one of the most effective methods of discovery on Instagram. Use a mix of trending, industry-specific, and brand-specific hashtags to reach different audiences. Place the most relevant hashtags in your post captions or the first comment to increase visibility.

It’s also useful to research and use hashtags that your target audience is likely to follow. Instagram allows up to 30 hashtags but the quality and relevance of these hashtags are more important than quantity.

3. Optimize your post captions

While Instagram is a visually-driven platform, text matters still matters when it comes to search. Your post captions should include relevant keywords naturally. This makes your posts more discoverable through search and can also increase engagement by making your content more relatable and searchable.

Engage your audience with a clear call-to-action, ask questions, or include details that encourage users to interact with your content, and familiarize yourself with relevant metrics that can help improve your strategy.  

Wrap up

Getting the visibility and engagement that you want for your brand demands more than just creativity and persistence. You need to approach it strategically and use data as well as insights. 

The best 10 Instagram monitoring tools we’ve discussed above and their key features can truly help transform how brands engage with their audience, and offer a combination of analytics, scheduling, social listening as well as content optimization features to help tailor and elevate your brand’s presence on the platform. 

Whether you’re a small business owner looking to carve out your niche or a marketing professional looking to refine your brand’s strategy, using one or a combination of these platforms can help you build a community that fosters real connections with your followers, beyond just likes and comments. 

If you want to grow your brand’s Instagram presence based on solid data? Grab Keyhole’s 14-day free trial today.

Author Bio

Victor Karpenko is the founder of SeoProfy, a digital marketing agency with a focus on search engine optimization based on an advanced data-driven SEO approach. The agency boasts a formidable team of over 200 SEO specialists and clients spanning 45 countries, communicate in 12 languages, and operate seamlessly across all time zones. Recently, SeoProfy blog clinched the coveted title of being the premier SEO blog in Eastern Europe.

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